Latest news with #NowBar
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
One UI 8 beta just made the Now Bar a lot more useful — here's how
Samsung's One UI 8 beta is here, and it is bringing a host of improvements to some of the best Samsung phones, including some changes to the Now Bar. There's little doubt that Samsung's Now Bar is a bit lacking in terms of how useful it is, but Samsung has steadily been adding new features, for instance, adding Google Maps support. However, the most recent One UI 8 beta, as revealed by Android Authority, has drastically improved this functionality by having the Now Bar feature live call handling, alongside do-not-disturb schedules. We'd heard rumors that Samsung was planning to add this feature earlier this month, but we didn't have a clear view of what it would look like. However, Android Authority has shared screenshots of the Now Bar taken on a Galaxy S25 running the latest beta. The first image shows an outgoing call with the contact's name appearing in the Now Bar, although the call information strangely also appears in the notifications panel. This is likely a quirk of this being from a beta, and the notification pop-up won't appear in the public release. The second image shows the Now Bar displaying that the phone is in Do Not Disturb mode, as well as what time it will revert back. This isn't the only change that's set to come with One UI 8. For instance, one of the biggest claims Samsung's making for One UI 8 is the introduction of multimodal AI. This AI should, in theory, be more aware of what you're doing on your phone and will be able to offer more personalized and proactive suggestions as a result. Samsung has stated that this will specifically mean that the Now Bar and Now Brief will be able to offer more customized insights into your daily activities. The One UI 8 beta also features some major improvements to the Secure folder, including a much-needed Kill Switch. The folder will also behave more like Android's Private Space features, meaning you can store apps in the folder without a copy being kept on the rest of your phone. Samsung pushing to add more functionality to the Now Bar is sure to be appreciated. However, the real hope here is that the release of One UI 8 is more stable than the One UI 7 launch was, since it was fraught with issues. Thankfully, it seems that Samsung has taken the lessons of the last launch to heart. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. One UI 8 beta is available now, but only if you have a Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Plus or the S25 Ultra in the U.S., U.K., Korea and Germany. So far, Samsung has not announced whether it will come to other devices or regions yet.
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
With One UI 8, Samsung just gave the Now Bar the functionality it was missing
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR The Now Bar in One UI 8 beta shows calls and Do Not Disturb status. This expansion of the Now Bar's functionality was anticipated after a leak earlier this month. One UI 8 beta is rolling out now for Galaxy S25 series users in select regions. Samsung's One UI 8 beta has just started rolling out, and while the changes appear to be subtle so far, there are some clear improvements on board. We've already confirmed at least one rumored upgrade as the lock screen's Now Bar has new call and Do Not Disturb functionality. As our One UI 8 beta screenshots below confirm, the Now Bar — the rounded widget centered at the bottom of the lock screen — now shows live call status and Do Not Disturb scheduling. These screenshots were taken from a Galaxy S25 running the new beta. The first image displays an outgoing call in the Now Bar, while another shows DND mode activated until a set time. These additions were expected after a leak of this specific functionality earlier this month. The Now Bar already supported select apps and live info, including sports scores from Google, a media player, Samsung Health data, Voice Recorder, Samsung Notes, and emergency features. Adding calls and DND mode makes the feature feel much more comprehensive. This beta build is now available in the US, UK, South Korea, and Germany for users with the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, or S25 Ultra. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
4 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Now Bar is my favorite One UI 7 feature, but this tiny change would make it even better
Andy Walker / Android Authority I've really enjoyed using One UI 7, even if it does have a few niggles. It's always exciting to have a shiny new toy, even if that toy is software. But my fondness for it goes beyond its new car smell. The new Samsung Android skin packs plenty of practical features I've grown to like, and the Now Bar tops that list. For the uninitiated, the Now Bar is a UI addition that displays context-relevant information on the lock screen and always-on display. The pill-shaped info box doesn't support many apps at launch, with clocks and timers, sport scores, modes, and Google Maps directions some of its more useful list items. However, I've found it great for monitoring currently playing music. Do you want Samsung to add Now Bar customization options? 0 votes Yes, I want more control over Now Bar's design and controls. NaN % No, Now Bar is fine as it is. NaN % My morning work routine goes a lot like this: I'll make a strong cup of coffee, sit down, slap on a Spotify playlist, and get keyboard mashing. My Galaxy S24 FE sits on a stand below my monitor, and the Now Bar makes it so easy to glance at the screen to see which track is playing (even if it's locked). The feature has been a lovely quality of life improvement for me as I no longer have to tap to wake the screen or have Spotify baking my display, which would no doubt distract me from my current task and ruin my phone. Despite everything I like about Now Bar, it's far from perfection and there is plenty of room for improvement. Where are my Now Bar customization options, One UI 7? Andy Walker / Android Authority Let's start with my biggest annoyance: its rigidity. One UI 7 lets users customize more features than ever before, and with Good Lock, almost no element is out of reach. Now Bar is not one of those items. Now Bar makes monitoring currently playing music so simple, but it should allow me more control of its look and functionality. On the lock screen, the Now Bar pill displays minimal info, including the track's name, a play/pause button, and previous and next options. That's it. There's no option to switch these buttons for others or display other details, like the artist's name or current track position. I'd really like to know who composed or performed the track I'm listening, too. I wouldn't say no to size and position adjustments for the pill, as you can do with almost all other UI elements on the lock screen. However, no such options exist, forcing me to use Now Bar as Samsung dictates. Andy Walker / Android Authority My second big issue isn't so much a missing feature but how an existing feature is implemented. Tapping the bar while a track is playing expands it into multiple elements that display much richer information — essentially what I'm calling for above. I get a large album art view, the track's name and artist below, and a control box, with the current output device, an animated seek bar, and additional shuffle and add to library controls. The color of these elements also changes based on the album art's primary hues, which isn't true on the always-on display. You can see the expanded Now Bar design below. Gorgeous, right? Visually alluring and practical, this view would solve many of the problems I have with its current barebones design. So what's the fuss? Well, there's no option to make this a permanent fixture. As it's restricted to the lock screen, I'm back to the threadbare Now Bar display when my phone relocks. The solution here is simple: allow this view on my always-on display when playing music. Easy. Small changes will have a massive impact Joe Maring / Android Authority Now Bar in One UI 7. To give Samsung credit, I do really like the concept of the Now Bar, and overall, my grievances are minor. They don't ultimately detract from its purpose of delivering quick bites of info, and, if I need to, I can draw more details from it. Additionally, it works well, I haven't encountered any bugs yet, and the apps that support it are all made better by it. However, I'm not going to say it's the finished article. That's to be expected. It's a new feature, and it'll take time to mature. However, I don't want Samsung to just sit on its hands with the Now Bar. It's here, but now it needs further refinement. I have hope that it will, though. The company has handed over the reins of One UI to users with glee, and I can't see why it wouldn't include Now Bar with it. In short, I'm optimistic. With Android 16 just around the corner and One UI 8 hopefully following in short order, I trust the changes I seek will come sooner rather than later.
Geeky Gadgets
22-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Samsung's One UI 8: Leaks Uncover the NOW BAR's True Potential!
Samsung's One UI 8 introduces a significant enhancement to its Now Bar, using the advanced capabilities of Android 16's live updates to transform how notifications are managed and experienced. This update focuses on improving real-time alerts, enhancing the lock screen interface, and expanding third-party app integration, creating a more seamless and efficient user experience. Whether you're tracking deliveries, monitoring live events, or managing daily tasks, the Now Bar ensures you stay informed without unnecessary distractions. Watch this video on YouTube. Real-Time Notifications: A Smarter Way to Stay Informed At the heart of this update is the integration of Android 16's live updates into the Now Bar, allowing notifications to become more timely, relevant, and actionable. This feature adapts to your immediate needs, offering real-time insights directly on your device. Monitor your food delivery or track a package in real-time without needing to open the app. Ride-hailing apps now display live driver locations and estimated arrival times directly on your lock screen. Stay updated on live sports scores, stock market changes, or other time-sensitive events effortlessly. These notifications are accessible across the lock screen, notification panel, and status bar, making sure critical updates are always within reach. By reducing the need to open individual apps, this feature saves time and enhances productivity. Enhanced Lock Screen for Greater Functionality The lock screen has undergone a thoughtful redesign to improve both its visual appeal and usability. Notifications are now more interactive, allowing you to engage with updates directly from the lock screen without unlocking your device. Enjoy smoother transition animations that create a visually pleasing experience. Access critical information quickly, such as delivery updates or calendar reminders, without additional steps. Interact with notifications more efficiently, reducing unnecessary taps and swipes. This revamped lock screen reflects Samsung's dedication to delivering a streamlined and user-friendly interface, making sure that essential information is always accessible at a glance. Expanded Third-Party App Integration One of the standout features of the Now Bar update is its broader compatibility with third-party applications, allowing users to stay connected across a wider range of platforms. This enhancement ensures that notifications from external services are seamlessly integrated into the One UI 8 ecosystem. Receive real-time updates from ride-hailing apps, including driver locations and estimated arrival times. Track food delivery progress with notifications that keep you informed about your order status. Get package tracking updates from popular courier services, all without switching between apps. This expanded integration highlights Samsung's commitment to creating a versatile and interconnected ecosystem, simplifying daily interactions and enhancing convenience for users. Improved Transition Animations for a Polished Experience Samsung has also introduced significant improvements to the transition animations within One UI 8, making sure a smoother and more responsive interface. These enhancements contribute to a more cohesive and enjoyable user experience. Animations are now more fluid, reducing visual lag and improving responsiveness. The polished transitions create a more intuitive navigation experience across the interface. The refined animations enhance the overall aesthetic appeal, making interactions more engaging. These subtle yet impactful changes elevate the user experience, making everyday tasks feel more seamless and visually satisfying. Developer Tools for Enhanced App Optimization To support the rollout of these advanced features, Samsung has introduced a suite of developer tools designed to optimize app performance within the updated notification framework. These tools provide developers with the resources needed to fully use the capabilities of One UI 8. Developers can test their applications in a robust environment to ensure compatibility with the new notification system. The tools encourage the creation of apps that take full advantage of the Now Bar's real-time updates and expanded functionality. This collaboration between Samsung and developers ensures a broader range of optimized apps for end-users. By fostering innovation and collaboration, Samsung ensures that users benefit from a richer and more reliable app ecosystem. A Unified and Intuitive User Experience Samsung's One UI 8 represents a significant step forward in mobile interface design, combining Android 16's live updates with a refined notification system and expanded third-party app integration. The Now Bar update delivers a unified, user-centric experience that prioritizes accessibility, efficiency, and convenience. Whether you're tracking deliveries, staying updated on live events, or managing daily notifications, this update ensures you have the information you need, when you need it, all within a polished and intuitive interface. Unlock more potential in Samsung One UI 8 by reading previous articles we have written. Source & Image Credit: Demon's Tech Filed Under: Android News, Mobile Phone News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Time of India
Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Everyday smarts, familiar looks
The Samsung S25 Series places AI at the heart of the experience, streamlining everyday tasks with ease. As soon as you wake up, Now Brief offers a personalized overview of your day — all in a single glance. Whether it's real-time translation, instant message and email summaries or an AI-powered camera that sharpens images, fixes blurs and erases unwanted objects with a tap, the S25 is designed to make life easier. Acting like a built-in personal assistant, its AI helps keep your day organized, efficient and effortlessly smart. The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a compact flagship device that largely lives up to the hype. However, it lacks a wow factor in terms of design, with only minor changes from its predecessor. Here is a review after using the device for almost 2 months The Galaxy S25 Series is the first to launch with One UI 7 — Samsung's AI-first platform designed to offer intuitive controls and deeply personalized mobile experiences. Powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (or Exynos 2500 in select regions), the device delivers outstanding performance, with smoother multitasking, faster app launches, enhanced gaming, and good thermal management. Samsung's long-term software support ensures your purchase remains relevant at least until 2032. The smartphone has a 6.2 inch dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO display with FHD+ resolution, HDR 10+ support and an adaptive 120 HZ refresh rate. The peak brightness is at 2,600 nits which gives good visibility outdoors under sunlight. It has triple rear cameras - a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens with a 12 MP front camera. The photo quality is impressive, delivering sharp, vibrant images both in bright sunlight and low-light conditions. The smartphone comes with 12GB of RAM, and can be purchased in either 256GB or 512GB storage variants. It retains its IP68 rating from last year but steps up durability with the latest Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an added armour aluminum frame, enhancing both protection and premium feel. The S25 comes in seven colour variants: Blue Black, Coral Red, Pink Gold, Navy, Icy Blue, Silver and Mint. The best in the device is AI Samsung has introduced a range of Galaxy AI-powered features, including Now Brief and Now Bar, designed to deliver contextual information right on your home and lock screens. The Now Bar offers real-time insights like currently playing music, live sports scores and navigation details via Google Maps etc. These features run on-device, alongside the broader suite of Galaxy AI tools. However, some AI features require an active internet connection — such as generative text and image creation through Gemini AI. The Generative Edit tool in the Photo Gallery has been upgraded, delivering more advanced and realistic results when adding or removing objects or people from photos — even preserving shadows for a more natural finish. During calls, AI can screen spam or suggest replies and the phone even learns your habits to optimize battery life and performance. Whether it's organizing your schedule, improving your photos, or helping you communicate more easily, the S25's AI acts like a quiet assistant that simply makes life easier. In a nutshell, Galaxy S25 puts AI to work for you. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Series excels in many areas, but it doesn't quite hit the mark in a few key aspects — especially for a flagship device. Battery life, though decent for moderate use, can feel underwhelming with heavy tasks like gaming, camera use or AI features running in the background. Charging speed remains slower than many competitors, particularly when compared to brands offering 100W or higher fast charging. On top of that, Samsung continues its trend of excluding the charging adapter from the box, which might disappoint users expecting a complete premium package. For a device positioned at the top end of the market, these downsides stand out.
