Samsung Flow, the company's take on Apple's Continuity, launched in beta

posted by Ben R.

May 19, 2015, 11:28 AM

Samsung Flow, the company's take on Apple's Continuity, launched in beta

Last November, Samsung took the wraps off Flow, a system devised with the aim of promoting better communication between its vast assortment of electronic products. From smartphones to smartwatches, tablets to TVs, Samsung envisions a platform of unity, where files transfer seamlessly and, more importantly, consumers flit between devices with no effort and no interruption. Today, the first step towards this movement has spawned the release of Samsung Flow to the Play Store in beta.

In this Digital Age in which we live, one device is simply not enough, and even your average, not necessarily tech-savvy consumer will probably own at least a smartphone, tablet and either a desktop or notebook. More often than not, though, these devices feel like completely separate entities, and this is a situation that the industry's foremost companies have sought to rectify in recent times.

We know, for example, that one of the fundamental principles of Windows 10 will be to better amalgamate Microsoft's platforms for phone, tablet, desktop and console. Apple's iOS and OS X, meanwhile, have long been spiritually connected, but with the recent Continuity initiative having added such features as Handoff, those heavily invested in Apple products can pick up where they left off when moving between Mac, iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.

Continuity largely encapsulates what Samsung looks to be building with Flow. It's divvied up into three major sections; 'Transfer', for moving content between Samsung devices; 'Defer', aimed at syncing tasks between devices, and Notify, which promotes the sharing of notifications between devices. The latter feature does not yet work, however, and at present, Flow is limited to the Galaxy S5, S6, S6 edge, Alpha, Note 4, Note 4 edge and Tab S.

Below is a video illustrating what Samsung wants Flow to do -- what it may eventually be capable of -- but due to its unfinished nature and the fact that few will own more than one of the aforementioned devices, probably won't do for most people. Still, if you meet the device prerequisites, and you'd like to give Flow a try despite its rough, still-in-beta state, the direct Play Store link is at the foot of this article.

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66 Comments

60. HarysViewty

Posts: 78; Member since: Apr 04, 2015

Qlink from LG is better implemented, but Apple has larger ecosystem.

posted on May 19, 2015, 7:44 PM 0

51. WallStreetWolf

Posts: 289; Member since: Apr 08, 2013

Samsung has a product ecosystem, but I am more confident in companies that control their own software on phones, tablets and computers like Apple and Microsoft. Obviously, I will give it a chance to materialize, but I am weary of this at the moment. I have already used the Apple option and I am impressed with how well things mesh together. I wasn't in the beginning, but I have grown fond of its use with updates making it extremely reliable. I give it is a solid 8 out of 10 for something that will continue to build in IoT. I hope Flow does for Samsung users, what Continuity and Handoff have done for the Apple community.

posted on May 19, 2015, 4:30 PM 0

50. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

For god sakes not this bs again. Sony, Samsung, and HTC has been playing with similar features for ages well before continuity. Apple didn't invent anything, Either way, I am down. I currently have a Sony TV but if all this works flawlessly at one point, I have no issues eventually getting a 4k Samsung TV when my Sony panel kicks the bucket, a Samsung led lighting system/alarm system, and the Orbis watch if it's at least as nice as the moto 360(I am hoping it looks better). I don't think flow would really apply to a washing machine, fridge, or vacuum but hey, if the products are good I would consider them too if I can turn off the washing machine from my phone or make the fridge colder from my phone. Or if the microwave tells me it's ready on my watch when I am in the yard. I don't know if it's Samsung that will pull it off but I can see the advantages of having your entire house connected one day.

posted on May 19, 2015, 4:25 PM 5

47. dancheung77

Posts: 202; Member since: Jan 28, 2015

sammy again? Just keep following apple's foot step huh

posted on May 19, 2015, 4:13 PM 0

45. UglyFrank

Posts: 2200; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

Tab S but not TabPro despite them being exactly the same bar the screen and fingerprint scanner.

posted on May 19, 2015, 3:52 PM 0

30. bubbadoes

Posts: 1225; Member since: May 03, 2012

new kids on the block trying to provde themselves. xtraOrdinary

posted on May 19, 2015, 1:38 PM 1

32. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

Hey bulbasaur, your avatar says that you are a sheep doesnt it? Haha

posted on May 19, 2015, 1:46 PM 2

27. Rich123

Posts: 88; Member since: Oct 30, 2014

I tried it. I could install and run it on an S5 with Lollipop 5.0 but it would install but crash on my S10.5 with 5.0.2 despit it it supposedly running on S devices.

posted on May 19, 2015, 1:34 PM 0

12. RoboticEngi

Posts: 1251; Member since: Dec 03, 2014

Ohhhh all the isheep crying about copying again. What about NFC, "widgets", notification center, Filetransfer, folders, Multitasking etc. ... Get a life, it's good for all of us when the companies use each others tech. It gives us, the consumers, choices....

posted on May 19, 2015, 12:24 PM 4

15. bucky

Posts: 3797; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

nfc, widgets, notification centre, folders, multitasking was copied by android from elsewhere as well. I do agree about the choices though-we win in the end. Its just that apple fans are severely attacked every article when apple comes out with something.

posted on May 19, 2015, 12:31 PM 3

17. Sauce5 unregistered

Looks like we posted this at the exact same time. comment-ception.

posted on May 19, 2015, 12:33 PM 1

38. RoboticEngi

Posts: 1251; Member since: Dec 03, 2014

Look at my reply to Ifan boy Sauce5.....And I dont see anywhere that i said those things came from android, but apple obviously didnt invent those things themselves, so they copied......

posted on May 19, 2015, 2:31 PM 4

41. bucky

Posts: 3797; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

I dont recall anyone saying apple invented it either. Samsung's issue is timing. As soon as apple puts focus on something, Samsung sees that and does the same a few months later (albeit poorly). They do it too obviously and never start the trend. Also, Samsung is an absolutely terrible software company but excellent hardware company. They need google's help typically. Btw, i didnt really see anyone crying...just pointing out the facts really.

posted on May 19, 2015, 2:43 PM 1

46. RoboticEngi

Posts: 1251; Member since: Dec 03, 2014

No but they are "crying" about samsung copying apple. Aren't they? Or do you need the help to search this comment section? And you are talking about hooking up something that is popular, than again we can talk about notification center which was made very popular on smartphones by android. Large screen devices aka phablets also android. And what about wearables? When competition has something nice, of course the others will get it, just as apple does. And to be honest, I find a lot of things done in ios just as stupid and annoying as you find things on samsung devices......

posted on May 19, 2015, 3:58 PM 3

16. Sauce5 unregistered

NFC, widgets, notification center, file transfer, folders, mutlitasking, etc, all come from computer OS. Mac, Windows, Linux, etc. Not Android.

posted on May 19, 2015, 12:33 PM 1

21. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

Windows copied IBM, IBM copied Enigma, Enigma copied some ancient shi*... when you defend your fav phone then you use this example but when you hate on samsung "taking" design from apple then nope lol

posted on May 19, 2015, 12:41 PM 3

23. Sauce5 unregistered

Where did I, on this post, hate on Samsung for "taking design from apple.." ? LOL Sound the sirens! wee woo wee woo wee woo Fanboy spotted. Moron x'D

posted on May 19, 2015, 12:51 PM 0

24. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

I didnt even said on this one but I know that iSheep arent that bright to understand simple things. How to spot iSheeps ? Easy: calling other people fanboys, attention whoring, defending each other, any tech before iPhone isnt tech. Top kek

posted on May 19, 2015, 1:05 PM 3

25. bucky

Posts: 3797; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

look at the comments in every article on this website. You tell me this place isnt filled with angry android fanboys (exactly how you described it).

posted on May 19, 2015, 1:21 PM 1

26. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

Its filled with both

posted on May 19, 2015, 1:29 PM 3

29. bubbadoes

Posts: 1225; Member since: May 03, 2012

your title says it all!!

posted on May 19, 2015, 1:38 PM 2

31. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

At least im not top retard like you who doesnt know anything yet talks about it lol

posted on May 19, 2015, 1:44 PM 2

35. Sauce5 unregistered

What did I say about name calling? Now you just look plain arrogant, stupid, and a douche. No need for that sh*t on this website. Keep it clean, m8. You wouldn't want to be classified as a "sheep" would you?

posted on May 19, 2015, 2:18 PM 2

36. bucky

Posts: 3797; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

typically a last resort answer when cornered...

posted on May 19, 2015, 2:26 PM 1

40. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

Hahahah wtf? Cornered on internet? There is no such thing, sorry if you have been bullied in real life.

posted on May 19, 2015, 2:42 PM 1

42. bucky

Posts: 3797; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

you sound like you are generally upset over all of this. Why else would you resort to name calling? Just phones dude. dont get so mad.

posted on May 19, 2015, 2:44 PM 1

44. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

I am actually laughing at this, you can keep that dont get so mad as a signature since its on every last sentence.

posted on May 19, 2015, 2:56 PM 2

39. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

Tells me to dont call other people names, calles me douche and stupid. GG m8.

posted on May 19, 2015, 2:40 PM 2

37. RoboticEngi

Posts: 1251; Member since: Dec 03, 2014

Yes and the computer OS came from something else, and in the end it all comes from single celled organisms in the sea. My point is: STOP THIS FREAKING COPYING s**t. They all do it, and Apple does it ALOT too, so why not just enjoy your iphone, ipad, apple watch, apple TV etc..... And stop f**king claiming they invented everything......