Galaxy S8, WhatsApp and ranking of best operators are highlights of April

Galaxy S8, WhatsApp and ranking of best operators are highlights of April

In addition, a new scam on WhatsApp, which uses a gift certificate from BoticĂĄrio to spread viruses or carry out undue charges, gained notoriety in the last month. In the list below, we have gathered the eight hottest topics in the cell phone universe in April, to help you stay on top of the main news.

Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus: we tested Samsung phones with ‘infinite screen’

First impressions of the Galaxy S8

First impressions of the Galaxy S8

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1) Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus: what changes in new Samsung phones

The Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, unveiled at the end of March, gained large, elongated screens, both with curved edges. The move reveals Samsung’s option to temporarily drop the Edge name, as both phones have a curved screen.

Now, to identify each one, it is necessary to mainly observe the dimensions, since the Galaxy S8 Plus is 10 mm taller and 5 mm wider than the S8, in addition to weighing 20 grams more. Internally, the battery of the phones also differentiates them by delivering 3,000 mAh in the smaller model, 500 mAh less than in the Plus version.

1 of 8 Samsung left the Edge line on the new Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus – Photo: Thássius Veloso / dnetc

Samsung left Edge line aside in the new Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus – Photo: Thássius Veloso / dnetc

2) Anatel reveals study with notes from cell phone operators

In April, Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency) released the results of a study on the seven cell phone operators that have more than 10,000 customers in each state. They are: Oi, TIM, Claro, Vivo, Nextel, Algar and Porto Seguro Conecta. Oi ranked last in all the analyzes, while Porto Seguro Conecta, which operates in regions of the states of SĂŁo Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, led the analysis. The virtual operator leases the TIM network.

The survey took into account the opinion of 30 thousand consumers from all over Brazil and asked about the general satisfaction with the service, quality of calls and Internet connection, charges, problem solving and SAC. The data are for 2016 and, when comparing them with 2015, the study indicates that companies have been improving little by little.

2 of 8 Survey revealed that users are satisfied with Porto Seguro services; operator Oi was last in the study – Photo: Reproduction / Anatel

Research revealed that users are satisfied with Porto Seguro services; operator Oi was last in the study – Photo: Reproduction / Anatel

3) How to know who saw your photos on Facebook Stories

Like Snapchat and Instagram, Facebook’s Stories feature lets you find out who viewed your photos and videos on the tool. The procedure is simple, fast and must be done in the application itself for iPhone (iOS) and Android.

During the 24 hours that the image is available, click on your story, on the app’s home screen, and tap the available button in the bottom left corner of the page, indicated by «views». After checking who opened the post, just slide the list down to return to Facebook.

3 of 8 Facebook Stories «denounces» who saw their posts disappear in 24 hours – Photo: Carolina Ochsendorf / dnetc

Facebook Stories «denounces» those who have seen their posts disappear in 24 hours – Photo: Carolina Ochsendorf / dnetc

4) Galaxy S7 remains in stores for another year; price has already plummeted 47%

In an exclusive interview with dnetc, Samsung revealed that the Galaxy S7 will continue on sale in Brazil for at least a year, even with the arrival of the S8. According to the manufacturer, there is still a market for the model, which will remain in stores with all colors, in theory, until the announcement of the Galaxy S9.

With changes in the manufacturer’s shelves, the price of the Galaxy S7 has dropped by more than 40% since its launch in March 2016. According to a survey by the price comparator Zoom, the average value of the smartphone reached R $ 2,001 in April 2017 , R $ 1,798 less than the amount suggested in the conventional cell phone when it arrived in Brazil.

We tested on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge at MWC 2016

We tested on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge at MWC 2016

5) Scams on WhatsApp offer BoticĂĄrio gift card and visual with football teams

A new WhatsApp scam alerted users to an alleged gift certificate from O BoticĂĄrio stores. The link, which offered a false discount on products, could contain viruses or carry out undue charges.

According to the count of the digital security company PSafe, at least 50,000 Brazilians tried to access the gift card within five days. When opening the message, the Internet user was forced to register on malicious websites or download fake applications on his cell phone.

4 of 8 Scam on WhatsApp uses fake Boticário campaign to deceive users – Photo: Reproduction / PSafe

Coup on WhatsApp uses fake Boticário campaign to deceive users – Photo: Reproduction / PSafe

At the end of the month, it was the turn of PSafe to alert to a message that has been circulating on WhatsApp and that offers the customization of the application with thematic look of football teams. Until the publication of the report, first hand by the dnetc, more than 2 million Brazilians had contact with the coup. Flamengo, Palmeiras and Corinthians are among the clubs that generated the most interest from the victims.

5 out of 8 Scam with football teams says the following: «How cool! I customized the background of my WhatsApp with the theme of Palmeiras» – Photo: Disclosure / PSafe

Scam with football teams says the following: «How cool! I customized my WhatsApp background with the theme of Palmeiras» – Photo: Press Release / PSafe

6) Uber and Cabify discounts

Users using private transportation services can sometimes take advantage of discounts issued by friend codes or on special dates. Coupons offer from a free trip up to 50% of the price of the race, which already helps to save money.

These codes for Uber and Cabify apps can be found on the company’s social networks, in official emails sent by the services and in the app itself, in the notifications tab. In addition, referring friends to the platforms are worth discounts of R $ 10.

6 of 8 See how to find discount codes on Uber and Cabify – Photo: Ana Marques / dnetc

See how to find discount codes on Uber and Cabify – Photo: Ana Marques / dnetc

7) The rivalry between Galaxy S8 and iPhone 7

Already on sale in Brazil with prices starting at R $ 3,999, the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus have cutting edge technologies, including an infinite screen and the iris reader. However, Samsung’s new smartphone does not offer some outstanding features of the iPhone 7, Apple’s latest top-of-the-line smartphone.

Among the functions that the Galaxy S8 owes are 3D Touch, which facilitates quick access to app functions, the dual camera on the back and the internal memory of 256 GB, even if the Samsung phone accepts microSD card to expand the capacity. Stereo audio and features like AirDrop were also left out.

On the other hand, we list the ten things that the Galaxy S8 has and that the iPhone owes. Among them is the larger and very high definition screen, in addition to being too bright; the possibility of receiving a microSD memory card; and the most powerful water resistance.

Are you in doubt between the two models? Both listings can help you decide which one is most worthwhile for your usage scenario.

7 of 8 iPhone 7 comes out in front of the Galaxy S8 with dual rear camera – Photo: Carolina Ochsendorf / dnetc

iPhone 7 comes out in front of the Galaxy S8 with dual rear camera – Photo: Carolina Ochsendorf / dnetc

Another highlight in April was a new update of the Apple operating system for iPhones and iPads. IOS 10.3.1 improves the performance of devices with an updated file system, in addition to fixing bugs to ensure data security.

The update offers support for old phones and tablets, including the iPhone 5, iPhone 5C and iPad 4. The system version also brings more commands to the Siri virtual assistant and search for lost AirPods.

8 of 8 Apple launches iOS 10.3.1 with support for old phones – Photo: Anna Kellen Bull / dnetc

Apple launches iOS 10.3.1 with support for old phones – Photo: Anna Kellen Bull / dnetc