The video discusses Samsung’s new rugged devices, the Galaxy X Cover 7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro, highlighting their durable design and innovative dual hot-swappable battery technology aimed at enterprise users. It also covers the troubled rollout of Samsung’s One UI 7, LG’s controversial emotion-analyzing TV technology, and various tech industry updates, including new product releases and ongoing legal issues.
In this week’s Friday Checkout, the host discusses Samsung’s latest rugged devices, the Galaxy X Cover 7 Pro and the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro. Both devices are designed for durability, meeting military standards and featuring mid-range Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chips, larger batteries, and removable components. The standout feature of the tablet is its dual hot-swappable batteries, allowing users to replace one battery while the other keeps the device running, providing a total capacity of 10,100 mAh. This innovative battery technology is aimed primarily at enterprise customers but could also appeal to everyday users. Pricing for the phone starts at €69 and the tablet at €89, with U.S. prices yet to be announced.
The video then shifts focus to the troubled rollout of Samsung’s One UI 7, which has been plagued by delays and serious bugs. Initially anticipated as a significant update, the rollout was postponed multiple times, ultimately launching six months behind Google’s Pixel phones. After a brief rollout, Samsung paused the update due to critical issues, including users being unable to unlock their devices and security vulnerabilities. The company has not publicly acknowledged the problems, opting instead to update the rollout schedule. Despite the chaos, some devices have resumed receiving the update with a newer firmware version, and there are hints of One UI 8 already being tested.
In a more unsettling development, LG is introducing technology that personalizes ads on its TVs by analyzing viewers’ emotions. This technology, licensed from Zenaps, uses AI to gauge viewers’ feelings based on the content they are watching. While LG claims this will enhance marketing relevance, the idea of a TV analyzing emotions raises privacy concerns. The host suggests keeping TVs offline to avoid such intrusive features, highlighting the growing trend of technology encroaching on personal privacy.
The release monitor segment covers several new tech products, including Honor’s new smartphone line featuring an impressive 8,000 mAh battery, Nvidia’s entry-level RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti gaming cards, and a foldable e-reader from ReadMu. Additionally, Anker has introduced a new UV printer capable of printing textured surfaces, although it is currently a Kickstarter project. The host emphasizes the need for manufacturers to adopt innovative battery technologies like Honor’s foam battery, which offers high power density in a slim form factor.
Finally, the video touches on various tech industry news, including Google’s ongoing legal battles and the impact of Trump tariffs on consumer prices. The host notes that AI-generated music is becoming increasingly prevalent, accounting for a significant portion of tracks uploaded to streaming platforms. Lyft is expanding into Europe through an acquisition, and Google is consolidating its search domains globally. The video concludes with a personal note from the host, sharing highlights from a recent trip to Malaysia, showcasing the capabilities of the Insta 360 Ace Pro 2 action camera used during the trip.