Samsung’s Ballie robot launches in the US ‘this Summer’ with Gemini in tow

image via 9to5google.com
image via 9to5google.com

After years of teasing, Samsung is finally gearing up to launch its Ballie robot “this Summer,” with the company teaming up with Google to leverage Gemini on the helpful home robot. Samsung first showed off Ballie in early 2020, but the project has been delayed and reimagined in the years since. At CES 2024, the company showed off the updated design of Ballie, and has now committed to a “Summer” 2025 release.

https://9to5google.com/2025/04/09/samsung-ballie-gemini-launch-date/

Here’s what Samsung’s first Android XR headset looks like in person

image via theverge.com
image via theverge.com

The headset, which Samsung is developing in partnership with Google, runs Android XR, an OS designed specifically for headsets and smart glasses. My colleague Victoria Song got to try Project Moohan late last year, so if you want to know what it’s like to actually wear and use. Samsung plans to launch Project Moohan for developers first, but it won’t be available right away for consumers.

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/22/24349736/samsung-project-moohan-photos-android-xr-headset

Samsung’s One UI 7 looks rather iOS-y.

image via theverge.com
image via theverge.com

The upcoming redesign teased in a (seemingly premature) video found on Samsung’s Spanish website shows off smoother animations and a revamped Quick Panel, with quick settings now packed in bubbles — just like on iOS. The pill-shaped live activities feature also shares some similarities with Apple’s Dynamic Island.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/29/24308683/samsungs-one-ui-7-looks-rather-ios-y

X will launch a YouTube-like video app on Samsung and Amazon TVs

image via engadget.com
image via engadget.com

X will launch a dedicated app that allows users to watch these videos on Samsung TV and Amazon's Fire TV. Musk recently said X would be a "video-first" platform moving forward, and this development shows that this will translate beyond the small content boxes typically available on feeds to a bigger screen. At the time, Musk also claims that eight out of ten times a person visits X, they're watching videos.

https://www.engadget.com/x-will-launch-a-youtube-like-video-app-on-samsung-and-amazon-tvs-120004624.html

Samsung has big ambitions for the Galaxy Ring

image via theverge.com
image via theverge.com

amsung’s VP of Digital Health Dr. Hon Pak didn’t specifically say what sensors are in the ring, but mentioned sleep insights based on heart rate, movement, and respiratory indicators. Dr. Pak says that Samsung’s partnership with Natural Cycles (which already brings period and fertility tracking to its Galaxy Watch series) will extend to the Ring, too — putting it in direct competition with the Oura ring. On the Galaxy Ring, battery size increases slightly in the larger band sizes, though Dr. Pak couldn’t share any exact battery life estimates.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24082729/samsung-has-big-ambitions-for-the-galaxy-ring

Samsung Tries To Sneak In Unwanted Apps With Android Updates

image c/o forbes.com
image c/o forbes.com

Samsung is using Android updates to attempt to foist unwanted apps on to customers’ smartphones. When customers perform an Android update on their Samsung smartphone – which customers must do to benefit from the latest security updates – they find a notification waiting after the operating system has been installed.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrycollins/2023/05/09/samsung-tries-to-sneak-in-unwanted-apps-with-android-updates/