Samsung Unlocks Intuitive, Personalized and Secure Experiences for Developers at SDC23

Samsung’s annual Developer Conference (SDC) highlighted the latest multi-device experiences and services enabled by cross-platform and a truly connected ecosystem

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. held its annual Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) today at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Now in its ninth conference, the developer and partner event focused on Samsung’s commitment to innovation while highlighting its platforms including Bixby, Samsung Knox, SmartThings and Tizen for developers.

During the keynote, Samsung introduced new ways to create connected experiences through its multi-device ecosystem, which has been particularly enhanced by new SmartThings connectivity features and an updated Samsung Knox Matrix. The event also spotlighted One UI 6, the latest version of its mobile user interface, featuring an array of personalized styles and new features for an all-around smartphone experience.

“Over 500 million Samsung products are sold every year, and the number of people using Samsung accounts exceeds 600 million. To us, this is both a huge achievement and a profound responsibility,” said Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung’s technologies connect countless people, products and services. I believe that if you — our developers and partners — join this journey of innovation, we can create greater opportunities and a brighter future together.”

CEO JH Han also emphasized that sustainability and security a focus for Samsung’s latest updates, as both values are important for innovating responsibly in a new age of hyperconnectivity.

Smart Homes More Connected Than Ever 

Samsung’s vision of the connected home is deeply rooted in SmartThings and open innovation. Since applying the Matter standard last year, the total number of SmartThings users who have connected compatible products and services has increased to over 290 million. Now, the SmartThings Home API[1] makes it easier than ever for developers to create SmartThings-based apps, and the SmartThings Context API provides new ways to leverage AI and sensing technology for better user experiences.

Samsung is incorporatingSmartThings Hub functionality into its existing and new products, including Samsung Sound Bars and Smart TVs, so users can quickly and easily start their smart home products from their connected devices. This Multi-Hub Network also means when it’s time to replace or add a device, there is a powerful network of others ready to keep the smart home continue. These experiences are enhanced further with Samsung’s work with Aqara, who joined Samsung onstage to share how its Internet of Things (IoT) sensors work with SmartThings to create more intuitive and accessible smart homes.

Samsung also announced the second-generation SmartTag2 at SDC. With battery life lasting up to 700 days[1], an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, and a streamlined and smaller design, the SmartTag2 can follow lost items even where they are underground with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity.

Bixby is advancing its capabilities with SmartThings as well. This year, Samsung announced more intuitive command control for multi-device environments. Now, even if multiple devices are connected in the same space, Bixby works to  recognize which device is best suited to each command. In the future, Bixby will is aiming to evolve to provide personalized experiences with simple commands by recognizing users’ languages and optimizing their commands.

As a growing number of connected devices come together to build these new experiences, security and privacy are key concerns. Last year, Samsung introduced Knox Matrix, Samsung’s blockchain-based security system through which devices connected in an ecosystem are protected.  This year, Samsung is updating Knox Matrix’s key features including Credential Sync and Trust Chain. Samsung is also bringing Knox Vault to more devices including Samsung Neo QLED 8K TVs in 2023 and select Galaxy A series smartphones that launch with One UI 6 or later in 2024. Engineered for an age of hyperconnectivity, these advancements aim to enable greater convenience and choice for users, empowering them with added secured ways to do what they love.

Tizen OS: Maximizing Developer Opportunities 

Over the past decade, Tizen has powered digital screens including TVs, home appliances, monitors and signs. This year, Samsung announced that Tizen is coming to even more Samsung devices including home appliances with a 7-inch screen. while also boosting experiences with on-device AI and the Home AI Edge Hub. With Home AI Edge technology, appliances with lower computing power can request AI services to the devices in the house with strong computing resource such as CPUs and NPUs.

Tizen is also powering Samsung’s immersive gaming experiences, including the Samsung Gaming Hub which now supports 3,000 games on the cloud platform — a 300% increase since it was launched last year. And, with HDR10+ GAMING and Samsung’s IRIS tool for graphics developers, there’s never been a better time to explore the virtual worlds of gaming on Tizen.

Tizen is also offering increased support for the rising open-source semiconductor architecture RISC-V and the programming language RUST, alongside new features like the Remote Test Lab to test apps and experiences on Samsung TV devices in the cloud.

One UI 6: Enabling Your Galaxy, Your Way

The new One UI 6 offers more ways to make your smartphone experience easier to navigate, simpler to manage and a little more you. It includes a revamped Quick panel with a refreshed, intuitive look and feel with settings grouped together for easier use. With One UI 6 a new exclusive typeface has also been introduced: One UI Sans, to improve readability on digital screens. For photos, One UI 6 analyzes the photo you are viewing and suggests the most relevant AI editing tools all within one easy to access tool. And with Samsung Studio, you can make multi-layered edits to your video like adding text, stickers, and music exactly where and when you want within the video.

With its ability to provide a personalized and intuitive user experience alongside streamlined capabilities, One UI 6 truly lets users get more out of their smartphones than ever before.

All products and feature updates will vary by country and region.

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[1] Battery life is based on results from internal lab tests for typical usage pattern scenarios conducted by Samsung. Tested with results from a pre-release version of the device using inbox CR2032 battery. Actual battery life may vary depending on different usage patterns, device model, or the battery manufacturer.