Smartphone – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com Latest Crypto News Sun, 17 Aug 2025 02:13:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 https://i0.wp.com/earlybirdsinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-New-Project-2024-12-17T235703.455.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Smartphone – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com 32 32 240146708 Why I pair my Galaxy Watch with a Samsung smartphone https://earlybirdsinvest.com/why-i-pair-my-galaxy-watch-with-a-samsung-smartphone/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/why-i-pair-my-galaxy-watch-with-a-samsung-smartphone/#respond Sun, 17 Aug 2025 02:13:20 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/why-i-pair-my-galaxy-watch-with-a-samsung-smartphone/
pixel 8 galaxy s24 fe galaxy watch 4 1

Andy Walker / Android Authority

Samsung’s smartwatches (and the Galaxy Ring) are compatible with most Android phones, but you’ll only get the full experience when paired with Samsung Galaxy smartphones. This applies to older Galaxy Watch models up to the latest Galaxy Watch 8 series and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025. But what are these features, and are they worth considering switching smartphones for?

Do you use a Galaxy Watch with a Samsung smartphone?

142 votes

There are many features, but only a few truly make the partnership worthwhile, at least for me. I don’t own a Galaxy Ring, but I can comment on the synergy between my Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy S24 FE. While most benefits are health-related, several ecosystem features make owning Samsung products more attractive and worth considering.

Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority?

Additional health features

A Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro displays the ECG app.

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

I use my Galaxy Watch primarily as a fitness tracker, so I prioritize features that monitor health issues. Most fitness tracking features are available across all Android phones, including basic heart rate tracking, step tracking, sleep, and SpO2 insights. However, if you want to use your wearable specifically to check your heartbeat or blood pressure, you need to pair it with a Samsung smartphone and download the exclusive Samsung Health Monitor app. This app is also limited to specific markets, so check availability if these features are essential to you.

Notably, the app enables the Galaxy Watch 4 and newer models’ ECG capabilities, or electrocardiogram, which samples your heart’s rhythm and offers guidance if it detects irregularities. Thankfully, my heart’s still strong, but I regularly use this feature when I feel unusually tired or stressed.

Health Monitor also unlocks the Galaxy Watch series’ blood pressure monitoring feature, which requires calibration with a standalone monitor before use. This feature is great for quick checkups if you’re away from home without a dedicated monitor.

Other Galaxy Watch features that require a Samsung smartphone include stress reminders, sleep apnea monitoring, and Energy Score insight.

Sleep apnea monitoring samples your breathing and heart rate rhythm at night, checking for any concerning dips in blood oxygen levels. It then provides further guidance. I use this feature a few times a year, and it offers great insight into my overall sleep health.

Energy Score insight adds AI-powered context to your Energy Score — a figure that quantifies your daily readiness based on previous activity and rest. Energy Score works without a Samsung phone, but you’ll only get the number and not much else.

Several new Galaxy Watch health tracking features aren’t exclusive to Samsung smartphones but are available in newer versions of One UI Watch. This includes Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index, Running Coach, and Bedtime Guidance.

Galaxy AI

samsung galaxy watch energy score insights 1

Andy Walker / Android Authority

I agree, the constant chatter about AI can be annoying, but Galaxy AI on the Galaxy Watch is quite helpful. I’ve highlighted how it enables some health features on the wearable, but it’s also found in more general applications. Samsung’s use of AI isn’t particularly intrusive and improves the experience of several features and apps on the small screen. Notably, Galaxy AI features require the watch to be paired with a compatible Samsung smartphone.

So what are these features? One that I find particularly useful is Smart Replies, which provides context-aware response options to messages sent via a messaging app. While this feature is available through Samsung Messages, it also works well with WhatsApp and Google Messages.

Bixby

samsung galaxy watch bixby 1

Andy Walker / Android Authority

Believe it or not, Samsung’s often criticized voice assistant is actually quite good. I ditched Google Gemini for a week to use Bixby exclusively, and I enjoyed it. Its availability across both the Galaxy Watch and Samsung smartphones makes pairing the two devices worthwhile.

I find that Bixby triggers settings faster on these devices than Gemini, making it a better utility for controlling your device on your wrist. I use it to set timers, adjust alarms, and start exercises. Tapping the Bixby button and talking to my watch is often easier than scrolling across its tiny display to tap an even smaller button.

I wouldn’t consider the voice assistant better than Gemini for online tasks. Google’s product is still better for anything you need fetched from the web. But, personally, I usually use my phone for these tasks. You can use both on your watch using different wake words or physical shortcuts for each.

Modes and Routines

samsung galaxy s24 tips modes and routines

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Modes and Routines are a core part of my digital life that I couldn’t imagine living without them. This is perhaps the one feature I’d miss most if I separated my Galaxy Watch and Galaxy phone. In short, Modes and Routines allow me to trigger specific settings conditionally, based on location, time of day, or connected network. But this is just skimming the surface.

In another article, I elaborated on the various uses of Modes and Routines, including activating power-saving mode on my watch when I don’t need all its features, flipping through watch faces automatically, or making full use of my phone’s Driving mode to make content on my watch more legible. There are various integrations possible with this tool.

Some modes trigger automatically, too. A Samsung smartphone and Galaxy Watch will also sync other settings with one another, including alarms (via Sleep mode) and Do Not Disturb status.

Camera Control

samsung galaxy watch camera control 1

Andy Walker / Android Authority

I’ll admit, this is one quirky reason to pair a Samsung smartphone with a Galaxy Watch, but I’ve grown to like it. Using a tripod for smartphone photography is a boon, especially if you want to capture nighttime shots without jittering the device’s hardware. In these cases, the camera control feature is convenient.

Annoyingly, it doesn’t support specific camera modes that would make it genuinely helpful, like Slow Motion or Hyperlapse. Nevertheless, I have used this feature more than I thought I would.

As the Galaxy Ring lacks a screen, you cannot use it to control the camera of your Galaxy phone or any Android phone.


While some of these features have workarounds or alternatives, many of the above features genuinely enhance the Galaxy Watch and Ring experience. I wouldn’t suggest you rush out and purchase a Samsung phone today if you own a Galaxy Watch, but it’s something to consider going forward. As Samsung continues developing more Galaxy AI-heavy features that require its smartphone hardware, don’t be surprised to see more features locked behind its walled garden.

Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting.

]]>
https://earlybirdsinvest.com/why-i-pair-my-galaxy-watch-with-a-samsung-smartphone/feed/ 0 53589
Why US smartphone have smaller batteries than those in China https://earlybirdsinvest.com/why-us-smartphone-have-smaller-batteries-than-those-in-china/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/why-us-smartphone-have-smaller-batteries-than-those-in-china/#respond Sun, 06 Jul 2025 02:06:10 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/why-us-smartphone-have-smaller-batteries-than-those-in-china/
Android phones battery life compared

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

You’re not alone if you’re pining for longer battery life from your latest smartphone. Despite emerging technologies like silicon-carbon cells, we’ve seemingly hit a ceiling just above the 5,000 mAh mark — at least for phones sold in the US and Europe. Meanwhile, glance over at models in China or India, and you’ll spot far larger batteries in otherwise identical handsets.

For example, the new Nothing Phone 3 packs a 5,150mAh battery globally, but bumps that up to 5,500mAh in India. The HONOR Magic 7 Pro goes from 5,270mAh in Europe to 5,850mAh in China, and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra stretches from 5,410mAh globally to a massive 6,000mAh in its domestic market. So what gives? Why can’t we have these same huge battery capacities on the other side of the world too?

Wouldn’t you know it? Regulation and red tape are to blame

fairphone 5 removable battery sd card

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

If you’ve ever attempted to ship a phone by post in Europe or the US (and probably many other countries too), you might have been interrogated by the postmaster about the size of the battery and whether it’s sealed in the device. That’s because many countries treat lithium-ion batteries as hazardous goods, with strict rules on how they’re packaged and transported. The same rules apply — often even more stringently — to commercial shipments moving by air, road, rail, or sea.

Several major international regulations govern this. In Europe, there’s the ADR (covering road transport), RID (rail), and IMDG (sea). For air shipments, carriers follow the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules. In the US, there’s also the Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR § 173.185, which lays out similar requirements, and other nations sometimes have their own rule variations.

All of these regulations ultimately trace back to the UN’s Model Regulations, which define lithium-ion batteries as either UN3480 (batteries shipped on their own) or UN3481 (batteries packed with or inside equipment). But the most important piece is UN Special Provision 188, which sets a threshold for what’s considered a “small” lithium-ion battery that can be shipped under simplified rules. That limit is 20Wh (watt-hours) per cell, and it’s mirrored in the ADR, IMDG, IATA, and other international rules that govern global transportation networks. For context, there’s also a 100Wh limit for a complete battery pack before stricter transport classifications kick in — but that’s more relevant for laptops and power banks.

International transport rules cap single-cell li-ion capacity at 20Wh, roughly 5,300mAh.

A 20Wh cap might sound large, but it’s tied to the battery’s voltage. For a typical lithium-ion cell with a nominal voltage around 3.8 V, this works out to roughly 5,300mAh per cell — which is about where most modern smartphone batteries in Europe and the US max out. That’s why you might notice slightly smaller battery capacities in these markets compared to some models sold in countries with fewer shipping constraints.

While these rules might be annoying from a consumer product perspective, they exist for a very good reason. Lithium-ion batteries pack a lot of energy into a small space, which is what makes them so good for powering phones and laptops, but it also means they can pose a fire risk if damaged, short-circuited, or exposed to heat.

We’ve all seen the exploding phone horror stories due to thermal runaway. Shipping regulations are designed to minimize these risks by limiting the size of batteries that can travel under simpler, less costly rules, alongside the UN38.3 altitude, vibration, and thermal tests that all lithium batteries must pass to prove they can be transported safely. By capping battery energy at 20Wh per cell for simplified transport, authorities reduce the chances of large-scale fires in trucks, ships, or aircraft cargo holds, which helps keep insurance costs down as well. Bigger batteries aren’t banned outright, but they require more protective packaging, special documentation, and sometimes dedicated cargo handling to keep people and property safe.

Why do some phones still have 6,000mAh batteries?

Someone holding the OnePlus 13 outside.

Joe Maring / Android Authority

Did you spot the lawyer’s way out of this conundrum? The 20Wh rule applies to single battery cells, but you can skirt this restriction if you pack two (or more) batteries together inside a gadget. Some smartphones have sported split-cell designs for more efficient fast charging for a number of years now, most noticeably from BBK brands OnePlus and OPPO. Hence, you’ll still find a colossal 6,000mAh battery stateside with the OnePlus 13, and the OPPO Find X8 Pro makes its way to Europe with its 5,910mAh cell intact.

But that’s not exactly a cheap solution; not only does it require multiple cells, but special circuitry to handle charging and discharging safely. Not every brand is willing to invest in that, which is one reason why Apple, Google, Samsung, and many others haven’t pushed ahead with quite as large capacities as some of their Chinese competitors. Still, laptops have long used multiple smaller cells wired together to stay safely under the 100Wh pack limit, which is why we rarely see them run into shipping issues. Our smartphones will have to follow suit if we want to take another leap up in capacity.

More expensive split-cell designs are one way to boost phone battery life to new highs.

When it comes to phones manufactured and sold in China, the products move entirely internally, so many of the rules that govern international shipping don’t apply or aren’t enforced as strictly. Likewise, land transportation between China and its neighbours, along with localized manufacturing, helps explain why we occasionally see some larger capacity models make their way outside of China as well.

If you really want bigger batteries in your gadgets, we will either have to pay the premium for split cell designs, fork out for the cost, liability, and insurance premiums for shipping bigger batteries, or start manufacturing them locally. That latter point obviously isn’t going to happen, so we might be snookered, which will unfortunately reduce the scale of the battery-life breakthroughs being made by technologies like silicon-carbon batteries.

]]>
https://earlybirdsinvest.com/why-us-smartphone-have-smaller-batteries-than-those-in-china/feed/ 0 46007
I tried giving a gross smartphone new life with this $4 detailing kit from Otterbox https://earlybirdsinvest.com/i-tried-giving-a-gross-smartphone-new-life-with-this-4-detailing-kit-from-otterbox/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/i-tried-giving-a-gross-smartphone-new-life-with-this-4-detailing-kit-from-otterbox/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 14:31:57 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/i-tried-giving-a-gross-smartphone-new-life-with-this-4-detailing-kit-from-otterbox/

There are two kinds of smartphone users. One keeps their phone neat and tidy at all times, having a microfiber cloth handy and alcohol wipes ready for when their device gets dirty. The other takes their phone everywhere with virtually zero regard for cleanliness.

Regardless of which camp you fall into, you might be unsure of what supplies and tools you need to clean expensive pieces of tech. Wiping off a screen is easy, but cleaning charging ports and speaker grills can feel a bit more daunting. Otterbox, the company you might know for their rugged cases, thinks it has a solution. It’s called the Mobile Device Care Kit, and it aims to give you everything you need for a deep cleaning for less than $5.

The tin box of the Otterbox Mobile Device Care Kit.

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

The brand says it’s like a detailing kit for your phone, which caught my attention. I’ve paid for my fair share of automotive details, as there’s nothing like getting your car back feeling brand new. But is Otterbox’s option just as effective? It’ll work on any smart device, and I put it to the test with an absolutely disgusting smartphone from my parents.

Below, you’ll see what my dad’s phone looked like before using the detailing kit. And before you ask, no, I’m not proud of it.

I don’t really know how a phone gets this dirty, but since I keep my favorite Android phones in good shape, this iPhone 14 Pro would be the toughest challenge for the Mobile Device Care Kit.

It comes with three screen and port brushes of various sizes, and I needed all of them to get this phone cleaned. I used the pointy ones to clean the speaker grills, with the larger brush helping wipe away all the dirt and debris that was freed up. I also wasn’t afraid to flip the brushes around, using the hard plastic edges to release gunk stuck in there.

Before starting, I thought the ports and speaker grills trapped the most debris, until I got to the camera bump. The protruding lenses just trap everything, and I’m both stunned and very grossed out about how much came out from them.

Testing the Otterbox Mobile Device Care Kit.

I couldn’t believe how much gunk was hidden in this iPhone’s camera housing. (Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

The detailing kit also comes with a microfiber cloth and nine alcohol wipes which came in handy later. I draped an alcohol wipe over the brushes to really clean out the crevices of the iPhone 14 Pro, and it worked. By the end, the iPhone looked like a totally different device, and you can see for yourself how it turned out.

The kit clearly did its job, but it wasn’t all perfect. The alcohol wipes were comically small, though I can say they were very moist. I only needed to use a few of them to get my dad’s iPhone in the above condition, which was nice. Still, don’t expect a normal-sized wipe in the kit, because you’ll be disappointed.

The small wipe and semi-broken cleaning tools of the Mobile Device Care Kit.

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Consider the cleaning tools mostly a one-time-use item, too. They get the job done, but they were already pretty worn out after one cleaning. I was somewhat hoping they’d be like my iFixit spudgers and opening tools, which show wear after each use but last a while. This didn’t end up being the case.

When you consider the price, just over $4 on Amazon, I think the Otterbox Mobile Device Care Kit is worth it. You shouldn’t buy it every time you need to wipe off your phone, but it is nice to have for deep cleanings. I could see this being a worthwhile buy about once or twice a year, perhaps when you change cases or screen protectors, to keep your phone feeling fresh.

]]>
https://earlybirdsinvest.com/i-tried-giving-a-gross-smartphone-new-life-with-this-4-detailing-kit-from-otterbox/feed/ 0 44808
Trump Media Makes Moves On Bitcoin And Smartphone – What’s Next? https://earlybirdsinvest.com/trump-media-makes-moves-on-bitcoin-and-smartphone-whats-next/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/trump-media-makes-moves-on-bitcoin-and-smartphone-whats-next/#respond Tue, 17 Jun 2025 18:08:16 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/trump-media-makes-moves-on-bitcoin-and-smartphone-whats-next/ A new filing shows Trump Media & Technology Group moving into both crypto and telecom markets. The company behind Truth Social and Truth+ has asked the US Securities and Exchange Commission to register a Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, according to reports. At roughly the same time, it unveiled plans for a $499 Trump‑branded smartphone and service plan.

Truth Social Bitcoin And Ethereum ETF

According to the registration statement dated June 16, the proposed ETF would hold 75% of its assets in Bitcoin and the remaining 25% in Ethereum. If the SEC clears the way, the fund will list on NYSE Arca under a sponsor agreement with Yorkville America Digital.

The plan is to store both coins in direct custody, meaning the ETF will actually hold the digital tokens rather than futures contracts or other derivatives.

Crypto.com Handles Custody And Staking

Based on reports, Crypto.com will serve as the ETF’s sole custodian and prime execution agent. The company will also provide staking and liquidity services for the Ethereum portion. That setup could ease SEC concerns, given the regulator’s focus on secure storage and clear oversight.

Still, there’s no guarantee the ETF will win approval. Past spot crypto ETF proposals have faced delays and rejections due to worries over market manipulation and investor protection.


Trump Mobile Smartphone and Service Plan

At a media event in Trump Tower, US President Donald Trump’s organization introduced “Trump Mobile,” a new phone and network service. The device will sell for $499 starting in September, and the monthly plan is priced at $47.45—a nod to Trump’s role as the 47th US President.

The phone itself is made in the US, and call centers here will handle customer support. Coverage will run on existing networks, with the Trump name licensed rather than the company building its own towers.

Trump Mobile: Bundled Extras Aim To Attract Users

According to the company, Trump Mobile will bundle telemedicine visits, international texting to 100 countries, and roadside assistance. Donald Trump Jr. highlighted those extras as part of a flat‑fee package designed to stand out from major carriers.

The idea is to offer more than just voice and data—giving customers a health line and car help all through one monthly bill. The trademark applications filed by DTTM Operations cover telecom services and accessories under the Trump brand.

Featured image from Joe Raedle/Getty Images, chart from TradingView

]]>
https://earlybirdsinvest.com/trump-media-makes-moves-on-bitcoin-and-smartphone-whats-next/feed/ 0 42580
Solana Seeker: Web3 Smartphone with SKR Token and TEEPIN OS https://earlybirdsinvest.com/solana-seeker-web3-smartphone-with-skr-token-and-teepin-os/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/solana-seeker-web3-smartphone-with-skr-token-and-teepin-os/#respond Thu, 22 May 2025 16:19:25 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/solana-seeker-web3-smartphone-with-skr-token-and-teepin-os/

Solana Mobile will begin shipping its next-generation Web3 smartphone, the Solana Seeker, on August 4, 2025. With over 150,000 pre-orders already placed, the Seeker builds on lessons from its predecessor, the Solana Saga, and introduces two major innovations: a decentralized mobile infrastructure called TEEPIN and an integrated ecosystem token SKR.

Positioned as a response to the limitations of centralized app ecosystems, the Seeker is designed to give developers direct access to users and empower those users with greater control over their device and identity—without relying on traditional gatekeepers like Apple or Google.

Key Takeaways

  • Launch Date: Global shipping begins August 4, 2025, with over 150,000 pre-orders.

  • Architecture: TEEPIN enables decentralized app delivery, firmware verification, and system updates.

  • Token Utility: SKR rewards user activity, developer engagement, and hardware support.

  • On-Chain Identity: Seeker ID combines wallet address, Genesis Token, and secure hardware credentials.

  • Market Strategy: Solana Mobile plans to license TEEPIN and SKR to other hardware manufacturers.

Solana’s Vision: A Challenge to Apple and Google

According to a co-founder of Solana Labs, Anatoly Yakovenko, the Seeker is not just a device—it’s an attempt to build a top-tier mobile ecosystem that can rival tech giants like Google and Apple:

“The goal of Seeker is to build a top tier mobile ecosystem that can compete with Google and Apple. Crypto is the wedge to do it. TEEPIN is the implementation. Chance of failure – nearly certain, opportunity – enormous.”

He likens the strategy to cloning an iPhone in every way except for the root certificate, which is the key to Apple’s walled garden:

“Apple’s network effects and business models are enforced not with a pen or the sword, but with cryptography and the TEE hardware on device.”

In the Seeker ecosystem:

  • All hardware features TEEs (Trusted Execution Environments) that only boot verified OS images.

  • A DAO on Solana manages the root certificate, determining policies and economic models.

  • The DAO can enforce rules for app deployment, device access, and revenue distribution directly from the blockchain.

This model offers the possibility of decentralizing one of Apple’s most powerful strategic levers—its hardware-software trust system.

Source: Solana Seeker

Transforming Mobile OS: How TEEPIN Works

The Seeker’s foundation is TEEPIN (Trusted Execution Environment Platform Infrastructure Network), a decentralized three-layer system that replaces conventional app store models with direct developer-to-user app delivery.

  • Hardware Layer: Uses cryptographic proofs to ensure system integrity—think of it as a built-in lie detector for your phone’s core software.

  • Platform Layer: Employs an on-chain registry to validate OS versions and distribute updates.

  • Network Layer: Maintains a decentralized audit trail for firmware and software changes, increasing transparency and trust.

By eliminating centralized app stores, TEEPIN grants users more control while enabling developers to reach audiences without intermediary restrictions.

SKR Token and Seeker ID: Bridging Blockchain with Hardware

SKR, the Seeker’s native token, drives incentives across the Solana Mobile ecosystem. Users earn SKR by engaging with dApps in verifiable ways. Developers are rewarded based on usage metrics and retain full revenue from their software. Hardware manufacturers also receive SKR for supporting TEEPIN-compatible devices.

Token Distribution Model: SKR is allocated through a tiered reward structure that promotes user engagement, developer growth, and hardware adoption. Further tokenomics, such as total supply and emission schedules, are expected to be released at launch.

To manage identity, each device features a Seeker ID, which links a user’s wallet address, a Genesis Token (embedded in the hardware), and other credentials. These are stored securely via Seed Vault—a tamper-resistant hardware module that safeguards private keys and device integrity.

Hardware Specs, Pricing, and Availability

The Solana Seeker blends Web3 features with competitive hardware and a global rollout strategy. Key specs include:

  • Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300

  • Memory: 8GB RAM

  • Storage: 128GB

  • Display: 6.36-inch AMOLED, 120Hz

  • Battery: 4500mAh, wireless charging

  • Connectivity: 5G-ready

It comes preloaded with Solana dApp Store 2.0, featuring exclusive apps across DeFi, AI, NFTs, and more.

Pricing began at $450 for early Founders and $500 for Early Adopters, with the latter tier still open. Shipping is free worldwide (taxes vary), and Solana Mobile plans to license its platform to other manufacturers.

Competitive Landscape: Seeker vs. Other Web3 Phones

The Seeker enters a growing market of blockchain-enabled smartphones:

  • Solana Saga: The first-gen model with a dApp store and seed vault. Gained momentum through token airdrops.

  • HTC Desire 22 Pro: Includes crypto wallets and NFT access, but lacks deeper system decentralization.

  • JamboPhone: Prioritizes accessibility in emerging markets over performance.

Solana Seeker stands out by decentralizing OS updates and app deployment—a foundational change rather than a surface-level feature addition.

]]>
https://earlybirdsinvest.com/solana-seeker-web3-smartphone-with-skr-token-and-teepin-os/feed/ 0 37697