Samsung, India’s most trusted and desired smartphone brand, has launched a new ‘Make for India’ innovation called AltZLife that will further enhance your smartphone privacy level.

The feature has been developed following deep consumer insights that smartphone users are seeking greater privacy, as they transition into an enhanced digital life using their mobile devices.

Samsung smartphone users can quickly and easily switch between normal mode and private mode (Secure Folder) by simply double clicking on the power key. The on-device AI function also intelligently suggests moving private content to the Secure Folder.

The AltZLife feature will be available to existing as well as new users of Galaxy A71 and Galaxy A51 through a software update on August 10, 2020.

“An industry first innovation, this intelligent feature has been designed keeping in mind the inherent need of consumers, especially Gen Z, for enhanced privacy when it comes to storage and access of content on their smartphones. This helps eliminate the anxiety that consumers usually face while also sharing their smartphones with someone,” Manu Sharma, Senior Director, Mobile Business, Samsung India, said.

According to a research conducted by Samsung, 79% of Gen Z consumers admit to having content such as images, applications and private chats on their smartphones that they do not want family or others to see. In addition to this, they also want to hide the fact that they have things they do not want to share.

The two ‘Make for India’ solutions that are part of AltZLife – Quick Switch and Content Suggestions – have been developed by a team of young engineers at Samsung R&D Institutes in Bangalore and Noida using insights from consumer research.

As part of Samsung’s ‘Make for India’ initiative, Samsung R&D centres in the country work on India-centric innovations based on deep consumer insights.

Samsung had launched other AI-based ‘Make for India’ features on Galaxy A series devices earlier this year. This includes Alive Intelligence, which offers Multilingual Keyboard, Smart Crop, Useful Cards and Finder. AltZLife takes the endeavor forward to make the consumer’s interaction with their Galaxy A series more intelligent, intuitive and secure.

How does AltZLife work?

AltZLife comes with two features—Quick Switch and Content Suggestions—which help provide a private and secured experience to consumers. The on-device AI solution allows all processing to take place within the device, and does not require interaction with any server or cloud.

Quick Switch

Our research shows consumers tend to have some aspects of their digital life—private and public—which they like to keep discrete and separate from each other. Quick Switch helps users in switching between two instances of the same app instantly – one instance in normal mode and the other in private mode. For example, a consumer can easily move between the normal Gallery and a private Gallery; or from a normal WhatsApp to private WhatsApp with a simple double click of the power button. The private versions of these apps are secured by Samsung Knox in the Secure Folder of Galaxy smartphones.

When a user double clicks on the power button in normal mode, authentication is required before entering the private mode of the same app. This authentication is different from normal unlocking of the smartphone. When switching from private to normal mode, no authentication is required. Quick Switch is also useful even if the application does not have dual instances in private and normal mode.

Content Suggestions

Content Suggestions is an AI-based app inside the Secure Folder, and its on-device AI-powered engine automatically suggests users to move private images of pre-selected categories to the Secure Folder. For this to happen users have to simply select specific faces or a type of image they want to tag as private and keep them secured in the private gallery of the Secure Folder.

Once the initial setup is complete, the AI engine kicks in and identifies relevant images from the entire gallery. As this is an on-device AI solution, no information or image ever leaves the smartphone.

Change the Way You Capture

The Galaxy S20 has a camera packed with innovative features for a more professional shooting experience. Galaxy A51 and A71 users can now capture their memories exactly as they happen with such leading S20 features as Single Take.

Single Take takes the burden of choosing a camera mode out of your hands by recording with several camera modes simultaneously. Just by tapping record with the Single Take feature, users can capture up to ten seconds of footage with a wide range of capture modes, including Boomerang, Smart Crop, video and AI filter. Users can then revisit the clips in the Gallery app and choose which capture style they like the best.

Galaxy A51 and A71 users can now also enjoy several Pro Mode functionalities from the Galaxy S20, including Manual Focus and Shutter Speed control. These features give users more control when capturing photos and videos so they can have total command over their shooting experiences.

Users can get creative when capturing after sunset with Night Hyperlapse, and enjoy more personalization with features like My Filters, which lets users create their own personal image filters using existing images in their camera roll.

Share Seamlessly 

The software update brings with it two convenient ways – available originally on the Galaxy S20 series – for users to share media with each other. Quick Share and Music Share make it easier than ever before to stay connected and instantaneously share pictures, videos and music.

When viewing media in the Gallery and looking to share it with friends, users can now harness the Quick Share option to see immediately which users are nearby. Just by tapping the icon, users can then select one or more friends to seamlessly share their media with.

Music Share lets friends connect to a user’s Bluetooth speaker directly via the user’s smartphone. By swiping down on the Quick Panel and tapping on the Music Share icon, users can easily activate or deactivate this innovative feature to instantly enjoy good music with their friends. Users can also head to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth > Advanced to toggle Music Share on or off.

Let Your Device Do the Work

Galaxy A51 and A71 users are already able to do more of what they love with their smartphones, but this update brings even more Keyboard and Gallery functionalities to users that are designed to make their day-to-day interactions with their smartphones as convenient as possible.

When typing in the search bar in the app tray, accessible with just a simple swipe up on the home screen, users will now be presented with a range of predicted Apps, Settings, Quick Panel and Contacts search results before they even finish typing their query, and can then explore even more results by hitting the ‘See more results’ button. Enhanced keyboard functionalities also give users more freedom when typing; users can now translate text directly from the keyboard tray and easily undo and redo their most recent keyboard action with an intuitive swipe left or right with two fingers on the keyboard.

With the Clean View feature, the Gallery will group up to 100 images shot consecutively into one bundle for easy viewing – users can choose their favorite to serve as the group’s thumbnail – and an organized Gallery. Quick Crop lets users trim their photos right from the media viewing screen. When zooming in on an image with two fingers, the icon will appear on the left hand side of the screen for users to instantly save the edited picture to their Gallery.

Updates such as these, bringing flagship features to Galaxy A devices, are part of Samsung’s ongoing efforts to provide all users with the the best smartphone experiences. Samsung will continue to provide Galaxy A users with all the leading functionalities and features they need to make the most of their mobile devices and capture the world just as they see it.

Samsung Newsroom harnessed the power of the Galaxy A51’s 5MP Macro camera in order to get closer to the natural beauty of plants and flowers and learn more about these living, breathing flora.

Seasonal Hues

The remarkable color changes plants go through as the seasons change will never fail to be a thing of beauty, and upon closer look, it is clear that in some cases, a single color seen from a distance is in fact a harmony of complementary shades brought about by the wonder of nature.

The various colors of these mosses come together to create a miniature forest of color.

Gathered together, Hydrangea petals almost resemble butterfly wings; the coloration of each plant’s petal will vary by soil composition and other factors so that each Hydrangea plant is unique.

Up close, these Feather Cockscombs almost seem to bloom like multicolored flames.

While cacti are often associated with the arid desert, this Moon Cactus is immediately striking thanks to its vibrant coloration.

Natural Detailing

Some plants and flowers require a closer look to be fully appreciated. Many feature subtle yet fascinating detailing granted by the layered texturing of leaves, thorns and other features.

The Pachycereus might have gotten its nickname ‘Elephant Cactus’ because of its trunk-like shape, but its uniformly-arranged thorn patterns more closely resemble a hedgehog.

The color gradation of this Marigold’s petals have resulted in a stamen that almost looks like it is a separate flower at the center of the plant.

This Spiralis plant, also known as the Spiral Japanese Cedar, requires a close-up look to be fully appreciated. Each part of the plant, from the stem to the tips of the stalks, is twisted.

Anthurium plants boast heart-shaped red petals that have a unique leathery red texture and long inflorescences.

Signs of Life

At the end of winter, the sprouting of green buds gives us the feeling of a new season as spring approaches – but sometimes these growths are too small to capture with the naked eye. Using the Macro camera, these miniscule signs of growth can be captured at their best with a clean background and a spray of water to add freshness.

Russelia, or firecracker plants, bloom with a coral color, but by summer, this will have transformed to red – just like a firework in the night sky.

Star Jasmine is a climbing shrub with many intertwining stems. In May and June, the usually green plant blossoms with newly-sprouted branches are capped with small white flowers.

Fairy Stars bloom with vivid petals; when they blossom, they unfurl with a mesmerizing windmill-like shape.

The Consolea Rubescens plant has the nickname of the ‘Hurray-ing Cactus’ thanks to its distinctive shape that appears to be cheering with joy. When the plant has gone without water for a while, it will sprout a new bud lower down its body to reach for water.

Baby’s Breath is a staple in traditional floral arrangements, but close-up, one can see that this individualistic flower has a unique charm all of its own.

Unique Patterning

Not only does light help plants grow, but it also helps illuminate their unique features. By exposing a plant’s leaf to a certain amount of light, the beauty of nature in all its intricate patterning becomes clear; with the Galaxy A51’s Macro camera, every fine line and natural irregularity becomes visible.

The Calathea Insignis plant has distinctive dark brown spots around its main leaf vein on its front side. This dramatic contrast patterning almost resembles an insect up close.

Calathea Makoyana plants, or Peacock Plants, feature a subtle green gradation across their leaves; the lighter parts of the leaf resemble the shape of a feather arrow.

Calathea Vittata plants have striking white veins on their leaves. The vivid patterning and subtle gloss almost appear to have been drawn on with a paintbrush.

The wide leaves of the Ficus Umbellata plant feature both thin and thick leaf veins that come together to create a unique patterning reminiscent of a spiderweb.

You can even push the boundaries of conventional mobile photography with your Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71’s 5MP Macro Lens – first introduced to Galaxy devices on the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71 – which is perfect for showcasing your subject in all its glory no matter its size, with natural bokeh effects and refined detail enhancement.

For this latest installment in our series showcasing how you can make the most of the Macro Lens, we’re changing up the scale. Say you’re looking to photograph something tiny. Capture a close-up shot of it with the Macro Lens, crop out any identifying features in the background, and when you come to upload it to social media, you’ll be sure to have all your friends thinking it’s life-size – giving you the satisfaction of unveiling that all is not as it seems.

Try out the quiz below and see if you can tell the difference between miniature and life-size objects when they have been shot in fantastic detail with the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71’s Macro Lens.

Pop Quiz

*All photos below were taken with the Galaxy A51.

[Question 1]

Q: Take a look at this photo taken with the Macro Lens. What have these miniature Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71 devices been placed on?

**Miniature device lock screen wallpaper has been inserted digitally.

[Question 2]

Q: Thanks to the power of the Macro Lens, it looks like this miniature family of ducks is enjoying an afternoon swim. What have they actually been placed on?

[Question 3]

Q: This miniature summertime scene looks as if it is taking place in a tropical location. But what sweet treat is in fact serving as a substitute for a golden sand beach?

[Question 4]

Q: Thanks to the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71’s Macro Lens, it looks like these intrepid explorers have just set foot on the moon. But what regular object have they actually discovered?

Now, let’s take a look at the answers!

[Question 1]

Q: Take a look at this photo taken with the Macro Lens. What have these miniature Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71 devices been placed on?

A: A head of broccoli!

**Miniature device lock screen wallpaper has been inserted digitally.

[Question 2]

Q: Thanks to the power of the Macro Lens, it looks like this miniature family of ducks is enjoying an afternoon swim. What have they actually been placed on?

A: A paint pallet!

[Question 3]

Q: This miniature summertime scene looks as if it is taking place in a tropical location. But what sweet treat is in fact serving as a substitute for a golden sand beach?

A: The centerpiece of this afternoon tea set, a pudding!

[Question 4]

Q: Thanks to the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71’s Macro Lens, it looks like these intrepid explorers have just set foot on the moon. But what regular object have they actually discovered?

A: A soccer ball!

Check out the miniature Galaxy A51 and A71 devices resting on their life-size counterparts in the picture above. Adorable, right? The Macro Lens is the perfect tool for creating scenarios that can shake up your perspective.

Wondering how you, too, can bring to life your own miniature scenes with your Galaxy A51 or Galaxy A71? Just open up the Camera app, click ‘More’ on the camera’s main option toolbar and select the Macro option to get shooting. To have quick access to the Macro Lens anytime you want, you can add the Macro Lens’ icon into the main camera toolbar by holding and dragging down the icon from within the ‘More’ options menu.

Share your very best and most convincing shots taken on the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71’s Macro Lens using the #withGalaxy hashtag to get involved with the fun and enjoy others’ awesome creations.