News

Ethereum Just Completed The Long-Awaited Merge Upgrade

According to a Twitter post from co-founder Vitalik Buterin, The Ethereum blockchain network just completed the most ambitious software upgrade ever to take place in crypto.

Published

3 years ago

September 15, 2022

Nour Nasir

ethereum just completed the long-awaited merge upgrade

Ethereum is probably the most important commercial highway in the crypto landscape, and it has now been “merged” — a process that replaced older, power-sapping network computers with more modern and energy-efficient machines. The upgrade will see Ethereum’s energy expenditure decline by a massive 99%.

This kind of upgrade has never been attempted in crypto until now, which is no surprise, as Ethereum is home to 3,500 apps and handles billions of dollars of crypto transactions. End-users shouldn’t notice the merge, but it will eventually make the network faster and cheaper to run.

Although now completed, Ethereum’s merge could see the network suffering from occasional glitches or hang-ups for at least several weeks. Exchanges like Coinbase paused Ethereum withdrawals and deposits during the event in anticipation of hacking attempts and general instability.

There is some concern that EthereumPOW and other forks may create copies that still run on the older computers, potentially creating confusion and leading to more scams and hacking attempts. USDC stablecoin issuer Circle and oracle provider Chainlink have both announced that they won’t support forked versions of Ethereum, and whether those forked chains remain viable over time is something that isn’t yet known.

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So how will the merge affect crypto mining? Only time will tell, but as profitability has already taken a nosedive this year, the merge will further squeeze those who make a living from crypto mining. Energy costs are rising globally, and now miners are faced with the prospect of changing to new equipment or selling up for good.

So what does the future hold for Ethereum in the wake of these massive changes? So far, the jury is out, but some traders anticipate the network overtaking Bitcoin in the long run and are hedging vast sums of money on their prediction.

News

Samsung To Roll Out One UI 7 Starting April 7

The update will introduce AI-driven tools and Google integration, along with a fresh design and enhanced personalization options.

Published

21 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Nour Nasir

Samsung

Samsung has confirmed that One UI 7 will officially begin rolling out on April 7, bringing a fresh design and enhanced personalization options. This update is tailored for a more intuitive user experience, powered by AI-driven improvements. Initially, One UI 7 will be available in the U.S. on the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold6, and Z Flip6 starting April 10. The rollout will gradually expand to more Galaxy smartphones and tablets in the following weeks.

Refined Design And More Customization

With One UI 7, Samsung is introducing a cleaner, more cohesive look aimed at making customization easier and more intuitive. The home screen, widgets, and lock screen have been redesigned to streamline navigation and personalization.

One standout feature is Now Bar, which provides real-time updates directly on the lock screen. Whether checking workout progress during a run or seeing what’s playing on Galaxy Buds, users can access key information with just a swipe — no need to unlock the phone.

AI-Powered Enhancements For A Smoother Experience

Samsung has integrated AI into One UI 7 to make everyday interactions more seamless and efficient. Galaxy AI helps users complete tasks with minimal app switching, while AI Select suggests relevant actions based on selected content. For instance, users can swipe the Edge Panel and tap the AI Select icon while watching a video to instantly create a GIF.

Writing Assist — a favorite tool for Galaxy users — will now offer automatic text summarization and formatting. Meanwhile, Drawing Assist provides a creative boost by generating visuals from text prompts, images, or sketches. Another highlight, Audio Eraser, allows users to fine-tune video sound by isolating and adjusting different audio elements.

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Finally, Samsung has added greater integration with Google Gemini. Users can simply activate Gemini and ask, “Find Italian restaurants with outdoor seating that are pet friendly” to get instant recommendations. Natural language search also makes adjusting settings easier — users can now tap the mic icon in Settings and say, My eyes feel tired, to receive suggestions like dimming the screen or enabling Eye Comfort Shield.

Device Compatibility And Rollout Schedule

The One UI 7 update will begin rolling out on April 7, with more devices receiving it in the weeks that follow. Compatible models include the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, and the Galaxy Tab S10 and Tab S9 series.