News
Samsung Galaxy Note20 series add One UI Beta, Opportunity to upgrade Android 11

About to, IT House received news from netizens on December 5 that the Samsung Galaxy Note20 series added part of the recruitment plan for One UI Beta (One UI 3 and Android 11) yesterday. Users of the Samsung Galaxy Note20 series (unlocked devices) can submit registration applications.
IT Home reminds that the beta version is only available to users who have successfully registered. The beta version is not an informal version, so it may cause some malfunctions. In addition, some functions may not be available.
- 1. Open the “Samsung Galaxy Community App” that has been updated to the latest version;
- (* To register for this test, you must upgrade the “Gales Community” APP to the latest version. If you use the old version to register, you will not be able to participate in the test normally.)
- 2. Click “Message” in the upper right corner and open it;
- 3. Click “Register for One UI Beta Program (Galaxy Note20|Note20 Ultra);
- 4. Complete the registration and upgrade.
In terms of function, OneUI 3.0 adds double-click on the screen to turn off the screen, the camera interface can lock the focus point and adjust the brightness at the same time, and the quick buttons in the notification bar become more convenient, reduce the user’s setting steps, and the operation is more intuitive.
Secondly, in terms of UI design, the screen fingerprint recognition prompt icon of OneUI 3.0 has become larger, more eye-catching, and the volume icon has been moved to the side of the volume button, not the middle position of oneUI2.0, and AI subtitle display has also been added. Greatly convenient for the hearing impaired.
How some countries are misusing Google’s AI Tool, Gemini

Google’s AI tool, Gemini, is designed with safety measures to prevent misuse. However, government-backed groups from countries like China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia have attempted to exploit it for harmful purposes. These groups, known as Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), have used Gemini to gather information on military and intelligence targets, understand software weaknesses, and assist in coding tasks.
Additionally, Information Operations (IO) groups from these nations have utilized Gemini for translation, refining the tone of their messages, and disguising their true identities to operate secretly.
Despite these attempts, Google reports that most efforts to misuse Gemini have been unsuccessful. Many have tried to bypass Gemini’s safety protocols using known methods, but these attempts have largely failed.
This situation highlights the challenges in preventing AI misuse. While Google has been effective in stopping direct harmful actions through Gemini, malicious actors can still use the AI’s capabilities to support their activities in less obvious ways. This underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and improvement in AI safety measures.
For a more detailed understanding, you can read Google’s full Threat Intelligence Group report.
Google adds extra security step to Android log-in prompts

Google has enhanced the security of its log-in prompts on Android devices. Previously, when signing into your Google Account, you would receive a prompt asking, “Are you trying to sign in?” and could confirm by tapping “Yes, it’s me.”
Now, with version 25.02.34 of Google Play Services, an additional verification step is required. After confirming, you’ll be prompted to authenticate using your fingerprint, PIN, face recognition, or another two-factor authentication (2FA) method. This change aims to provide an extra layer of protection for your account.
While the added step may slightly increase the time it takes to log in, the enhanced security is a valuable trade-off. iOS users will experience a similar update, with the Google app or Gmail handling the prompt instead of Play Services.
News
Samsung releases January 2025 security update for Galaxy devices

Samsung has begun distributing its first monthly update of 2025, featuring the January 2025 security patch, to a variety of Galaxy devices. This update primarily enhances security, addressing nearly 30 vulnerabilities, including five critical issues identified in Google’s January 2025 security bulletin, along with 22 Samsung-specific fixes.
Currently, the update is being rolled out to the following Galaxy models in select regions:
- Galaxy S24 Series: S24, S24+, S24 Ultra
- Galaxy S23 Series: S23, S23+, S23 Ultra
- Galaxy S22 Series: S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
- Galaxy S21 Series: S21, S21+, S21 Ultra
- Galaxy S20 Series: S20, S20+, S20 Ultra
- Galaxy S21 FE
- Galaxy S20 FE
- Galaxy Z Flip Series: Z Flip 6, Z Flip 5, Z Flip 4, Z Flip 3
- Galaxy Z Fold Series: Z Fold 6, Z Fold SE, Z Fold 5, Z Fold 4, Z Fold 3
- Galaxy A Series: A16, A15, A14, A54, A53, A32
- Galaxy Note 20 Series: Note 20, Note 20 Ultra
The availability of this update may vary depending on your region, carrier, and device model. Samsung plans to extend the rollout to more devices in the coming weeks.
It’s important to note that the One UI 7 update is currently in beta for the Galaxy S24 series and is expected to be released more broadly in February 2025. The stable version of One UI 7 debuted with the Galaxy S25 series, which is now available.
For detailed information on the January 2025 security update and its availability for specific devices, you can refer to Samsung’s official security bulletin. As always, it’s advisable to keep your device updated to ensure optimal security and performance.