Technologies

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra First Look: Circle to Search, Live Translate, More AI

Samsung is betting on generative AI to make its Galaxy S24 series stand out from other Android phones.

When I recently called a Korean restaurant to make a reservation, I had no issue communicating with the person on the other end even though she wasn’t speaking English. That’s because I was trying out the Galaxy S24 Ultra, one of three new phones Samsung announced on Wednesday, which can translate phone calls in real-time.

Samsung, like the rest of the tech industry, is enthralled with artificial intelligence at the moment. The Galaxy S24 series is rife with features like the translation example mentioned above that leverage generative AI — AI that uses large language models to create content or provide conversational (but not always accurate) answers. It’s another sign that tech giants are increasingly using AI to distinguish their devices from the pack and get consumers excited about upgrading their mobile devices in what has been a struggling smartphone market.

Read more: Everything Samsung Announced at Its 2024 Unpacked Event

The Galaxy S24 Ultra goes on sale for $1,300 (£1,249, AU$2,199) — $100 pricier than last year’s Galaxy S23 Ultra — on Jan. 31 alongside the cheaper Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24. All three are available for preorder now.

With the Galaxy S24 series, you’ll be able to have the Notes app format or summarize notes for you, circle any image to launch a Google search for that item and rewrite your text messages in a different tone before sending them. Samsung groups all these tools (among others) together under the blanket moniker known as Galaxy AI, and it’s available on the Galaxy S24, S4 Plus and S24 Ultra. These features will also come to the Galaxy S23 lineup through an update.

Some of those functions may sound familiar; they’re very similar to other generative AI-powered tools we’ve seen from companies like Google and Microsoft. In fact, Samsung is partnering with Google on the technology behind some of its new AI features, including the ones for rewriting texts, summarizing notes and moving individual objects in photos.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra also gets a sharper new telephoto camera and a titanium build. All three phones also have Qualcomm’s latest processor and brighter screens.

I briefly got to check out the Galaxy S24 series ahead of Samsung’s announcement, and here are my early impressions of the Ultra.

Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S24 Ultra

Samsung's new Chat Assist feature being shown on the Galaxy S24 Ultra

Galaxy AI is the biggest difference between the S24 series and its predecessors, although that won’t be the case for long considering these features are coming to the Galaxy S23 lineup. Some of Samsung’s Galaxy AI features include:

Chat Assist for changing the tone, translating or spell-checking your text message before sending it.
Live Translate for translating calls in 13 languages during a conversation.
Circle to Search, which lets you launch a Google search for any object in a photo just by circling it.
Note Assist for summarizing, translating and formatting files in Samsung’s Notes app and generating digital covers for notes.
Generative Edit, which like Google’s Magic Editor lets you manipulate and move objects in photos.
Transcript Assist in Samsung’s recording app for providing transcriptions and summarizing conversations.

I tried most of these features on the Galaxy S24 Ultra and they worked easily enough, although I’ve only tested them in Samsung’s controlled demo. Live Translate took a little getting used to, but I was impressed by how easy it was to carry on a conversation with a Korean language speaker once I got the hang of it.

After tapping the number I wanted to call in the S24 Ultra’s contact list, I chose the Live Translate option to start the translation. Samsung translated my words into Korean almost instantly after I finished speaking. Once the recipient on the other end had finished her response, Samsung repeated her speech in English. I could see this being helpful while traveling, although I could also imagine it causing some initial confusion for callers and recipients who are unfamiliar with the feature.

Read more: Best Samsung Phones of 2024

Circle to Search is another standout Galaxy AI tool that I can imagine being useful. It’s kind of like Google Lens, except you can search for objects in existing photos just by circling them rather than snapping a new photo. Just open the picture, hold the home button, and circle the object you’d like to search for. I circled waffles in a brunch photo in the S24 Ultra’s photo gallery, and Google pulled up recommendations for restaurants that serve waffles nearby.

I also snapped a picture of someone’s shoes in the demo area and circled them, and Google quickly summoned options to purchase those same shoes. This is a bit easier with the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s S Pen, but you can also use Circle to Search on the regular S24 and S24 Plus with your finger.

The new Circle to Search feature being shown on the Galaxy S24 Ultra

Samsung’s Notes app can organize text into bullet points and even offers different templates to choose from. Generative Edit, which is a lot like Google’s Magic Eraser, makes it possible to move, erase and manipulate individual objects in photos.

During a demo, a Samsung representative traced the area around a skateboarder performing a trick in a photo and moved the skater to make their jump look even higher. Samsung and Google are pitching features like these as being useful for creative purposes by giving anyone the ability to significantly alter photos straight from their phone with no photo editing knowledge. Still, it’s hard to ignore the potential for misuse, as my colleague Sareena Dayaram has previously pointed out.

One photography feature I’m excited about in particular is the ability to remove reflections in the edit suggestions section. As someone who photographs screens quite often, I can attest to how difficult it can be to avoid glare and reflections. I could also see this being useful for avid travelers who snap photos through car, bus or train windows on vacation.

Read more: From AI to Mixed Reality, CES 2024 Products Imagine A World Beyond Mobile Apps

Samsung is clearly focusing on productivity first and foremost with the Galaxy S24’s AI features, although many of these tools feel familiar rather than new. Galaxy AI has the potential to make accomplishing certain tasks on the S24 family feel more convenient, but it also doesn’t bring anything overwhelmingly new to the table. Maybe I’ll feel differently after I’ve spent more time with the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Galaxy S24 Ultra specs and design

The biggest physical change on the Galaxy S24 Ultra compared to its predecessor is its 50-megapixel telephoto camera, which replaces one of the 10-megapixel zoom cameras on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. That means the S24 Ultra offers a 5x optical zoom compared to the S23 Ultra’s 10x optical zoom, a decision that Samsung made after it found that many users preferred zooming at 5x rather than 10x. This should hopefully enable crisper zoomed shots, but I’ll be able to tell for sure when I’ve had more time with the device.

Otherwise, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera hardware is essentially the same as the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s, consisting of a 200-megapixel main camera, a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with a 3x optical zoom (in addition to the new 50-megapixel, 5x telephoto camera) and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra also has a titanium body, slightly slimmer bezels, and a lighter design, although the differences here seem very minimal. Samsung also says it’s boosted the screen brightness to 2,600 nits on all three models compared to 1,750 nits on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung’s screens were already plenty bright, especially when compared to Google’s Pixel phones, so I’m sure they’ll be even easier to see in sunlight. Still, they aren’t the brightest screen found on a phone in 2024. The OnePlus 12, which launches later this month in the US, will have a 4,500-nit display.

All three phones run on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which isn’t a surprise considering Samsung typically puts Qualcomm’s latest chip in its flagship US phones. Qualcomm announced the chip in October 2023 and flaunted its ability to run generative AI algorithms on the device. The S24 Ultra also has a larger vapor chamber compared to last year’s phone, which Samsung says should keep the device cool while playing demanding games.

Battery size, storage and memory and storage are essentially the same as those in the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

The Galaxy S24 family shows that Samsung, along with other tech giants, is learning about how generative AI can be useful on our phones following ChatGPT’s rapid rise. Galaxy AI seems like a promising start, although Samsung may have to do more to make its offerings stand out, especially as Apple is rumored to bring more generative AI-fueled features to the iPhone later this year.
Read more: How to pre-order the Galaxy S23 Ultra

Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to help create some stories. For more, see this post.

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

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Samsung Galaxy S24 series specs vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra	Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus	Samsung Galaxy S24	Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness	6.8-inch AMOLED; QHD+ resolution; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate	6.7-inch AMOLED; QHD+ resolution; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate	6.2-inch AMOLED; FHD+ resolution; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate	6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,088×1,440 pixels; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
Pixel density	TBD	TBD	TBD	500 ppi
Dimensions (inches)	6.40 x 3.11 x 0.34 in	6.24 x 3 x 0.3 in	5.79 x 2.78 x 0.3 in	6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in
Dimensions (millimeters)	163 x 79 x 8.6 mm	158 x 76 x 7.6 mm	147 x 71 x 7.6 mm	163.3 x 78 x 8.9 mm
Weight (grams, ounces)	233 g (8.22 oz)	197 g (6.95 oz)	168 g (5.93oz)	234 g (8.25 oz)
Mobile software	Android 14	Android 14	Android 14	Android 13
Camera	200-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) 10-megapixel (3x telephoto) 50-megapixel (5x telephoto)	50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto)	50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto)	200-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) 10-megapixel (3x telephoto) 10-megapixel (10x telephoto)
Front-facing camera	12-megapixel	12-megapixel	12-megapixel	12-megapixel
Video capture	TBD	TBD	TBD	8K
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Storage and RAM	12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB	8GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB	8GB RAM + 256GB; 12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Expandable storage	None	None	None	None
Battery	5,000 mAh	4,900 mAh	4,000 mAh	5,000 mAh
Fingerprint sensor	Under display	Under display	Under display	Under display
Connector	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	None	None	None	None
Special features	Titanium frame, 2,600-nit screen; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; integrated S Pen; UWB for finding other devices; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7	2,600-nit screen; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 6E	2,600-nit screen; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; 25W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 6E	5G (Sub6, mmWave); IP68 water resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; integrated S Pen; 100x Space Zoom; 10x optical zoom; UWB for finding other devices; 45W wired charging
US price starts at	$1,300 (256GB)	$1,00 (256GB)	$800 (128GB)	$1,200 (256GB)
UK price starts at	£1,249 (256GB)	£999 (256GB)	£799 (128GB)	£1,249 (256GB)
Australia price starts at	AU$2,199 (256GB)	AU$1,699 (256GB)	AU$1,399 (256GB)	AU$1,949 (256GB)

Technologies

Moonquakes: Understanding the Moon’s Tectonic Forces Could Protect Future Astronauts

Space agencies and companies looking to set up lunar outposts should build far away from seismic activity.

As humanity looks to the moon for science and economic opportunity in the coming years, understanding potential dangers lurking on the lunar surface could become increasingly important.

Ridges on the moon that signify moonquakes are the subject of a recent research paper, which delves into tectonic activity across the lunar maria, a vast network of dark plains that arose from ancient volcanic activity.

A team of researchers analyzed lunar formations called small mare ridges to create a global moon map, which is the first of its kind. The paper was originally published Dec. 24 in the Planetary Science Journal.

Cole Nypaver, a postdoctoral fellow at the National Air and Space Museum’s Center for Earth and Planetary Studies and one of the paper’s authors, told CNET that the ridges that were identified were formed by faults in the lunar subsurface, which are associated with moonquakes.

«While those moonquakes are potentially hazardous for long-term lunar exploration missions or permanent outposts, they also present fantastic opportunities to learn more about the interior of the moon and how the moon formed,» Nypaver said.

The moon is shrinking

Another of the paper’s authors is a scientist named Tom Watters. Back in 2010, Watters discovered that the moon is slowly shrinking because its core is cooling.

The moon’s contraction causes disturbances on its surface. The crust gets compressed and forces material up along faults, which creates ridges, similar to how mountains form on Earth.

The most common of these ridges are called lobate scarps. They form on the lunar highlands, which are the bright spots we see when we look at the moon. But the small mare ridges only form in the lunar maria, which are the dark areas of the moon that contrast with the highlands.

This research is the first time scientists have documented the ridges throughout the lunar maria. In doing so, we now have a more complete understanding of the moon’s thermal and seismic history, which could give us a better idea of any potential moonquakes in the future.

«Our results represent the most globally complete understanding of recent lunar tectonism to date,» Nypaver said. «The presence of these additional tectonic features in the lunar maria suggests that the moon may have experienced more global contraction in the recent past than previously thought.»

Moon missions

Humans setting up permanent footholds on the lunar surface have moved from science fiction to real plans for the near future. NASA’s Artemis II mission is set to launch in March at the earliest. And while this mission will only send astronauts to orbit the moon, future Artemis missions plan to land people on the lunar surface and build permanent infrastructure there.

University of Maryland professor Nicholas Schmerr helped NASA develop the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station for Artemis 3, which the crew of the third Artemis mission, currently scheduled for 2028, will deliver to the moon’s surface.

Schmerr said to CNET that this instrument will detect seismic activity in the lunar south polar region.

«We’ll get a whole new picture of lunar seismic activity both on the South Pole and lunar farside,» Schmerr said.

LEMS-A3 is a station designed to be self-sustaining, and Schmerr will act as the instrument’s deputy principal investigator for the mission. The LEMS-A3 will assess «tectonics-related seismicity of the region and any hazard the moonquakes (or, for that matter, impacts) could pose to future longer-lived infrastructure,» Schmerr said.

Setting up shop

NASA isn’t the only one that’s looking to sustain long-term lunar operations. A company called Interlune also wants to set up mining operations on the moon to excavate helium-3, a valuable isotope that could be used for clean energy and quantum computers.

Elon Musk has been talking about building a moon base to launch AI satellites into orbit.

Getting up to speed on the areas of the moon that are more likely to experience moonquakes could influence where space agencies and private companies decide to build outposts in the future.

«There are several upcoming missions to the moon that will carry dedicated seismometers in hopes of detecting a moonquake from a small mare ridge or an asteroid impact on the moon,» Nypaver said. «By identifying a new population of tectonic features in the lunar maria, our work provides additional targets for those missions that seek to use moonquakes to better understand our closest celestial neighbor.»

Technologies

Woody and Buzz Join Forces to Take On a Tablet in New ‘Toy Story 5’ Trailer

See Woody reunite with the gang during their feud with a new tablet.

A new trailer for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 sets the stage for a toy-versus-tech face-off. The movie wouldn’t be complete without cowboy protagonist Woody, who reunites with his pals following the events of Toy Story 4 (his bald spot and poncho may be new, but he seamlessly fits back in with his toy buddies).

In the more than 2-minute trailer, Jessie tells Woody she’s losing 8-year-old Bonnie to Lilypad, a frog-faced tablet that’s clashing with the classic toys about what’s best for Bonnie.

«Tech’s invaded our house,» Jessie says.

«I don’t know, Jessie — toys are for play, but tech is for everything,» Woody tells her.

The trailer shows Bonnie struggling with screen time limits, glued to her tablet. When Bonnie is out of sight, Lilypad the learning tablet taunts the toys as she appears to cause their eviction from Bonnie’s room and into a dreaded donation box.

Toy Story 5’s voice cast includes Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack as Jessie, Greta Lee as Lilypad, Tony Hale as Forky and Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants, a toilet-training tech toy. There’s also Craig Robinson as the GPS hippo toy Atlas, Shelby Rabara as the camera toy Snappy, Matty Matheson as the toy Dr. Nutcase, Scarlett Spears as Bonnie and Mykal-Michelle Harris as an 8-year-old girl named Blaze.

More voice cast members include Wallace Shawn as Rex, John Ratzenberger as Hamm, Blake Clark as Slinky Dog, Jeff Bergman as Mr. Potato Head, Anna Vocino as Mrs. Potato Head, Annie Potts as Bo Peep, Bonnie Hunt as Dolly, Melissa Villaseñor as Karen Beverly, John Hopkins as Mr. Pricklepants, Kristen Schaal as Trixie, Ernie Hudson as Combat Carl and Keanu Reeves as Duke Caboom.

You can watch how the whole gang handles the tablet when the film debuts in theaters on June 19, and watch the rest of the Toy Story movies on streaming service Disney Plus.