Samsung’s newly announced Galaxy S20 phones have several features that make them different from both last year’s Galaxy S10 and Apple’s current iPhones.
They all support 5G connectivity, unlike the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, and come with larger cameras with higher-resolution sensors.
Plus, their screens can reach a refresh rate of 120Hz, a feature Apple offers on the iPad but not the iPhone.
Earlier this week, Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy S20 lineup, which offers a camera setup with larger sensors, 5G support across all variants, and a screen with a higher refresh rate, among other changes. All of these features differentiate the new lineup from last year’s Galaxy S10 – and Apple’s latest iPhones.
It’s worth noting, however, that Samsung’s phones are more expensive than Apple’s. The Galaxy S20 starts at $1,000, while the iPhone 11 begins at $700. The larger Galaxy S20 Plus begins at $1,200 and its larger sibling, the S20 Ultra, costs at least $1,400. The iPhone 11 Pro, by comparison, starts at $1,000, and the 11 Pro Max begins at $1,100.
Here’s a closer look at some of the features found on Samsung’s Galaxy S20 that are missing from the iPhone.
Bigger screens
Foto: sourceAntonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
Samsung’s new phones all offer larger screens than Apple’s iPhone 11 family. The Galaxy S20 has a 6.2 inch screen, while the Galaxy S20 Plus has a 6.7-inch display and the Galaxy S20 Ultra has a 6.9-inch screen. The iPhone 11, however, has a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 11 Pro has a 5.8-inch screen and the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a 6.5-inch display.
A notch-free screen
Foto: sourceHollis Johnson/Business Insider
Apple replaced the traditional bezel with a „notch“ cutout that sits just above the screen starting with the iPhone X in 2017. That notch is necessary to provide space for the iPhone’s front-facing camera and facial-recognition sensors. And in 2019, two years later, the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro still have that very same notch.
But Samsung has taken a different approach with its Galaxy S20 phones and last year’s Galaxy S10. Those phones have a smaller cutout that resembles a hole punch, which Samsung calls its „Infinity-O“ display.
Higher-resolution camera sensors
Foto: sourceAntonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
The cameras on Samsung’s new phones are also much different than Apple’s. The Galaxy S20 and S20 Plus have camera systems that consist of a 12-megapixel ultra-wide angle camera, a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera, and a 64-megapixel telephoto camera. The Plus-sized model also has a fourth camera for depth-sensing.
But it’s the Ultra model that really stands out for its camera. The high-end model comes with a 108-megapixel wide angle camera, a 48-megapixel telephoto camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a depth-sensing camera. Samsung also says the 108 megapixels on the Ultra model are capable of grouping together to form a larger 12-megapixel sensor that can take in more light.
The iPhone 11, by comparison, has a dual 12-megapixel camera with a wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lens, while the Pro models have triple-camera systems with an additional 12-megapixel telephoto camera.
Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Ultra also has a higher resolution 40-megapixel selfie camera, while the other two models have a 10-megapixel front-facing camera. That’s compared to the iPhone’s 12-megapixel selfie camera.
A camera that can zoom in closer
Foto: sourceAntonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
In addition to having higher-resolution sensors than Apple’s iPhones, the Galaxy S20’s camera can also zoom in further than the cameras on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. The Galaxy S20 and S20 Plus have an optical zoom of up to 3X and a digital zoom of up to 30X, while the Galaxy S20 Plus has an optical zoom of up to 10X and a digital zoom of up to 100X.
The iPhone 11 has a digital zoom of 5X, while the iPhone 11 Pro has a 2X optical zoom and a 10X digital zoom.
A camera that can take photos in different modes with one press of the shutter button
Foto: sourceAntonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
It’s not just the camera hardware that Samsung changed with its Galaxy S20. The company also added a new feature called Single Take, which captures video clips and stills in multiple formats with a single press of the shutter button.
The iPhone doesn’t have this specific feature, but the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro do have a feature called QuickTake, which lets you shoot a video without switching out of photo mode.
More storage in the base-level model
Foto: sourceCrystal Cox/Business Insider
The base model of Samsung’s newest devices come with 128GB of storage, whereas the entry-level iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro have 64GB of onboard space.
5G compatibility
Foto: sourceSamsung/YouTube
All of Samsung’s new smartphones support 5G connectivity, but the less expensive Galaxy S20 can only connect to slower, mid-band networks. The Galaxy S20 Plus and S20 Ultra, on the other hand, support super-fast millimeter wave 5G networks, although the downside is that these speedier networks don’t have long ranges for covering broad distances.
None of Apple’s current iPhones support 5G, but that will reportedly change this year as the company’s iPhone 12 lineup is expected to support the next-generation network.
Still, it’s worth noting that 5G networks still have yet to mature in the United States. Networks from Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint are only available in a handful of cities across the country, and even in those cities it’s usually only available in select areas. T-Mobile’s 5G network is available across the country, but only in select areas.
A screen with a 120Hz refresh rate
Foto: sourceAntonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
You can boost the Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra’s screen refresh rate up to 120Hz, which is higher than the average refresh rate of 60Hz on most smartphones.
Boosting the refresh rate should make navigating the operating system and scrolling feel smoother and more natural. Apple’s iPad Pro models are capable of refreshing at 120Hz through a feature the company calls ProMotion, but this has yet to make its way to the iPhone.
A fingerprint sensor that’s embedded in the screen
Foto: sourceAntonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
Apple axed the fingerprint sensor in favor of Face ID when it killed the home button in 2017 with the iPhone X. And it has yet to bring it back.
Samsung’s Galaxy S20 devices and last year’s Galaxy S10 devices (excluding the S10e) each have a fingerprint sensor embedded in the display, giving users a choice between unlocking their device through fingerprint or facial recognition. Apple’s newer smartphones, like the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, only support facial recognition.
Reverse wireless charging
Foto: sourceAntonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
Samsung’s Galaxy S20 lineup, as well as its older Galaxy S10 phones, are capable of wirelessly charging other devices by resting them on the phone’s back. Rumors suggested that Apple was planning to bring this feature to the iPhone 11 lineup, but no such feature exists on the iPhone.
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.