News

All The Latest Tech Unveiled At Samsung Unpacked 2024

The South Korean tech giant has revealed a new Galaxy Ring, two Galaxy Watches, and a new foldable smartphone.

Published

5 months ago

July 11, 2024

Nour Nasir

Samsung

Yesterday’s Samsung’s Unpacked event revealed several new devices from the South Korean tech powerhouse, including a new foldable, two smartwatches, and the company’s long-rumored Galaxy Ring.

Here are the standout details of some of those gadgets:

Samsung Galaxy Ring

samsung galaxy ring

Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy Ring was revealed at the recent Unpacked event. As expected, it focuses heavily on health insights, most notably using AI to monitor sleep cycles. The lightweight ring is designed to be worn all the time and has a decent battery life of around a week.

You can pre-order the Galaxy Ring today, with full availability on July 24.

Pricing starts at $399.99.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

samsung galaxy watch ultra

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra is squarely aimed at Apple’s device of the same name. The new watch offers increased battery life, superior durability, and detailed fitness and health tracking. Interestingly, the device also has a sleep apnea sensor that detects mild-to-severe breathing issues during a user’s sleep.

Galaxy Watch Ultra pre-orders have already opened, with full availability on July 24.

Pricing starts at $649.99.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7

samsung galaxy watch 7

Priced at $299.99, the new Galaxy Watch 7 is Samsung’s more affordable timepiece. Despite the lower price point, the smartwatch still features the AI-powered sleep tools featured in the Galaxy Ring. The Watch 7 can also take body composition snapshots and is said to feature a much more accurate GPS chip.

The Galaxy Watch 7 will be released alongside the Galaxy Watch Ultra on July 24.

Pricing starts at $649.99.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

samsung galaxy fold 6

Although Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event didn’t show off any new flagship smartphones, we did get a new foldable in the form of the Z Fold 6. Google Gemini AI is integrated into the phone, and can help with scheduling, task and travel planning, plus transcribe meeting notes.

As for hardware, the latest Fold is being treated to a minor update for 2024. The device runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, while the chassis (and screen) are now a few millimeters shorter and wider. Other small tweaks include a new brushed metal finish and updated colorways, while the camera and battery remain the same as on the outgoing model.

Like the rest of Samsung’s new lineup, The Z Fold 6 is available for pre-order now, with general release on July 24 — though you’ll have to fork out a hefty $1,899.99!

News

Viasat Satellite Messaging Tech Showcased In Saudi Arabia

The direct-to-device (D2D) demonstration highlighted the technology’s potential to revolutionize remote communication.

Published

4 days ago

November 28, 2024

Nour Nasir

viasat satellite messaging tech showcased in saudi arabia

Satellite communications firm Viasat announced yesterday that it had completed its first demonstration of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity technology in Saudi Arabia. The live broadcast took place during the “Connecting the World from the Skies” event in Riyadh, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) alongside the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Attendees witnessed successful satellite-based two-way messaging and SOS alerts sent using commercial Android smartphones and a combination of Viasat’s robust L-band satellite network and the Bullitt over-the-top messaging app. Signals were transmitted using the company’s L-band spacecraft positioned over the Indian Ocean, while the infrastructure for 3GPP NTN services was deployed by Viasat’s partner Skylo.

Sandeep Moorthy, Viasat’s Chief Technical Officer, emphasized the significance of the demonstration, explaining, “By expanding our direct-to-device innovation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we’re showcasing the potential for D2D services in the fast-growing Gulf and Asia-Pacific region. D2D could help reduce barriers to connectivity in regions where terrestrial services are spotty and unavailable to help transform industries and supply chains, enable new opportunities, and to become more efficient, sustainable and safer. We’d like to thank the CST for their support in carrying out this exciting demonstration”.

Also Read: Joby Begins Construction Of Dubai’s First Vertiport For Air Taxis

D2D technology allows devices like smartphones, vehicles, and industrial equipment to connect seamlessly to both satellite and terrestrial networks. Unlike traditional satellite setups, D2D eliminates the need for extra hardware, thanks to emerging global standards that are gaining traction among satellite operators, mobile network providers, and tech manufacturers.

What makes this approach particularly promising is that Viasat uses a licensed, dedicated satellite spectrum to deliver its D2D services. This avoids any interference with existing terrestrial networks, allowing smooth integration with mobile network operators in the future.

The demonstration clearly showed the potential of D2D technology to bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions while opening up opportunities for innovation, improved safety, sustainability, and efficiency.