NEWS
Google Maps now supports Galaxy S24 series’ Now Bar much more useful
Samsung changed the Now Bar settings page with the One UI 7 beta 3 updates by removing the deleted Voice Recorder, Health, Google Maps, Samsung Notes, and, Bixby. Now seems that the Korean tech giant is slowly adding “Google Maps” on the Galaxy S25 and Galax S24 series’ Now Bar on the lock screen.
Recently, Google Maps received a new update with version number 25.05.01.719889437, which supports the Now Bar on the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25 series’ lock screen. This development suggests that the company will soon release the stable One UI 7 update for the Galaxy S24 series in the coming days.
Once you’ve entered an address on Google Maps and started navigation, just lock your phone and the directions will transfer to the Now bar. A single tap will open a pill-shaped card, giving you more detailed information about your next turn. Also, you can end navigation from the Now bar once you’ve completed your trip.
Previous repeats suggest that the Korean tech giant would release the official version of One UI 7 for older Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S24 series gradually after February 7. On January 22, the Samsung Galaxy S25 series launched with One UI 7 software update. The Galaxy S25 lineup will officially hit stores on February 7.
With the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung has also expanded the One UI 7 Now bar functionality by introducing Now Brief, you can get a personalized briefing of specific content that gets updated in the brief card throughout the day.
Additionally, a user recently shared an image that reveals that the Galaxy S25 series with One UI 7 now supports live activities on AOD (Always On Display) with the Now Bar.
Currently, the Now Bar feature is only available for Galaxy S24 beta users and the S25 series. We expect Samsung to bring this feature to older Galaxy devices including the Galaxy S24 series when the stable One UI 7 update rollout begins.
Today, with beta 4 Google expanded Android 16 Beta to select non-Pixel flagship devices from partner brands. Samsung, as always, is skipping the Android 16 Beta Program, while the new OS is available for select devices launched by Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, vivo, and Xiaomi.
Google released Android 16 beta 4 with a second version of platform stability and announced that apps compatible with the new OS will now be available on the Play Store.
Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Vivo, and Xiaomi have opened beta registration windows for their latest flagship devices launched in the last few months. Samsung, however, is yet to complete One UI 7 for its Galaxy devices, but will soon roll out the stable One UI 7 and launch an independent One UI beta program.
Last week, it was revealed that the company is already working on Android 16’s adaptation and testing the alleged One UI 8 on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 6 smartphones.
Android continues to deliver great updates and new features throughout the year, while feedback from the beta community plays a vital role in constantly improving Android. The Android 16 developer site has a lot more information about the beta, including downloads and a release timeline for Pixel.
List of devices that are running the Android 16 Beta
- HONOR Magic 7 Pro
- Lenovo YOGA Tab Plus
- OnePlus 13
- OPPO Find X8
- realme GT 7 Pro
- iQOO 13
- vivo X200 Pro
- Xiaomi 14T Pro
- Xiaomi 15
- Redmi K70 Ultra
After the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung has today resumed the rollout of One UI 7 based on the Android 15 update for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE. It is worth noting that the Korean tech giant had halted the rollout a few days ago due to a serious bug discovered in the initial update, so it is now rolling out a new firmware that will fix this issue.
Samsung has started rolling out the new One UI 7 update for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Z Fold 6, and Fold 6 SE. Initially available in South Korea, the new One UI 7 build will go live in more markets soon. This build is a more refined build than the initial build and includes fixes for system improvements.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, Z Fold 6, and Fold 6 SE users can recognize it by the build number ending with BYD9.
Your Galaxy foldable device might have also received the new build. But you can check for the update manually in Settings > Software update. Click on Download and install so that your phone can receive the new OTA.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has now appeared on Geekbench, revealing that the company is carrying out pre-launch tests and preparations for its new device. The latest listing also solves the chipset mystery that has been in rumours for a long time.
According to the Geekbench 6.4 listing, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 US variant with model number SM-F966U achieved 3022 points on single-core and 9307 points on multi-core tests.
The US variant of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has appeared on Geekbench with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Also, the phone is expected to run on Android 16-based One UI 8 operating system
Being a flagship folding handset, all these things sound quite good. Nevertheless, the actual performance will only be known once the device is officially launched in the consumer market. Inputs reveal that the chipset is clocked at 3.53 GHz base frequency.
Apart from this, the Korean tech giant can launch the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 around July this year. Also, an affordable flip model can also be introduced along with both the devices.
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