During the recent Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung provided a sneak peek into its future plans by hinting at a new type of foldable phone featuring three screens. This was highlighted when Jay Kim, the Head of Customer Experience, mentioned “multi-fold devices” and displayed an outline of a device with three panels.

Rumors have been circulating about Samsung developing a multi-fold phone, and this announcement seems to confirm those speculations. Reports suggest that Samsung plans to release four foldable devices this year: the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, the anticipated Flip FE, and this new multi-fold device. Production is expected to begin in the second quarter, with a launch aimed for the third quarter.

It’s believed that when fully unfolded, this device will offer a display size of approximately 9.9 to 10 inches, effectively providing users with a tablet-sized screen that can fit in their pocket.

While Samsung is not the first to explore this technology—HUAWEI introduced its Mate XT smartphone last year—the market for such devices is still emerging. This gives Samsung an opportunity to establish a strong presence in this new segment.

In summary, Samsung’s recent teaser indicates that the company is actively working on a triple-screen foldable phone, with plans to release it alongside other foldable models later this year. This development suggests a significant evolution in foldable smartphone technology, aiming to combine the portability of a phone with the functionality of a tablet.

In a recent decision, a UK court has ruled that Google is not required to pay an enormous fine imposed by Russia. This fine was related to Google’s blocking of certain Russian YouTube channels due to international sanctions.

Background

Tensions between Russia and tech companies have been escalating, especially after Russia’s actions in Ukraine. In response to international sanctions, Google blocked YouTube channels linked to Russian media outlets. This led Russian courts to impose a staggering fine on Google, amounting to 2 undecillion rubles (approximately $2.5 decillion USD). To put this in perspective, this figure surpasses the total economic output of the entire world.

UK Court’s Decision

Recognizing the unreasonableness of the fine, Google sought legal protection in international courts. This week, a UK court ruled in Google’s favor, preventing the enforcement of Russia’s exorbitant fine. The judge described Russia’s actions as part of “a coordinated strategy of foreign enforcement.” Google welcomed the decision, highlighting that Russian courts have imposed unprecedented fines to limit access to information and penalize the company’s compliance with international sanctions.

Ongoing Legal Challenges

Despite this victory in the UK, Google’s legal challenges are not over. The company continues to face similar legal battles in other countries, including South Africa, as it navigates the complex landscape of international sanctions and regional laws.

Conclusion

This UK court ruling represents a significant win for Google against an unrealistic financial penalty. However, it also underscores the ongoing challenges tech companies face when operating across different legal and political environments.

Source

Google is working on a new feature for the Pixel Watch to prevent accidental emergency calls. Currently, users can activate Emergency SOS by pressing the watch’s crown five times quickly. While this is helpful in real emergencies, some users have unintentionally called emergency services by mistake.

To address this, Google is developing an additional step for triggering Emergency SOS. After pressing the crown five times, users will need to touch and hold the screen for three seconds to confirm the call. This extra action aims to reduce accidental 911 calls.

An analysis of the latest Pixel Watch app update (version 3.3.0.714022638) revealed this upcoming feature. The app includes descriptions like:

• “Touch & hold to call”: After pressing the crown five times, touch and hold the screen for three seconds to call for help.
• “Automatically call”: Press the crown five times to call for help after a five-second countdown.

Users will have the option to choose between the new touch-and-hold method or continue using the current method, which will now include a five-second delay before the call is made. This flexibility allows users to select the method that best suits their needs.

As of now, this feature is still in development and isn’t available in the current Pixel Watch app. Google is expected to release it in a future update. We’ll keep you informed as soon as it becomes available.