Latest news with #Spen
The Herald Scotland
23-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
More than 100 cyclists set off on ride to remember murdered MP Jo Cox
The annual ride aims to keep alive the legacy of the Batley and Spen Labour MP – who was killed by a far-right terrorist in June 2016 – by championing the causes she was passionate about. This year's ride marks the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage, with riders wearing the purple, white and green colours of the suffragettes. They left the stadium just after 9.30am to cheers from crowds, including Ms Leadbeater, now the MP for Spen Valley. She said: 'Jo was a passionate campaigner for gender equality so it's wonderful to see nearly 60 women riding this year and showing that cycling really is for everyone. 'It's a tough challenge but a brilliant five days – everything Jo would have loved. 'It's also a great way to meet people from different walks of life and to celebrate that we have 'more in common', as Jo said in her maiden speech in Parliament 10 years ago. 'Cycling has so many physical and mental health benefits and also helps combat loneliness and isolation, causes which Jo cared about deeply. 'My mum, dad and I wish all the cyclists the very best of luck on their epic journey.' The cyclists are due to arrive in Buxton in Derbyshire on Wednesday evening and will reach Flat Iron Square in London on Sunday, following Jo Cox's journey from growing up in the Spen Valley to representing the area in Westminster. Ken Avery, from Liversedge, 76, who has terminal cancer, is taking part. His daughter rode alongside him as he left the stadium on Wednesday morning, and his son will ride with him in London. He said: 'I think they're both proud of me because I'm doing something that I enjoy and it's keeping me fit and healthy.' The youngest rider this year is 21, and the oldest, Kath Lyons from Skipton, celebrates her 80th birthday a month after the ride. She said: 'You see so much hatred on social media these days, people hide behind it. I'm doing the Jo Cox Way again to remind myself what Jo stood for – it's more relevant now than when she said it.' To learn more about The Jo Cox Foundation visit and to donate visit
Digital Trends
09-07-2025
- Digital Trends
Samsung: here's what happened to the S Pen on the Galaxy Z Fold 7
The Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 is one of the most stylish foldable smartphones on the market, but despite also being one of the most expensive, one question popped up: where has the S Pen gone? The answer: it's no longer supported, thanks to the need to make the device thinner and more attractive to hold. Recommended Videos Of course, the Z Fold 6 didn't have a slot for the S Pen on the device either, but was offered with a case that had a place to hold the S Pen (although you had to buy it separately. With the Fold 7, there's no compatibility with the S Pen as the digitiser has been removed to help make it thinner as well. 'There's no compatibility with the S Pen as the digitiser has been removed to help make it thinner,' Kadesh Beckford, Samsung's smartphone specialist product manager, told us. He cited analysis of usage patterns to show that the S Pen wasn't really as much of a consideration for Z Fold customers compared to a sleeker design. 'We've looked at what customers have asked for… and the reality is that the S Pen didn't come with the previous foldable devices, it's not built in like the S25 Ultra so it's an additional purchase for our customers. 'The [customer] insights were overwhelming: they wanted a thinner and lighter device.' This is an interesting move for Samsung, given the Z Fold essentially replaced the Galaxy Note, which first launched the S Pen back in 2011. The Note was always the more expensive Galaxy smartphone in the year, and launched in the summer, usually to provide more competition to the iPhone in September. While the Galaxy S25 Ultra has assumed all the features of the Galaxy Note – a larger display to write on, with a dedicated slot for the S Pen – to not even embed the functionality is a surprising departure from Samsung. Opinion: a welcome move In my view, removing the S Pen will do far more for the desirability of the Samsung Z Fold 7 than to keep it thicker with S Pen support. I've covered the launch of Samsung phones since the first Android phone appeared, and I remember vividly when the Samsung Galaxy Note was first unveiled at IFA in 2011. The S Pen was more of a quirk than an amazing feature – it was basically a simple plastic stylus that allowed you to interact with the smartphone without using your finger. It's important to remember that only three or four years prior, most 'smartphones' had a stylus, something Steve Jobs famously eschewed for the iPhone. So to see Samsung add a stylus to its most expensive smartphone (or phablet, as it came to be known) brought a lot of questions. But the brand has done a grand job of differentiating between 'productivity' phones (i.e. the Galaxy Note, Z Fold) and more mainstream, consumer-facing phones. The S Pen has been pretty polarizing over the years – fans of the technology adore it, but it requires larger handsets (that are less wieldy to hold) to allow for the slot to house it. Keeping the stylus outside the phone means it's easy to lose – so for me, it's either 'house it in the handset, or drop it'… so well done to Samsung for making that choice. I've never been a fan of the functionality, as no matter hope much the materials have been optimized, writing on the screen just feels too slippery. It's become a lot better in the years since, with far more useful functionality, but the sheer design leap that the new Galaxy Z Fold 7 has taken is more than worth losing the S Pen. Sure, it's one of the most expensive smartphones on the market, and removing functionality seems a little bit odd in light of that, but this feels like the right compromise.
Geeky Gadgets
09-07-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 the New King of Smartphones?
The Galaxy Z Fold7 is Samsung's latest innovation in the foldable smartphone market, combining innovative design, advanced AI capabilities, and unparalleled performance. As the thinnest and lightest foldable device in the Galaxy Z Fold series, it offers users a seamless blend of portability and productivity. With its expansive 8-inch main display and a 6.5-inch cover screen, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is designed to enhance multitasking, immersive viewing, and creative workflows. The device's advanced features, such as the improved S Pen support and the enhanced Flex mode, enable users to navigate their daily tasks with ease and efficiency. Revolutionary Display and Durability The Galaxy Z Fold7 features a stunning 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, delivering ultra-rich contrast, vibrant colors, and true blacks. With Vision Booster technology and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, the screen remains brilliantly visible even in direct sunlight. The device is engineered for durability, featuring an Armor FlexHinge, Corning® Gorilla® Glass Ceramic 2, and a reinforced frame made of Advanced Armor Aluminum. These enhancements ensure the Galaxy Z Fold7 is built to withstand the rigors of daily use while maintaining its sleek and lightweight design. The improved Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) provides a smooth, paper-like texture for an enhanced writing and drawing experience with the S Pen. Unrivaled Performance and Connectivity Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a custom-designed processor that delivers lightning-fast performance and efficient power management. With up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage, the device can handle even the most demanding applications and multitasking scenarios with ease. The Galaxy Z Fold7 also supports the latest 5G networks and Wi-Fi 7, ensuring users can stay connected at the highest speeds available. The device's 4,400mAh dual battery, coupled with fast charging capabilities, provides ample power to keep up with the user's busy lifestyle. Enhanced Camera System The Galaxy Z Fold7 features a versatile and powerful camera system, consisting of a 200MP wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto camera. The device's advanced AI processing capabilities enable users to capture stunning photos and videos in various lighting conditions. The 10MP front camera, housed in the main display's under-display camera technology, offers high-quality selfies and video calls without compromising screen real estate. With features like Director's View, Single Take, and Night mode, the Galaxy Z Fold7 empowers users to express their creativity and capture life's precious moments with ease. Seamless Integration with Samsung's Ecosystem The Galaxy Z Fold7 is designed to seamlessly integrate with Samsung's extensive ecosystem of devices, including Galaxy tablets, wearables, and smart home appliances. With the enhanced Multi-Active Window feature, users can effortlessly drag and drop content between compatible devices, streamlining their workflow and enhancing productivity. The device also supports Samsung DeX, allowing users to connect their Galaxy Z Fold7 to an external display for a desktop-like experience. The Galaxy Z Fold7's One UI 5.1 interface is optimized for foldable devices, providing intuitive navigation and customization options to suit individual preferences. Pricing and Availability The Galaxy Z Fold7 is available for pre-order starting July 9, with general availability beginning July 25. It comes in four stunning color options: Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, Jet-black, and an online-exclusive Mint. Pricing varies based on storage configurations, starting at $1,799 for the 256GB model. Samsung also offers Samsung Care+ for comprehensive coverage and the New Galaxy Club for users who want access to the latest technology. With its innovative design, powerful performance, and extensive ecosystem integration, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is poised to redefine the foldable smartphone market and set a new standard for mobile computing. Explore More For those interested in exploring other Samsung innovations, the Galaxy Z Flip7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 FE offer compact foldable options with unique features. Additionally, Samsung's ecosystem of devices, including Galaxy tablets and wearables, provides seamless integration for users looking to enhance their productivity and entertainment experiences. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a professional seeking innovative tools, Samsung's latest lineup has something for everyone. As the foldable smartphone market continues to evolve, the Galaxy Z Fold7 stands at the forefront, showcasing Samsung's commitment to pushing the boundaries of mobile technology and delivering unparalleled user experiences. Source Samsung 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.
The Verge
09-07-2025
- The Verge
Galaxy Z Fold 7 hands-on: Samsung finally made the foldables we've been asking for
Samsung just announced its seventh-generation folding phones, and it finally retired the long and narrow Z Fold design that it had stuck with for far too long. The Z Flip is also getting an overdue upgrade to a full-size cover screen rather than the file folder shape of the past couple generations. After years of incremental upgrades and barely warmed-over designs, Samsung's foldables are finally taking a leap forward with some bold choices — just be prepared to pay up for them. We knew the Fold 7 would be thinner. Rumors told us. Samsung told us. But like with the Galaxy S25 Edge, seeing is believing. Or, holding the phone in your hand is, at least. Compared to the Fold 6, it's night and day. The Fold 7 is vastly thinner and lighter, and the Fold 6 looks like a big ol' chunk next to it. It honestly feels like a different phone. At 8.9mm thick when folded, it's up there with the likes of the Oppo Find N5 as far as thinness goes. Oppo's device is so slim that my colleague Dominic Preston dubbed it the 'final evolution of foldables.' Open, the Z Fold 7 is just a hair thicker than the USB-C port on the bottom of the device. But there was one notable casualty in the quest to make it thinner: S Pen support. Samsung claims that omitting the screen layer that makes stylus support possible helped slim the phone down to its current proportions. I'll take a slimmer foldable over a stylus-compatible foldable, but let's observe a moment of silence for the S Pen Fold Edition. The Fold's new, wider format is a welcome change. The cover panel now measures 6.5 inches with a 2520 x 1080p resolution compared to the Fold 6's 6.3-inch, 968 x 2376p screen. It finally feels like a normal phone when it's closed. The inner screen is now 8 inches, and Samsung finally gave up trying to hide the inner selfie camera under the display and just put a 10-megapixel sensor behind a little hole-punch cutout. Good riddance. The water and dust resistance remains the same, with an IP48 rating like the last two models. Now, the bad news: two thousand US dollars. Or $1,999, to be precise — that's what the Z Fold 7 costs. With the price of everything going up, the tariffs situation, and the R&D costs that went into this newer, thinner Fold, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. At $1,899, the Fold 6 wasn't exactly cheap. But something about the words two thousand dollar smartphone just feels wrong, you know? But back to the good news: the Flip is getting a proper edge-to-edge cover screen for the first time. It's the direction Motorola went when it relaunched the Razr a few years ago, and I think it's the right one. Samsung uses the extra screen real estate next to the camera cutouts for the time and date as you swipe through widget panels, or for navigation buttons in apps, which is cute. Sure, it's a little awkward working around them, but I'd rather deal with this and reap the benefits of a bigger screen than be hemmed in by the file folder shape. The Z Flip 7 is slimmer than its predecessor, too, but only by about a millimeter when the phone is closed. It felt like the same phone to me. There are some meaningful upgrades, starting with a larger 4,300mAh battery. The Flip 7 also supports DeX and allows you to use Gemini Assistant on the cover screen — both features that were curiously missing from earlier versions. But better late than never. It has the same water and dust resistance (IP48) as last year. The file folder screen lives on in a new member of the Flip lineup: the Z Flip 7 FE. It's a lower-cost alternative to the $1,099 Z Flip 7 at… $899, which, sure, is less money. But it doesn't feel cheap, and with a $699 alternative from Motorola, the FE feels a little forgettable. Here's what I'm not forgetting anytime soon: picking up the Z Fold 7 for the first time. It was the same realization I had with the second-gen Pixel Fold: the 'oh, this is how this phone is supposed to feel' moment. I just wish that 'aha' moment came with a slightly lower price tag. Photography by Allison Johnson / The Verge
Geeky Gadgets
09-07-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: The Final Leaks Before Unpacked!
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 represents a pivotal advancement in the evolution of folding smartphones. Combining a sleek design, enhanced performance, and thoughtful usability improvements, it caters to both tech enthusiasts and professionals. However, the absence of S Pen support raises questions about its productivity potential for certain users. Below is a closer examination of the features and innovations that define this device. The video below from TechTalkTV gives us more details about the handset which will be made official later today. Watch this video on YouTube. Refined Design and Build Quality The Galaxy Z Fold 7 introduces a sleeker and more durable design, setting a new benchmark for folding smartphones. Its innovative armor flex hinge reduces the device's thickness to just 4.2 mm when unfolded, making it slimmer and more portable than its predecessor. At 215 grams, the phone is also lighter, thanks to its robust aluminum frame, which enhances durability without compromising on weight. The 8-inch inner display, while slightly smaller than some might expect, delivers an immersive viewing experience with significantly reduced screen crease visibility. These refinements not only elevate the phone's aesthetics but also improve its practicality, making it a compelling choice for users seeking a premium folding smartphone that balances style and functionality. Advanced Camera and Visual Capabilities Samsung has equipped the Galaxy Z Fold 7 with a 200 MP main camera and its proprietary Pro Visual Engine, making sure exceptional photography performance. This advanced camera system excels in low-light conditions, producing sharp, vibrant images that appeal to both casual users and photography enthusiasts. The inclusion of such a high-resolution camera underscores Samsung's dedication to professional-grade imaging technology. This feature positions the Galaxy Z Fold 7 as a standout option in the competitive smartphone market, particularly for users who prioritize top-tier photography capabilities. Battery Life and AI-Driven Efficiency Battery performance is a critical consideration for any smartphone, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 delivers impressive results. With up to 24 hours of video playback, the device benefits from improved battery optimization that ensures longevity. Additionally, the phone features a 38% faster CPU and a 41% boost in AI task efficiency, allowing smoother multitasking and enhanced overall performance. These advancements make the Galaxy Z Fold 7 a reliable choice for users with demanding workflows, making sure it can seamlessly handle both productivity and entertainment needs. The combination of AI-driven efficiency and robust hardware ensures that the device remains responsive and capable throughout the day. Memory Options and Regional Availability For power users, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 offers a high-performance configuration with 16 GB of RAM, available exclusively in the 1 TB storage variant. However, this top-tier option is limited to specific regions, which could influence purchasing decisions for users seeking maximum performance. This regional exclusivity reflects Samsung's strategy of tailoring its offerings to different markets. While this approach allows for targeted product availability, it may leave some users disappointed if the high-performance variant is not accessible in their area. The S Pen Dilemma One of the most notable omissions in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the lack of S Pen support. Traditionally associated with Samsung's productivity-focused devices, the absence of stylus integration may be a drawback for users who rely on it for tasks such as note-taking, sketching, or design work. While the device excels in other areas, this limitation could reduce its appeal for professionals who prioritize stylus-based functionality. Samsung's decision to exclude this feature may prompt some users to consider alternative devices that better align with their productivity needs. Galaxy Z Flip 7: Compact and Versatile Alongside the Z Fold 7, Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Z Flip 7, a device that emphasizes portability without sacrificing functionality. Key upgrades include a larger 4.1-inch outer display and a 6.9-inch inner screen, both of which enhance usability. Slimmer bezels and reduced crease visibility further improve the user experience, making the device more practical for everyday use. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 also features a larger battery, extending its longevity and making it an attractive option for users who value compact design and practicality. This device complements the Z Fold 7 by offering a more portable alternative within Samsung's folding smartphone lineup. Samsung Watch 8: Health and Usability Upgrades Samsung's Watch 8 lineup introduces significant advancements in health tracking and user interface design. The Watch 8 Classic includes features such as vascular load monitoring and antioxidant level tracking, providing users with deeper insights into their health and wellness. The updated One UI 8 watch interface adopts a tile-based layout, offering more intuitive navigation and easier access to key features. Additionally, Gemini integration enhances overall user interaction, positioning the Watch 8 lineup as a comprehensive tool for health and lifestyle management. These upgrades make the Watch 8 a valuable companion for users seeking to monitor and improve their well-being. Future Innovations: Trifold Designs and Emerging Trends Leaked details suggest that Samsung is actively exploring trifold smartphone designs, potentially inspired by similar concepts from competitors. If realized, this innovation could transform how users interact with their devices, offering new possibilities for multitasking, productivity, and content consumption. Such developments highlight Samsung's commitment to pushing the boundaries of mobile technology. By continuously innovating and exploring new form factors, the company ensures its position at the forefront of the folding smartphone market, paving the way for future advancements. Samsung's Vision for the Future The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 represents a significant step forward in folding smartphone technology. Its refined design, powerful performance, and advanced features make it a strong contender in the premium smartphone segment. While the absence of S Pen support may deter some users, the device's overall improvements ensure it remains a compelling choice for many. Paired with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Watch 8 lineup, Samsung continues to innovate and expand its ecosystem of devices. As the company explores new concepts like trifold designs, the future of folding smartphones looks increasingly promising, offering users exciting possibilities for productivity and entertainment. Explore further guides and articles from our vast library that you may find relevant to your interests in Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Source & Image Credit: TechTalkTV 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.
