Light Start: The first Galaxy Z Flip video leaks, the prettiest Switch, WhatsApp support and Apple closes stores in China amid virus worries
Marcé
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Samsung’s next foldable has leaked, and we dare you to try using it with one hand
Samsung has been teasing a new foldable named the Galaxy Z Flip, and the internet just got its first proper look at the final product. This happened in a leaked video that surfaced, claiming to be hands-on with the upcoming device. It looks pretty real to us if we’re being honest. The video was uploaded by serial leaker Ben Geskin, and it shows the Z Flip in action. According to the rumour mill, the clamshell-esque smartphone’s equipped with ‘ultrathin glass’ in lieu of pOLED for the foldable display, but it’s not clear from the video whether that’s the case. The short footage doesn’t show much more than what we already know, but at least we know it’s real and functional. It also shows the second display with basic information that includes the time, date, and battery level displayed when the phone is closed. The design reminds us of another flip-phone that recently revived its star model (ahem, Razr), and those guys drove sales using nostalgia. Samsung doesn’t have that luxury, and although the Z Flip is smaller than the Galaxy Fold, we struggle to see the ideal use case for this device. Who will use it, and why? Also — unfolded this thing looks massive, so the smaller size motivation’s basically out the door. Check the video down below.
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Nintendo announces an Animal Crossing-themed Switch in pretty blue hues
Nintendo has a way of making everyone (even current Switch owners) want its special edition consoles. And it just proved that again with the announcement of an Animal Crossing: New Horizons-themed console. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the most anticipated Switch title coming up, and the announcement of the special edition Switch and accessories just makes us want it even more. It features blue/teal (depending on how you look at it we guess) Joy-Cons with a special design on the back of the device. The accessories are also hella cute, featuring a New Horizons Aloha Edition Carrying Case & Screen Protector and a dock that’s got some critters on it. All the newly announced gizmos will be available to buy from the 13th of Feb in the US. We’ve had no word from the local distributor about availability as of yet, but we’ll let you know once we know. The retail price for the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch is set at $300 (R4,500).
This is why WhatsApp may have stopped working for you
Every year WhatsApp need to cut some of you loose — with tech becoming more and more complex, software also needs to evolve. This is why WhatsApp is no longer supported on millions of phones around the world, because the messaging platform needs to move away from older operating systems to survive. From 1 February, WhatsApp only supports iPhones running iOS 9 or later, Android smartphones running version 4.0.3 or later, and certain phones powered by KaiOS 2.5.1 or later. According to Google sources, about 0.3% of all WhatsApp users are still on older versions of OS that aren’t supported anymore. The easy fix? Make sure to keep your phone’s OS up to date. If WhatsApp (or any other app) has stopped working, it may be time to check for an update. If, for example, your phone cannot update any further, the hardware is likely too old to handle newer software and it may be time for a newer phone. If that’s not an option, you’ll have to resort to Facebook Messenger, archaic SMSes or even… phone calls.
Coronavirus forces Apple to close stores in China, for obvious reasons
We don’t generally report on world health issues, but if a deadly virus originates in one of the biggest tech markets in the world, we definitely do. Apple, one of the largest suppliers of smartphones in China, where the Coronavirus originated, has temporarily closed all of its retail stores amid the panic. The 42 stores are based in mainland China, and the iPhone maker said in a statement it’ll also close corporate offices and contact centres in China until further notice. “Our thoughts are with the people most immediately affected by the coronavirus and with those working around the clock to study and contain it,” Apple said in a statement. Luckily, we live in an age of online shopping, where you don’t need to meet another human face-to-face throughout the shopping process. Which is why Apple’s online store will remain open. It’s debatable what effect this’ll have on the tech company and its stocks in China, with many market researchers warning against it. But Apple predicts that it won’t adversely affect its sales in the region, which points to a larger online shopping market. We reckon it is the safer bet considering the circumstances.
