One UI 8 gives you more control over where your Secure Folder apps pop up
TL;DR Samsung's Secure Folder lets you lock files and even entire apps behind an extra layer of protection.
One UI 8 has already started improving how Secure Folder is accessed, with a quick lockdown shortcut.
Now we're seeing Samsung add new settings for Secure Folder apps in your share sheet.
Samsung likes to present its Galaxy smartphones as particularly secure devices, and has long leaned on its Knox security framework to highlight those features. That includes Secure Folder, the company's system for sequestering sensitive or just personal content behind some additional security, requiring extra authentication — at least, that's how it's supposed to work. Today we're checking out a recent change that looks like it's going to help streamline how you work with Secure Folder apps.
Secure Folder isn't just a place to keep media and downloaded files, and Samsung also supports installing entire apps within this secure enclave. With One UI 8, we've already seen Samsung implementing new controls around this functionality, like the ability to quickly hide the Secure Folder and all apps installed there. As we continue to crawl through Samsung's beta releases, we've become aware of another tweak for Secure Folder apps.
In One UI 8, Samsung is introducing a new setting that lets you control whether or not apps installed in your Secure Folder appear as sharing targets in the sheet from other apps (Thanks: That Josh Guy on X).
Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority
When enabled, just like it says on the tin, you'll easily be able to share content from normal apps with those locked behind Secure Folder's protections. We can easily imagine reasons why Galaxy users might potentially want to have that toggle flipped in both directions, but which way makes the most sense for you is going to depend a lot upon both what you use Secure Folder for, and which specific apps you keep tucked away in there.
Samsung's Android 16-based One UI 8 beta has been off to a solid start so far, and we saw its third major release start rolling out just a few days back. Samsung still has some more work to do before this update's ready to hit stable, but with the company's big foldable Unpacked event scheduled to take place in under a week, though, we may be very close to getting some official release news. Check back with us on July 9 for all the details to emerge.
Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at
Email our staff at news@androidauthority.com . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Toyota's New Engine Family: Here's Why Rivals Should Worry
Toyota's New Engine Family: Here's Why Rivals Should Worry originally appeared on Autoblog. Many of today's powertrain developments are in the electric vehicle (EV) realm, but Toyota is expanding the limits of gas-powered engines. The automaker's next-gen engine lineup includes 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter sizes, which are entirely different from its previous internal combustion engines (ICE), leveraging more lightweight and compact designs. Toyota's new 1.5-liter achieves a 10% weight and volume reduction compared to the company's current 1.5-liter, while the new 2.0-liter offers similar gains to the existing 2.4-liter. In turn, Toyota is able to increase fuel economy and lower emissions without sacrificing power. Still, this next-gen engine family's efficiency extends beyond increased mileage and reduced emissions into areas like vehicle segment versatility. Let's take a closer look at how Toyota is giving its rivals increased competition with the innovation of its latest engine lineup. Flexibility is a focal point of Toyota's next-gen engine family, with the ability to mount longitudinally or transversely and be placed at a vehicle's front or rear. This flexibility supports the development of future, sportier Toyotas, plus the seamless implementation of all-wheel drive (AWD), RWD, and FWD layouts. Toyota can utilize the 1.5-liter engine to suit classes such as compact cars and hybrids, while the 2.0-liter turbo could fit larger trucks, SUVs, and sports models. 'With these engines, each of the three companies [Toyota, Subaru, Mazda] will aim to optimize the integration with motors, batteries, and other electric drive units,' Toyota said in a statement, according to The Daily Star. Toyota, which owns about a fifth of Subaru and roughly 5% of Mazda, added that its next-generation ICE engine lineup will help decarbonize ICEs by making them compatible with alternative fuel sources, such as e-fuels (synthetic fuels) and biofuels. While smaller engines often evoke thoughts of slower cars, their installation in upcoming Toyotas enables lower hoods, which enhances crucial performance factors such as aerodynamics and contributes to improved fuel economy. The engines' design flexibility also opens the door to Toyota reviving fan-favorite performance vehicles like the MR2 and streamlining the development of the upcoming Celica. American drivers could even see the engines in Gazoo Racing models like the GR Corolla and GR86. According to Toyota engineers who spoke with German publication Auto Motor und Sport, the 2.0-liter is easily capable of exceeding the 400-450-horsepower figure of the mid-engine GR Yaris M concept, or over 600 horsepower with a larger turbocharger. Toyota's desire to expand the limits of ICEs arrives at a time when many automakers are reducing their investment in the technology. This decision from Toyota, along with its collaborators Subaru and Mazda, could pay off in a significant way by appealing to drivers who are not yet ready for full electrification, whether for reasons like lack of charging infrastructure or personal taste, but still seek improved efficiency. Drivers can also look forward to this ICE technology offering the ability to increase sports car mileage and reduce emissions while enhancing power. Many automakers have decided to stretch ICE production into the 2030s, but Toyota and its partners appear to have a leg up on competitors with this next-gen engine lineup offering innovation in the areas that matter most. Toyota's New Engine Family: Here's Why Rivals Should Worry first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
TECNO Unveils SPARK 40 Series: Ultra-Slim, Ultra-Strong Built for the Long Run
HONG KONG, July 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TECNO, an AI-driven innovative technology brand, today officially launched the new SPARK 40 Series, leading the class with exceptional slimness and performance. This latest line-up includes four devices that take SPARK Series to the next level: SPARK 40 Pro+, SPARK 40 Pro, SPARK 40, SPARK 40C — each designed to serve the evolving demands of users across global markets. Featuring class-leading slimness, flagship-grade AMOLED displays, superior performance and durability, the SPARK 40 Series sets a new benchmark for entry-to-mid-tier smartphones, all at an unbeatable value. Class-Leading Performance with All-day Endurance The SPARK 40 Series offers robust performance and long-lasting battery life. At the heart of the SPARK 40 Pro+ is the world's first MediaTek Helio G200 processor, a cutting-edge 6nm 4G platform that delivers an AnTuTu score of approximately 470,000. The SPARK 40 Pro carries a G100 Ultimate processor, enabling powerful performance. The SPARK 40 Pro+, SPARK 40 Pro, and SPARK 40 are all powered by a 5200mAh battery, supported by 45W Super Flash Charge for speedy power-ups. The Pro+ takes charging innovation further with 30W fast wireless charging, a first in its segment, plus support for 5W reverse wireless charging for quick top-up needs and bypass charging to keep temperatures low during gaming. TECNO's 5-Year Promise ensures peace of mind. Devices are guaranteed to deliver smooth performance and maintain over 80% battery health after 2,000 full cycles. Ultra-Slim Colorful Design Made for Gen Z At just 6.49mm, the SPARK 40 Pro+ becomes the world's thinnest curved wireless charging phone. The SPARK 40 Pro follows at 6.69mm, offering a lightweight feel without sacrificing toughness. Sophisticated matte finishes paired with colorful hues—including black, white, and the popular titanium—create a modern and vibrant aesthetic. Every model comes with a carefully curated palette of four distinctive color options. All SPARK 40 Series devices are built with IP64-rated water and dust resistance, while the SPARK 40 Pro+ and Pro are reinforced with Corning® Gorilla Glass 7i, ensuring durability through daily wear and tear. Despite the slim frames, SPARK 40 Series promise all-round durability experience. Both the SPARK 40 Pro+ and SPARK 40 Pro meet up to 1.5-meter drop resistance standards, with reliable touch performance even with wet or oily finger. Best-in-Class Immersive Audiovisual Experience The SPARK 40 Pro and Pro+ elevate immersive visual experience via a 6.78" AMOLED 1.5K display with 144Hz refresh rate, 2160Hz instant touch sampling, and an eye-popping 4500 nits peak brightness, the strongest combination in its class, enabling users to enjoy immersive visuals in any environment. The SPARK 40 Series features SGS Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution) Certification, reducing harmful blue light emissions for prolonged viewing comfort. Audio is equally immersive, with dual stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos on the SPARK 40 Pro and Pro+ models for an elevated multimedia experience. AI-Powered Intelligence and Smart Connectivity With TECNO AI, the SPARK 40 Series elevates the user experience even more. Supported by platforms like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Gemini, it puts the intelligent Ella assistant directly in users' hands. For learning and efficiency on the go, features like document-to-text conversion and Circle to Search allow users to instantly extract or explore information from what they see, making premium AI experiences both practical and accessible. Whether removing distractions from photos, translating, or summarizing phone calls in real time, users can unleash creativity and enhance communication without lifting more than a finger. In regions with poor or no signal, TECNO's FreeLink™ technology enables offline voice and file sharing via bluetooth with a theoretical range of up to 2 kilometers, delivering the best user experience within 200 meters even in complex environments. Enhanced with Super WiFi 2.0, GPS 2.0, NFC, and an IR remote control, the SPARK 40 Series delivers seamless connectivity wherever life takes you. Regarding the camera capability, the Series also features a 50MP ultra-clear main camera with EIS electronic stabilization technology(available on Spark 40 Pro+) and RAW domain algorithms, enabling sharper, more natural image processing. The SPARK 40 Series is powered by HiOS 15, TECNO's latest Android-based operating system, delivering a refreshed and AI-enabled user experience. Key features include AI assistant Ella, dual system, rounding out a polished, future-ready user experience. With the SPARK 40 Series, TECNO challenges expectations of what affordable smartphones can deliver — combining style and strength, intelligence and endurance, all in a sleek body. Whether it's a user's first smartphone or their next upgrade, the SPARK 40 Series is built to keep up and built to last. About TECNO TECNO is an AI-driven innovative technology brand with a presence in over 70 markets across five continents. Committed to transforming the digital experience in global emerging markets, TECNO relentlessly pursues the perfect integration of contemporary aesthetic design with the latest technologies and artificial intelligence. Today, TECNO offers a comprehensive ecosystem of AI-powered products, including smartphones, smart wearables, laptops, tablets, smart gaming devices, the HiOS operating system, and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of "Stop At Nothing," TECNO continues to pioneer the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and AI-driven experiences for forward-looking individuals, inspiring them to never stop pursuing their best selves and brightest futures. For more information, please visit TECNO's official site: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE TECNO Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hong Kong's Digital Banking User Experience Survey 2025
Nearly a Quarter of Respondents Have a Poor Impression of Digital BanksOnly 30% of Users Prefer Digital Banks for Financial Management HONG KONG, July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ECHO ASIA, in collaboration with students from Global Business Studies, CUHK Business School, is pleased to announce the release of the Hong Kong's Digital Banking User Experience Survey 2025. The survey gathered insights from 508 Hong Kong residents through an online questionnaire*, with findings revealing that 24.1% of respondents have a negative impression of digital banks, and only 31.7% consider digital banks their primary account. This study aims to explore public perceptions and opinions of digital banking in Hong Kong, identify reasons behind the low adoption rate, and propose strategies for improvement. *Results were analyzed based on 361 complete responses. This research project is led by ECHO ASIA, with students from Global Business Studies, CUHK Business School, serving as the "Knowledge and Research Partner." The team members include Ms. Audrey Chan, Ms. Cheri Cheng, Ms. Hannah Chu, Ms. Kayla Yu, and Ms. Yoyo Chan. The research methodology and questionnaire design also benefited from the advice of Dr. Fred Ku, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Business of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Co-Director of Global Business Studies, who serves as Honorary Advisor to this study. The study was conducted through an online questionnaire, with over 80% of respondents aged between 18 and 49, mainly covering Generation Z and Millennial consumers. The digital banking market in Hong Kong is experiencing rapid growth, with the number of users continuously rising and account holders now exceeding 2.2 million. The city's fintech environment continues to improve, supported by a regulatory framework and innovation strategies that are driving industry transformation. Our team aims to leverage this survey to provide concrete data from the users' perspective, offering valuable insights for regulators and financial institutions. This initiative seeks to support informed decision-making and further promote the healthy development of Hong Kong's digital banking ecosystem. Highlights of ECHO ASIA's "Hong Kong's Digital Banking User Experience Survey 2025": Digital Bank Adoption Steadily Rising, Yet Users Still Prefer Traditional Banks Over 62.9% of respondents currently hold a digital banking account, indicating strong coverage and adoption of digital banking services in Hong Kong. Among respondents aged 18 to 49, about two-thirds (66.3%) have digital bank accounts, while half of those aged 50 and above also maintain digital banking accounts. This demonstrates that digital banking primarily serves Generation Z and Millennials, while its reach is gradually expanding to a broader age demographic. The research data reveals key trends and challenges in the usage of digital banks in Hong Kong, highlighting that traditional banks continue to dominate the market. Although over half of the respondents (54.2%) have held digital bank accounts for more than two years, only 31.7% consider digital banking their primary account. This suggests that while digital banks have established a foothold in the market, their frequency of use remains relatively low. User Needs Unmet and Security Concerns Pose Major Challenges Among respondents who do not use digital banks as their primary channel, 68.3% cite unmet needs, security concerns, or unfamiliarity with digital banking services as reasons. Some also prefer physical or traditional banks. These findings underscore the need for digital banks to enhance user experience, diversify services, and strengthen security measures to build greater trust and awareness, thereby increasing usage and market share. Account Opening Promotions Define Digital Banks' Market Position The most valued service identified by respondents (33.5%) is digital banks' account opening promotions. Over half (52.6%) believe these promotions outperform those of traditional banks, demonstrating the effectiveness of digital banks' marketing strategies in attracting new users. Conversely, about 23% regard savings services as most valuable, but more than half (53.2%) feel traditional banks better meet their savings needs, revealing room for digital banks to improve long-term trust and core financial offerings. Public Expectations for Higher Deposit Rates and Cashback Rewards Regarding marketing strategies, over half of respondents (52.4%) recommend competitive deposit rates and lower minimum deposit thresholds to boost confidence. Additionally, 43.5% suggest offering higher cashback on credit or debit cards (e.g., 1-2% local spending, 3-5% overseas). This indicates digital banks must balance short-term incentives with long-term product competitiveness, especially in savings and interest rate design, to compete effectively with traditional banks and enhance user retention. Establishing Physical Branches Key to Building Trust in Digital Banks 70.1% of respondents are unclear or unaware of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's current and upcoming digital banking policies, such as renaming digital banks, removal of retail banking services, and allowing physical branches. This points to limited public understanding of policy, operational models, and development of digital banks. Nearly a quarter (24.1%) hold negative views of digital banks. More than half of respondents identify the lack of physical branches (56.2%) and reliance solely on mobile apps (54.9%) as defining features of digital banks. Notably, 57.6% believe permitting digital banks to establish physical branches would significantly boost their confidence. Although physical branches differ from the original digital banking model, this policy could effectively address Hong Kong residents' security concerns and enhance trust. Conclusion Founder of ECHO ASIA, Samson Tong further elaborates: "ECHO ASIA is honored to partner with the student team from Global Business Studies, CUHK Business School to announce the latest "Hong Kong's Digital Banking User Experience Survey 2025." This survey offers insights into the latest developments in Hong Kong's digital banking landscape, as well as the experiences and needs of Hong Kong users, providing the industry with a multi-faceted market analysis. Since the official launch of 8 digital banks in 2020, market acceptance has been steadily increasing. By the end of 2023, digital banks collectively accumulated 2.2 million deposit customers in Hong Kong. However, their overall market share among all retail banks in Hong Kong remained relatively low, at approximately 0.3% by the end of 2023. Our survey concludes that digital banks have a clear path to success by boosting customer engagement and driving more active use of their products and services." Dr. Fred Ku, Associate Dean of the CUHK Business School and Co-Director of Global Business Studies, stated: "Our research reveals a critical turning point in the development of digital banking in Hong Kong. While previous studies have primarily focused on the breadth of adoption—measuring account growth—our study is the first to delve deeply into the depth of usage, uncovering that only 31.7% of users consider digital banks their primary account. This significant gap highlights the fundamental challenge digital banks face in transitioning users from trial to trust. Particularly noteworthy is our focus on the 18-49 age group—the younger generation who not only represent the future backbone of the banking industry but also define the standards for digital financial services. Our findings show that nearly half of users feel digital banks do not fully meet their comprehensive financial needs, while 70% of respondents lack awareness of relevant regulatory policies. These insights provide clear directions for both industry players and regulators to improve. We hope this research will serve as an empirical foundation to help Hong Kong's digital banking sector overcome development bottlenecks and achieve true fintech adoption." For high-resolution photos, please download them from here. About Hong Kong's Digital Banking User Experience Survey 2025 The Hong Kong's Digital Banking User Experience Survey 2025 seeks to address the knowledge gap regarding digital banking trends in Hong Kong. It provides valuable insights into user experiences and expectations, enabling industry stakeholders to develop targeted strategies to enhance the competitiveness of digital banking products and services. The survey evaluates public awareness, usage frequency, purposes, and user experiences with digital banks, while offering analysis on barriers, challenges, and opportunities for growth in Hong Kong's digital banking sector. About ECHO ASIA We are Asia-Pacific's newest social enterprise - ECHO ASIA is a digital communications agency focused on promoting and supporting sustainability and B Corp values, by offering meaningful digital, social, branding, ESG communications solutions to corporates and various organizations across Asia-Pacific. ECHO ASIA's mission is to help businesses and non-profit organisations achieve sustainable growth through strategic and professional campaigns and events. The ultimate end result is to achieve and help others achieve sustainable growth until it becomes immeasurable. Last year, the ECHO ASIA team released the "Sustainable Consumer Choice Survey 2024," which garnered significant attention from the public, businesses, and local media. ECHO ASIA website: ASIA Instagram: About Global Business Studies (GBS) Programme at the CUHK Business School Launched in 2005, the Global Business Studies (GBS) programme at the CUHK Business School has gained wide recognition in the international education arena and is regarded as one of the most competitive programmes in Hong Kong. GBS attracts outstanding students from both Hong Kong and around the world. The programme is committed to cultivating students' business acumen, global vision, and leadership capabilities, nurturing future leaders who will make a global impact. Students not only participate in exchange programmes at top universities in Europe and North America, but also further develop their professional expertise through a diverse array of international exposures, case competitions, and career development initiatives. These opportunities strengthen their professional skills and global competitiveness. GBS graduates have made their mark across various fields, including finance, consulting, multinational corporations, and non-profit organizations. Many have also ventured into entrepreneurship and social enterprises, actively driving social progress with innovative thinking. Global Business Studies (GBS) Programme website: Special Thanks We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the prize sponsors of this Digital Banking User Experience Survey and Research: GreenPrice, Beetales and In Lieu. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE ECHO ASIA Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
