Technologies

A Samsung Tri-Fold Phone Could Be Coming, According to a Leak

Ahead of Samsung’s Unpacked event this week, rumors are swirling about the imminent release of a so-called «Galaxy G Fold» with three screens.

While Samsung has been showing off mobile display concepts with three screens at trade events like CES for several years, it might finally be bringing one to market if a leaked UI animation is any indicator.

An animated image from a software build of One UI 8 appears to show what some are dubbing a «Galaxy G Fold» device with three display panels, as reported by Android Authority last week. The screens would be capable of displaying different information or working in unison as one large display.

The new phone model could debut as early as Samsung’s Unpacked event on Wednesday in New York.

Samsung didn’t immediately respond to request for comment, but some websites have gone into overdrive trying to uncover details on what its new device might include and how much it may cost. Phone Arena reported that according to a Korean media report, it could be priced at around $3,000.

Chinese phone maker Huawei released a tri-folding phone in February, the Mate XT Ultimate Design, for 19,999 yuan (roughly $2,787 at time of publication).

More evidence of a tri-folding phone

In addition to the leaked animations, Samsung watchers have other evidence to point to suggesting the phone is on its way.

«The rumors are indeed pretty strong for a couple of reasons,» says Vikas Sharma, a senior director of patent services at Quandary Peak Research. He cites 2021 and 2023 patents the company filed in the US, China, Europe and Korea as well as what the company teased in January.

«The images in the patents looked very similar to the image teased in its Galaxy Unpacked event, which indicated a strong likelihood of a future tri-fold phone in the markets where those patents were filed,» Sharma says.

The Huawei phone, Sharma says, has so far seen demand in China, which could give Samsung another reason to release a competing product. A Samsung tri-folding phone would have the advantage of more Android OS and Samsung apps. A $3,000 price point would likely keep the phone as a niche product, at least until it drops below $2,000, Sharma says.

As for what potential buyers could expect from a Samsung tri-folding Galaxy phone, Sharma says that better multitasking capabilities and a bigger screen would bring the experience, «closer to that of a laptop. Additionally, the device will offer the convenience and portability of a mobile phone, easily fitting into a pocket when folding.»

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, July 17

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 17.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

I breezed through today’s Mini Crossword. There’s a little something for everyone. Birders will appreciate 3-Down while musicians will immediately know the answer to 6-Down. Read on for an assist with today’s Mini Crossword. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Workout facilities
Answer: GYMS

5A clue: Pipe dream? Just the opposite!
Answer: LEAK

6A clue: In good spirits
Answer: JOLLY

7A clue: Up to the task
Answer: ABLE

8A clue: Headache-inducing situation
Answer: MESS

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Boston newspaper
Answer: GLOBE

2D clue: TALKS LIKE THIS
Answer: YELLS

3D clue: Mallard ducks with green heads, e.g.
Answer: MALES

4D clue: Drone’s zone
Answer: SKY

6D clue: Rock out
Answer: JAM

Technologies

WeTransfer Backtracks on AI File Training After Backlash: What You Need to Know

The company has updated the changes to its policies after some users objected to new terms.

WeTransfer, the service that allows users to send large files to others, is explaining itself to clients and updating its terms of service after a backlash related to training AI models.

The company published a blog post, «WeTransfer Terms of Service — What’s Really Changing,» that details more updates the company made to its policies, after users noticed that recent changes seemed to suggest WeTransfer was training AI models on the files users are transferring.

In the blog post, the company says: «First things first. Your content is always your content.»

The post goes on to say, «We don’t use machine learning or any form of AI to process content shared via WeTransfer.» WeTransfer explains that its use of AI would be to improve content moderation and enhance its ability to prevent the distribution of harmful content across its platform.

The company adds that those AI tools aren’t being used and haven’t been built yet. «To avoid confusion,» it says, «we’ve removed this reference.»

A representative for WeTransfer did not immediately return an email seeking further comment.

The backlash over the terms prompted users such as political correspondent Ava Santina to write on X, «Time to stop using WeTransfer who from 8th August have decided they’ll own anything you transfer to power AI.»

What this means for users

Anxieties are high about what information users share or store in services such as social media accounts is accessed by companies to train AI models. WeTransfer may be used for highly sensitive file transfers, raising fears that private information might be accessed by AI. According to the company, this isn’t the case.

To further explain, the company said in its post:

«YES — Your content is always your content. In fact, section 6.2 of our Terms of Service clearly states that you ‘own and retain all right, title, and interest, including all intellectual property rights, in and to the Content’.»
«YES — You’re granting us permission to ensure we can run and improve the WeTransfer service properly.»
«YES — Our terms are compliant with applicable privacy laws, including the GDPR.»
«NO — We are not using your content to train AI models.»
«NO — We do not sell your content to third parties.»

When the Terms of Service change

While eagle-eyed experts understood the potential implications of what WeTransfer’s new terms could mean for people using the service, it’s unlikely that most people would be able to spot such changes.

«Expecting users to fully understand Terms of Service is unrealistic. These documents are often too complex to navigate,» says Haibing Lu, associate professor at the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University.

Lu told CNET that companies would do well to clearly highlight any changes they make to AI-related terms and explain them clearly to give people a real choice. «That’s what true transparency looks like,» Lu says. «Companies are increasingly risking backlash when they update Terms of Service to include AI, especially when users’ data is involved.»

Companies including Adobe, Slack and Zoom have had similar issues with terms changes related to AI, but it’s not just AI that’s the problem, Lu says — rather, it’s the lack of transparent communication.

In the case of WeTransfer, Lu says the company’s response, including revising the terms and blogging about them, «was a smart move and helped rebuild trust. It showed they were listening and willing to act fast.»

WeTransfer could include more understandable language in its terms, or communicate the changes better or sooner, Lu says, adding: «Transparency shouldn’t start after a backlash.»