Samsung Smart Forward Updates to Elevate Functionality, Future-Proofing and Safety of Home Appliances

Over-the-network updates for home appliances will enable multiple new features to enhance and modernise experiences for more users

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the new features that will be provided via Smart Forward, Samsung’s over-the-network updates for home appliances,[1] which will roll out to select devices throughout the second half of this year.[2] These Smart Forward updates — designed to breathe new life into existing appliances through new functionality, future proofing and enhanced safety and energy savings — are the latest step forward in Samsung’s journey to deliver optimal experiences to more users.

“After years of R&D with a relentless focus on the home user experience, we are thrilled to be rolling out more Smart Forward updates to our earlier released appliances around the globe,” said Miyoung Yoo, EVP and Head of the Software Development Team, Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “With the enhanced functionality and improved security provided by Smart Forward, the home experience can truly take a step forward.”

Samsung Digital Appliances connecting to download updates[3]

New Functionalities Alter Kitchen Experiences

The Smart Forward updates introduce an array of new functionalities designed to help enhance the user experience and appliance performance. The Family Hub™, a touch screen panel installed on the 4-Door French Door Refrigerator[4] for food management, entertainment and communication, will now come with Quick Share, Buds Auto Switch [5] and Fridge Call[6], new features that are designed to significantly improve connectivity and usability.[7]

Quick Share makes sharing memories and recipes while in the kitchen easier than ever by allowing users to quickly send photos to the Family Hub™ screen directly from their mobile device[8] with just a few clicks.

Finally, Australians can receive phone calls with Fridge Call directly on the Family Hub™ using its microphone and speaker, eliminating the need to move to a different room to find their phone. This is especially convenient when users’ hands are occupied to cooking, cleaning and dishwashing, making it much easier to multitask while remaining connected. Perhaps best of all, these new features will be available on refrigerator models with Family Hub™ produced from 2017 onward rather than new models only.

Quick Remote,[9] an additional feature in which a user’s mobile phone becomes a remote control for connected Samsung appliances, is being expanded across refrigerators produced since 2023, regardless of whether they include a Family Hub™ screen or not.[10] Other connected appliances include washing machines and air conditioners also produced since 2023.[11] All users need to do is simply move close to a SmartThings-connected appliance,[12] and a remote control menu for the appliance will appear on the quick panel of the Galaxy phone screen being used. This seamless integration ensures that users can control their home environment with ease.

Future-proofing Home Appliances to the Next Level

Apart from making the user experience more seamless, Samsung is also focused on future-proofing existing appliances. The upgraded Bixby[13] will understand commands with multiple intentions and remember the most recent conversation.[14] This advanced functionality transforms the way users interact with their appliances, making voice commands more intuitive and responsive.[15] Samsung is also providing the update to two products launched in Australia in 2024: Bespoke AI Laundry Combo™ and, Bespoke Jet Bot Combo™ AI.

Additionally, Bixby now opens doors for 2024 refrigerators with Family Hub™ upon verbal request, without the need for wake-up commands like “Hi Bixby.” Users can simply say, “Open the refrigerator door.” This functionality offers users an incredible level of convenience and hands-free operation.[16]

Jeremy Senior, Vice President – Consumer Electronics at Samsung Australia said: “Our local research tells us that 98 per-cent of Australians are prioritising good value appliances above all else[17]. For 50 years, Samsung has delivered appliances that are built to last. Now our focus is taking that one step further by helping those quality products do even more for longer. Enabling our smart appliances to recognise how we live and learn to be one step ahead will bring meaningful value to our everyday lives.”

Safer Use and Low Energy Consumption[18]

In terms of safety and energy-savings, Samsung is rolling out updates to older models — including refrigerators made as far back as 2021 — because the importance of safety does not diminish with time.[19]  After an event of a power outage and once resumed with power, refrigerators are designed to detect and notify users via the SmartThings app when internal temperature is high, making users aware of potential issues that could affect the freshness of their stored food.

Additionally, users can now choose different chimes for open door notifications, giving them greater control over their appliance settings. Furthermore, users can maintain a peaceful home environment by putting ice makers in sleep mode, preventing them from working during the night and creating the disruptive sound of ice falling into the tray while users sleep.

Bespoke AI Heat PumpCombo™ will also see an Optimal Scheduling function added. This feature delays the start of the appliance to not have it run during peak energy usage hours or periods of high carbon intensity has been added to Bespoke AI Heat PumpCombo™[20]. Additionally, the 7-inch AI Home on the Bespoke AI Heat Pump Combo™ is designed to automatically switch to power-save mode during wash cycles, further assisting with smart energy savings.[21]

These updates reflect Samsung’s broader strategy of providing value to customers by enhancing the products they already own. By continuously improving the functionality and performance of its appliances, Samsung ensures that users do not have to worry about their devices becoming obsolete. This approach not only helps safeguard customers’ investments but also aligns with the company’s efforts to reduce the need for frequent replacements.

Samsung’s updated home appliances will be showcased at IFA 2024 in Berlin, Germany, from September 6 to 10, where visitors will be able to see and experience each feature.

[1] The following updates will be alerted to the user via SmartThings app push notification when available. On the SmartThings app, users can check the product and features that are ready to be updated and monitor the update progress.

[2]  Updates will be available throughout 2024. Actual update schedule may differ according to product, model type, and region.

[3] Image is created to visually help understand the process of updating appliances through Wi-Fi Connection. Screens on the appliances does not appear as in the image during updates. Products shown as an example only. Colours, features and specifications may vary by region.

[4] This is the global name, and naming may differ by region. For example, 2024 Bespoke refrigerator with the 32-inch Family Hub™ screen is named Bespoke 4-Door Flex™ Refrigerator with AI Family Hub™+ in North America and Bespoke 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub™+ in Latin America.

[5] Quick Share and Buds Auto Switch are available with Galaxy mobile phones only.

[6] Quick Share and Fridge Call will be available in Australia from August 2024. Availability for Buds Auto Switch in Australia is yet to be announced.

[7] Quick Share, Buds Auto Switch, and Fridge Call update are currently available on refrigerators with Family Hub™ in North and South America and will be available sequentially in Europe, East Asia and Southeast Asia throughout 2024. Actual update schedule may differ according to product and region.

[8] The SmartThings app is available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required. Users are required to utilise a single log-in account between the devices

[9] Quick Remote feature is available in Galaxy mobile phones with Android 1.8.21 or above, and the SmartThings app must be installed. A Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account are required. Users are required to utilise a single log-in account between the devices.

[10] Will be available globally on select refrigerators, washing machines and dryers produced since 2023, starting in October and sequentially throughout the rest of 2024. Actual update schedule may differ according to product and region.

[11] Feature will be available on select Freestanding Air Conditioners (FAC), Wall Air Conditioners (WAC) and dehumidifier models produced since 2023 and select Residential Air Conditioner (RAC) models produced in 2024.

[12] Connected Galaxy mobile phone must be within 10 meters of the appliance. Quick Remote may not work properly, if objects come between the mobile phone and the appliance.

[13] Bixby is Samsung’s brand of Internet of Things (IoT) voice assistant. Bixby service availability may vary depending on the country. Bixby recognises certain accents/dialects of English (US, UK, Indian), Chinese, Korean, French, German, Italian, Spanish (Spain, Latin America) and Portuguese (Brazil). The user interface may change and differ by device. The availability of Bixby features and content providers may vary depending on the country/carrier/language/device model/OS version. A Samsung account log-in and data network connection (Wi-Fi or data network) are required.

[14] Multi-Intent and Multi-Turn are supported in the following languages: English (US, UK, India), Korean, Spanish (Latin America, Europe), French, German, Italian and Portuguese (Brazil). Device Q&A is currently available for English (US) and Korean. The following scenario is based on English (US) and may vary depending on user language settings.

[15] In order to control other devices, all devices must be connected to SmartThings under the same Samsung account. Control is limited to connected devices’ original features and voice control activated features may be limited, depending on the type of the product and the model that execute the commands.

[16] Feature is currently available on select refrigerator models with Family Hub™ produced since 2024 in Korea and the U.S. and will be sequentially available in Southeast Asia, Oceania and Europe starting in August. Availability in Australia is yet to be announced.

[17] Australians at Home report the Smart Living Edition, conducted by Nature, June – August 2024. N=1,010

[18] Compared to 2023 Samsung product range.

[19] Update will be available globally on select refrigerator models produced since 2021, starting in October.

[20] Update will be available globally, starting in October. Update will be available for DW7700B dishwashers sold in Europe only, starting in August.

[21] Update will be available on Bespoke AI Laundry Combo™ in 2024 Q4.