5 cool and new One UI 6.1 options (and one eliminated)

On January 17, Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 sequence at Galaxy Unpacked. At that occasion, the corporate went over a ton of latest options coming with Galaxy AI, and it additionally touched on a couple of options coming to One UI 6.1, the software program that debuts with the Galaxy S24 sequence.

Nevertheless, as a result of Samsung spent a lot time specializing in AI instruments and the brand new telephones themselves, it didn’t have time to say a couple of One UI 6.1 options that I believe are fairly notable. I wish to deal with 5 of those new issues and in addition contact on one factor that Samsung truly eliminated from One UI, which is perhaps controversial for some One UI followers.

An enormous new function Samsung didn’t spend a lot time on at Galaxy Unpacked is generative AI wallpapers. This lets you enter textual content prompts to create an AI-generated picture after which use that as your background on your property display.

If this appears acquainted, it’s as a result of this is similar system Google makes use of on the Pixel 8 sequence. All Samsung has achieved right here is pores and skin over that system to make it extra acquainted for Samsung followers. Aside from the way it appears, although, it’s the identical: You select from predefined decisions to create some paintings after which apply that paintings as your wallpaper.

Understand that, similar to with the Pixel 8 sequence’ generative AI wallpaper device, this wants an information connection to work. It doesn’t course of the AI-generated imagery on-device. Your immediate goes to a web-based server, which creates the AI-generated artwork you’ve requested, and then you definately obtain that. Apparently, the ASUS ROG Telephone 8 has just about the identical processor that you just’ll discover within the Galaxy S24 sequence, and that cellphone can do on-device AI-generated imagery. Though we’ve got no data to verify this, it’s doable Samsung might roll out an replace sooner or later that lets you generate wallpapers on-device. There may be nothing stopping it, hardware-wise anyway.

To get began creating AI-generated paintings in your Samsung Galaxy S24 system, head to Wallpapers and elegance > Change wallpapers > Generative.

One other wallpaper-related function has been added to One UI 6.1 and it’s photograph ambient wallpaper. This overlays climate knowledge onto any static wallpaper you decide. Basically, you give Samsung a photograph or graphic, after which Samsung overlays it with climate imagery so you possibly can simply give a fast look at your wallpaper and see that it’s snowing, raining, sunny, cloudy, or regardless of the climate occurs to be in your particular space.

Whereas that is actually cool, it’s a part of the Labs part of One UI 6.1. With a purpose to activate it, you’ll must go to Settings > Superior Options > Labs, after which activate photograph ambient wallpaper. As soon as achieved, you add a wallpaper similar to you often would by heading to Wallpapers and elegance. You’ll discover the brand new photograph ambient choice subsequent to the generative AI choice.

Whereas that is actually cool, it’s in Labs for a motive. It could not look nice over some pictures, and a few issues could break right here and there, however that’s simply the way in which Labs options work.

Lock display widgets additionally acquired a wonderful replace in One UI 6.1. Whilst you can already add lock display widgets in One UI 6 and earlier, you must faucet on the clock icon to see them. That’s not needed with One UI 6.1 — at the very least for many widgets. Now, the widgets seem on the lock display robotically whenever you pull it up. You may solely see them within the tiny field space beneath the clock, however this does will let you get loads of at-a-glance knowledge without having to unlock your cellphone and even faucet it.

There are some cool widgets supported right here, akin to battery, Samsung Well being, seeing your subsequent calendar occasion, and extra.

Some individuals could discover that these look loads like iPhone lock display widgets, and that’s in all probability by design, sadly. As regular, Samsung must strive the whole lot that Apple has tried. It’s simply the way in which that it goes.

One other cool One UI 6.1 replace is for the always-on show (AOD). For years, the AOD’s background has simply been pure black. With this newest replace, although, the AOD can use the lock display’s wallpaper, however dimmed, making your ambient display look far more private.

We might want to conduct some testing to make certain, however I’m comparatively sure it will use extra battery life than the normal all-black background. That’s a notable trade-off, but when it’s not too unhealthy of a battery hit, I believe it’s price it.

This setting is on by default, however you possibly can flip it off for those who don’t prefer it or wish to doubtlessly save on battery. Simply go to Settings > Lock display and AOD > All the time-on show, after which toggle off the Present lock display wallpaper setting.

Samsung Discover is a totally new software on the Galaxy S24 sequence that you just gained’t discover on another Galaxy system — at the very least not but. It is a one-stop store for your whole monitoring wants, just like Apple’s Discover My and Google’s Discover My Gadget. It incorporates a number of the options you’d usually see within the SmartThings app, provides in some new ones, and organizes them multi function place.

There are three tabs inside the app: Individuals, Gadgets, and Gadgets. The Individuals part lets you share your location with another person. That is just like a function that already exists in Google Maps, permitting you to share your location for a sure time period with anybody that you just select.

Within the Gadgets part, you’ll discover your Samsung gadgets, akin to smartphones, tablets, laptops, and so on. You can even see gadgets right here that you’ve got management over, like your children’ telephones, for instance. Now you possibly can shortly see the place the whole lot and everyone seems to be.

Lastly, the Merchandise part is the place you’ll observe issues which have a SmartTag connected to them, whether or not that’s an unique Galaxy SmartTag or the more moderen Galaxy SmartTag 2 ($21.99 at Amazon). Should you’ve connected one to your baggage, for instance, you’ll have the ability to shortly discover it right here.

This app comes preloaded on the S24 sequence, however when you improve to One UI 6.1 in your Galaxy cellphone or pill, it is best to have the ability to obtain it from the Galaxy Retailer manually. In different phrases, the function is unique to the Galaxy S24 and One UI 6.1 proper now, however finally, everybody’s going to have entry to it.

Now that we’ve coated 5 issues Samsung launched to One UI 6.1, I wish to discuss one thing it took away. Sadly, on this new model of One UI, you not have the power to cover the navigation bar. The nav bar seems on the backside of your show when you’ve gesture navigation turned on. On earlier One UI variations, you had been in a position to cover this for those who thought it was an eyesore. However now, due to Circle to Search, you possibly can’t do this anymore.

With a purpose to activate Circle to Search whenever you’re utilizing gesture navigation, you must lengthy press on that bar, and for those who’ve hidden the bar, you possibly can’t do this. So Circle to Search has principally made it in order that the navigation bar should be there. For individuals on the market who’ve transitioned to gesture navigation and hate the nav bar, this is perhaps a little bit of an issue. For the document, of us utilizing the three-button nav system gained’t see any change.

Sadly, there’s nothing you are able to do about this. Circle to Search could be deactivated, however that doesn’t convey again the choice to cover the nav bar. Alas, for those who had been actually connected to the thought of not having that little bar on the backside of your show, when you improve to One UI 6.1, you’re going to wish to take care of it.

Should you’re enthusiastic about getting this software program however don’t wish to purchase a Galaxy S24, don’t worry: Samsung has promised it can convey One UI 6.1 to a collection of gadgets earlier than the tip of the primary half of this yr. These embody the Galaxy S23 sequence, the Galaxy S23 FE, the Galaxy Tab S9, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Should you don’t have one in every of them, One UI 6.1 might be nonetheless coming to you, however Samsung can’t promise it’ll be within the first half of this yr.

Which of those One UI 6.1 options is your favourite? How do you are feeling concerning the nav bar state of affairs? Tell us within the feedback.