samsung galaxy s10
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Samsung confirms glaring S10 fingerprint reader flaw, promises fix
Galaxy S10 users should turn on some alternative security features as Samsung works to address a major flaw with the device’s in-screen fingerprint sensor. The consumer electronics giant noted the issue today after a British user reported the ability to unlock her device with unregistered fingerprints.
The flaw was discovered after placing a $3.50 screen protector on the device, confirming earlier reports that adding one could introduce an air gap that interfered with the ultrasonic scanner. The company noted the issue in a statement, telling the press that it was, “aware of the case of S10’s malfunctioning fingerprint recognition and will soon issue a software patch.”
Third-party companies, including Korean bank KaKaoBank, have suggested users turn off the reader until the issue is addressed. That certainly appears to be the most logical course of action until the next software update.
When it hit the market back in March, the company touted the technology as one of the industry’s most secure biometric features, noting that it was, “engineered to be more secure than a traditional 2D optical scanner, the industry-first Ultrasonic Fingerprint ID, with sensors embedded in the display, reads the 3D contours of your physical fingerprint to keep your phone and data safe. This advanced biometric security technology earned the Galaxy S10 the world’s first FIDO Alliance Biometric Component certification.”
Samsung has warned against the use of screen protectors previously, but the ability to fool the product with a cheap off the shelf mobile accessory clearly presents a major and unexpected security concern for Galaxy users. We’ve reached out to Samsung for further comment.
Update: Samsung provided TechCrunch the following comment. “We are investigating this issue and will be deploying a software patch soon. We encourage any customers with questions or who need support downloading the latest software to contact us directly at 1-800-SAMSUNG.”
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Daily Crunch: Samsung unveils Galaxy S10 lineup
The Daily Crunch is TechCrunch’s roundup of our biggest and most important stories. If you’d like to get this delivered to your inbox every day at around 9am Pacific, you can subscribe here.
1. Here’s everything announced at Samsung’s Galaxy S10/Galaxy Fold event
Samsung announced five new phones, some new earbuds, a virtual assistant and a watch.
And one of those phones is foldable. Folded, the handset sports a 4.6-inch display that only takes up about three-fourths of the front. Unfolded, it turns into a 7.3-inch tablet. Pricing starts at $1,980.
2. Lyft reportedly plans to debut on Nasdaq next month
Two reports, one from Reuters, the other from WSJ, indicate Lyft plans to list its shares on Nasdaq next month. The WSJ, citing unnamed sources, reported Lyft may make the filing public as early as next week.
3. Clutter confirms SoftBank-led $200M investment for its on-demand storage service
There’s plenty of speculation right now around apparently disgruntled investors in SoftBank’s Vision Fund, but the drum continues to beat and the checks continue to be written.
4. Highlights & transcript from Zuckerberg’s 20K-word ethics talk
Zuckerberg said it would feel wrong to charge users for extra privacy controls.
Days after a YouTube creator accused the platform of enabling a “soft-core pedophilia ring,” several companies have suspended advertising on the platform. Other advertisers, including Peloton and Grammarly, said they are calling on YouTube to resolve the issue.
6. Trump calls for 6G cellular technology, because why the heck not?
6G isn’t a thing. But … maybe it could be?
7. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Patreon
TechCrunch’s media consultant Eric Peckham spent dozens of hours interviewing Patreon’s management team and investors, as well as poring over data, in order to write this deep analysis of the company and the lessons learned. (Extra Crunch subscription required.)
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The Samsung Galaxy S10 can wirelessly charge other phones
Hole punches aside, Wireless PowerShare is the S10 line’s marquee feature. Samsung’s new flagship isn’t the first handset with the feature — the Huawei Mate 20 Pro beat it to it by a few months — but it’s a cool new addition, nonetheless.
And perhaps more importantly, Samsung’s beat Apple to the punch here. From the looks of it, Cupertino has been having all manner of difficulty bringing wireless tech to market — just look at the MIA AirPower charger.
The feature relies on the S10’s large battery to charge other devices. So, say, when you’re out on the town and a friend is teetering on the brink of phone death, you just swipe down into the settings, enable Wireless PowerShare, and you can save the day by placing the handsets back to back.
The new feature should be compatible with all phones that charge via the Qi standard. They also work with Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds, which beat the AirPods to the punch with a wireless charging case.
Of course, one of the phone needs to be face down for this to work, and wireless charging is slower than plugged in, but a cool feature nonetheless. It’s one that should come in handy for frequent travels. That’s one fewer device you have to plug in to charge overnight.
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Samsung has sold 2 billion Galaxy phones
Samsung announced its most expensive phone today, but it also shared the progress it’s made so far in selling a whole lot of Galaxy smartphones.
Onstage, Samsung Electronics president DJ Koh announced that over the past decade, the company has sold more than 2 billion Galaxy devices.
The company has more than just smartphones falling beneath the Galaxy brand, but this vanity stat is all about what they’ve been able to accomplish with their handset brand. The company didn’t break down the active install base of its Galaxy devices or detail a full breakdown of its smartphone sales.
The company shared info on a whole lot of devices today, including the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Fold.
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Samsung’s ad for the Galaxy S10 leaks
If you think you knew everything there’s to know about the Samsung Galaxy S10, the company’s Norwegian ad has now leaked on YouTube. The Verge first spotted the ad — a Verge reader was watching TV and it accidentally aired on commercial TV. It matches up with devices that have already leaked over the past couple of months. But there are some additional features that haven’t been discussed yet.
The most glaring change is that Samsung is opting for a pinhole cutout in the corner of the screen instead of an iPhone-style notch. The S10 will have a rounded hole while the S10+ will get an oblong hole punch with a couple of front-facing camera sensors.
As you can see in the ad, Samsung has integrated the fingerprint sensor in the display. It’s still unclear whether you’ll be able to touch any part of the screen, but the ad shows that you’ll be able to put your finger right above the USB-C connector to unlock your phone.
The photo gallery app will get a new tab for stories. It sounds like you’ll be able to create stories using the default camera app without having to use Instagram or Snapchat.
In addition to wireless charging, the S10 will be able to act as a wireless charger. For instance, you’ll be able to recharge the company’s AirPods-like earbuds using your phone.
Rumor has it that Samsung will also release a third device this year. In addition to the usual S10 (6.1-inch display) and the S10+ (6.4-inch display), there could be a cheaper 5.8-inch phone. This variant could feature an LCD display, and two cameras on the back instead of three.
And yet, the ad only shows two phones. It’s unclear whether Samsung will run separate advertising campaigns or launch that cheaper phone at a later date.
Update: Original video has been removed from YouTube. I replaced it with a re-upload.
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