Samsung ups its slate game with the Galaxy Tab S7 series

Samsung is one of the few tech companies still invested in making Android tablets. But the manufacturer isn't setting its sights against other Android tablet makers. Instead, it focuses on providing something that can rival the Apple iPad Pro and Microsoft Surface tablets.

There are two variants of the Galaxy Tab S7 available: the Tab S7+ and the Tab S7. The slates were launched alongside the Galaxy Note 20 series at the recent Samsung Unpacked event. The two tablets offer 120Hz refresh rate display, S Pen support, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processors, and Android interface optimized for productivity.

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Samsung promises 'three generations' of Android updates for Galaxy devices

Samsung's Android update commitment might be better than Google's, with a promise of operating system updates up to three generations. This move marks the first time a third-party phone maker offers three years of Android versions and security updates. Google and the Google Pixel used to be the only way to get a steady stream of updates for three years. Every other Android maker only gets two years. It's a great deal for getting longevity out of the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, which are the two new devices getting this feature alongside the Galaxy S, Note, and Z series phones starting with the S10.

Samsung clarified with PCWorld that the term "generations" refers to Android (i.e. Android 10, 11, 12, etc.) and not the Samsung One UI schedule. Whether you get a Galaxy Note 20 now or next year, you're promised to get up to Android 13. It isn't clear if this move speeds up update releases, but that might be the case, which is another win in our books.

Google discontinues Pixel 4, 4XL in the US

Google is done selling the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. Both handsets are no longer for sale in Google's US store. A spokesperson for the company confirmed with The Verge that the "Google Store has sold through its inventory and completed sales of Pixel 4 [and] 4 XL." And that buyers in the US can only get it through partners who still have supplies. These two devices will continue to get access to software and security updates for three years from when the device first became available. 

It has been less than a year since the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL was unveiled, making this the shortest time for a Pixel phone to be on sale. It also means the company has no flagship handset for purchase at the moment. The Pixel 5 won't be coming out until the fall, while the Pixel 4a is a mid-range handset. 

Samsung, Microsoft build on partnership with Galaxy Note 20 integrations

Samsung and Microsoft launched their partnership at last year's Galaxy Unpacked event. The goal was to allow Android and Windows to work better together. And this partnership is being explored with the new Galaxy Note 20 series. One way is allowing the Galaxy Note 20 apps to work on Windows 10 PC. Right now, it can only run one app at a time. But Microsoft claims that it'll be possible to run multiple apps at once, as you see in the GIF below, sometime in November. It will also be possible to pin apps to your Start menu or Windows taskbar for quicker access.

It's also easier to sync information between the Galaxy Note 20 series and Microsoft 365 suite of apps. Notes you've made on your Samsung Notes app will soon sync with your OneNote app and OneNote feed in Outlook on the web. Samsung Reminders will also sync with Microsoft To Do, Outlook, and Teams apps.

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