Samsung started rolling out the One UI 3.1 update for various devices including the Galaxy S20 series recently. Along with the update, it seemed to have enabled the eSIM functionality in regions like India.

As reported by Piunikaweb, the One UI 3.1 update for India has the firmware version G98xFXXU6DUB5. It weighs 1246.69MB and brings the latest UI to the Galaxy S20+(SM-G985F) variant. Certain users in Samsung community forums have confirmed that e-SIM functionality is enabled after this update.

As you can see below, the screenshot on the forums shows the eSIM options inside settings-> SIM Card Manager. If you recall, Samsung launched the Galaxy S20 series in February 2020. Back then, the devices in India had the support for eSIM but Samsung had disabled it.

So, for using a secondary SIM card, one had to take out the memory card out and use the slot for another network. For the unware, Samsung Galaxy S20 comes with a Hybrid-SIM slot i.e., users can use a nano-SIM + microSD card or two nano-SIMs at a time.
Anyway, with eSIM enabled, you can now use the device with two networks and an SD card simultaneously.

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Also, that’s not the only thing the One UI 3.1 update brings to the table. Just like other regions(South Korea, UK, Europe), the Indian region also brings  Improved performance, Private Share, GPS location data removal on Images, more Lock screen widgets, Background Video Calling, Zoom Lock(in camera), and more.

That said, the update should enable the eSIM features for other regions(like the USA) as well.

Recently, Samsung upped the ante yesterday by extending security update support for 4 years in total. The eligible devices including the Galaxy Z, S, Note, A, M, XCover, and Tab series will receive monthly/quarterly updates accordingly.

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Apple Watch Series 3 was announced at Apple’s annual event same day the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X were unveiled. The standout feature on the third-gen Apple smartwatch series is the addition of cellular connectivity that allows users to make calls, send and receive text messages. The watch also enables users to access the internet without having to pair with a nearby iPhone. The timepiece went on sale on September 22 globally, including in China. 

Right from the start of sales, qualified users in China were able to connect to China Unicom’ cellular network but just a few days after the sales commenced, precisely on September 28 China Unicom abruptly shut down wireless connectivity to the Watch Series 3 users. China has three wireless carriers, all controlled by the government who usually monitors users of the networks. The reason for the network shutdown shouldn’t be unconnected with how China monitors its citizens who use cellular enabled devices. The Watch 3 uses an e-SIM which is a micro SIM card embedded inside the smartwatch and it allows users to choose the carrier and plan he/she prefers to use. In this kind of situation, it would be difficult for the government to track down users.

Read More: Apple Rules in Market Share in China as Samsung Slips to Sixth Position

China Unicom had clearly indicated on its website when the Apple Watch series 3 went on sales on September 22 that cellular connectivity was offered on a trial basis. That trial may have ended. Apple has responded by releasing a statement which states that it was informed by China Unicom that the cellular feature on the Apple Watch Series 3 “has been suspended.” There are no signs at the moment that the cellular connectivity would be turned back on for APple Watch 3 users who paid as much as $600 for the smartwatch.

(source)

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Just before the end of 2016, Qualcomm and Windows announced that 2017 will see the launch of Snapdragon 835-powered notebooks. At the Computex event currently holding in Taipei, Microsoft and Qualcomm have announced partner manufacturers that will launch notebooks powered by the SD835 running full Windows 10.

These notebooks will take advantage of the chip’s Gigabit LTE modem for constant connection to the internet hence the tag “always connected PC”. The small size of the chip will allow for a better designed laptop. Since the chip is no larger than a penny, the PCB is smaller, allowing for larger batteries or other additional components.

The notebooks will also be able to enjoy superior battery life thanks to the chip. Qualcomm claims that battery life will last up to 4 or 5 times longer when in standby mode compared to other laptops. Aside that, when your device is in standby mode, emails and other data will still sync just like a smartphone.

All Snapdragon powered notebooks will come with LTE built-in via a technology called e-SIM (embedded SIM). AT&T, T-Mobile, Vodafone and a number of international carriers will support the technology. Data plans can be simply added from the Windows Store.

There was a demo on display and a number of office programs like Excel, Word and PowerPoint were tested out. There was also a video download test from YouTube to show how fast Gigabit LTE is. The 1080p video downloaded at a speed of 370Mbps and took roughly 30 seconds. The highlight was the download and installation of a 32-bit legacy app, 7-Zip.

READ MORE: Meizu’s Full Screen Phone With High-End Qualcomm Chip Said To Arrive In 2018

There were questions about the support for VR and AR since the Snapdragon 835 chip is what Google used for its Daydream Standalone VR headsets. Microsoft is working on mixed reality headsets, so there might be a chance the SD835 will play a part. However, no details were provided regarding that.

Lenovo, HP, and ASUS are the three partner companies announced to release laptops powered by the Snapdragon 835.

(Sources: 1, 2)

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