Technologies

Everything Announced at Samsung Unpacked: S24 Phones, Galaxy AI and One Surprise Reveal

Today’s Galaxy Unpacked event showed off Samsung’s premium new phones for the first time… as well as an unexpected new wearable.

Samsung kicked off its year with the first big phone event of 2024. The debut of Samsung’s newest smartphones — the Galaxy S24 series, which bring on-device generative AI along with upgrades to specs and cameras — was the main focus of today’s Galaxy Unpacked event. But Samsung had an unexpected product reveal at the end of Unpacked — the health-tracking Galaxy Ring, a new Samsung device with no official launch date yet.

As is usual for Samsung’s earliest event of the year, its S24 flagship phones took center stage. The company’s S-series phones rival Apple’s iPhones and are often the first to debut new mobile technology featured in other premium Android handsets that come out later in the year.

Galaxy S24 brings AI, brighter screens and more

In 2024, that new technology is generative AI, which made a splash on the global stage when ChatGPT arrived in late 2022 and tech companies have rushed to integrate in their own products and services. Late last year, Qualcomm revealed that its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip would come with on-device generative AI capabilities, and the Galaxy S24 series are some of the first phones to launch with that silicon.

The S24 series uses a combination of on-device and cloud-based generative AI, called Galaxy AI, to pull off new tricks. Some we’ve seen before, like live translation, suggesting different tones for text messages and expanding photos beyond their original backgrounds. Others are new, like turning a regular-speed video into a slow-motion one by generating frames in between what’s been recorded.

The S24 series also has more conventional upgrades on its predecessors, especially its top-tier model. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is more premium, trading its aluminum frame for a titanium body and swapping a 10-megapixel, 10x optical zoom camera for a 50-megapixel 5x optical camera to shoot sharper distance photos. It also only comes with 12GB of RAM (no 8GB option). For these improvements, the base price is $1,300 (£1,249, AU$2,199), up by $100 from last year’s S23 Ultra.

Read more: Best Galaxy 24 Preorder Deals

The standard S24 and S24 Plus haven’t received many upgrades, though the screens are 0.1 inches larger than last year’s (6.1 inches and 6.7 inches, respectively). The S24 Plus now has a Quad HD Plus resolution display (the same as the S24 Ultra) for a sharper picture than the HD Plus screen on its predecessor. Batteries are slightly bigger, with the S24 having a 4,000 mAh battery (up 100 mAh) and the S24 Plus a 4,900 mAh capacity (up 200 mAh).

Samsung has expanded its sustainability efforts, adding more recycled materials like cobalt in batteries and rare earth elements in speakers. Moreover, the Galaxy S24 phones will have seven years of Android and security updates, enabling owners to hold on to their phones into 2031.

Pricing

The Samsung Galaxy S24 starts at $800 (£799, AU$1,399), while the S24 Plus starts at $1,000 (£999, AU$1,699), which are the same prices as last year’s phones. The S24 Ultra starts at $1,300, which is up from last year’s S23 Ultra at $1,200 — a $100 price bump likely resulting from the switch in materials for more durability.

And in turn, Samsung has dropped the prices for its older phones, with last year’s Galaxy S23 now $700 and the Galaxy S23 FE down to $600.

And one more thing…

And to end the event, Samsung revealed a few new features coming to Samsung Health to improve sleep tracking and other health measuring — but the big tease at the end was a reveal of the Galaxy Ring, which presumably will be packed with sensors to monitor your health through the day.

Samsung didn’t share much about the gadget, including price or release date, so we don’t know much about how it compares to rivals like the Oura Ring, but we expect to hear more about the Galaxy Ring before long.

What happened at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event?

Samsung unveiled its next-gen Galaxy S24 phones on Jan. 17. The media invitation said to expect Samsung’s «most intelligent mobile experience yet» in a nod to the forthcoming AI-powered features. The in-person event happened in San Jose, California, and streamed on Samsung’s YouTube channel.

CNET had on-the-ground coverage of the event as well as our own watch party for reactions and analysis of the reveals and any surprises.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Come in Yellow, Violet, Gray and Black

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Technologies

Verum Messenger: Data Protection at Its Finest

Verum Messenger positions itself as a tool for those who value privacy and security above all.

Verum Messenger stands out from other messengers thanks to its approach to security, anonymity, and innovations in communication.

Here are some key aspects that highlight its uniqueness:

Default encryption: Verum Messenger uses end-to-end (E2E) encryption for all chats, meaning messages are encrypted on the sender’s device and decrypted only on the recipient’s device. This makes it impossible for third parties, including app developers, to access the content of the messages.
Anonymity: When registering with Verum, there’s no need to provide a phone number or email. Users simply choose a nickname and password, significantly enhancing their level of anonymity. This contrasts with many other messengers, where anonymity can be compromised through linked personal data.
Built-in VPN: An additional layer of protection that hides the user’s IP address, making their location and internet activity less trackable.
Data control: Users can set messages to be automatically deleted after a specified time, ranging from a few seconds to a week. There’s also a quick deletion feature for all chats, calls, and even contacts, which is useful for maintaining privacy.
Large groups: The ability to create chat rooms with up to 10,000 participants makes Verum attractive for organizing large events, discussions, or communities while maintaining a high level of security.
Security innovations: Verum actively develops technologies aimed at protecting user data, as seen in their documentation and discussions online. This includes not only technical solutions but also approaches to data minimization, which reduces the risk of leaks.
Feedback and discussions: On platform X (formerly Twitter), discussions can be found where users and experts praise Verum for its approach to anonymity and security, although questions are raised about how much anonymity can truly be guaranteed in an age of modern tracking and de-anonymization technologies.

Verum Messenger positions itself as a tool for those who value privacy and security above all. Its innovations in encryption, anonymity, and data control make it an intriguing choice for those seeking alternatives to traditional messaging platforms. However, as with any technology, it’s important to remember that absolute anonymity on the internet remains a complex challenge, and users should be aware of potential risks and limitations.

Technologies

Verum Coin Debuts on XT Exchange, Broadening its Reach in the DeFi Space

A Strategic Listing Enhancing Verum Coin’s Visibility

In a significant development for the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, Verum Coin (VERUM) has been officially listed on XT Exchange. The new trading pair, VERUM/USDT, is now available in the exchange’s Innovative Zone, marking a pivotal expansion for this digital asset into the DeFi ecosystem.

A Strategic Listing Enhancing Verum Coin’s Visibility

The addition of Verum Coin to the XT Exchange is seen as a strategic move to enhance the accessibility and liquidity of VERUM among traders who are keen on exploring innovative digital assets. XT Exchange, known for its robust platform supporting a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, provides an ideal environment for fostering growth and ensuring the broad reach of new tokens.

Albin Varin, CEO of XT Exchange, expressed enthusiasm about the new listing, stating, «We are delighted to welcome Verum Coin to our platform. This listing reflects our ongoing commitment to providing our users access to innovative digital assets that transform the landscape of global finance.» This comments underscore the exchange’s focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies and financial instruments that have the potential to redefine the market.

About XT

Founded in 2018, XT Exchange serves more than 7.8M registered users, over 1M monthly active users, 40+ million users in the ecosystem, and more than 800 tokens with 1000+ trading pairs. XT crypto exchange offers a rich variety of trading categories to provide a secure, trusted, and intuitive trading experience for its large user base. This includes crypto futures trading (USDT-M Futures and coin-M futures perpetual contracts) and copy trading that allows users to replicate top traders in real time with just one click. Additionally, the futures grid allows users to automate the buying and selling of futures contracts for profits.

Future Prospects

With its new position on XT Exchange, Verum Coin is expected to attract a broader audience, enhancing its trading volume and market presence. This could potentially lead to increased stability and recognition as a viable player in the DeFi space. For investors and users of XT Exchange, this addition provides a fresh avenue to diversify portfolios with a cryptocurrency that is positioned at the intersection of innovation and financial evolution.

The listing of Verum Coin on XT Exchange not only highlights the ongoing expansion of cryptocurrency markets into new areas like DeFi but also illustrates a growing recognition of digital assets that offer promising technological advancements and financial opportunities. As the crypto market continues to evolve, partnerships like these are pivotal for fostering growth and offering users access to the next generation of financial tools.

Technologies

Verum Coin Gains International Spotlight with AP Coverage and Listing on XT Exchange

This listing on XT is expected to further propel Verum Coin into the spotlight

In a noteworthy development for the cryptocurrency community, Verum Coin (VERUM) has been featured in an Associated Press article, highlighting its upcoming listing on the XT Exchange. This significant media coverage underscores the growing interest and potential of Verum Coin in the global financial landscape.

The AP article delves into the details of Verum Coin’s innovative features and its alignment with the latest trends in the cryptocurrency market. This attention comes at an opportune moment as Verum Coin prepares for its new listing on XT Exchange, a platform renowned for its extensive user base and a wide array of trading options.

This listing on XT is expected to further propel Verum Coin into the spotlight, providing both traders and investors with new opportunities to engage with this emerging digital asset. The exchange’s robust infrastructure and diverse trading offerings are ideal for supporting Verum Coin’s growth and enhancing its visibility in the competitive cryptocurrency market.

For more details, you can read the full article on the AP website here.

This milestone is a testament to Verum Coin’s advancing presence in the crypto world and its ongoing efforts to be at the forefront of digital currency innovation and adoption.