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Is there a chance for Tizen on the Galaxy S7?

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Samsung’s next big launch is the Galaxy S7, and the release date for it is rumored for around February 2016. Speculations about properties of the upcoming flagship are running rampant, but one rumor we just couldn’t shake was that the Galaxy S7 would be launched with Tizen instead of Android on board. Appalling and a bad idea, I’m sure many of you would agree. But is there even a possibility of Samsung launching a Tizen-powered flagship smartphone so early in the OS’ history?

Today, Tizen came  into the spotlight after SamMobile published a report about Samsung’s mobile operating system getting featured on a “high-profile smartphone”. Although the Galaxy S7 should be the flagship the South Korean company is going to launch next, there will most likely be a couple of other releases in the meantime that the report could be referring to. The Galaxy A and Galaxy E line-ups are due for refreshed models, and they can be considered high-profile smartphones. The Galaxy Z3, launched last month, is a pretty successful release, too. So all signs are pointing towards a flagship device with Tizen on board, but would Samsung risk putting it on the Galaxy S7?

I think they would, but they won’t cut out Android. Since Samsung is already in the habit of launching multiple different variants of their flagships, it’s entirely possible that the Galaxy S7 release date will introduce quite a few new smartphones. There are already reports talking about how the Galaxy S7 processor will be both an in-house and a Snapdragon 820 variant, depending on market or model. So we’re pretty much convinced that the Galaxy S7 will be available with an Exynos 8890 CPU and a Snapdragon 820 one. Why wouldn’t the company raise awareness for Tizen in the same way? It worked with Exynos, which is now rapidly going after Qualcomm’s market.

With the current situation in the Android community involving a lot of bug reports, update delays, bloatware and security threats, maybe it’s time for a new OS. But will Tizen be any better than TouchWiz? Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there are people who like the OS and UX, but they seem unpolished and a bit limited. However, Tizen has been getting better and has been gathering a lot of support in the form of developers and third-party apps. Facebook has a dedicated app just for Tizen and the user experience at the end of the day is pretty similar to Android, if you don’t count Google services that is.

Android is a platform for Google services, if you think about it, and many many many Samsung users are fond of that ecosystem. Times are changing, however, and we should always try to be open to new things, even in technology. In my opinion, the Galaxy S7 has a distinct chance of running on Tizen, at least in one variant. I’ve no doubt that Samsung and Android still have a long collaborative future ahead of them, but there seems to be space for Tizen as well. The OS is popular in developing regions for its optimizations in battery and data saving, and Samsung is well-respected for its good quality hardware all around the world. It seems like a good combo.

How much people will actually like a Galaxy S7 running on Tizen is a bit of a gamble, though. The OS is a fledgling compared to Android, but the company has proven its mettle with the latest 2.4 version of the OS. With a good deal of customization available, it’s not that bad. I do think the majority of people coming from Android will miss Google services as much as I do, but Tizen has potential. You can even use third-party apps to actually get Android apps working on the OS, so if you’re a bit tech-savvy, you might end up being entirely comfortable with Tizen.

It’s an interesting idea, Tizen on the Galaxy S7, and it might even be possible if Samsung is working on improving the OS (they are). Hardware and software need to end up being compatible somehow, so Tizen will have to work with high-end hardware. The Galaxy Z3 is more of an entry-level smartphone than anything, so the in-house OS will have to do good on something much more powerful.

Galaxy S7 specs include two of the latest processors, the Snapdragon 820 and Exynos 8890, 3 GB RAM, 20 MP cameras on the rear and who knows what else. The company has already apparently released prototypes of the handset to AT&T for testing, so we should find out more soon enough. Until now, we could assume that the South Korean giant is planning a Tizen-running Galaxy S7 variant and maybe even a Galaxy S7 Edge variant with the same OS. With rumors that the two will be cheaper at launch than their predecessors and judging by the slightly short time that passed since those were released, it seems like a possibility.

The release date for the Galaxy S7 is pegged for February 21, after reports of the handset going into production early in December have emerged. The tight release window and seemingly rushed process are definitely interpretable, but can they point towards a new strategy? Apple is doing kind of a similar thing with the iPhone 6S. The phone is not that much better than its predecessor, but it improves in key areas. Maybe Samsung is running out of ideas and Tizen came-a-running, who knows. We’ll just have to wait until the company spills the beans, until then as always, take these rumors with a grain of salt.

As part of the editorial team here at Geekreply, John spends a lot of his time making sure each article is up to snuff. That said, he also occasionally pens articles on the latest in Geek culture. From Gaming to Science, expect the latest news fast from John and team.

Mobile Devices

3 Video Games About Women’s Health

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Video games have transcended entertainment to become powerful tools for promoting health and wellness. One notable genre in this realm is fitness gaming, exemplified by titles like Hatsune Miku Fit Boxing, which motivates players to engage in physical activity to enhance their fitness levels. Building on this foundation, developers have ventured into women’s health with games designed to raise awareness and empower players to take control of their well-being. Here are 3 video games on women’s health that provide valuable health information and foster a sense of agency to uplift women around the world.

Tampon Run – Menstrual health

Created by Girls Who Code alumnae Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser in 2014, Tampon Run is an old-school 8-bit online game where the main character, Luna, lobs tampons to destroy enemies, who will confiscate the tampons if she lets them pass by. Interestingly, the concept of weaponized tampons is based on a real incident that occurred in 2013, where Texas state troopers confiscated tampons as potential projectiles, but not guns, from visitors observing a vote on abortion restrictions at the Texas State Capitol. The goal of Tampon Run is to destigmatize periods and menstrual products, which, up until recently, have not been properly studied to measure their absorbency, which underscores the need to address menstrual health so that women can get better care.

In between tossing tampons, Luna shares empowering messages about how periods are a natural part of women’s lives and should not be a source of shame or embarrassment. The game is available to play on the Tampon Run website and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS users.

PCOS Vitality – PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex hormonal condition and the leading cause of female infertility that affects approximately 5 to 6 million women in the US, according to the Endocrine Society. Common features of the condition include having irregular menstrual periods, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Additionally, some studies estimate that up to 88% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. While there are weight loss programs helping women tackle PCOS, focusing on aspects like lifestyle, symptom management, diet, and other tips for how to lose weight with PCOS, the condition itself remains grossly under-researched. For some women, it may take years to confirm that they have PCOS, as there are other disorders that mimic PCOS signs and symptoms that must be excluded.

The lack of research has extended to a lack of awareness among the general population and is what clinicians from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland are trying to address with the 2023 game PCOS Vitality. Essentially a learning tool, the game takes users through a simple obstacle course. As you click toward the finish line, you are asked simple trivia questions about PCOS. The game is free to play on Focus Games’ website.

Bound by Blood – Period poverty

Period poverty refers to the lack of regular access to period products, painkillers, or underwear during a menstrual cycle. In the US, where 16.9 million menstruating women live in poverty, two-thirds cannot afford basic menstrual products. Period poverty has also been associated with mental health issues and urinary tract infections.

Available to play on the itch.io website, Bound by Blood was created by Jessica Gates in 2017 and aims to educate players about the reality of period poverty. Users take the character of Beth, a homeless woman who wakes up in her car and realizes that she’s started her period. Players then make a series of choices to try to stay as hygienic as possible in spite of lacking resources such as menstrual products and clean restrooms. There isn’t really a way to “win” the game, and it is instead a peek into the reality of life where period products are inaccessible and how this affects women’s quality of life.

Through these games, players not only gain valuable insights into various aspects of women’s health but also find themselves actively engaged in their own well-being. As developers continue to explore this emerging field, the potential for video games to serve as educational tools and catalysts for change in healthcare remains promising

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Consoles

PS5, PS4 Game Death Stranding Coming Natively to iPhone 15 Pro

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PS5 and PS4 console game Death Stranding Director’s Cut is coming natively to the iPhone 15 Pro, demonstrating its power. The entirety of Kojima Productions’ seminal hiking sim, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil Village, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage, will be available on your phone. Bonkers!

Tech giant: “Continuing Apple’s leadership in smartphone silicon, A17 Pro improves the entire chip, including Apple’s biggest GPU redesign. The new CPU is 10% faster with microarchitectural and design improvements, and the Neural Engine is 2x faster, powering iOS 17 features like autocorrect and Personal Voice.

According to the company, the pro-class GPU is 20% faster and unlocks new experiences with a 6-core design that boosts peak performance and energy efficiency. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing, 4x faster than software-based, gives iPhone 15 Pro smoother graphics and more immersive AR and gaming experiences. The iPhone 15 Pro brings console games to smartphones for the first time.

As with all cutting-edge Apple products, participation is expensive. The iPhone 15 Pro will cost £999/$999 at launch, and the Max model will cost £1,199/$1,199 for a 6.7″ screen. The most basic option only gives you 128GB, so you’ll need more if you want to play Death Stranding on the go.

However, the blurring of standalone consoles and mobile games is fascinating. The success of Genshin Impact, a full-fledged open world, has shown there’s a market for console-like mobile games. It will be interesting to see how Death Stranding performs on this latest iPhone generation.

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Android

Launched Redmi Note 12 series: 200MP camera, 210W charging for less than $400

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The three phones have similar screens and processors, but they vary in a number of ways.

The Redmi Note series from Xiaomi has historically been the brand’s most well-liked smartphone line, providing excellent value in the entry-level market. The Redmi Note 12 series has now been unveiled by the firm in China.

The Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition, Redmi Note 12 Pro, and Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus are the three phones we truly have this time. A flat 6.67-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED screen, a Mediatek Dimensity 1080 5G processor, and a 16MP selfie camera are features shared by all three devices.

They both have a 3.5mm connector, NFC, IR blaster, and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, among other things. In contrast, there are a few significant variances.

Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition

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The Note 12 Discovery Edition of the Redmi Note 12 has a 200MP HPX primary camera (f/1.65, OIS), making it possibly the most striking model. This camera can capture photographs with a resolution of 200MP, 50MP pixels (using four-in-one binning), or 12.5MP (using 16-in-one binning). Additionally, the phone offers a 2MP macro lens and an 8MP ultrawide camera.

The phone is notably different from its stablemates in that it supports 210W wired charging; according to Xiaomi, a full charge can be achieved in just nine minutes. Although you only get a 4,300mAh battery here, this high wattage comes at the expense of battery capacity.

Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus

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Thought a 200MP smartphone with a larger battery would be cool? With the Pro Plus model, you get precisely that. The triple back camera system will have the same 200MP+8MP+2MP resolution as the Discovery Edition.

The Pro Plus variant, on the other hand, chooses a 5,000mAh battery and still blazing-fast 120W cable charging. Xiaomi claims that a full charge should be achieved in about 19 minutes.

Redmi Note 12 Pro

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Have no interest in megapixels? The Redmi Note 12 Pro, which adds a 50MP IMX766 primary camera (f/1.88, OIS) in addition to the 8MP+2MP duo, fills this need. The Oppo Find X5 Pro and the Asus Zenfone 9 both feature flagship devices with 50MP sensors similar to this one. We therefore have high hopes that it will also produce acceptable image quality on the Note 12 Pro.

The Pro version additionally includes a 5,000mAh battery with 67W wired speeds. A 100% charge should be expected in a still quick 46 minutes.

Pricing and availability for the Redmi Note 12 series
The base 8GB/256GB variant of the Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition costs 2,399 yuan (about $332), while the base 6GB/128GB model of the Redmi Note 12 Pro costs 1,699 yuan (about $235). Do you want Pro Plus? The 8GB/256GB variant thus has a starting price of 2,099 yuan (about $290).

Although Xiaomi acknowledged that these phones are currently limited to China, it advised us to “keep tuned” for international announcements. To be fair, the Chinese Redmi Note 11 series was very different from the international variants that debuted a few months later.

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