Google says Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge reduces Android security

 

Samsung's Galaxy S6 Edge is blighted by 11 security problems according to the Project Zero team at Google. The team carried out research to determine how easy it would be for an attacker to exploit an Android phone produced by an OEM.
 
Over the course of just a week of investigations, Google discovered "a substantial number of high-severity issues". While Samsung has now fixed some of the problems, at least three are still to be addressed.
 
The Project Zero researchers said that many of the security issues were "high impact and easy-to-exploit". One particularly interesting and easily-exploitable issue was found in the Samsung Email client whereby email could be forwarded to another account. A script injection problem was also found in the same app which could allow JavaScript embedded in a message to be executed. The team warns that this could "make JavaScript vulnerabilities in the Android WebView reachable remotely via email".
 
Writing on the Project Zero blog, "planner of bug bashes", Natalie Silvanovich says:

A week of investigation showed that there are a number of weak points in the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. Over the course of a week, we found a total of 11 issues with a serious security impact. Several issues were found in device drivers and image processing, and there were also some logic issues in the device that were high impact and easy-to-exploit.

The majority of these issues were fixed on the device we tested via an OTA update within 90 days, though three lower-severity issues remain unfixed. It is promising that the highest severity issues were fixed and updated on-device in a reasonable time frame.

She also highlights the problem of OEMs introducing "additional (and possibly vulnerable) code into Android devices at all privilege levels". Despite the number of problems found, Samsung was praised for issuing security patches in a timely fashion.
 
~ Mark Wilson

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Will your Samsung Galaxy devices receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow?

 

Google will officially introduce Android 6.0 Marshmallow in a few months, if history is of any indication. And, like with every release of a new version of the operating system, one of the common questions that users will ask is whether an upgrade will be offered for their devices.
 
It is not uncommon for Android manufacturers to reveal such information following the new operating system's introduction, but, this time around, Samsung has decided to announce which Galaxy devices are set to receive an upgrade to Android 6.0 Marshmallow first. Is yours on the list?
 
Needless to say, Samsung's premium Galaxy smartphones that were announced in 2015 make the cut. That includes Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, which were introduced at the same event in March, as well as Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+, which the company unveiled earlier in August. Those who use Galaxy S6 Duos should be pleased to know that it too is among the first devices to receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
 
Samsung has not included its flagship smartphone from last year, Galaxy S5, in the first wave of devices to get the upgrade. Given that there is no good reason for the company not to support it further, Galaxy S5 will probably receive Samsung's attention a bit later down the road. The company is currently still dealing with the Android 5.1 Lollipop roll-out, which has yet to reach most versions of the device.
 
When it comes to the two Note flagships from 2014, Samsung includes both Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge on the list. Same goes for Galaxy Note 4 Duos, which is the dual-SIM version of the former phablet. These handsets are not even a year-old at the time of writing this article, as they were announced in early-September last year and officially released nearly a month after.
 
Rounding up the list are Galaxy Alpha, a smartphone introduced by Samsung about a year ago as a sort of iPhone 6 competitor, and Galaxy Tab A, an affordable slate that was introduced in April.
 
Samsung will likely expand the list of devices that will receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow in the coming months to include more popular handsets. But, as always, do not expect the software upgrades to be rolled out overnight, after Google debuts its new operating system, as these things can take a while.
 
~ Mihaita Bamburic

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Samsung Galaxy S6 edge buyers complain of screen defects

 

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge customers are complaining that their handsets are being received with scratched displays and dead pixels.
 
Although the flagship device is not supposed to launch officially until 10 April, T-Mobile has begun shipping the smartphones in advance.
 
According to users of an XDA forum, a number of T-Mobile customers have encountered quality issues regarding Samsung’s new device, which boasts a curved edge on both sides for added functionality.
 
SamMobile reports that one individual had to return their Galaxy S6 edge twice, after both handsets were delivered with similar faults. Currently, it is difficult to determine what is causing the issues and in fact, whether the faults are limited to T-Mobile or occur across all networks.
 
In any case, the news will come as a major disappointment to Samsung, which needs both versions of the S6 to be successful if it is to recover from a disappointing 2014. The South Korean firm’s profits fell throughout last year on the back of disappointing sales of its Galaxy S5 handset. Samsung also had to relinquish its position as leader of the worldwide smartphone market to Apple.
 
The Galaxy S6 and S6 edge were both formally unveiled at last month’s Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona. Although they boast similar specs, the edge provides messaging, calls and notifications along its curved display.
 
Samsung has already received criticism that the edge’s curved screen is largely a gimmick, and an expensive one at that. Reports that handsets are being shipped with defects is only going to increase consumer skepticism, so Samsung will be hoping that the issue is not widespread by the time the S6 formally launches on 10 April.
 
Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.
 
~ Barclay Ballard

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Pre-orders top 20 million for Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge

 

It has been revealed that Samsung has received record amounts of pre-orders for their latest smartphones, the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge, which were recently announced at the 2015 Mobile World Conference.
 
According to a "top executive at a leading carrier in Europe", Samsung has received a grand total of 20 million pre-orders for the flagships: 15 million for the more traditional Galaxy S6, and 5 million for the Galaxy S6 Edge with its display that curves along both long edges.
 
If this figure is indeed accurate, Samsung has achieved more pre-orders for the Galaxy S6 in one week than sales for the Galaxy S5 in the first three months. A report released late last year claimed that Samsung had only sold 12 million Galaxy S5s in three months, four million lower than its predecessor and 40% fewer than anticipated.
 
The increased interest in the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge could be due to its all new, premium design that looks significantly better than the Galaxy S5. It also could be down to new hardware, including a 1440p display, 64-bit Exynos 7420 SoC, and a 16-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization.
 
Both new flagships will be released in 20 nations on April 10, with pricing set at €699 (around US$630 with tax removed) for the 32 GB Galaxy S6, and €849 (US$770) for the 32 GB Galaxy S6 Edge.
 
~ Tim Schiesser

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Samsung announces Galaxy S6, S6 Edge and Samsung Pay at MWC 2015

 

Mobile World Conference 2015 is here, and the news is coming fast and furious. The most anticipated announcement, however, has been Samsung's Galaxy S6. As expected, the smartphone is here, but so is its more beautiful sibling, the S6 Edge. Potentially more important though, is Samsung Pay -- a mobile payment system to rival Apple Pay and Google Wallet.
 
Unfortunately for Samsung, pundits and analysts have been talking all doom and gloom for the company, something else Apple has had to face. Much like Apple, the analysts are dead-wrong to count out Samsung in the mobile market. Quite frankly, the Android market is the Samsung market -- no other brand of smartphone is more ubiquitous in public. So are these announcements enough? Are they enough to finally make the doom and gloom pundits zip their lips?
 
"Carefully crafted from metal and glass, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge blend purposeful design with powerful features. The Galaxy S6 edge, particularly, shows unique and outstanding beauty while also providing a solid grip and an immersive viewing experience with the world’s first curved display on both sides. Its glass body, made from the toughest glass to date, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, is available in an array of colorful jewel tones, including White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Blue Topaz and Green Emerald, which elicit a unique visual texture as it reflects natural light. This timeless design required first-of-its-kind glass crafting technology and unmatched quality control, setting the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge apart from every other mobile device on the market. The premium device aesthetics deliver true value and are complemented by a totally new and lighter interface that greatly enhances usability and functionality. A refined and fully optimized user experience simplifies applications and offers features and settings in a more intuitive way", says Samsung.
 

 
The manufacturer further explains, "the thin and lightweight Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge integrate the most advanced, cutting-edge, Samsung core technology available today. The world's first 14nm mobile processor with 64-bit platform, new LPDDR4 memory system and UFS 2.0 flash memory provides higher performance and enhanced memory speed with lower power consumption. Moreover, the world’s first 1440P/VP9 hardware based codec enables users to enjoy high resolution streaming video while also using less power. In addition, the 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen offers users the highest pixel density of 577ppi. Enhanced outdoor visibility with a brighter display (600cd/mm) lets consumers experience content without compromise -- anywhere, at any time".
 
While pricing and availability are not yet known, below are some notable specs.

• Display (S6): 5.1 inch Quad HD(2560x1440) 577ppi, Super AMOLED
• Display (S6 Edge): 5.1inch Quad HD(2560x1440) 577ppi, Super AMOLED, Dual edge
• Processor: Quad 2.1GHz + Quad 1.5Ghz, Octacore application processor
• OS Android 5.0 (Lollipop)
• Camera 16MP OIS(rear), 5MP (front)
• Connectivity: WiFi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), HT80 MIMO(2x2) 620Mbps, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Mobile hotspot, Bluetooth: v4.1, A2DP, LE, apt-X, ANT+
• RAM: 3GB, LPDDR4
• Internal Memory: 32/64/128GB, UFS 2.0
• Wireless Charging: WPC1.1(4.6W Output) & PMA 1.0(4.2W) compatible
• Dimensions (S6):143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8mm, 138g
• Dimensions (S6 Edge):142.1 x 70.1 x 7.0mm, 132g
• Battery (S6): 2,550mAh
• Battery (S6 Edge) 2,600mAh

Unfortunately, there are two aspects of these phones that the Galaxy S fans will consider huge disappointments -- gone are removable batteries and microSD card slots. In other words, you need to pick the size you need when purchasing. Luckily, unlike Apple there is no laughable 16GB version to be found, as it is offered in 32, 64, and 128GB of storage. Obviously, most tech nerds, including myself, will want the 128GB model.

While both the S6 and S6 Edge are beautiful, the Edge is clearly the more attractive option, so I wish Samsung would have only offered it as the "S6". With that said, giving consumer choice is not a bad thing, but it can sometimes confuse shoppers.
 
Both models come in multiple colors, which are, according to Samsung, "White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Blue Topaz (Galaxy S6 only) and Green Emerald (Galaxy S6 edge only)". Maybe I'm alone here, but Green Emerald is my favorite of the bunch, making the phone stand out among the typical smartphone colors. Hopefully an Emerald Green S6 Edge 128GB is in my future!
 
While Touchwiz will be on board, there is a far more important software solution included too -- Samsung Pay. This is to compete with Apple Pay and Google Wallet, obviously, but will consumers take notice?
 
"Samsung Pay has the potential of being accepted at approximately 30 million merchant locations worldwide, making it the only mobile payment solution with near universal acceptance. Samsung offers this capability by deploying a groundbreaking technology called Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST). Consumers can use Samsung Pay in merchant locations regardless of whether the terminals support NFC or traditional magstripe, which is the vast majority of existing terminals".
 
This new technology comes from Samsung's acquisition of LoopPay. How does MST work? According to the LoopPay website, "MST technology generates changing magnetic fields over a very short period of time. This is accomplished by putting alternating current through an inductive loop, which can then be received by the magnetic read head of the credit card reader. The signal received from Loop emulates the same magnetic field change as a mag stripe card when swiped across the same read head. Loop works within a 3-inch distance from the read head. The field dissipates rapidly beyond that point, and only exists during a transmission initiated by the user".
 
This is a game changer, as Samsung Pay will work in places where Apple and Google's solutions cannot. Until merchants switch entirely to NFC-styled transactions, MST is a great stop-gap.
 
Which model do you prefer, the Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge? Tell me in the comments.
 
~ Brian Fagioli

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