Latest news with #ImadKhan
CNET
09-07-2025
- CNET
Everything Announced at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025
In an all-too common (and annoying) tactic these days, Samsung has been drip teasing its "Ultra-experience" for more than a month prior to Unpacked, despite the lack of anything named "Ultra" besides a new blue version of the Watch that bears the name. And we've gotten hinting views of the new Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7 and 7 FE and Watch 8 (and the Watch 8 Classic), which are now officially official. All the devices debut One UI 8, Samsung's skin and apps for Android 16, which brings a new look of its own and increased Gemini AI integration to its partner's products. One UI 7 is still rolling out to Samsung's older phones. Lots of One UI 8's feature updates are agentic AI based thanks to Gemini. Those features include AI Mode, a multistep-capable version of Circle to Search, plus Gemini Live to search via the camera and perform actions across apps. The phones come with 6 months of Google AI Pro, Google AI Ultra's affordable sibling, too. Along with the usual anticipatory reminders, summaries, writing help and so on. Google wants you. Samsung has updated its security to sandboxed apps that are encrypted on-device. On the other hand, Senior Reporter Imad Khan opined during our event group chat "I'm using the Z Fold 6. I'm an AI reporter. I've never seen any of these AI features actually ever surface in my normal use." So there's that. If you want a deeper play-by-play, check out the archived version of our live blog. And if you've decided that the newest Galaxys aren't worth the money, look for upcoming Prime Day deals on other models like the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy A36 and more. A side view of the Z Fold 7. Numi Prasarn/CNET Galaxy Z Fold 7: Thin is in for this foldable In a pre-Unpacked interview with Senior Editor Abrar Al-Heeti, Samsung implied that it believes the Z Fold 7's thinness and improved cameras will make it a turning point for foldables, stating that its "newest Galaxy Z series is the thinnest, lightest and most advanced foldable yet" -- that there are no more tradeoffs between the type of phones we've become used to and the folding models. And the Z Fold 6 really is chunky; in contrast, the Z Fold 7 is thinner than even the S25 Edge when open. Now Playing: Ultra Thin: First Look at the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 02:45 Notably, it incorporates the same 200-megapixel main camera as the thicker S25 Ultra, as well as 12MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto cameras and a 10MP selfie cameras on the inner and cover screens. The battery capacity stays the same as the previous model. Gemini can run on the cover for quick access. The processor is the new Snapdragon 8 Elite, and apps are optimized for the big screen as well as for transitions between the smaller and larger screens. There is one tradeoff that remains, though: Price. It starts at $2,000, more than most standard phones. It will come in black, blue, silver and light green. Preorders start today, with devices shipping at the end of the month. The Galaxy Z Flip 7. Joe Maldonado/CNET Galaxy Z Flip 7 and 7FE: Bigger or cheaper Samsung redesigned the Galaxy Z Flip 7 for this year's line, with a thinner body -- 6.5mm when unfolded -- 4.1-inch cover screen (FlexWindow) that runs at 120Hz like the main screen (and hits a peak brightness of 2,600 nits), a 6.9-inch main display and a larger 4,300-mAh battery. The FE is more like the last-generation Galaxy Z Flip 6, smaller than the 7 with a 3.4-inch cover screen and the older model's cut-out for the cameras. The Flip 7 has a 50MP wide-angle main camera plus a 12MP ultrawide, the same as on the 6. There are enhancements to the image pipeline, though, and Samsung added 10-bit HDR video, updates to portrait shooting, and a zoom slider. There's a 10MP selfie camera on the main display. On the other hand, the Z Flip 7FE seems less of a "Fan Edition" and more like a "we have to hit a price below $1,000" version: It's essentially the same as the 6, albeit with Samsung's Exynos 2400 processor rather than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, likely for its better heat management to compensate for the 7FE's thinner body. It also comes with less storage at the lower price, 128GB, and tops out at a lower 256GB. But it's still not cheap enough. Both phones are now available for preorder, shipping on July 25. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts at $1,100 (it comes in blue, black and coral), while the FE model (your options are black or white) is $200 less, starting at $900. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic brings back the rotating bezel in two color options: white or black. Joseph Maldonado/CNET Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic: Rotate me again Samsung redesigned the latest generation to look more like the Watch Ultra -- circular face set within a rounded rectangle bezel quick-action button, plus a rotating bezel on the Classic -- and thinner and lighter than their preceding models, but with slightly higher battery capacity for the Watch 8. A new band design ensures the sensors are pressed more tightly to your wrist (for more reliable data capture). The watches also have double the storage. More space is essential to handle larger local AI models, especially now that Gemini is now integrated into Samsung's One UI 8 on Wear OS and handling more complex and multistep requests. That's not to say Gemini runs completely locally: It still requires an internet connection, either via an LTE model of the watch or paired with a phone. Watch this: The Rotating Bezel is Back! A Look at Samsung's New Galaxy Watch 8 and Classic 04:31 New health data available to factor into wellness suggestions include a needle-free Antioxidant Index and Vascular Load (strain on your heart during sleep), plus Bedtime Guidance aggregates metrics to AI-your-way to better sleep. Samsung also follows Apple's Workout Buddy with its own Running Coach, but the latter acts more of a personal trainer than cheerleader. Samsung bought Xealth, a company that integrates health provider connections with personal devices; the plan is bringing deeper management into Watch. You can preorder now, with prices for the Watch 8 starting at $350, the Classic starting at $500 and a new Titanium Blue model of the Ultra -- which includes the increased storage -- running $650.
CNET
09-07-2025
- CNET
Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, Watch 8 And More: Everything Announced at Samsung Unpacked
In an all-too common (and annoying) tactic these days, Samsung has been drip teasing its "Ultra-experience" for more than a month prior to Unpacked, despite the lack of anything named "Ultra" besides a new blue version of the Watch that bears the name. And we've gotten hinting views of the new Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7 and 7 FE and Watch 8 (and the Watch 8 Classic), which are now officially official. All the devices debut One UI 8, Samsung's skin and apps for Android 16, which brings a new look of its own and increased Gemini AI integration to its partner's products. One UI 7 is still rolling out to Samsung's older phones. Lots of One UI 8's feature updates are agentic AI based thanks to Gemini. Those features include AI Mode, a multistep-capable version of Circle to Search, plus Gemini Live to search via the camera and perform actions across apps. The phones come with 6 months of Google AI Pro, Google AI Ultra's affordable sibling, too. Along with the usual anticipatory reminders, summaries, writing help and so on. Google wants you. Samsung has updated its security to sandboxed apps that are encrypted on-device. On the other hand, Senior Reporter Imad Khan opined during our event group chat "I'm using the Z Fold 6. I'm an AI reporter. I've never seen any of these AI features actually ever surface in my normal use." So there's that. If you want a deeper play-by-play, check out the archived version of our live blog. And if you've decided that the newest Galaxys aren't worth the money, look for upcoming Prime Day deals on other models like the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy A36 and more. A side view of the Z Fold 7 Numi Prasarn/CNET Galaxy Z Fold 7: Thin is in for this foldable In a pre-Unpacked interview with Senior Editor Abrar Al-Heeti, Samsung implied that it believes the Z Fold 7's thinness and improved cameras will make it a turning point for foldables, stating that its "newest Galaxy Z series is the thinnest, lightest and most advanced foldable yet" -- that there are no more tradeoffs between the type of phones we've become used to and the folding models. And the Z Fold 6 really is pretty chunky; in contrast, the Z Fold 7 is thinner than even the S25 Edge when open. Watch this: Ultra Thin: First Look at the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 02:45 Notably, it incorporates the same 200-megapixel main camera as the thicker S25 Ultra, as well as 12MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto cameras and a 10MP selfie cameras on the inner and cover screens. The battery capacity stays the same as the previous model. Gemini can run on the cover for quick access. The processor is the new Snapdragon 8 Elite, and apps are optimized for the big screen as well as for transitions between the smaller and larger screens. There is one tradeoff that remains, though: Price. It starts at $2,000, more than most standard phones. It will come in black, blue, silver and light green. Preorders start today, with devices shipping at the end of the month. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 Joe Maldonado/CNET Galaxy Z Flip 7 and 7FE: Bigger or cheaper Samsung redesigned the Galaxy Z Flip 7 for this year's line, with a thinner body -- 6.5mm when unfolded -- 4.1-inch cover screen (FlexWindow) that runs at 120Hz like the main screen (and hits a peak brightness of 2,600 nits), a 6.9-inch main display and a larger 4,300mAh battery. The FE is more like the last-generation Galaxy Z Flip 6, smaller than the 7 with a 3.4-inch cover screen and the older model's cut-out for the cameras. The Flip 7 has a 50MP wide-angle main camera plus a12MP ultrawide, the same as on the 6. There are enhancements to the image pipeline, though, and Samsung added 10-bit HDR video, updates to portrait shooting, and a zoom slider. A 10MP selfie camera is on the main display. On the other hand, the Z Flip 7FE seems less of a "Fan Edition" and more like a "we have to hit a price below $1,000" version: It's essentially the same as the 6, albeit with Samsung's Exynos 2400 processor rather than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, likely for its better heat management to compensate for the 7FE's thinner body. It also comes with less storage at the lower price, 128GB, and tops out at a lower 256GB. But it's still not cheap enough. Both phones are now available for preorder, shipping on July 25. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts at $1,100 (it comes in blue, black and coral), while the FE model (your options are black or white) is $200 less, starting at $900. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic brings back the rotating bezel in two color options: white or black. Joseph Maldonado/CNET Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic: Rotate me again Samsung redesigned the latest generation to look more like the Watch Ultra -- circular face set within a rounded rectangle bezel quick-action button, plus a rotating bezel on the Classic -- and thinner and lighter than their preceding models, but with slightly higher battery capacity for the Watch 8. A new band design ensures the sensors are pressed more tightly to your wrist (for more reliable data capture). The watches also have double the storage. More space is essential to handle larger local AI models, especially now that Gemini is now integrated into Samsung's One UI 8 on Wear OS and handling more complex and multistep requests. That's not to say Gemini runs completely locally: It still requires an internet connection, either via an LTE model of the watch or paired with a phone. Watch this: The Rotating Bezel is Back! A Look at Samsung's New Galaxy Watch 8 and Classic 04:31 New health data available to factor into wellness suggestions include a needle-free Antioxidant Index and Vascular Load (strain on your heart during sleep), plus Bedtime Guidance aggregates metrics to AI-your-way to better sleep. Samsung also follows Apple's Workout Buddy with its own Running Coach, but the latter acts more of a personal trainer than cheerleader. Samsung bought Xealth, a company that integrates health provider connections with personal devices; the plan is bringing deeper management into Watch. You can preorder now, with prices for the Watch 8 starting at $350, the Classic starting at $500 and a new Titanium Blue model of the Ultra -- which includes the increased storage -- running $650.
CNET
29-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Play One of 2024's Best Games on Xbox Game Pass Now
Metaphor: ReFantazio was one of CNET's games of the year in 2024, and Xbox Game Pass subscribers can experience the game for themselves now. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a CNET Editors' Choice award pick, offers hundreds of games you can play on your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC or mobile device for $20 a month. A subscription gives you access to a large library of games, with new titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 added monthly, plus other benefits, such as online multiplayer and deals on non-Game Pass titles. Read more: Play Classic Games From the '80s and '90s on Xbox Game Pass Now Here are the games Microsoft is adding to Game Pass soon. You can also check out what games the company added to the service earlier in May, including Doom: The Dark Ages. Metaphor: ReFantazio Game Pass Standard, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play now. Traverse vast lands, explore dungeons and take part in a royal tournament to decide who the next ruler of the kingdom will be in one of the best games of 2024. This turn-based fantasy RPG comes from the creators of Persona 3, 4 and 5, so expect some similar stylistic choices. But CNET's Imad Khan said what really stands out about this game is "its addictive RPG gameplay loop." Tom Clancy's The Division 2 Game Pass Standard, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play now. Ubisoft This RPG shooter begins a few months after the events of the original game when chaos has engulfed Washington, DC. Enemy factions have overrun the city's streets, and settlements of citizens are threatened by new enemies. It's up to you to help liberate the city. This game lands on Game Pass just in time for Year 7 Season 1, which brings new gear, weapons and more to the game. Monster Train 2 PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play now. In the original Monster Train, you were fighting angelic forces to take back your home in hell. In this go-round, former angels and demons have made an unholy alliance to stop powerful creatures known as Titans from destroying the world. The deck-building gameplay that made the original Monster Train is back in this sequel, with new abilities, challenges and more for you to tackle. Creatures of Ava New to Game Pass Standard. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers could play this game full of cute creatures in August, and Game Pass Standard subscribers can try it out soon, too. This action-adventure creature-saver game is all about understanding and taming different creatures from various climates. Though your mission is to stop a life-consuming infection that threatens the world, I can't blame you if you just want to cuddle and pet all the cute critters in the game. Stalker 2 New to Game Pass Standard. Microsoft The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone was established in the wake of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. It's one of the most radioactively contaminated areas on Earth, and you get to explore it in this highly anticipated sequel. However, you're not alone. Mutated animals, humans and other dangerous creatures roam the zone. So choose your path wisely, and you might survive. You might even shape the future of humanity. Game Pass Standard subscribers can play this survival horror game a few months after Game Pass Ultimate subscribers could. Tales of Kenzera: Zau PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play now. This side-scrolling Metroidvania-style game was inspired by Bantu myths. In this game, your father has died, and you make a bargain with the God of Death to bring him back. You'll wield cosmic powers, travel through mystical realms and confront three mighty beings who seem pretty familiar to you. To a T PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play now. Being 13 years old is hard, and being 13 years old while standing in a T pose all the time can be even more difficult. This narrative-adventure game comes from Keita Takahashi, the creator of Katamari Damacy, and you'll experience a colorful story, explore your seaside town, and hang out with a precious and helpful dog. Takahashi talks about the game with CNET's Sean Booker here. Spray Paint Simulator PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play now. Bring some color to the world in this simulator, which lands on Game Pass right when it comes out. You'll restore worn-out surfaces, apply fresh coats of paint and make the world a little brighter in this relaxing, precision game. Crypt Custodian Coming to Game Pass Standard, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate on June 3. Cleaning up the afterlife can be hard, but someone's got to do it. And that someone is you! In this top-down Metroidvania-style game, you play as a mischievous cat named Pluto. You die and agree to be janitor of the afterlife forever, but it's not all doom and gloom. You can hang out with other spirits, battle creatures and explore the ghostly landscape. Symphonia Coming to Game Pass Standard, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate on June 3. Music acts as a source of life and energy in this nonviolent platformer. But when the founders of an orchestra vanish and life goes quiet, it's up to mysterious musician Philemon to find answers. Use your violin and bow to explore the musical world, reactivate the musical machinery scattered throughout the land and bring the orchestra back together. More games land on Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) Game Pass Ultimate members can access loads of games, as well as Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta). This lets subscribers access games on consoles, PCs, smartphones and more devices without downloading the game to their device. Microsoft added these games to its cloud gaming service, so subscribers can play them anywhere. Brütal Legend Costume Quest 2 Day of the Tentacle Remastered Full Throttle Remastered Grim Fandango Remastered Max: The Curse of Brotherhood Neon Abyss Quantum Break Rare Replay ScreamRide State of Decay: Year-One SteamWorld Dig 2 Sunset Overdrive Super Lucky's Tale Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection Games leaving Game Pass on May 31 Microsoft is adding those games to Game Pass soon, but it's also removing five games from the service on May 31. That means you still have some time to finish your campaign and any side quests before you'll have to buy these games separately. Cassette Beasts Firework Humanity Remnant 2 Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengeance of the Slayer For more on Xbox, discover other games available on Game Pass Ultimate now, read our hands-on review of the gaming service and learn which Game Pass plan is right for you. You can also check out what to know about upcoming Xbox game price hikes.
