Samsung Galaxy S6 / Edge Android Update News: Verizon Rolling Out WiFi Calling, iPhones Next in Line
Verizon is going to begin rolling out an OTA Android update with a new feature for Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge phones: WiFi calling. The carrier will begin pushing out the update this week.
According to Verizon's announcement, customers with Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge devices will get an update beginning Dec. 8 that will allow them to make and receive calls over a WiFi connection. It's part of the Advanced Calling rollout that the U.S. carrier will eventually roll out to other Android devices, as well as iPhones.
WiFi calls made to U.S. phone numbers using Verizon's Advanced Calling software will be free, and the feature provides an additional avenue for communication for places where cellular signal coverage is spotty, but a broadband-based WiFi connection is available. Both audio and video phone calls are available over WiFi with Verizon's software update. International calls over WiFi, however, will still be charged at regular rates.
Verizon said the update will roll out in phases to Samsung's 2015 flagship handsets, with additional Android handsets and iPhones on the network receiving an update in early 2016.
The telecommunications giant is the last major U.S. wireless carrier to offer voice over WiFi functionality. According to CNET, T-Mobile and Sprint offered WiFi calling first, and AT&T followed suit for Apple iPhones this October. WiFi calling is also an integral feature of many smaller carriers, like Republic Wireless, Scratch Wireless, and Google's Project Fi.
For those with Verizon Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge handsets, the Advanced Calling software will appear first as an update notification. After downloading and installing the firmware, the WiFi calling feature can be enabled in Android's network settings after Advanced Calling is activated.
Verizon says when Advanced Calling is enabled, customers can expect a seamless transfer between their 4G LTE network and known WiFi hotspots whenever they travel outside of coverage areas. WiFi calling not only allows for conversations to continue when cellular coverage isn't available, but it enables voice communication in high definition.
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