Samsung has begun preparing for its next major software update, One UI 9.5, which is based on Android 17. Although the company has not officially announced the new features, early beta versions spotted on test servers have revealed significant design and functional changes in two core applications: Samsung Calendar and Samsung Health.
Calendar Interface Updates
Leaks indicate Samsung's move toward a simpler and cleaner interface in the Calendar app, where the rectangular backgrounds surrounding each date have been abandoned, making the dates appear as if they are floating on a unified black background, which provides the display with more visual space.
The changes also included a reorganization of the user interface, where the search button was moved from the top right corner to the bottom right corner to be next to the add event button. Additionally, a new section named Key events has been introduced, which displays important events as shortcuts in the form of pills at the top of the list, along with a reorganization of the side menu to facilitate access to synchronization options, the trash bin, and settings.
Journaling Feature in the Health App
On another front, the Samsung Health app is receiving a qualitative addition in the form of the Mindful note feature. This feature aims to provide a digital space for users to record their daily thoughts and feelings. The feature supports various options including:
- The ability to engage in free journaling or use ready-made templates (Prompts) covering aspects such as relationships, work and goals, and self-reflection.
- Providing daily alerts to encourage users to make journaling a regular habit.
What Does This Mean for Users?
These changes reflect Samsung's strategy to improve the user experience by reducing visual clutter in productivity applications, while enhancing the psychological aspect and digital well-being in health applications. However, it should be noted that these features are still in the early testing stages, meaning they may undergo additional modifications or may not appear in their current form upon the final release of the update.