Starting today, Galaxy Watch4 users will also be able to download Google Assistant² on their devices, gaining access to fast, more natural voice interactions, quick answers to questions and on-the-go help. With access to both Bixby and Google Assistant, consumers will have more advanced voice assistant functionality right from their wrists.

​¹ Availability of the services may vary by market.

² Google Assistant will be available in 10 markets, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, The UK and USA. It will, also, support 12 languages, which include Danish, English (American, Canadian, United Kingdom, Australian, Irish), Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French (Canadian, France) and Taiwanese.

Just one year ago at Google I/O, I had the privilege to be a part of the announcement of the new unified platform of Wear OS, bringing the best of Google together with Samsung Electronics’ wearable software and hardware expertise. This was the cumulation of the long-standing partnership between Samsung and Google.

The release of Wear OS Powered by Samsung on the Galaxy Watch4 series was a momentous step for both companies and one that could only be accomplished through a truly collaborative partnership driven by our shared goals. When we merged our very own Tizen-based software platform with Google’s operating system, we knew that we could bring immense improvements to the overall user experience via Wear OS. It was – and still is – enabling various features like the Watch Face Studio, which helps both users and designers easily and intuitively create their own watch faces.

We’re bringing the best of our partnership forward, and together, we’re striving to create innovative experiences for Samsung Galaxy users. As such, Wear OS truly exemplifies the value of our collaboration. In fact, I think we can officially call Wear OS an undeniable success, as there are now more than three times as many active Wear OS devices as there were last year. We see this growth in our wearables as just the beginning of even greater things to come.

A Unified Platform, Centered on You

As a leader in the wearables market, Samsung understands the importance of unifying its wearables user experience with the wider Android community. As we develop these experiences, we listen to our users to make the improvements and upgrades that will support their day-to-day lives. The creation of Wear OS allowed Android developers to easily port code from their smartphone applications to create Wear OS apps. When Galaxy users download the Wear OS-compatible app from the Google Play Store, they can choose to automatically install the same app on their Galaxy Watch as well.

Samsung Galaxy users were the first to receive the latest features and benefits of the partnership and platform, culminating in our most significant wearable release to date – the Galaxy Watch4 series. It’s our job to make sure our customers not only enjoy the Galaxy experience but also feel empowered to make the changes that improve their health and overall wellness. Health Connect, announced today, is the result of our ongoing effort to deliver holistic health solutions for our users.

Expanding the Android Ecosystem

As we celebrate one year of collaboration and success, we’re opening up the ecosystem even further by bringing new experiences and benefits to Galaxy Watch4 users. This summer, I’m excited to share that Galaxy Watch4 users will be able to download Google Assistant to their device, featuring faster and more natural voice interactions, enabling quick answers and on-the-go help.

We’re bringing enhanced functionality to our third-party partners, too. Soon, our users can control Spotify with Google Assistant and change songs on the fly using only their voice. But we’re not stopping there. Later this year, even more of Google apps and services will be optimized for Galaxy Watches, once again delivering the most comprehensive and seamless wearable device experience with Android smartphones.

We’ve just scratched the surface of the potential of our partnership with Google and what’s to come for our users. Galaxy Watch series devices are already loved by Android smartphone users thanks to our signature designs, rich watch-face ecosystem, and holistic health platform. I can’t wait to show you the next wave of innovations and ecosystem enhancements we’ve been working on for the series. Stay tuned for even more exciting news!

Samsung Electronics Australia has today expanded its lifestyle television offering with the launch of the Serif TV, a new category of Samsung TV that delivers a completely new format in design, functionality, and aesthetic for Australian homes.

Designed to create a focal point in the décor of the home, the Serif TV was developed through a collaboration with two of the world’s most esteemed industrial designers, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. The Paris-based Bouroullec brothers specialise in creating furniture through their approach to industrial design.

The iconic “I” shape profile of the Serif beautifully integrates into your personal style and interior décor. And, with its seamless and harmonious design you now have the freedom to place your TV anywhere in a living space either using the metal stand (included with the product) or placed on a counter or traditional TV stand.

“Serif TV is a completely new way for Australians to think about how televisions can play a role in the décor of the home as it combines brilliance in industrial design, the latest in Samsung QLED panel technology, and a format that delivers a harmonious integration with its surrounds,” said Hass Mahdi, Director for Audio Visual, Samsung Electronics Australia. “The Serif extends Samsung’s evolving lifestyle TV range and builds on the success of The Frame, as well as our wider QLED 4K and 8K TV ranges.” 

QLED Picture Quality

In addition to its harmonious design, the Serif harnesses Samsung’s advanced QLED technology to offer stunning picture quality, delivering remarkable colour with incredible brightness and vibrancy. The inclusion of support for HDR10+ video formats optimises the contrast of each scene, ensuring the viewer can see the clearest and crispest details in a range of natural and artificial lighting conditions. 

Ambient Mode

The Serif panel also offers an update to Samsung’s iconic Ambient Mode function which transforms the TV panel when switched off from normal viewing mode.* Ambient Mode on the Serif offers two exclusive Bouroullec created designs (Fabric and Leaf) which are available in five different colours (blue/black, white, salmon, olive, and light blue).

With Serif TV’s latest Ambient Mode features, customers can analyse the colour and pattern of its surroundings to display complementary imagery and themes. Customers can also choose to display a range of images from six categories or simply show the time or the latest weather updates.

*Ambient Mode performance may vary depending on where the TV is installed including wall designs, patterns or colours.

Samsung Smart TV

While offering the benefits and user functionality that is synonymous with Samsung’s Smart TV Hub, Serif TV introduces the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) which enables users to play music from their compatible smartphone by placing their device on the TV.* By simply resting their compatible Android smartphone on the right of the Serif’s top panel to connect, users can begin streaming their favourite tunes to the Serif’s powerful 40W 4ch speakers.

Offering Bixby, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Airplay 2 functionality, the Serif also enables Australians to control their SmartThings-enabled devices directly from its screen, which acts as a control centre to manage smart appliances and security functions in the home.**

The Samsung Serif comes in an immaculate white finish and two sizes – 55-inches and 43-inches.

*This feature works with all Android devices that support Near Field Communication (NFC) wireless information sharing. Connects using Bluetooth v5.0.

**SmartThings is compatible with selected devices. Please see samsung.com/au/SmartThings/.

Pricing and availability

The Samsung Serif is available today from the Samsung website and select Harvey Norman and Good Guys locations for the following recommended retail prices.

• Samsung Serif 55-inches – $2,399
• Samsung Serif 43-inches – $1,599

Discover more about the Samsung Serif here: https://www.samsung.com/au/theserif/