As Canadians increasingly look to reduce their household energy consumption without compromising performance, Samsung continues to redefine the modern home through intelligent, connected appliances designed with energy efficiency in mind. From AI-powered features like AI Energy Mode to the SmartThings platform¹, Samsung’s innovations empower consumers to better understand, monitor and optimize their energy use while enjoying the seamless connected experiences that define the Samsung ecosystem. 

“Receiving the ENERGY STAR Appliances Manufacturer of the Year Award for the 8th time is an incredible honour and reinforces Samsung’s long-standing commitment to meaningful innovation,” said Scott Brown, Head of Digital Appliances, Samsung Electronics Canada. “We’re committed to developing intelligent, connected appliances that help Canadians reduce their energy use while enhancing everyday life. This recognition reflects our ongoing focus on delivering innovative technologies that make sustainable living simpler and more accessible.” 

“Congratulations to this year’s ENERGY STAR Award recipient, Samsung Electronics Canada. Through innovation, leadership, and a strong commitment to energy efficiency, organizations like Samsung are helping Canadians reduce energy use, lower energy costs, and support a cleaner economy. Their work delivers practical, energy-efficient solutions that can benefit both consumers and businesses while advancing Canada’s environmental and economic objectives. The federal government’s electrification strategy, Powering Canada Strong: A National Strategy for an Electrified Canadian Economy, highlights the importance of advancing energy efficiency to cut costs and build a more sustainable future. Thanks to their leadership, Samsung is setting an example of how to make a modern and energy-efficient Canada a reality.” – The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature 

This recognition reflects Samsung’s continued investment in delivering intelligent home innovations that provide meaningful benefits for consumers. Across its portfolio of home appliances, Samsung combines premium design, AI-driven experiences, SmartThings connectivity and advanced energy-efficient technologies to help Canadians build smarter, more connected homes while supporting a more sustainable future. 

¹Available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required. 

Samsung Canada, in partnership with Collective Arts, today named the three inaugural grand finale winners of Samsung True North Tunes along with three curator picks, marking a new chapter for a national artist-development program that attracted over 2,000 artist submissions from across the country.

The three winners were recognized as Fan Favourites selected based on votes across social media and the Samsung True North Tunes website. Apart from the grand finale winners, three additional artists who participated in the Samsung True North Tunes contest were selected by the program’s curators based on their Distinctive Sound, Marketability, Collaboration Potential and Growth Potential as they continue their music journey.

Grand Finale Samsung True North Tunes Winners:

• Josh Moore – Vancouver, BC
• Ryan Van Lee – Haliburton, ON
• Angelique Dancel – Toronto, ON

Curator Picks:

• YASSiN & Sean Terrio – Toronto, ON
• Kaiya Gamble – Calgary, AB
• Hibana – Montreal, QC

Turning Discovery into Real Career Opportunities

For the three grand finale winners and the curator picks, being selected is not the end of the journey, it unlocks the next stage. Samsung True North Tunes is designed to turn national discovery into real career opportunities by connecting emerging artists with the industry relationships, live stages, creative experiences and audiences that can help them build momentum beyond the program.

Each grand finale winner will receive individualized support based on where they are in their career, including:

• Custom Collective Arts Collaboration: A limited-edition Collective Arts craft beverage featuring original artwork created in collaboration with each artist and renowned artist Tiffany Chin for being a go-to gig poster artist in the industry.  Approx 100,000 artist-branded cans will go to market.
• Analogue Studio Recording & Video Session: A 25–minute live performance recorded straight to tape on mid-’70s analogue equipment at Lacquer Channel Mastering with a master engineer.
• 1-on-1 Executive Mentorship: Tailored multi-session mentorship matching each winner with established Canadian music veterans across A&R, management, radio, publishing, and festival curation. Participating industry partners include Craig Northey, Shannon Burns, Imani Walker, Adam Bentley, Cristina Fernandes, Kyle Fisher, Jen Cymek, Brendan McCarney, Patrick Bateman, and Aubrey Winfield
• Live Performance Pathways: Direct opportunities to perform on stages across Canada through Collective Arts venues and partner showcase networks, including the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
• Samsung Tech & National Reach:  The three grand finale winners will receive a Samsung 65″ The Frame TV and Sound Tower Outdoor Speaker, alongside paid media amplification, a custom vinyl and a True North Tunes trophy

*Curated Picks will receive: studio recording time, executive mentorship, and their own Collective Arts custom beer cans.

“The depth of talent and passion we’ve seen throughout Samsung True North Tunes is inspiring,” said Tafari Jilany, Head of Corporate Marketing, Samsung Canada. “Our three grand finale winners and curator picks represent the next wave of Canadian music. Through Samsung technology and a national platform, we are proud to give these artists the exposure and tools they need to reach new audiences and take their careers to the next level.”

“Building a career as an emerging artist today is about much more than just making good music, it’s about finding your circle and navigating a complex industry,” said Toni Shelton VP Brand & Strategy at Collective Arts. “Samsung True North Tunes serves as a bridge between talented musicians and the broader ecosystem around them. By putting these artists on stages, introducing them to key industry networks, and pairing them with experienced mentors, we’re creating a conduit for meaningful relationships that will continue to support them long after the program wraps.”

The Next Stage for the Three Grand Finale Winners and Curator Picks

To celebrate the winners, Samsung Canada and Collective Arts will host an exclusive showcase on November 21, 2026, at the Collective Arts venue in Toronto.

The evening will feature live performances, the official unveiling of their custom-designed Collective Arts beverage cans, and an industry mixer bringing together mentors and music partners.

Building on its inaugural year, Samsung True North Tunes is expected to return in 2027, continuing to create opportunities for emerging Canadian artists to connect with new audiences, industry relationships and experiences that can help move their careers forward.

Canadians can meet the three grand finale winners and curator picks, discover their music and follow what comes next in their True North Tunes journey at: truenorthtunesmusic.ca.

About Collective Arts

Collective Arts is a lifestyle beverage company founded on the belief that creativity should be part of everyday life. Since 2013, the brand has supported and featured thousands of artists and musicians from around the world, using its platform to bring art, music, and culture into everything it creates.

These experiences are reflected across Samsung True North Tunes, a national music discovery program created to support emerging Canadian talent and help artists introduce their music and stories to new audiences nationwide. By bringing artists from communities across the country onto one national platform, the program creates another pathway for discovery, helping emerging talent build on the momentum they have already created and connect with listeners beyond their existing networks.

Responses from the program’s Top 20 artists offer a closer look at how emerging musicians are navigating these realities and building their careers today:

Building Careers from the Ground Up

For many emerging musicians, independence extends well beyond how their music gets released.

Across the Top 20 responses, artists described building their careers largely through their own initiative, creating opportunities to perform, connect with audiences and grow their presence within the industry. Their experiences show how emerging artists are taking an increasingly active role in shaping their own paths and building momentum on their own terms.

Navigating Multiple Paths to Music

The linear path into the music industry is officially a thing of the past. The Top 20 artists reflect a wide range of journeys into music, with some building their careers over time and others pursuing music as a new chapter after taking a different professional path.

These varied journeys demonstrate that there is no single path to progress in music and that sustained momentum relies on persistence, adaptability and the drive to build an audience step by step.

The Continued Importance of Community

Even as artists take greater ownership of their individual careers, community remains an important part of how they build momentum.

Local music scenes, collaborators, creative networks, and grassroots fans continue to provide essential foundations for emerging talent. These connections can create early performance opportunities, encourage collaboration and help artists establish audiences within their communities.

From major urban centers to smaller communities across the country, those local networks can provide the foundation artists need before reaching audiences on a broader stage.

From Local Momentum to Real Career Opportunities

Samsung True North Tunes builds on local artist momentum by bringing emerging artists from communities across Canada together on a national platform and connecting them with the audiences, industry relationships and opportunities that can help move their careers forward.

Through the program, Canadians can discover new tracks, learn about the creative journeys behind the music, and play an active role in supporting the next generation of talent as artists move through the competition.

For artists, that visibility is a starting point. True North Tunes is designed to help turn discovery into tangible opportunities to perform more live shows, learn from industry professionals, build new relationships and reach audiences beyond their existing communities.

 What Comes Next for the Top 3

With the Top 3 set to be revealed on October 2, True North Tunes is entering its next phase and for the selected artists, the opportunities are just beginning.

The Top 3 will gain access to one-on-one mentorship with Canadian music industry professionals, professional studio time and additional live performance opportunities. They will also be featured through a national campaign and take part in creative experiences designed to help them build their networks, reach new audiences and take the next steps in their careers.

Follow True North Tunes to meet the Top 3 on October 2 and follow what comes next in their journey.

New research from Samsung Canada reveals a growing productivity paradox, with technology amplifying both capability and complexity in everyday life.

Three-quarters (75%) of Canadians say technology helps them get things done faster, yet 68% say it also gives them more to manage, according to a new survey of 1,547 adults. The tension even extends to Gen Z, as more than half say manual steps and app switching stand in the way of getting things done.

The data points to a clear expectation from Canadians: Technology should not only help them accomplish their goals, but also simplify the steps along the way. More than half (57%) agree that the more digital tools they use, the more they have to manage.

“Technology has delivered enormous gains in what people can accomplish, but these findings show that more capability doesn’t automatically mean less effort,” said Tarik Akad, Vice President of the Mobile Experience Division, Samsung Canada. “The industry’s challenge now is not simply adding more intelligent features. It is making that intelligence almost invisible, working in the background to surface what matters, remove unnecessary steps and make everything else feel simpler.”

Digital Friction Creates Extra Work

For many Canadians, extra work shows up in routine digital tasks at least a few times a week:

• Messages and notifications: 77% say managing messages and notifications creates unnecessary effort or slows them down
• Searching for information: 70% say searching for information they know they’ve already received or seen creates unnecessary effort or slows them down
• Competing demands: 66% say keeping track of multiple tasks or conversations at once creates unnecessary effort or slows them down.
• Switching between apps: 62% say moving between apps or digital services creates unnecessary effort or slows them down

The effects extend beyond time lost. At least a few times per week, 59% of Canadians say they feel mentally drained or overwhelmed when technology, information or competing priorities make it harder to get things done, while 57% spend more time deciding what to do next than actually doing it. And nearly half (46%) agree they often end the day feeling busy without feeling as productive as expected.

The findings reveal an opportunity for mobile experiences to reduce some of those everyday challenges. Samsung Galaxy devices bring AI-powered features into the moments people need them, with tools like Now Brief[1] and Now Nudge[2] helping users stay on top of relevant information and trim their to-do lists in fewer steps.

Gen Z Is Ready For AI To Do More

Even for Gen Z, growing up with technology hasn’t eliminated digital friction. More than half of Gen Z (58%) agree to spending too much time on manual steps just to make technology work, while 51% say switching between apps or digital services creates unnecessary effort or slows them down at least daily. More than half (53%) feel mentally drained or overwhelmed at least daily when technology, information or competing priorities get in the way.

At the same time, Gen Z is highly receptive to AI that works harder for them: 83% selected at least one AI feature as potentially valuable for helping them get things done with less effort.

Canadians Want AI To Tackle Busywork

Two-thirds of Canadians (66%) selected at least one AI feature as being potentially valuable for helping them get things done with less effort. They see value in simplifying information, automating repetitive tasks, supporting decision making and bringing information together across apps and services.

The same desire for simplicity extends to everyday mobile experiences. Reducing the number of steps needed to complete a task was the most frequently selected improvement (38%), followed by bringing relevant information together rather than searching across apps (30%).

Other priorities included completing more tasks without switching devices (29%), moving between tasks without losing their place (29%), reducing distractions (25%) and viewing multiple pieces of information at once (23%).

###

Survey Methodology:

The Productivity Gap survey was conducted on behalf of Samsung Electronics Canada using the Leger Opinion panel platform with 1,547 Canadian adults aged 18+. The study was conducted between August 31 and September 2, 2026, and was conducted in English and French. Results were weighted by age, gender and region to match the population according to Census data. For comparison purposes, a probability-based sample of 1,500 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

[1] Now Brief feature requires Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language, device model, apps. Some features may require a network connection. Modes and Routines need to be enabled to use Personal Data Engine for context-based Routines suggestions. User needs to consent to access permissions such as photos, videos, audio files, and calendar events. May not display moments depending upon exposure policy. The description of photos provided by moments may not align with the user’s intent. Events schedule notification is supported with calendar apps that utilize Android calendar database and available if Samsung Calendar is installed. Notifications for coupons only available for coupons added to Samsung Wallet with expiration date. To check the Energy Score, the health data tracked from Samsung Galaxy Watch or Samsung Galaxy Ring must be synchronized with the Samsung Health App. The result is for your personal reference only and is not intended for medical purposes.

[2] Now Nudge feature requires a Samsung Account login. Available functions and features may vary by country, region and language. Text message prompts available with certain third-party messaging apps including Google Messages and Google Chat. Split view supported apps may vary. Share photos in Now Nudge works by analyzing available image content. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

This October, in recognition of Small Business Month in Canada, Samsung Canada is inviting local small business owners, entrepreneurs and freelancers to a series of complimentary learning and networking events at Samsung Experience Stores across the country.

Taking place October 19–22, these free, one-hour morning events will bring local business communities together over breakfast to connect with one another and explore practical ways AI and technology can help save time, simplify everyday tasks and support the way they work.

“Small Business Month is an opportunity to celebrate the entrepreneurs and small business owners who contribute so much to communities across Canada, but it’s also an opportunity to support them,” said Krista Collinson, Head of Direct-to-Consumer Division, Samsung Electronics Canada. “We look forward to welcoming them into our stores to connect, share ideas and discover practical ways technology can help make running a business a little easier.”

Practical Ideas Small Businesses Can Put to Work

Rather than simply hearing about the latest technology, attendees will have the opportunity to try it for themselves through interactive learning experiences focused on real-world business needs.

Sessions and demonstrations will explore topics including:

– Putting Galaxy AI to work for your small business

– Exploring productivity tools and features on Samsung devices

– Building a more connected workspace

– Helping keep your business secure

Attendees will be able to explore these topics through a hands-on Samsung Business Passport experience, visiting different learning stations throughout the store and speaking directly with Samsung store associates about their individual business needs.

The demonstrations will feature Samsung business technology including Galaxy AI, Galaxy S Series and Galaxy Z Fold devices, Galaxy Book6, Galaxy tablets and rugged devices. Participants will learn about connected productivity features, Privacy Display and Samsung Knox security solutions.

Connect with Your Local Small Business Community

These exclusive events all begin at 9:00 a.m. local time (one hour before store opening) with complimentary breakfast and refreshments and an opportunity to meet and network with other local business owners and entrepreneurs before taking part in the day’s learning experiences.

The following Samsung Experience Stores will be hosting their events on:

October 19

– Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto

October 20

– Carrefour Laval, Laval

– CF Market Mall, Calgary

– Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby

– Montreal Eaton Centre, Montreal

– Richmond Centre, Richmond

– Sherway Gardens, Toronto

October 21

– Square One, Mississauga

October 22

– Scarborough Town Centre, Toronto

To register for a Small Business Month event at a participating Samsung Experience Store, click here.

Supporting Small Businesses Beyond Small Business Month

The learning doesn’t have to end when the event does. Samsung Experience Stores offer business customers an opportunity to speak with in-store specialists, explore technology firsthand and learn more about solutions that can support their individual business needs.

Whether it’s finding ways to save time with AI, creating a more connected workspace, staying productive on the go or helping protect business devices, Samsung store associates can help entrepreneurs explore technology that works for the way they do business.

Please visit, Samsung Canada Business solutions for more information.

While the two features offer different camera experiences, both draw on expertise spanning foundational technology research, feature development, and user experience design.

As part of “The People Behind the Galaxy Z Fold8 Series’ Camera Innovations,” Samsung Newsroom sat down with experts from Samsung Research and the Mobile eXperience (MX) Business to discuss the technical challenges and collaboration behind the two features.

Since the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold8 series, one feature has been generating buzz among K-pop fans as a must-have — My FanCam.[1] Users simply select a person in a video, and My FanCam automatically tracks their movements throughout.

The feature makes it easy to put someone in the spotlight, from a favourite artist in concert footage to family and friends in everyday moments.

▲ (From left) Sherry Hong, Sunghwan Kim, and Hwangpil Park

Behind this experience is Samsung Research’s AI technology for reliably tracking people in video, integrated into a mobile feature through close collaboration with the MX Business. Samsung Newsroom spoke with Hwangpil Park of the Visual Technology Team at Samsung Research as well as Sunghwan Kim and Sherry Hong of the Multimedia Development Group at the MX Business about My FanCam.

A User-Centered Approach

Q: What inspired My FanCam?

Hong: We started by asking how we could make it easier for users to create videos focused on the people they want to see. As shooting, editing, and sharing content on smartphones have become commonplace, fan cams of favourite artists have gained popularity on social media. In response to this trend, we envisioned My FanCam — a feature that lets anyone create a video centered on a person of their choice with just a few taps — and worked with Samsung Research to bring the idea to life

The Technology Behind Reliable Tracking

Q: What technology enables My FanCam to continuously track someone in a video?

Park: The key to My FanCam’s ability to follow a selected person even in complex scenes is an AI model that precisely recognizes individuals. The model identifies and remembers each person’s location and visual characteristics, allowing it to recognize the same person throughout the video and continue tracking them.

▲ My FanCam’s process

Q: What was the main focus for the user experience?

Kim: We focused on reducing wait times while editing. Users may want to switch between people in group videos, but reanalyzing the video each time would mean waiting again. We designed My FanCam to analyze multiple people at once, letting users switch between subjects and instantly see the results once the initial analysis is complete.

We also simplified the editing process. Users can easily adjust the aspect ratio to fit the scene and create a video that suits their needs.

▲ My FanCam’s aspect ratio adjustment feature

Q: How did the two teams collaborate to turn the technology into a Galaxy feature?

Hong: It was crucial not only to identify the issues, but also to find a solution for the said issues; validating that the results were key to our process. The more the concept was solidified, the more full-fledged the development process became. In order to keep up with the development progress, weekly meetings turned into daily meetings and in those daily meetings, we made sure to track progress every morning.

Testing a large range of scenarios is important before rolling out new features. To help the development team test a wide range of scenarios, multiple team members helped with the process. Some brought in old videos from their college days, such as dance club videos. Others would bring a phone and film new footage, such as climbing hobbies.

▲ Hong shows a personal video used for testing.

Park: Technology that worked well in a research environment sometimes performed differently with real-world footage due to variables such as fast movement and people overlapping in the frame. When the MX Business team shared these cases, Samsung Research analyzed the causes and refined the AI model and tracking methods. We then validated the changes in the product environment, repeating the process to improve the feature.

▲ Park discusses the development of My FanCam.

Q: What was the biggest challenge in bringing My FanCam to mobile devices?

Kim: The key challenge was processing AI workloads entirely on-device without a separate server. Longer videos require more computation, so we had to consider processing speed, power consumption, and heat generation. Samsung Research optimized the AI model to achieve the required results with less computation, while the MX Business team streamlined the entire process — from video decoding to data transfer and analysis — reducing computational load with minimal impact on performance.

▲ Kim explains how My FanCam was optimized for on-device performance.

Park: We also had to account for situations that can make it difficult to select a person in videos. At school performances or sports days, for example, the person that users want to focus on may not appear until midway through the video or may be obscured by others. We therefore designed My FanCam so users can find a moment when their subject is clearly visible and select them at any point in the video.

From Favourite Artists to Everyday Moments

Q: Any tips for getting the most out of My FanCam?

Kim: When filming, I recommend using a high-resolution setting and framing the shot a little wider to leave space around the person. When selecting a subject, choose a frame where they don’t overlap too much with others and their face, upper body, or full body is clearly visible.

My FanCam also works with existing footage, such as videos of past concerts, trips, or children’s activities. Because users don’t need to follow a particular person while filming, they can focus more on the moment itself.

For example, users can set up a tripod to film a workout, then use My FanCam to create a video centered on themselves without someone else behind the camera.

▲ My FanCam in different scenarios

Q: How do you hope users will use My FanCam?

Park: Since My FanCam works with videos not shot on a Galaxy device, I hope people will try it with a wide range of footage. It can offer a fresh perspective on old videos, helping users revisit meaningful moments by focusing on someone special.

Hong: Some may think that being a fan is only about liking an idol or celebrity. But to me, it simply means caring deeply about someone or something — whether that’s an artist, family member, friend, or even yourself. I’d like to see people use My FanCam to capture the people and moments that matter to them.

▲ Developers discuss how collaboration made My FanCam possible.

What began as an idea focused on user convenience has evolved into My FanCam, a new video experience combining AI, mobile optimization, and close teamwork. From concerts to everyday life, My FanCam makes it easier to capture and edit videos of moments worth remembering.

In part two of this series, Samsung Newsroom will explore how the large-aperture camera lens emulation technology brings the expressive qualities of professional lenses to mobile devices and the collaboration behind its development.

[1] My FanCam feature requires a Samsung Account login. Availability may vary by video. Not supported if there is no subject to track. Samsung does not make any promises, assurances or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the output provided by AI features. Galaxy AI basic features provided by Samsung are free. Future releases may include enhanced features or new services that are offered on a paid basis. Different terms may apply for AI features provided by third parties. Galaxy AI basic features are those services listed under “Advanced intelligence” in the current Samsung Services Terms and Conditions.

Samsung Canada has been named an IDC CIO Awards Canada 2026 winner in recognition of its work advancing AI-enabled customer service experiences. The award recognizes Canadian organizations and teams using technology in innovative ways to deliver measurable business value and advance digital transformation.

This year’s recognition highlights Samsung Canada’s use of IT to create a competitive advantage, streamline operations, accelerate growth, and strengthen customer relationships. By equipping frontline teams with real-time insights and reducing routine administrative tasks, Samsung Canada aims to help its agents spend more time addressing customer needs and delivering meaningful support. 

Key highlights of Samsung Canada’s AI-enabled customer service approach include: 

• Simpler, More Efficient Support: AI-powered routing, callback automation and digital support help reduce friction and connect customers with the right resources more quickly. 

• More Personalized Customer Care: Real-time AI recommendations and sentiment insights help agents better understand customer needs and provide more relevant, responsive support. 

• A More Connected Service Experience: Automated case summarization and SmartThings-enabled Home Remote Management help create greater continuity across customer interactions while enabling more proactive support. 

These capabilities have also contributed to measurable improvements in contact centre efficiency and digital adoption, while supporting Samsung Canada’s continued focus on delivering a strong customer experience. 

“Innovation at Samsung Canada is focused on using technology in ways that make the customer experience simpler, faster and more intuitive,” said Frank Martino, Vice President, Corporate Services, Samsung Canada. “By using AI to help our teams better understand and respond to customer needs, we’re enhancing the support experience today while building a strong foundation for the next generation of AI-enabled customer service.” 

Samsung Canada continues to explore how AI can enable more proactive and convenient customer support, including helping customers with repair setup, service-status updates and warranty information. 

This recognition underscores Samsung Canada’s continued focus on translating emerging technologies into practical business value, operational efficiency and stronger customer experiences. 

Looking ahead, Samsung Canada will continue advancing its AI-enabled customer service capabilities and exploring new ways to make support more connected, proactive and responsive to customers’ needs. 

Samsung Canada today named the Top 20 artists advancing in Samsung True North Tunes, narrowing a field of more than 2,000 submissions in its national search for emerging Canadian musicians ready to reach new audiences and build career momentum.

Selected by public vote from a 100-artist longlist, the Top 20 span genres, backgrounds, and communities from across Canada. The announcement marks the next stage of a program that will identify the Top 3 winners that will be announced on October 1.

For reaching this level, the Top 20 will participate in and receive:

• Live Shows (at Collective Arts or partner venues across Canada)
• Artists Workshops (Sessions with experts in the Canadian music industry)
• Exclusive Samsung True North Tunes Top 20 merchandise
• Samsung Tech

The Top 20 reflect the breadth of emerging talent across Canada, bringing together a dynamic mix of musical styles, genres and creative perspectives. Advancing to the next stage of Samsung True North Tunes are:

“The Top 20 reflect the originality and range of music being created across Canada today,” said Tafari Jilany, Head of Corporate Marketing, Samsung Canada. “The response from artists and fans across the country has been incredible. Thousands of Canadians have already helped shape this program through their votes, and we are excited to give them another opportunity to champion the artists they want to see advance.”

Created by Samsung Canada in partnership with Collective Arts and Complex Canada, True North Tunes is designed to help Canadian artists break through the noise with national exposure, mentorship, studio recording time, live performance opportunities, exclusive experiences, and Samsung technology – connecting them with new audiences and helping build momentum for what comes next. While the program will ultimately recognize a final group of artists, its broader goal is to encourage Canadians to discover and support emerging music throughout every stage of the journey. New to the program is the Canadian Elite Basketball League who have partnered with Samsung True North Tunes to further amplify our purpose and to elevate Canadian talent.

Canadians can explore the Top 20 artists and vote for their favourites at: truenorthtunesmusic.ca.

Launched earlier this year in partnership with Collective Arts and Complex, True North Tunes was created to give emerging Canadian musicians a platform to share their original music, reach new audiences, and connect with fans across the country.

The Top 100 artists represent a diverse range of genres, backgrounds, and creative styles, reflecting the depth of musical talent emerging across Canada. Each artist was selected following a review process focused on originality, creative expression, and artistic potential.

“At Samsung, we believe technology can help unlock creativity and bring people closer to the music, artists, and stories that inspire them,” said Tafari Jilany, Head of Corporate Marketing, Samsung Canada. “The True North Tunes longlist is an exciting reflection of the talent and creativity shaping Canada’s music scene, and we’re proud to help give these emerging artists a platform to be discovered by more listeners.”

The announcement of the Top 100 marks the next phase of the program, as Canadians will have the opportunity to discover the longlisted artists and participate in the public voting process (on truenorthtunesmusic.ca or @truenorthtunes.music on Instagram) to help determine the shortlist, which will be announced on July 10.

Through True North Tunes, the top 100 selected artists will gain national exposure through featured placement on the True North Tunes platform, alongside curated playlist inclusion and promotional support and mentorship to help grow their audience. From there, they will have a chance to unlock live performance opportunities at Collective Arts spaces across Canada and in-depth mentorship. The program will continue to build momentum throughout the summer, culminating in the announcement of the Top 3 artists on October 1.

“Canada is home to an incredible depth of creative talent, and programs like True North Tunes help create more space for emerging artists to be seen, heard, and supported,” said Toni Shelton, VP of Brand and Strategy at Collective Arts. “At Collective Arts, supporting Canadian artists is central to who we are, and we’re proud to help provide a platform that celebrates originality and helps new voices reach wider audiences.”

“At Complex, we’re always looking for the people and movements shaping what’s next in culture,” said Natalie Milne, SVP of Content and Operations at Complex Canada and Ideon Media. “The True North Tunes Top 100 shines a spotlight on the artists pushing Canadian music forward, and we’re proud to help introduce more fans to the talent that’s defining the future of music in Canada.”  

Canadians can explore the full True North Tunes longlist and vote for their favorite artists at https://truenorthtunesmusic.ca/

Program timeline:

• July 10: Top 100 artists announced
• August 12: Top 20 artists announced following public voting
• October 1: Top 3 artists announced following public voting

As the volume of data required for AI training and inference continues to grow rapidly, enterprise SSDs (eSSDs) capable of delivering data quickly and reliably are becoming increasingly essential to AI infrastructure.

Featuring high-speed data transfer and an optimized controller architecture, PM1763 is expected to serve as a key storage solution for high-performance AI platforms.

“Built on industry-leading performance, PM1763 has successfully completed validation for next-generation AI platforms and is well positioned to support evolving AI infrastructure requirements,” said Jangseok Choi, Vice President and Head of Memory Product Planning at Samsung Electronics. “As AI models continue to grow in size and complexity, PM1763 will serve as a key solution that enables customers to efficiently scale memory capacity and optimize AI operations.”

Incorporating Samsung’s 9th-generation V-NAND and a newly developed 4-nanometer (nm) controller, PM1763 significantly improves both performance and power efficiency.

PM1763 is available in 4-terabyte (TB), 8TB and 16TB capacities, with the 16TB configuration delivering industry-leading performance with sequential read and write speeds of up to 28,400 megabytes-per-second (MB/s) and 21,900MB/s, respectively—more than 2 times the performance of its predecessor, PM1753.

This level of performance allows the transfer of a 40-gigabyte (GB) large language model (LLM) in approximately 1.4 seconds, helping minimize data latency between processors and accelerators while improving overall AI processing efficiency.

PM1763 is optimized for liquid-cooled server environments through direct-to-chip (D2C) cooling technology. This enables sustained peak performance even under intensive workloads and extended operating conditions.

Power efficiency is also improved by more than 1.8 times compared to its predecessor, helping reduce overall datacenter operating costs.

To address growing security requirements in AI, Samsung has also strengthened PM1763’s security capabilities. The drive supports post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms designed to protect against future quantum computing threats, as well as TEE Device Interface Security Protocol (TDISP)[1], which helps secure data pathways in virtualized environments.

[1] Trusted execution environments (TEEs) are secure areas of a processor used to isolated sensitive workloads.