I think you misunderstand. I'm talking about between the Lollipop and Marshmallow versions of TouchWiz. Ever since the S7 came out I've seen no criticisms of TouchWiz, not even to use it as a negative aspect of the S7.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Galaxy S7
- Thread starter nviz22
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I think you misunderstand. I'm talking about between the Lollipop and Marshmallow versions of TouchWiz. Ever since the S7 came out I've seen no criticisms of TouchWiz, not even to use it as a negative aspect of the S7.
well I try to be more quiet about it but I view TW as a negative, mostly because it impairs updates
I think Samsung has done well with TouchWiz in these last two years and people are noticing. They've been scaling back on it overall, lessened their own bloat (most Samsung apps now are optional via the Galaxy App store and not pre-installed), optimized it very well with Marshmallow, and introduced features like theming and more Edge usability. People really take to this stuff. A lot of the features are more useful than ever, and the freedom to customize really adds to the daily experience.
We even see stock Android adopting some of the useful features from TouchWiz in the future Android N.
I don't know if everybody loves TouchWiz now, but I find it is the best Android experience. TouchWiz on top of Marshmallow is the perfect balance of TW's useful features and stock Android's speed and stability.
Then you marry all that to their hardware prowess? It's a winning combination and not a surprise at all why it's doing and reviewing well.
[doublepost=1459968344][/doublepost]
I think TouchWiz still has room to grow. But it's more having to do with Samsung's relationship with carriers. They need to forge or negotiate more control over what gets put on their devices. And I believe most, if not every review has called them out on the obscene carrier bloatware. Hopefully in the next year or so, we'll see Samsung exercise the might of their brand to have more control over carrier bloatware and software updates.
Last edited:
It's because they improved on both of those areas. The ui was cleaned up slightly from Marshmallow, but the big thing is that more themes are available now and run even deeper. Last year there were no material themes until the summer, and they didn't change the call screen (it stayed that bright green) now, I can pretty much make my phone look very close stock.
And performance has also been improved. The multi tasking issue has been fixed, and performance is very smooth. Not as smooth as stock Android or iOS, but it's close enough that most won't notice.
The updates are still a problem though, that and Carrier bloat. But for the most part, touchwiz is actually pretty damn good now.
Here is what mine looks like after applying a material theme (called android 6.0), using the Google Now launcher and DPI set to condensed.
Yeah, mine too! Looks like my battery test is going to have to wait, cause I'm sure setting that puppy up and using it is going to kill my battery.
The only tip is don't go searching for the oculus software. Just connect the device to the headset and then you will get a prompt to download the oculus software.
[doublepost=1459977243][/doublepost]
Gaming with it and the initial setup does hammer the battery. I only use mine now after the novelty has worn off to watch Netflix - and it's not too bad on battery (just a little more than normal Netflix).
Just know that the Milk VR app is the only app that can view video files from external storage. Downloaded 180 and 360 videos trump streaming streaming ones. So don't judge by the streaming content.
BTW .... Make sure you screen is near flawless or streaks and debris. It really shows it it's not.
It doesn't take that huge of a toll on battery life as you would expect. Just slightly more than playing a regular game or streaming movies.
Well, I'm having problems with mine. It downloaded the oculus app, but then it failed with every single game install. Then it said it needs an update, but it downloads but never installs the update. I've tried reseting, and uninstalling and re-installing but same thing happens.
Seriously guys, VR is super cool. Even from what little I've tried of it just now.
I love just looking around. The menu navigation is also amazingly intuitive. Time to explore some more...
Wickedly impressive.
I love just looking around. The menu navigation is also amazingly intuitive. Time to explore some more...
Wickedly impressive.
Just a heads up for everyone who uses the AOD display....
There is some reports of the recent T-mobile update messing things up so that the AOD no longer moves around the screen making the screen susceptible to burn in. I haven't updated my phone yet so cannot confirm, but wanted to let others know who might not be aware of this issue.
There is some reports of the recent T-mobile update messing things up so that the AOD no longer moves around the screen making the screen susceptible to burn in. I haven't updated my phone yet so cannot confirm, but wanted to let others know who might not be aware of this issue.
When using VR, it becomes very clear why these devices are at the resolution they are.
This is fun stuff. I've already got complaints and can easily identify where improvements can be made, but they are minor and for a free headset and free games, I'm enjoying it. Can't wait to check out other things like YouTube and Netflix.
Kudos to Samsung for getting this tech out into people's hands. It's new and exciting and enjoyable to explore. You can really see the possibilities.
This is fun stuff. I've already got complaints and can easily identify where improvements can be made, but they are minor and for a free headset and free games, I'm enjoying it. Can't wait to check out other things like YouTube and Netflix.
Kudos to Samsung for getting this tech out into people's hands. It's new and exciting and enjoyable to explore. You can really see the possibilities.
Did that, still the same problem. My Note 5 worked perfectly, using the VR with that right now. Wonder what's going on with my edge?
Also, the VR is awesome. Everyone fighting over time with it now.
http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/6/11381746/samsung-earnings-guidance-q1-2016
Things are looking up for Samsung.
Things are looking up for Samsung.
Picked up my onyx black s7 edge tonight. I'm really impressed this time around with what Samsung has done. The phone feels tiny in comparison with my 6s plus especially considering the same screen size. First thing I did was run the condensed version via nova launcher as the default dpi is far too big. I've finished setting it up now and up to now everything seems really smooth and responsive. I'm not daft enough to think it'll be 100% lag free but neither is the 6s plus.
I've got 14 days to return but up to now I don't see that happening.
I've got 14 days to return but up to now I don't see that happening.
If you purchase the Exynos international version off craigslist or something, How does warranty work? Obviously its not covered under US samsung manufactures warranty but what options would you have should you run into issues?
Also, does Samsung warranty the phone like apple or does it stay with the OG customer that originally purchased it?
Also, does Samsung warranty the phone like apple or does it stay with the OG customer that originally purchased it?
Finally managed to order an S7 Edge, should hopefully arrive on Monday. I'm excited to compare with my S6 and see how much of an improvement it really is.
Now I just have to decide what I'm going to do about a screen protector, as much as I want to get one, I'm finding it hard to give up on the tempered glass feel and worry I may end up having to go without one which scares me.
Now I just have to decide what I'm going to do about a screen protector, as much as I want to get one, I'm finding it hard to give up on the tempered glass feel and worry I may end up having to go without one which scares me.
30 minutes with the gear VR sure gave me a headache! But those were some fun 30 minutes.
Seriously, even those who don't have or plan to have the s7 and gear vr, still go out and find a way to play with virtual reality. It's better than I thought it'd be. But maybe I had low expectations of it to begun with.
Again, there is clearly room to grow. But it's still fun and exciting new tech that's finally good enough now to give it a try.
PS. I forgot to add, I feel like Cyclops when I'm using the gear VR.
Seriously, even those who don't have or plan to have the s7 and gear vr, still go out and find a way to play with virtual reality. It's better than I thought it'd be. But maybe I had low expectations of it to begun with.
Again, there is clearly room to grow. But it's still fun and exciting new tech that's finally good enough now to give it a try.
PS. I forgot to add, I feel like Cyclops when I'm using the gear VR.
Last edited: