TL;DR
A new feature surfaced in Samsung's One UI 8.5 beta that can nudge users to contact relatives they haven't spoken to in a while. The prompt appeared in the Now Brief UI with a contact card and an option to dismiss, but details about selection and controls remain unclear.
What happened
Samsung's One UI 8.5 beta preview includes a new contact-reminder prompt that encourages users to "say hello to your family." The item was first shared on X by NirmalSri, who posted a screenshot showing the Now Brief card with a contact entry and a note indicating how long it had been since the contact was last reached by phone. The prompt also offered a "not now" button to dismiss the suggestion. Independent posts from leaker Ice Universe pointed out an instance showing 22 days since a call to a mother. Reporting cites Android Authority and Android Police coverage of the discovery. Samsung has not published technical details about how contacts are chosen or what privacy and opt-in controls will be available in the final release.
Why it matters
- Such nudges can help users who frequently forget to keep in touch with relatives.
- Automated reminders that reference how long it's been since contact could embarrass or upset users, especially in sensitive situations.
- The feature raises questions about how contact data and interaction history are analyzed and stored on-device or in the cloud.
- Design and privacy controls (opt-in, opt-out, granularity) will determine whether the feature is useful or intrusive for different users.
Key facts
- The contact-reminder appeared in Samsung's One UI 8.5 beta preview.
- A screenshot of the feature in the Now Brief UI was shared on X by NirmalSri.
- The prompt included a contact card, a note on how long it’s been since last contact, and a "not now" dismiss option.
- Leaker Ice Universe highlighted an example showing 22 days since speaking to his mother.
- Android Police reported the discovery and cited Android Authority's coverage.
- Samsung has not disclosed how the software selects which contacts to surface.
- Commentary about the feature notes the need for strong user controls from day one.
What to watch next
- Presence of robust opt-in/opt-out controls and configurable settings in the final One UI 8.5 release (not confirmed in the source)
- Whether Samsung explains how contacts are selected and whether processing happens on-device or via cloud services (not confirmed in the source)
- Broader rollout schedule from beta to stable builds for One UI 8.5 (not confirmed in the source)
Quick glossary
- One UI: Samsung's custom Android interface that modifies the system UI and apps on Galaxy devices.
- Beta preview: A pre-release software build distributed for testing and feedback before a final public release.
- Now Brief: A user-facing information card or summary area in Samsung's interface that displays suggestions and notifications.
- Contact card: A UI element that shows a contact's name, photo, and actions such as call or message.
- Opt-in: A setting or process where a user must actively agree to enable a feature rather than having it enabled by default.
Reader FAQ
Is this feature available to all Samsung users now?
It has appeared in the One UI 8.5 beta preview; availability in stable releases is not confirmed in the source.
How does the phone decide which family members to highlight?
Not confirmed in the source.
Can I dismiss or disable the reminders?
The screenshot showed a "not now" dismiss button, but full disable options are not confirmed in the source.
Who first shared evidence of the feature?
A screenshot was shared on X by NirmalSri; leaker Ice Universe also highlighted an example; the discovery was reported by Android Police citing Android Authority.
Your Samsung phone may soon remind you to call your parents By Mark Jansen Published 32 minutes ago Mark has almost a decade of experience reporting on mobile technology, working…
Sources
- Your Samsung phone may soon remind you to call your parents
- Haven't called your parents in a while? Your Galaxy phone …
- Galaxy Phones May Prompt You To Call Your Family
- One UI 8.5's 'Now Brief' wants you to put the phone down and …
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