Samsung is reportedly on the verge of launching its much-anticipated Tri-Fold smartphone, which is expected to debut alongside the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 sometime this July. This move marks another step forward for Samsung, which continues to lead the foldable smartphone market amid rising competition from companies like Huawei.
The design of Samsung's Tri-Fold, which features the unique ability to fold in the shape of the letter 'G', differs significantly from Huawei's 'Z' fold design. This innovative design ensures the primary screen remains protected when the device is folded, unlike Huawei's Mate X, where the main display is exposed. One drawback of Samsung's design is the need for an additional cover screen, which allows for functionality even when the device is closed.
Insider reports suggest Samsung will begin sourcing components for the Tri-Fold by April, with limited production anticipated, culminating in only 200,000 units available at launch. The device will feature a main display size of 9.96 inches and a secondary screen measuring 6.49 inches—a size conducive for quick tasks when the device is folded.
This release serves as yet another test for Samsung to maintain its dominance over the foldable smartphone segment, especially as competitors like Huawei continue to make strides with effective launches. Should the initial reception of the Tri-Fold be strong, there may be potential for increasing production numbers and broadening availability across more markets.
Meanwhile, significant attention is also being placed on the latest updates from Apple. The release of the iOS 18.4 Beta has introduced several noteworthy features. Users can now customize their notifications with the new 'Prioritize Notifications' feature, where Apple’s intelligence automatically displays more important alerts on the lock screen.
Apple has also expanded its language support for Siri, adding several new languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and simplified Chinese, enhancing accessibility to its global user base.
Among other features, the new Apple News+ now caters to food enthusiasts with dedicated sections for recipes and restaurant articles, catering to health tips and nutritional advice. This aligns with consumers' growing appetite for diverse and personalized content experiences.
Apple has made improvements to the Control Center, introducing ambient music options to aid focus and relaxation, alongside updates to email organization on iPadOS, which segments incoming messages by category.
For those interested in facial features, the introduction of 'Genmoji' showcases vibrant new expressive icons, providing users with more fun options for representation.
While new updates are exciting, they also come with some challenges. Users encountering Wi-Fi calling issues have been advised to revert to iOS 18.3 until additional fixes can be issued. Such technical glitches are common with beta releases, but Apple continues to work on refining user experience across its platforms.
A significant point of interest is how businesses are integrating AI. Despite significant investments, statistics show over 80% of AI projects fail to meet their objectives. To mitigate these risks, organizations are advised to prioritize alignment between AI initiatives and overall business strategies.
According to Suphanee Anangmongkol, Country Manager of Red Hat Thailand, companies must establish clear strategies for AI use, understand its strengths and weaknesses, and continuously evaluate their readiness to implement these technologies. This not only ensures effective execution of AI projects but may also drive innovation and productivity within companies.
Practical steps for business leaders include forming diverse teams to optimize AI implementation and gathering insights from other successful companies demonstrating smart uses of AI technology. Examples range from retail to healthcare, where AI tools are enhancing customer experiences and efficiency.
Particularly notable is the finding from research highlighting the role of AI across various sectors: retail uses AI to create personalized shopping experiences, IT companies rely on AI to streamline customer queries, and the healthcare industry employs AI for advanced diagnostics and developing new drugs.
With AI rapidly transforming organizational dynamics, ensuring preparedness and informed application becomes ever more important. Companies focusing on agility and responsiveness to technological changes will likely be the most successful, staying relevant as AI capabilities continue to evolve.
The combination of Samsung’s new innovations and Apple’s strategic updates reflects the vibrant and rapidly changing technology ecosystem, with both companies demonstrating their commitment to innovation. Meanwhile, businesses exploring AI strategies must remain cautious and informed, aiming to leverage its strengths without falling prey to common pitfalls.