Latest news with #NowBar
Phone Arena
6 days ago
- Phone Arena
Samsung's One UI 8 Now Bar will be getting a major boost by the end of the year
Part of this expansion could be helped by Receive the latest Samsung news Subscribe By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy One UI 7 .0, you could only view Now Bar cards on the cover screen, but trying to interact with them would open the app or its widget. With One UI 8 , the Now Bar works the same way on both the cover and main screen, letting users interact with those cards directly from the outside display. That's a big improvement for those who like using their phone one-handed or while it's folded. Even though we don't yet know which apps will be added, it's a sign that Samsung wants to make Now Bar a bigger part of the Galaxy experience. If Samsung also decides to use Android's built-in live updates feature, it could make the Now Bar even more powerful and useful—not just for Samsung apps, but for all kinds of services. Part of this expansion could be helped by Android 16 , which includes a new tool for developers. This tool, called a standardized API, allows apps to show live updates—like a delivery or media playback—on the lock screen and status bar. Samsung's current version of One UI 8 doesn't yet use this system, but if it does in the future, it could open up Now Bar support to even more also a new improvement coming to Galaxy Z Flip phones. In.0, you could only view Now Bar cards on the cover screen, but trying to interact with them would open the app or its widget. With, the Now Bar works the same way on both the cover and main screen, letting users interact with those cards directly from the outside display. That's a big improvement for those who like using their phone one-handed or while it's though we don't yet know which apps will be added, it's a sign that Samsung wants to make Now Bar a bigger part of the Galaxy experience. If Samsung also decides to use Android's built-in live updates feature, it could make the Now Bar even more powerful and useful—not just for Samsung apps, but for all kinds of services. Samsung is getting ready to make its Now Bar feature more useful with the next big update to One UI. The Now Bar was introduced with One UI 7 .0, based on Android 15 , and lets users quickly see and control ongoing tasks—like music playback or timers—on the lock screen without needing to unlock the phone. It shows this information in a row of cards, which Samsung calls the Now biggest issue with Now Bar so far has been limited support, as only a small number of apps work with it, and most of them are made by Samsung. However, according to the official "Device Experience Guide" for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 , that's about to change. Right now, 20 apps support the Now Bar, but by the end of 2025, that number will grow to 35. Samsung didn't name the new apps, but it's clear the company wants to bring this feature to more parts of the phone experience.
Android Authority
23-07-2025
- Android Authority
Samsung plans to make Now Bar more useful by nearly doubling app support
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung's Now Bar, a lock screen carousel of glanceable app cards, is expanding its app support and is now available on the Galaxy Z Flip's cover screen. Samsung plans to increase the number of apps and services that support the Now Bar from around 20 to up to 35 by the end of 2025. This expansion will be available on devices with One UI 8, which is based on Android 16 and adds a new API that allows any app to create 'Live Notifications.' One of the biggest new features that Samsung added to One UI this year is Now Bar, a swipeable carousel of cards you can access from the bottom of the lock screen without unlocking your device. These cards contain key information and controls from various apps and services, including Samsung Clock, Google Maps, and Uber. As of last month, the Now Bar supported just 20 apps, but we've learned that Samsung may nearly double that number by the end of the year. Samsung launched the Now Bar with its Galaxy S25 series earlier this year before bringing the feature to other devices in the One UI 7 update. While the Now Bar wasn't available on the cover screen of the Galaxy Z Flip in One UI 7, Samsung has addressed this with the new One UI 8 software release. Joe Maring / Android Authority Now Bar in One UI 7. In the 'Device Experience Guide' for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which ships with One UI 8, Samsung highlights that the Now Bar can now display real-time app alerts right on the cover screen. The document also reveals that app support for the Now Bar is set to expand from 20 services in One UI 7 (as of June 2025) to up to 35 in One UI 8 by the end of 2025. Here is the list of apps and services that support the Now Bar in One UI 7 as of June 2025. Notably, while Samsung stated there are 20 supported apps, its official list only contains 19 items, and it's unclear which one is missing. List of apps that support Samsung Now Bar in One UI 7 (as of June 2025) Samsung apps Now Brief Media Player Timer Stop watch Interpreter Voice Recorder Notes During exercise Current Mode Emergency Sharing SmartThings TV remote control Call Do Not Disturb Wallet (tickets) Google apps Google Sports Google Maps Third-party apps Uber Uber Eats Waymo While Samsung's document didn't reveal which specific apps will gain support, the company's One UI 8 release opens the floodgates to greatly expanded support. One UI 8 is based on Android 16, which introduces a standardized API allowing any app to create 'Live Notifications.' Although One UI 8 currently doesn't show Live Notifications from most third-party apps right now, if Samsung enables this in the future, the number of compatible apps could expand significantly as more developers adopt the new Android 16 API. 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.
Tom's Guide
11-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
Samsung Interview: Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 product manager talks new designs, more AI — and that missing S Pen
We've only just seen the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Watch 8 officially at Galaxy Unpacked, and we've barely spent 24 hours with these devices as I write this. But some people have been trying them all out for quite a bit longer. Kadesh Beckford is Smartphone Specialist Product Manager at Samsung UK, and one of the first people to use these devices over a long period of time. So since he's had more of an opportunity than almost anyone else in the world right now to try out the new Samsung foldables and smartwatch, we thought we'd ask him our most pressing questions about the lineup. "To be honest and transparent, I've experienced the Galaxy Z Fold 7 for a couple of weeks now," Beckford admitted during our interview. "I've been very knowledgeable about the product for a little while, obviously while having it under lock and key. But then I've seen every single time I pick it up and have the capability of looking at it, it blows me away." Why does it blow him away? That has a lot to with the big design upgrade the new Z Fold has seen from previous generations. "Every single time I picked it up, I completely forgot it was a Fold. It screams out a normal phone, but when you open it, I'm like, "Okay, this is great." While Beckford's more of a Z Fold fan, he still gets the appeal of the smaller Galaxy Z Flip 7. "With the Z Flip series, the customers love the portability, the practicality of the device and its design. And the fact is we've made improvements on that: stronger, thinner, a bigger battery. Our R&D guys, our engineers, are amazing." There are plenty of hardware changes to talk about, but Galaxy AI still looms in the background as a big part of Samsung's mobile device plan. A few new features are debuting on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, so I asked Beckford what he liked best out of the fresh additions. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. "My favorite one probably is Suggest Erases. Last week, my colleague, Tom, actually, we were in our office, I was taking a few pictures around and I'm taking a picture of Tom. And I'm in the background because there's a mirror in front of us. 'I thought I looked pretty good in the picture at the time, but just the fact that AI picked me out, literally drew a line around me, and I then could literally just press a button and erase. It wasn't me going in to erase it, it made the suggestion at an instant and it removed me." Beckford also named the Now Bar as another favorite. The live app notification feature was introduced with the Galaxy S25, but it takes on new life on the cover screen of the Z Flip 7, where it's visible without opening the phone. 'I use Uber now and then. So now with the Now Bar, you'll get your Uber notifications.. I can now look at that on the Z Flip, just on the left-hand side. For me, that's fantastic.' The Now Brief summary has also proven beneficial for Beckford's fitness goals. 'I wouldn't say I'm a great runner, but I recently committed to not driving to the gym. I either walk or get a [dockless hire] bike. And what I'm finding is that with my device, I'm able to view all my metrics. I do wear a Galaxy Ring. I do wear a Galaxy Watch, but the fact is in my Now Brief, I'll get all of my weekly health insights." This data is important for Beckford, who has set himself the goal of running a marathon distance by September this year ("I haven't said in what time I'll complete it in," he adds). This follows his completion of the popular "75 Hard" fitness plan earlier this year. And he gives Galaxy AI a good amount of credit for helping him. "75 Hard is… hard! But with [Galaxy AI] what I was able to say okay, Monday's scheduling is chest and bicep day, then it's going to be back and tricep day, then it's going to be shoulders and abs day, and legs and abs day. I was able to just say it [to Galaxy AI] and then ask it to repeat this for X time frame and it kept me true to form. "Even at lunch breaks… because Bixby Routines knows I've got into the office, and it's coming up to around lunch time, it will make the suggestion of going for a walk. So these are small little things that I was able to implement. And especially when we pair it up with the improvements to Now Brief and Galaxy Watch. Yes, we must not forget about the other strand of Galaxy Unpacked — the new Galaxy Watch 8 series. "The watch is definitely a complementary factor when it comes to these devices. It looks sleek, it looks sexy as far as I'm concerned, with the stainless steel finish on the Watch 8 Classic. when I partner that up with probably a Silver Shadow Fold 7. It's going to look complete." For as much as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has improved on its predecessors, it's taken a step back by losing S Pen compatibility. But Beckford explained the reasoning: "When we look at the insights from what our customers were using on the Galaxy Z Fold series and what they wanted, fundamentally they wanted a thinner and lighter device. And with us we definitely pay attention and listen to our customers. So with those insights, we implemented what they asked." Now that he can talk about the phone openly, the last thing I wanted to know from Beckford was the first thing he'll show off once he's moved on to the Z Fold 7 from his current Galaxy S25 Edge. "I'll just show [people] the design. Fundamentally, it will be to put the phone in the palm of the hands of everyone. And I want their opinion and their reaction. It's easy for me to talk about all of the plus points on this device." "But I truly believe once people get it in the palm of their hands and they compare it year on year or even since 2019… they are going to be like, "Yeah, this is epic.""
GSM Arena
10-07-2025
- GSM Arena
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 promo and how-to videos are out
Michail, 10 July 2025 Samsung had a big day yesterday as it unveiled its Z Fold7 – the largest, thinnest and lightest Fold yet. Fresh off the announcement, Samsung's official YouTube page posted a bunch of promotional videos for the new flagship foldable, ranging from an official unboxing to how-to videos for features like the Now Bar, Photo Assist and Browser Assist. The first video in the series is titled 'Ultra Unfolds' and it offers a key summary of the Fold7 in 35 seconds. This video will likely be on repeat across online and traditional media for the next few weeks. We then move to an official unboxing video. As you might have guessed, there's not much in the box apart from the phone, a USB-C cable, a SIM ejector tool and some paperwork. Samsung also showcased all four of the official cases for the new Fold7 - Carbon Shield case, Silicone case, Clear Grip case, and Clear case. We then get to one of the longer videos – the official introduction. This one goes for a podcast-style format and covers all of Fold7's key new features. Samsung also posted several how-to videos. There's one for the Now brief. Another for the Browsing Assist and Writing Assist. And a third one for the Photo Assist feature. If you want to know more about the Z Fold7, check out our announcement coverage. We also have a hands-on with our first impressions. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 256GB 12GB RAM $ 1,999.99 $ 1,999.99 512GB 12GB RAM $ 1,999.99
GSM Arena
10-07-2025
- GSM Arena
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 promo and how-to videos are out
Samsung had a big day yesterday as it unveiled its Z Fold7 – the largest, thinnest and lightest Fold yet. Fresh off the announcement, Samsung's official YouTube page posted a bunch of promotional videos for the new flagship foldable, ranging from an official unboxing to how-to videos for features like the Now Bar, Photo Assist and Browser Assist. The first video in the series is titled 'Ultra Unfolds' and it offers a key summary of the Fold7 in 35 seconds. This video will likely be on repeat across online and traditional media for the next few weeks. We then move to an official unboxing video. As you might have guessed, there's not much in the box apart from the phone, a USB-C cable, a SIM ejector tool and some paperwork. Samsung also showcased all four of the official cases for the new Fold7 - Carbon Shield case, Silicone case, Clear Grip case, and Clear case. We then get to one of the longer videos – the official introduction. This one goes for a podcast-style format and covers all of Fold7's key new features. Samsung also posted several how-to videos. There's one for the Now brief. Another for the Browsing Assist and Writing Assist. And a third one for the Photo Assist feature. If you want to know more about the Z Fold7, check out our announcement coverage. We also have a hands-on with our first impressions. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7
