Heavy lies the crown for any leader in the smartphone market, and Samsung’s plan to keep that crown is to introduce new phones alongside a new mobile payments system.
The South Korean manufacturer introduced two big-screen Galaxy phones last week: the Note 5, which includes a digital pen, and the S6 Edge Plus, which has a curved screen that wraps around the sides of the phone and skips the pen.
The Note 5 is slightly thinner than its predecessor, the Note 4, and has some software twists. For one, you can jot down notes with the pen even when the screen is off. You can also scribble notes on digital documents before sending them.
The S6 Edge Plus can be customized so that the curved edges can quickly show your favorite apps or contacts by swiping from the sides.
Both phones have 5.7-inch screens and support wireless power charging. While the phones are now available for ordering online, pricing and official release dates have yet to be announced.
The new devices follow Samsung’s April release of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, which will soon get price cuts after the company reported earlier this month that its profit had declined for the seventh quarter in a row.
Analysts say that Apple’s introduction last year of big-screen phones, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, as well as competition from Chinese handset makers like Xiaomi, are chipping into Samsung’s profit.
Samsung last week also introduced its mobile wallet system, a rival to the Apple Pay system and Google’s Android Pay.
Total recall
About 122 zippered striped hoodies and tie-dye jackets from Flowers by Zoe are being recalled. The lightweight hoodie has multicolored stripes, and the tie-dye jacket has tie-dye-effect dark blue, teal, orange, pink and lime green horizontal stripes.
The items have a drawstring hood, zip-up front and pockets on both sides. They were sold at several children’s boutique specialty retailers between February and May for about $45.
The hoodies and jackets have drawstrings around the neck area that pose a strangulation hazard to children.
Customers should immediately take the hoodies away from children and remove the drawstring to eliminate the hazard. They may also return the hoodies to the place of purchase for a full refund. Call Flowers by Zoe toll-free at 844-236-7350 from 3 to 11 a.m. Hawaii time Monday through Friday.
