TouchWiz UI
Samsung TouchWiz UI refresh leaked in screenshots showing card-like interface
We’ve already heard about Samsung’s alleged TouchWiz UI overhaul, now a new leak reveals more details about the upcoming changes in the interface.
Phone tipster, @evleaks has posted a pair of screenshots which claim to show the homescreen of a Samsung device. However, as of now, there is no word on whether the leaked screenshot reveals theSamsung smartphone UI or is showing a tablet interface. Notably, the new leaked screenshots are very reminiscent to Google Now, which is a personal assistant developed by search engine giant that is available within the Google Search mobile app for the Android and iOS platforms.
The leaked screenshots show a card-like notifications centre which is similar to Google Now’s card notification page. The biggest difference though is Samsung seems to have added a lot of colours to its version, while Google Now uses a plainer card page. The first screenshot shows notifications for user’s location, weather, recent work outs session, and recent purchases. While the second leaked screenshot show notifications for live score from a sport, flight information, message, mail and schedules. The tweet said, “More from that Samsung home screen.”
The leaked screenshot shows new fonts, icons and design for the UI, all of which seem totally re-worked compared to the TouchWiz UI running on top of Galaxy Android smartphones. Unfortunately, the tipster has not revealed any release date for the alleged new smartphone UI, or even if it will still be called TouchWiz.
Prior to this, Samsung’s alleged UI was leaked revealing the lockscreen, which showed users an option to browse through various news/feed updates, similar to the HTC’s BlinkFeed UI. It was also said that Samsung might be developing a completely re-worked UI for its next flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S5.
An earlier report had suggested that the South Korean manufacturer would be unveiling the alleged Galaxy S5 in March at a New York event.
Samsung Galaxy S4, Note 3 get Android 4.4.2 test builds; images show tweaked UI
While the Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade for the Google Nexus devices might have already come by December 2013, it was reported then that Samsung would launch the upgrade for their Galaxy S4 and Note 3 devices in the first quarter of 2014. A couple of days ago, however, screenshots of a revamped TouchWiz interface skinned on Android 4.4.2 running on the two devices began making rounds of the Internet. Android 4.4 KitKat test upgrade ROMs for the two phones have also been leaked in the meanwhile, and are available for download.
The alleged leaked Android 4.4.2 KitKat screenshots of the Samsung GT-I9505 Galaxy S4 show a flatter TouchWiz Nature UX design. Phonearena reports that mobile carriers have already confirmed that the S4 will get the upgrade by the end of January.
From what we can see from the screenshots, the interface looks to have been completely overhauled, and it is suspected that they might be doing the same with the Galaxy S5. The first test would obviously come with the S4. The new KitKat-laden units are supposedly faster. The announcement comes in the wake of the new PRO line of tablets that they announced earlier this week. Samsung is also reported to have completely overhauled the interface of its other phones this year.
Along with the Samsung Galaxy S4, the Galaxy Note 3 will reportedly also be receiving the Android 4.4.2 KitKat upgrade soon. Along with the S4, pictures of the Note 3 too leaked out on the Internet with the new OS running on it. SamMobile was the first to report that an Android 4.4.2 test upgrade for the Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N9005) that features the build number KOT49H.N9005XXUENA6 was already available for download.
Apparently the Galaxy Note 3’s Android 4.4.2 update features many of the same tweaks that are included with the Galaxy 4, such as white status bar icons and a lock screen camera shortcut. Also said to be packed into the upgrade is full screen album art on the lock screen and “significantly” improved performance that even manages to speed up the process of unlocking the Note 3.
As with the Note 3 firmware leak, the Android 4.4.2 test upgrade update for the Galaxy S4 (build number I9505XXUFNA1) is also available for download for any users that don’t feel like waiting for Samsung’s official push to begin – though we recommend waiting. SamMobile suggests that that roll out could begin in one to two weeks, but as with most other software updates, owners of carrier-branded Galaxy S4 and Note 3 units will likely be waiting a bit longer while their update goes through the operator approval process.
Samsung’s new smartphone UI purportedly revealed in leaked screenshots
Samsung may have been busy with CES 2014 announcements, but a new rumour claims that the company is also working on the next-generation of its smartphone user-interface (UI), TouchWiz.
Popular phone tipster, @evleaks has posted a bunch of screenshots which show three homescreen panels of a smartphone purportedly running Samsung’s yet-to-be-named new UI.
The leaked screenshot shows new fonts, icons and design for the UI, which seems totally re-worked compared to the TouchWiz UI running on top of Galaxy Android smartphones. The leaked screenshots show a cartoonish UI theme on all the homescreen panels. According to the leaked screenshots, the alleged redesigned smartphone UI will include apps like dialler, message, Internet, Gmail, PlayBooks, Samsung Hub, Play Store, S Health, Gallery, Maps, Samsung Links and S Memo. Further, the leaked screenshot for lockscreen also show that the UI might offer users an option to browse through various updates, similar to the HTC’s BlinkFeed UI.
The tweet by @evleaks reads, “Samsung exploring new smartphone UI.” Unfortunately, the tipster has not revealed any release date for the alleged new smartphone UI, or even if it will still be called TouchWiz.
Notably, Samsung recently ‘confirmed’ that the Samsung Galaxy S5 launch would happen in Februaryat the Mobile World Congress (MWC) event held in Barcelona, Spain. We assume that Samsung might be developing a completely re-worked UI for its next flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S5.
An earlier report had suggested that the South Korean manufacturer has plans to release two versions of the alleged Galaxy S5. As per the report, there would be two variants of the Galaxy S5: a premium variant sporting a metal chassis and a flexible OLED, and a variant which would come with the usual plastic body, as found on other Galaxy smartphones.
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