Earlier this year we launched the Galaxy S24 and, with it, Galaxy AI, kicking off a new era of mobile experiences. Now, thanks to Galaxy AI’s integration with Bixby’s voice activation capabilities, users can empower their everyday through the quick and easy activation of these features – just by speaking. With Bixby, users can quickly bring up and activate Galaxy AI features¹ hands-free, taking away the need to physically search through your device to find the feature of your choice.

Hands-Free AI Empowerment with Bixby

Bixby makes it easier to use Galaxy’s intuitive voice-oriented features, like Live Translate. Users can even more seamlessly explore features such as real-time translation, spelling correction, and creation of webpage summaries and automated note covers.

Let’s take Interpreter as an example. Next time you find yourself in conversation with someone who speaks another language, no longer do you need to take a moment to find and click into the Interpreter feature – simply say, “Hi Bixby, turn on Interpreter,” and you’re off.

No more being slowed down as you navigate to the feature you need. Galaxy AI is closer even than at your fingertips. One simple voice command, and these new possibilities – from enabling barrier-free communication to boosting productivity – are yours to enjoy.

Accessible AI Around the World

Samsung is dedicated to making everyday experiences epic for all its users, no matter where they are. Bixby activation of Galaxy AI will be applied to all supporting languages: Chinese, English (US, UK, and India), French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain) and Spanish (Latin America).

¹ Not all Galaxy AI features are supported with Bixby.

“When Samsung first launched Bixby as a voice assistant, it was part of a vision to create a human-to-machine interface that makes life easier and can advance over time with Samsung Galaxy innovation,” said YoungJip Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Artificial Intelligence Team in Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics. “Today, we introduce updates to build a more intelligent interface that is proactive and adaptive, giving people greater control over their mobile experience.”

Giving People Greater Control Over Their Mobile Experience

The new Bixby updates bring several new features and improvements that allow people to customize their user experience further, including the recent availability of Bixby Text Call¹ in English. Now, English speakers can answer calls from anywhere by typing a message, which Bixby converts to audio and communicates to the caller directly on their behalf.

Users can also personalize their Bixby Text Call voice. Using the new Bixby Custom Voice Creator,² users can record different sentences for Bixby to analyze and create an AI generated copy of their voice and tone. Currently available in Korean, this generated voice is planned to be compatible with other Samsung apps beyond phone calls. And for those who want to customize their wake word, Bixby now supports changes to the Custom wake-up³ phrase within Bixby settings as well, adding a new option to create a personalized wake-up phrase.

From Intelligent Assistant to Intelligent Platform

Today, Bixby can provide more seamless continuity and better attune to user needs with the introduction of new scenarios,⁴ including playing music depending on the type of exercise in Samsung Health or saving schedules in Calendar. Now, Bixby can better understand intent and process follow-up requests by understanding context and associating words previously used in interactions. For example, Bixby users can first launch a workout on Samsung Health and then ask Bixby to play music⁵ that best suits that exercise by saying “Play music for this workout.”

Enhanced Language Recognition, Processing and Response

In addition to these great new features, Samsung also expanded Bixby’s on-device AI support.⁶ Users can run key commands entirely offline, such as setting a timer, taking a screenshot or turning on the flashlight. By integrating on-device AI with its native applications,⁷ Samsung was able to further expand its language offering⁸ and capabilities with advanced AI-based voice dictation. These updates to Bixby will be made possible by the powerful innovation found in Samsung Galaxy devices, including the industry-leading performance that enables on-device AI applications.

Availability

Bixby updates will be available for Samsung Galaxy users in February⁹ through a software update. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/apps/bixby.

¹ Bixby Text Call is available on selective models including Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, Z Fold4 and Z Flip4. It works on phones with One UI 4.1.1 or above for Korean and phones with One UI 5.1 or above for English.

² Bixby Custom Voice Creator is available on selective models including Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra. It works on phones with One UI 5.0 or above. Availability of functions may vary depending on the device model. The application is available for download via settings within Bixby or the Samsung Phone application (native call app).

³ The feature is available in Korean as of date and on selective models including Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra. Exact timing and availability of the updates may vary by market and are subject to change.

⁴ The eight scenarios are all currently available in Korean. More languages to be supported.

⁵ Supported music applications include Melon, Bugs, Genie and FLO as of date.

⁶ Availability of the on-device AI support may vary by market and model.

⁷ Supported native applications include those apps that require on-device AI support only.

⁸ The on-device mode currently supports English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and Korean.

⁹ Exact timing and availability of the updates may vary by user and market.

“When Samsung launched Bixby nearly five years ago, we committed to continue improving this intelligent platform with new technologies and key partners that enable more experiences,” said Young Jip Kim, EVP and Head of the Artificial Intelligence Team at the Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics. “We are proud to bring Bixby to the millions of people who speak Latin American Spanish, joining the more than 200 million¹ people already using Bixby from nearly 400 million² devices worldwide.”

Benefits of Bixby, Now Available in Latin American Spanish

Bixby is a powerful, intelligent voice assistant that helps Samsung Galaxy users navigate their devices and organize their lives, just like a real-world personal assistant. It can help launch apps and settings, remember appointments and tasks and generally reduce everyday hassles. Bixby can even communicate with others by answering calls, composing messages and more.

Intelligence depends on the ability to understand and engage with commands, regardless of phrasing. Until now, South and Latin American users had to use European Spanish with Bixby. The new support for Latin American Spanish will let them use local dialects, accents and nuances for more natural interactions with their device.

Latin American Spanish support means even more Samsung Galaxy users can now rely on Bixby’s intelligence and convenience, particularly in the United States, the second largest Spanish-speaking country and the region with the most Bixby users.

What Is Next for Bixby

Bixby has grown immensely in the past few years, as registered users more than doubled, surpassing 200 million in 2022.

At the recent Samsung Developer Conference 2022 in San Francisco, Samsung outlined other recent developments, including new Smart Home features. As users expand their connected ecosystems, Bixby’s voice control and seamless integration with devices will play an important role in monitoring and managing every room of the home.

Latin American Spanish for Bixby is available today for select Samsung Galaxy models including the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S21, Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4 after going through a software update. Support for additional devices will roll out soon, including Galaxy S20 and Z Flip3 in December, with further expansion planned for early 2023.

¹ Based on our number of Bixby-enabled users during October 2022.
² Based on our number of Bixby-enabled Samsung devices across mobile, TV and home appliances.

Like so many great innovations, the latest UDC was a group effort — driven by Samsung’s experts and consumers’ valuable feedback. To learn more about the enhanced UDC for Galaxy Z Fold4, Samsung Newsroom spoke with the experts at Samsung Research,¹ who collaborated on the technology.

Read on to see what John Seok-Jun Lee, Head of Computational Camera Part at Samsung Research America (SRA), and Alok Shukla, Head of AI Vision Solutions Part at Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore (SRI-B), had to say about their collaboration behind bringing enhanced UDC technology.

Q: What is an Under Display Camera (UDC)?

Seok-Jun: An Under Display Camera (UDC) is an innovative camera solution that enables an uninterrupted viewing experience on a mobile device by hiding the camera under the display and dedicating the whole screen to users while applications are running. It not only requires hardware innovation by placing a camera under a display panel but also requires algorithm innovation for restoring image quality — one of the most complex image restoration problems.

Q: How does the UDC work?

Alok: In UDC, a front-facing camera sits underneath the display. The screen pixel density is reduced in this area, allowing the screen to display imagery unhindered — but at the same time, not block light from reaching the camera when it’s in use. As the camera is placed underneath the display, UDC can suffer from poor image quality caused by diffraction artifacts, which results in flare, saturation, blur and haze. Therefore, while the UDC brings a better display experience, it also affects camera image quality and other downstream vision tasks. These complex and diverse distortions make restoring UDC images extremely challenging.

Q: Why is the UDC an important technology when it comes to Galaxy Z Fold4? What value does it provide to customers?

Seok-Jun: Samsung’s foldables are designed to be new and different, combining smartphone and immersive viewing experiences into one mobile device via breakthrough display technology. When folded, it provides smartphone-like use, and when unfolded, the display provides a more immersive and productive experience. Our consumer research showed that Galaxy Z Fold series users prefer the Cover Screen camera for capturing photos and selfies and the immersive Main Display for more productive tasks like watching videos, playing games and working on documents. Therefore, we thought UDC technology would be the perfect fit to meet their needs for an uninterrupted screen while still being capable of tasks like opening video calls. Samsung has launched the first-ever foldable UDC solution in Galaxy Z Fold3 and enhanced its quality further in the Galaxy Z Fold4.

Alok: Galaxy Z Fold4 truly unfolds a world of immersive display. UDC technology is at the core of the pursuit of a true full-screen display. By combining the leading innovation in display technology with advanced AI techniques for image restoration, Galaxy Z Fold4 provides the perfect balance between screen quality and camera image quality.

Q: How has the camera’s image quality improved since Galaxy Z Fold3?

Alok: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 showcased the world’s first UDC on a foldable. After the market release of Galaxy Z Fold3, one of the key feedbacks from consumers was to make the UDC less visible. On the Galaxy Z Fold4, sub-pixel arrangement was optimized to further hide the UDC.

As mentioned previously, when the camera is placed underneath the display, this can result in poor image quality caused by diffraction artifacts, which cause flare, saturation, blur and haze.

That’s why, in Galaxy Z Fold4, we have leveraged the power of AI, backed with multi-frame processing, to develop a novel computational imaging pipeline for UDC image restoration.

SRI-B, along with Visual SW R&D Group at MX Business, focused on developing AI Image Restoration for photo capture and preview to compensate for optical diffraction in UDC. At the same time, SRA’s Mobile Processor Innovation (MPI) Lab improved the multi-frame computational photography algorithm. Galaxy Z Fold4’s UDC solves key technical challenges in image quality to bring a unique experience to end customers.

Q: Walk us through the journey of the SRA-SRI partnership project. Why did your two teams collaborate?

Seok-Jun: The SRA MPI Lab has been working with SRI-B throughout MPI’s entire history at Samsung, from 2014’s Galaxy Note4 camera commercialization all the way to 2022’s Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4. SRA MPI has been leading MX multi-frame processing (MFP) technology R&D for UDC, Night Mode, Expert RAW and other technology. SRI-B has contributed to all commercialized SRA MPI’s MFP by providing amazing camera software, image quality tuning and resources toward commercialization as well as AI camera R&D. Our 3-way collaboration with MX R&D group, SRA MPI and SRI-B has been a success — especially when the worldwide team used time zone differences effectively to complete milestones on time for such a complicated project. It’s always a pleasure to work with them and deliver Galaxy devices’ camera successes together to accomplish our mutual goal of being the world’s best smartphone camera experience.

Q: Please explain your job role and your team’s contributions to the UDC. How did you contribute to making the best possible user experience?

Alok: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 UDC was a complex R&D project, and SRI-B’s role was to think in terms of end-to-end for the best consumer experience. This required multi-domain expertise and deep collaboration among multiple teams. Experts from SRI-B, SRA-MPI Lab and MX Visual SW R&D Group worked seamlessly to realize an end-to-end UDC experience.

SRI-B also played a key role in utilizing a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) to execute the AI model, achieving real-time performance in previews and significantly faster capture processing time than in Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 UDC. Camera previews, video recordings and video calling scenarios need real-time performance without losing any frames. AI-based UDC restoration accelerated with NPU for preview processing was applied for the first time in Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. Although real-time processing was not required, as camera capture requires higher image quality than a preview, achieving better image quality with less processing time was desired for user experience.

Q: What were some challenges you faced while developing this technology, and how did you overcome them?

Seok-Jun: Low light transmittance and light diffraction are the main challenges for UDC camera technology. Still, one more challenge, which is different from a punch hole camera image pipeline, is that UDC capture quality is affected by not only the camera module but also the display panel. SRA MPI’s AI-based 3D ISP algorithm was designed with the needed flexibility to tune the output image quality with the different display characteristics. Having such flexibility in 3D ISP helped to overcome such challenges.

Alok: SRI-B’s key focus was developing an AI image restoration module for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 UDC. These restorations are required for photo capture mode as well as video mode. Video recording and video calling scenarios have strict requirements for real-time processing within the constraints of current consumption.

AI-based UDC restoration was applied for the first time in Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 UDC for video. To achieve a better video quality experience than Galaxy Z Fold3, we had to make the AI model lighter while still achieving good restoration quality. Multiple experiments were conducted in network design and training to achieve good quality in real-time. SRI-B extensively utilized NPU and advanced quantization techniques to prepare a lighter, highly optimized AI model that achieves real-time performance with low current consumption.

Q: What is your vision for future UDC iterations at Samsung?

Alok: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4’s UDC has opened up a new dimension to the smartphone camera form factor. UDCs in the future will enable placing larger camera sensors and multiple cameras at flexible positions without compromising the viewing experience. Another big challenge is towards mass adoption of UDC technology in more products as the main front camera. For this to happen, there will need to be a significant improvement in camera image quality, processing time and display experience.

Seok-Jun: Since the Galaxy Z Fold4 UDC provides a much better experience in terms of hiding the camera under the display and improving image quality, the R&D direction for the upcoming flagship devices will work towards making the UDC completely invisible. This will provide the best uninterrupted immersive mobile display experience while achieving the same image quality as a punch-hole camera.

¹ Samsung Research, acting as Samsung Electronics’ advanced R&D hub, leads the development of future technologies for the company’s Device eXperience (DX) Division.

Portability in a Sleek and Compact Design

If you want to explore the great outdoors comfortably and in style, The Freestyle is a must-have item in your bag. With its compact size and lightweight, a mere 830 grams, this portable projector is super convenient to pack.

The Freestyle also allows you to personalize your device with a variety of different color skins to choose from, including Blossom Pink, Forest Green and Coyote Beige. It can also be easily changed to match your aesthetic preference or the rest of your camping set up for a more customized color experience.

When packing The Freestyle, use the device’s carrying case to transport it with ease. The case is IP55-rated, meaning it can protect against water and dust and is ready to be used in the great outdoors. In addition, the case was designed to be just as compact as The Freestyle itself, allowing you to safely take The Freestyle wherever you go.

Auto Screen for a Quick and Hassle-Free Set Up

After setting up your campsite, fiddling with another piece of equipment is the last thing you want. Luckily, setting up The Freestyle is hassle-free — simply place it on a surface and press the power button.

The Freestyle automatically adjusts the level, focus and keystone as soon as you touch the power button. The portable screen automatically adjusts the screen using the Easy Set Up function, providing a clear, straight picture with an optimized ratio of 16:9.

From Cooking to Watching a Movie: Enhance Your Camping Experience With The Freestyle

Want to make a delicious meal on-the-go? Expand your outdoor cooking options with The Freestyle. The Freestyle helps you explore the best ways to make food at your campsite with access to online cooking tutorials and recipe videos, all displayed on a large screen that’s scalable.

The Freestyle, supported by Tizen OS, comes with over-the-top (OTT) services and streaming platforms, including Netflix and YouTube allowing users to watch various content as if they are at home. Samsung TV Plus also delivers free shows, movies and live TV without a subscription — all you need is an internet connection and you are good to go.

Optimized Charging for Convenient Outdoor Entertainment

The Freestyle is compatible with external batteries that support USB-PD and 50W/20V output or above. This allows users to take The Freestyle anywhere they go — whether they are away from home, on a camping trip or otherwise out and about. It also has a specialized portable battery base fit with The Freestyle. It supports 3.6V charging and comes with a 32,000mAh charging capacity, enabling you to project your favorite content for up to 3 hours without needing a separate charger. The Freestyle also lets you stay connected while in the outdoors, with two USB-C ports that allow you to charge your smartphone while watching content.

Create Memorable Camping Experiences With Scalable Screens

The Freestyle lets you create unique experiences, setting the mood for any occasion. With The Freestyle’s cradle, the device also freely rotates up to 180 degrees, allowing you to find the perfect position without moving it.

It’s easier than ever to create a scenic window view or a relaxing virtual fireplace to make your camping trip much more cozy, memorable and entertaining.

Bring Coloring Books to Life With The Freestyle and Its Accessories

The Freestyle isn’t just for the adults in the family — kids can also use the projector to bring coloring books to life while on-the-go. Use The Freestyle to project their favorite characters, animals or even a family photo taken during the trip to create a one-of-a-kind, customizable coloring book.

Place The Freestyle on the stand and adjust it to the desired height. The Freestyle can project images from various angles, making it effortless for kids to enjoy.

Capturing Unforgettable Moments With The Freestyle’s Big Screen Experience

Bring the camping crew closer together by sharing photos and fond memories. To do this, simply mirror your Android or iOS device to The Freestyle and take a walk down memory lane with family, loved ones and friends alike.

Create the Perfect Ambience With The Freestyle’s Prism Effect and 360 Surround Sound

Not only can The Freestyle project an image on the screen, but the device’s lens cap can also diffuse light to create a softer, more ambient vibe. After a long day of outdoor activities, set up The Freestyle and choose an optimal color to relax and unwind.

Sound is a critical element when creating ambiance. The Freestyle’s premium built-in speakers deliver rich 360-degree sound to provide an immersive audio experience without any external sound devices. Worried about disturbing your neighbors? Connect up to two Bluetooth sound devices and listen to music or watch movies comfortably without disturbing anyone else.

Today, there are so many camping accessories to make the experience not only more convenient but also more fun without any extra effort. With a wide range of features and functions, The Freestyle is the perfect addition to your next camping trip, helping to revamp your camping experience and make it more memorable.

* Some of the images shown are for illustration purposes only.

Samsung Electronics recently unveiled the ViewFinity S8 (Model Name: S80PB), a high-resolution monitor adopting a wide range of features for creative professionals who rely on devices, such as monitors and mobile devices, to create new content. It’s a new benchmark for high-resolution monitors. Here, Samsung Newsroom unboxes the ViewFinity S8 to see how this new product can help emerging creators.

Power and Connect Devices Clutter-Free With USB Type-C

After opening the box, you can see that the package is comprised of the monitor, HDMI cable, USB Type-C cable and the power cable.¹ The simplicity of package is made possible thanks to the USB Type-C cable that easily connects the monitor to various devices without additional cables.

Fewer cables on the desk are what creators want as they use multiple devices, including a drawing tablet. A single USB Type-C connection not only displays the external devices to the monitor but provides fast charging with up to 90W power and 10Gbps data transfers without a separate power cable. Even with laptop without LAN port, you can use Ethernet² just by connecting wired LAN port to monitor instead, which transmit LAN signal to connected laptop.

Installation of the ViewFinity S8 is simple. First, connect the stand’s neck to its base and fasten the bolts. The work is already halfway done. Next, connect the assembled base to the monitor by pushing down until there is a click.

Once the power is on, the first thing you will notice immediately is the picture quality that stands out. Its UHD resolution (3840 X 2160) has four times more pixels than Full HD, revealing hidden details with greater depth. ViewFinity S8 offers a wide color gamut up to 98% of DCI-P3 for lifelike color. In addition, its 178° wide viewing angle delivers brilliant color and punchy images from various angles.

Contrast is as important as color accuracy, especially for videos, since it determines the content quality and realism. Specifically, ultra-fine contrast is critical in expressing scenes with a dark background and bright lights like a starry night sky. ViewFinity S8 meets the standard of Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) DisplayHDR 600, making bright areas brighter and dark areas darker, presenting true-to-life images.³

The Best Content Creation Environment With the Matte Display and Ergonomic Stand

Compared to conventional,⁴ glossy monitors, ViewFinity S8 minimizes glare and reflection. As the world’s first UL-verified Glare Free monitor, Matte Display is applied on the top of the panel, reducing distraction caused by glare.

Many creators use a monitor hood to prevent glare caused by indoor lighting and sunlight. To recreate this environment, we tried installing a monitor hood, and the process was not easy. The hood is heavy, has difficult screen positioning and it costs you extra money.

ViewFinity S8 dispels such concerns by adopting the Matte Display, which reduces light reflection and allows users to view images more clearly without an additional attachment. This also means you can use your desk space more efficiently.

▲ (left) 2021 ViewFinity S70A. (right) 2022 ViewFinity S80PB

ViewFinity S8 also introduces a whole new world of ‘deskterior,’ a portmanteau of ‘desk’ and ‘interior,’ allowing you to transform your desk into a perfectly customized working environment. Setting the monitor on a different spot or adding a décor item will not only boost your mood but also improve work productivity.

You can notice the true value of ViewFinity S8 when creating vertical content. Of course, there are monitors that can pivot, but often the rotation forces you to reinstall the monitor hood. In contrast, ViewFinity S8 users can freely switch the monitor horizontal or vertical, allowing you to create and edit vertical videos at the original ratio. You can also have the best view for vertical content like a long-scrolled text or digital comics.

Furthermore, ViewFinity S8 features a height-adjustable stand that can tilt and swivel. The monitor can also be installed on a wall. ViewFinity S8 offers the most optimal angle to give you the best working space and enhance productivity without having to adjust the height of your desk or chair.

Easy On the Eyes With Intelligent Eye Care

Working at night and for hours at a time, both can lead to eye strain. ViewFinity S8’s Intelligent Eye Care such as Adaptive Picture, Eye Saver Mode and Flicker Free features can help alleviate eye strain.

Adaptive Picture is a useful feature for content creators who work at night. Adaptive Picture, which automatically adjusts brightness and color temperature depending on the surroundings, and the ViewFinity S8 immediately optimizes picture quality. If you want to minimize the stress on your eyes, the Eye Saver Mode smartly reduces blue light emissions and the Flicker Free helps protect your eyes from flickering screens.

Evolution Towards Sustainability

ViewFinity S8 is also built with the environment in mind. Samsung used recycled ocean-bound plastics in the rear covers of ViewFinity S8. Samsung’s Eco Savings Plus technology reduces power consumption by utilizing its built-in photo resistor to adjust optimal brightness and color temperature. You can reduce the power consumption up to 10% by setting the Eco Savings Plus Mode. Samsung ViewFinity S8 is recognized industry-wide with EnergyStar, TCO⁵ and EPEAT sustainability certifications.

Monitors are one of the most important gadgets for content creators to pay more attention to the details in their work. To elevate the quality of their content, first they must create the optimal working space that is distraction-free, ergonomic and equipped with devices that meet the demands. The Samsung ViewFinity S8 is the perfect fit that will help creators unleash their creativity and full potential.

* Some of the images shown are for illustration purposes only.

¹ Accessories may vary by country or region.
² Requires ViewFinity to be plugged into internet modem via a LAN cable. Internet speeds vary by provider and region.
³ It refers to the 32-inch model. 27-inch model supports VESA Display HDR 400.
⁴ Previous Samsung monitors without the Matte Display (e.g. 2021 ViewFinity S80A).
⁵ TCO Certified, generation 9. TCO Certified is a global sustainability certification for IT products, available for computers, mobile devices, display products and data center products. Criteria cover both social and environmental sustainability and enable circular solutions. Compliance with criteria is independently verified. TCO Certified is a third-party certification in accordance with ISO 14024.

▲ (From left to right) Engineers Younghoon Jeong, Younghun Jo at Hardware Platform Lab, Sangmin Lee, David Jung at Picture Quality Solution Lab of Samsung’s Visual Display Business

Quantum Matrix Technology Pro Delivers Ultra-Fine Contrast With Details in Darkest Blacks and Lightest Whites

Samsung has continued to pave the way forward in innovation for picture quality by applying cutting-edge technologies to its latest TVs. The newly released Neo QLED 8K is an upgraded version of its previous QLED TV and comes with a wide range of innovative features. At the center of this advancement is Quantum Matrix Technology Pro, which takes advantage of the enhanced 14-bit gradation for greater control of the miniaturized light source — the Quantum Mini LEDs. This allows the TV to control its lighting across an astounding 16,384 steps, which is four times greater than conventional 12-bit displays at 4,096 steps, providing true-to-life colors previously unseen.

Shape Adaptive Light and Real Depth Enhancer Add Depth for Vivid, Lifelike Images

Newly introduced technologies, namely Shape Adaptive Light and Real Depth Enhancer, have taken the picture quality offered by Samsung TVs to new heights. These new features optimize contrast and produce clean and punchy images, adding a more realistic sense of depth to your screen.

Real Depth Enhancer improves picture quality by separating an object from a background. “Every image has an object and background with different requirements to bring out the optimal picture quality,” said Jo. “Real Depth Enhancer separates the object from the background to enhance the contrast of the object, making it look clear. In doing so, we can clearly distinguish the object from the background, creating a greater sense of depth and making the images pop.”

Shape Adaptive Light analyzes a scene and estimates the difference in the light layer by each section of a scene to control the light source. Shape Adaptive Light creates the effect of synergy with the latest Quantum Mini LED to precisely control and optimize the light source for an accurate contrast. “Simply put, it makes bright areas stay bright and the dark spaces around it stay dark. Additionally, the technology enables optimal contrast levels and allows details in the inkiest blacks, producing life-like picture quality,” said Jo.

Upgraded Neural Quantum Processor Allows Customized AI Upscaling for Any Given Scene

Technological prowess has allowed us to enjoy 8K picture quality from the comfort of one’s home. Although not all shows and movies are made in 8K, users are able to take full advantage of the latest TV tech Samsung has to offer. In fact, the real value of 8K TVs comes from Samsung’s AI upscaling technology, which offers next-level picture quality by analyzing the image in real-time and upgrading it to higher picture quality or even 8K, regardless of the original image quality. Neo QLED 8K raised the number of neural networks from 16 to 20 to strengthen the capability for image analysis and upscaling. Multi-intelligent AI networks from the Neural Quantum Processor improve not only images, but also cloud games in 8K resolution for seamless and natural gameplay.

“As the number of networks has gone up, we were able to upscale a wider range of content to deliver a better viewing experience for users,” said Jeong. “Samsung added neural networks to make the image of cloud games vivid and reduce noise. The neural networks immediately analyze a picture, optimize a network and upscale it to 8K so that users can enjoy a cleaner game image.”

Jeong shared Samsung’s ambition to provide a better viewing experience: “Samsung’s multi-intelligence AI network is set up to continuously expand, delivering optimal picture quality technology according to a viewing environment and the latest content trends.”

Samsung’s 2022 QLED TVs, the World’s First HDR Displays With ‘Pantone Validated’ Approval

Color is an important factor in evaluating a TV’s picture quality. Samsung has achieved 100% color volume since 2017 and displayed accurate and vivid colors. Samsung’s all-new 2022 QLED models, including Neo QLED 8K, became the world’s first HDR displays with ‘Pantone Validated’ certification. Pantone specializes in color and provides a global color standard, PMS (Pantone Matching System). The certification means that Samsung’s ability to accurately express colors is officially recognized. Neo QLED 8K was acknowledged for its accurate expression of 2,161 Pantone colors and 110 skin tone shades.

“Pantone Validated certification suggests that the color expression of Neo QLED 8K is almost on par with the colors we are able to detect with our eyes,” said Lee. “Technological advancements of Neo Quantum Processor, along with Quantum Dot material help our TVs accurately express more than 2,000 colors recognized by Pantone and also 110 skin tones, the most complicated and delicate colors.”

Smart Calibration — Automatically Calibrate and Optimize Picture Quality in an Easy and Convenient way

Samsung has been providing industry-leading picture quality through technical innovation. A classic example is Smart Calibration, which is embedded in the latest TV models in 2022.

Smart Calibration enables anyone with a Samsung Neo QLED to calibrate their screen by simply using their smartphone.² This allows users to calibrate their TVs for superb image quality through a simple step-by-step process with the Smart Calibration feature within the Smart Things app. All users have to do is open the Smart Calibration feature within the SmartThings app and point their smartphone camera towards the TV, the SmartThings app will then simplify the process to optimize picture quality. Users can choose between ‘Basic Mode’ and ‘Professional Mode’ according to how accurately they want to adjust picture quality. Basic Mode offers a quick calibration within 15 seconds, while Professional Mode optimizes more details of the picture and takes only 5-8 minutes to complete.

“Picture calibration normally requires expensive equipments, such as a measuring instrument and pattern generator. Smart Calibration enables users to adjust picture quality easily and conveniently with just their smartphone. Samsung developed this solution to help everyone easily calibrate their screens and enjoy accurate images,” said Jung. “Professionals who work with colors like photographers tend to calibrate their devices quite frequently — once every three months or six months. While this isn’t required for ordinary uses, it will be great for users to calibrate their screens using Smart Calibration when they first purchase the TV or when moving the TV to a different location.”

Samsung Neo QLED 8K, the First TV To Receive ‘Eye Care’ Certificate by Top Global Certification Institutes

There is now more amazing content available via OTT services than ever before, and as a result, more and more people are spending their leisure time watching this content on TVs. Therefore, comfortable viewing experience is becoming an important factor influencing TV purchasing decisions.

The 2021 and 2022 Samsung QLED TVs, including Neo QLED 8K, won the ‘Eye Care’ certification from Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE) in Germany, a test & certification association. This makes them among the first TVs to be awarded a certificate specific to eye care. VDE’s ‘Eye Care’ certification includes ‘Safety for Eyes’, ‘Gentle to the eyes’, flicker level,³ uniformity⁴ and color fidelity⁵ assessments. ‘Safety for Eyes’ certification is assigned to products with the emission levels of blue light, ultraviolet rays and infrared rays that fall into the ‘Exempt Group’ according to the classification of emission limits set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

‘Gentle to the eyes’ certification proves that the amount of melatonin suppression from a device meets the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) standard.

“As TVs become more of an entertainment hub in the home, there’s an increased demand for screens with top-tier picture quality that minimize eye strain. A comfortable viewing experience is quickly becoming a key factor in purchasing decisions, in addition to picture quality and performance. Neo QLED 8K, with its ‘Eye Care’ certification, meets these criteria, offering more comfortable watching experience to users,” said Jung.

Additionally, the Eye Comfort mode on Neo QLED 8K adjusts the screen’s brightness. It limits blue light to provide a more pleasant viewing experience, all done automatically by the TV’s Neural Quantum Processor. “AI technology automatically adjusts a screen’s brightness and color temperature according to a viewing environment so that users can comfortably enjoy their favorite content on their TV,” said Lee. “After sunset, you will see significantly warmer colors and reduced brightness, while during the daytime, the screen will be brighter and more vivid.”

AI technology To Provide Perfect Viewing Experience With Minimal Effort From the Users’ Side

As displays get larger and the technology for enhancing picture quality improves, so too does the standard for good picture quality. “The ultimate goal of advancing our technology in picture quality is to enable our TVs to automatically adjust their own picture quality to its optimal setting, producing a lifelike image. We will continue to develop cutting-edge technology to offer true-to-life picture quality to our consumers,” said Lee.

“Our users’ overall viewing experience is just as important as accurate color and sharpness,” said Jo. This means it is essential to help users conveniently enjoy the best picture quality. “We consistently strive to create a viewing experience where users can simply enjoy content anywhere, in any environment. Samsung is committed to advancing AI technology to provide perfect picture quality with minimal effort from the users’ side.”

¹ According to data released by market research firm Omdia

² Requires Galaxy S, Note, Z Flip or Z Fold series models released after January 2019, or an iPhone that supports Face ID. Supported models may differ depending on the situation. For more information, please check the product manual at samsung.com/support.

³ According to International Electrotechnical Commission(IEC) standard

⁴ According to International Standard Organization(ISO) standard

⁵ According to Information Display Measurement Standard(IDMS) standard

Our homes are where our daily lives take place. In a home, we prepare meals, relax and unwind, take care of our pets and family and create memories. Now, thanks to innovations in technology, consumers can transform a house into a connected space that adapts to and enhances their unique lifestyles. At a time when turning a house into a home is more valued than ever, Samsung Electronics’ SmartThings Home Life provides an all-in-one service to help users live easier and more comfortable everyday lives.

A Connected Home System

SmartThings Home Life delivers smarter and more seamless experiences across various home appliances, such as TVs, refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners, by connecting them in a single platform. Simply by talking to Bixby, users can operate all of their home appliances in a way that’s easier than ever before. For instance, automating your everyday tasks is quick and convenient in the SmartThings app. By setting these tasks as Routines in the app, you can eliminate the hassle of repeating these daily tasks yourself, such as manually adjusting the settings for loads of laundry or turning on the air purifier every time you open a window. Now, you can experience a better, smarter way to live each day with the SmartThings Home Life’s customized home service, tailored just for you. Read on to learn more about how SmartThings Home Life elevates any situation in your daily life to be smarter, safer and more convenient.

Indulge in a Delicious Dinner for One

After a long week at the office, I decided to pick up some beef tenderloin for myself on my way home. When I return home, I’m unsure of what I want to cook, so I say, “Hi Bixby, find me some recipes with beef tenderloin.” After hearing a few options, I choose the recipe that sounds the most appetizing and begin cooking right away. According to Bixby, the key to this dish is properly roasting the meat. I use the Sensor Cook to sear the tenderloin to medium. The kitchen hood turns on automatically as soon as I start using the induction, so I continue to cook without worrying about any lingering odors in the house. I know I’m not the most talented chef, but I feel great about cooking a perfectly seared steak.

Before I start eating, I open the window to feel the spring breeze. As I plate my meal, SmartThings Cooking recommends me a wine that complements the steak, and the air purifier turns on after analyzing the air coming through the window. After taking pictures of my first successfully cooked meal, I take a sip of wine. It feels as if the fatigue from an exhausting week just melts away.

□ SmartThings Cooking

SmartThings Cooking is a service that helps any user easily prepare meals like a professional chef. Thanks to an interactive cooking guide that reads out recipes and sends instructions to kitchen appliances, users can solely focus on cooking without the need to dig through recipe books while handling food. Going even further for convenience, users can enjoy high-quality cuisine by simply scanning the bar code on a meal kit. SmartThings Cooking will help users prepare their meals through connected kitchen appliances. In addition, by scanning the labels on meat packages, SmartThings Cooking can recommend different recipes and tips on storage methods. Users can also scan wine labels to save them to a wine list, keep track of their inventory and get recipe recommendations that pair well with each wine.

□ SmartThings Air Care

SmartThings Air Care is a service that provides a complete air care solution using your home appliances, such as air conditioners and air purifiers. You can breathe easy with the Air Quality Keeper, which monitors and controls the air quality in your home automatically. The app also recommends air purification methods to maintain healthy indoor air quality based on current conditions. Whether you’re relaxing in the living room on a dusty day or preparing a feast in the kitchen, users can always have fresh, breathable air without ever opening a window or pressing a button.

Take Care of Your Pet From a Distance

These days, due to an important project at work, I haven’t always been able to make it home on time. I’m worried about my pet, Max, who has been spending more time alone at home. Thankfully, whenever I miss him, I open the SmartThings app to check on him. In the past, the app alerted me that Max frequently barked while alone, but these alerts have decreased after he went through training sessions with the vet. I’m proud of him for doing so well by himself at home. I turn on the lights and TV with the app in the evening so Max doesn’t feel lonely. It looks like I’ll be working overtime again today, so I fill up Max’s dinner in his bowl through a feeder in advance.

Suddenly, a SmartThings Home Care notification pops up from my parents’ house. I turn on my parent’s Jet Bot AI camera to look around, discovering that my mom tripped on the kitchen floor. I immediately call her, and she says that she cried out for help when she fell and couldn’t get up afterward. Thankfully, she says that she wasn’t hurt. This weekend, I will definitely take some time to visit her with Max.

□ SmartThings Pet Care

SmartThings Pet Care creates a customized environment for any pet using your connected home devices. For instance, your air conditioner can be set to an optimal temperature depending on your pet’s breed, and your air purifier can effectively clean your pet’s fur from the air. Users can also turn on the TV or some music to keep your pets company while they are alone at home, creating a stable and safe environment for the pet no matter where the owner is. In addition, users can receive notifications when their pets bark or review the notification history to identify any possible signs of separation anxiety.

□ SmartThings Home Care

SmartThings Home Care’s Family Care service provides a sense of security for any home. For instance, when the Jet Bot AI detects a family member shouting, “Hi Bixby, please help,” it immediately sends an alert to the other family members. Users can then search all over the house using the camera on the robot vacuum cleaner or contact another family member to help handle the situation. With safety at its core, SmartThings Home Care’s Family Care service can help alleviate concerns about leaving any family members alone in the house.

Keep Your Golf Clothes Lasting Longer

I like to spend all of my Sundays playing golf with my friends. After playing a round, I always come home and store my brand-new golf shoes in the ShoeDresser to keep them nice and clean. The shoes are comfortable, so I want to keep them in good condition and wear them the next time I play 18 holes. After putting away my shoes, I go to the dressing room and put my golf wear in the AirDresser. SmartThings Clothing Care recommends a wash cycle perfect for the fabric of my golf shirts and pants. I save this cycle as ‘My Golf Care’. From there, I use the time I saved to organize the rest of my gear. I always feel recharged after spending the weekend playing golf, and it gives me full energy to start another week.

□ SmartThings Clothing Care

SmartThings Clothing Care is a service that makes properly caring for clothes fun and easy. The service learns your specific habits based on the time, day and weather. From there, SmartThings Clothing Care suggests appropriate clothing care tips for the washer, dryer, AirDresser and ShoeDresser suitable for your clothes and shoes. This service provides holistic, integrated care for your wardrobe, depending on each piece’s use or purpose. Often, properly caring for clothes is a difficult task. By saving and naming these clothing recommendations as an automated course in the SmartThings app, you can ensure your clothing lasts without remembering all the fine details. Going beyond quality care, you can also manage your clothes like a pro using the recommendations provided to maximize the synergy of your clothing care appliances.

Celebrate Spring With a Deep Clean

As the weather gets warmer, I always bring in the new season with some spring cleaning. I start by planting some flowers and washing my winter blankets. A couple of days ago, the SmartThings app notified me to replace my air purifier filters. The filters arrived just in time, so I replace them right away. I feel very productive, as I’ve knocked out an important task on my spring cleaning checklist. Then, I vacuum away the dust in every corner of my house. I celebrate a job well done by lying on my sofa with a glass of cool water, feeling fully refreshed. I look forward to the upcoming spring season.

□ SmartThings Home Care

SmartThings Home Care is a service that not only keeps tabs on all of your Samsung home appliances, but also responds to and helps prevent problems by predicting them in advance. For instance, the app sends you an early freeze risk alert when the weather becomes rapidly cold. It also offers a defrost guide and recommends you to use your air conditioner’s diagnostic functions as the weather warms up. Additionally, the service checks the status of any replaceable components in real time, sending you a notification when a replacement is required and streamlining your process to purchase a replacement. With SmartThings Home Care’s friendly chatbot service and its step-by-step response guide, users can troubleshoot home appliance issues independently without relying on a repairman for simple tasks.

Save Energy Today for a Better Tomorrow

I’m very passionate about saving the environment — I carry a tumbler instead of a disposable cup, I use an eco-bag to avoid plastic bags and I eat a vegan diet. Recently, I’ve been exploring other ways to reduce my carbon footprint, so I have been looking into managing the energy consumption of my home appliances. With SmartThings Energy, I can check how much energy each device uses, control its energy consumption and receive tips on reducing energy usage for my most used devices. The best part is the AI Saving Mode, which automatically switches my devices to Energy Saving Mode before they reach a preset usage target. I hope my efforts, whether big or small, can help build a sustainable future.

□ SmartThings Energy

SmartThings Energy allows users to take control of their energy consumption by providing real-time, detailed and accurate information on where and how energy is used within their home. The service measures energy levels in kilowatt-hours and cost over time, so any user can easily understand how much energy a device uses. The app also offers specific tips on reducing energy usage and encourages users to integrate eco-conscious activities into their day-to-day lives. Additionally, turning on AI Saving Mode helps reduce your energy usage by automatically switching your devices to Energy Saving Mode once they reach a certain energy use.

* The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may differ from the actual product. Product specifications may vary by country, region and model.

Since its launch, the Galaxy S22 series has been impressing users all over the globe thanks to a range of exciting events and collaborations put on by Samsung’s regional offices. From features at festivals to capturing the nighttime wonders of historic cities, the leading functionalities of the Galaxy S22 series have been being showcased in a range of innovative ways around the world.

In order to showcase how people have been celebrating the Galaxy S22 series and its next-level camera in unique ways, Samsung Newsroom has curated a list of some of the notable activities that have gone on since the introduction of this game-changing latest entrance into the Galaxy S series.

Going Global With the Galaxy S22 Series

Capturing the Night Using Nightography Mode in Lima, Peru

In Peru, Samsung hosted a vibrant night tour of the country’s capital Lima that allowed participants to capture next-level shots of the city’s distinctive architecture using the Galaxy S22 and its powerful Nightography mode.

As well as getting to experience the beauty of Lima at nighttime, those on the tour were able to document their experiences in full thanks to the S22’s powerful photo and video capturing functionalities. Learn more about the starlit tour here.

Capturing All Aspects of the Creation Process With Fat Cap Sprays and the Galaxy S22 in Germany

Notable graffiti artist, Fat Cap Sprays, is known for his glowing artworks that command attention. But due to the nature of the artist’s work — he often works under the cover of darkness — low lighting conditions have previously made it hard to capture both the artist’s working process as well as the end result.

However, through this exciting collaboration with Samsung, Fat Cap Sprays has been able to create, document and showcase his work from start to finish in almost any lighting condition with thanks to the Nightography mode of the Galaxy S22 series. Learn more about the collaboration and take a look at the video series Fat Cap Sprays and Samsung developed with help of the Galaxy S22 here.

Harnessing the Power of the Galaxy S22 Camera for Lollapalooza Brasil

As exciting spaces in which to spend time with friends and enjoy great music, festivals are the perfect events for making memories that will last a lifetime. Lollapalooza Brasil 2022 is one such space at which Latin American music fans can get together and capture their experiences both with their loved ones and their favorite musicians.

In order to ensure that the photos and videos you capture are next-level, Samsung Brazil has put together this handy guide showcasing how the Galaxy S22 is a festival must-have in order to take your photos and videos to the next level. To learn more about how features such as Zoom Lock and Director’s View are the perfect tools for recording your experiences, read more here.

Keeping Track of the Action With Dual Tele Zoom and More in Jakarta

The parade of Mandalika Moto GP racers held in Jakarta is a must-visit event for locals, tourists and racing enthusiasts alike, offering visitors a first-hand view of the riders and their bikes as they parade through the vibrant city.

In order to capture the parade in all its glory, the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s powerful Dual Tele Zoom, capable of zooming in up to 100x, Director’s View feature and panning shooting functionality let eagle-eyed visitors capture the event just as it happened. Take a look at the stunning and action-packed results here.

Samsung Creates A New Guinness World Records Title With Epic Unboxing

In order to bring Galaxy users from all over the country together, Samsung India held a truly epic unboxing event for the Galaxy S22 series across 17 cities including New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai which saw 1,820 people simultaneously unbox the all-new Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Setting a Guinness World Record, the event showcased the anticipation of Indian Galaxy users for the all-new and ultra-powerful devices, and echoed the enthusiasm felt the world over for the latest iteration of the Galaxy S series. To learn more about this record-breaking act, take a look at the article here.

The Galaxy S22 Brings Light to the Darkness Through An Art Installation in Milan

At the core of the user experience of the Galaxy S22, and in particular its camera functionalities, is a fascinating intersection of technology and art. In order to showcase the artistic as well as the innovative capabilities of the Galaxy S22 Ultra and its revolutionary Nightography mode, Samsung unveiled a commanding art installation project in Milan for the public to enjoy.

In collaboration with C2C Festival, Europe’s leading avant-garde event, the immersive art experience, created by visual designer Weirdcore and featuring musicians and composers, paired continuous rays of light with a dark background for a mind-bending experience inspired by the transformative results one can achieve with the Galaxy S22’s Nightography mode. Check out more details of the installation here.

Spotlighting Young Creators, Backed by the Galaxy S22’s Powerful Camera, in Belgium

These days, young content creators have incredible potential, and modern technology is allowing them to create their own stories and share them with others thanks to the leading camera functionalities of devices such as the Galaxy S22 series.

In order to provide a platform for young creators wanting to get their start in the film industry, Samsung held a video contest in partnership with leading Belgian film directors, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, with selected participants then able to attend workshops and flex their skills with the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s Portrait Mode in order to create compelling, high-quality video stories — even in low-light conditions. Learn more about the competition here.

Fostering the Ultimate Galaxy S22 Experience Zone in Guatemala City

Cayalá, a famed tourist destination in Guatemala City, saw its photo-worthy outdoor spaces transformed into an all-new kind of experience with the launch of Samsung’s immersive product experience space to celebrate the launch of the Galaxy S22 series.

With 4 experience zones titled Nightography, S Pen, Reflection and Mirror, visitors have been able to get to know the impressive features and functionalities of the all-new Galaxy S22 series in unique ways alongside the compelling backdrop of the popular Cayalá district. Get a closer look at the vibrant installation here.

Expressing the Galaxy Experience Through the Power of Music in Colombia

In order to highlight that all of Samsung’s devices have creativity at the core of their experience, Samsung Colombia decided to introduce the Galaxy S22, along with the Galaxy Tab S8 and The Freestyle, through a musical presentation that showcased the true identity of each product.

Featuring musicians, dancers and leading members of the Samsung Colombia community, the presentation not only enthralled guests with its artistic twist, but also showcased the differentiated power of Samsung’s latest devices in impressive fashion. Learn more about this musical experience here.

Showcasing the Galaxy S22 Series While Surrounded by History in Breda

Koepelgevangenis, located in Breda, the Netherlands, is a former prison built in the late 19^th-century with a storied history, and has been designated a national monument by merit of its striking architecture featuring a monumental dome.

Understanding that the intersect of where past meets present is the starting place for future progress and innovation, Samsung held a launch event for the all-new Galaxy S22 series in the notable building, at which users were able to get to know the devices’ Nightography mode in all its glory. Learn more about this immersive event here.

Be sure to stay tuned to Samsung Newsroom for more on the revolutionary Galaxy S22 series and its game-changing camera.

Like so many great inventions, Expert RAW was a group effort — driven by Samsung’s experts and Galaxy users’ valuable feedback. To learn more about the Expert RAW experience, Samsung Newsroom spoke with the experts at Samsung Research² who collaborated on the app.

Read on to see what Hamid Sheikh, Head of the Intelligent Imaging Team at Samsung Research America’s (SRA) Mobile Processor Innovation (MPI) Lab, and Girish Kulkarni, Head of the Camera Solutions Group at the Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore (SRI-B), had to say about this innovative camera collaboration.

Q: What does the Expert RAW app do? What are the main benefits for users?

Hamid: Expert RAW really gives users the ability to take full control of their mobile photography experience much like a professional photographer would. The app captures much more comprehensive data for each image, which can be used to both improve photos and artistically enhance them with editing software like Adobe Lightroom — the go-to app for professional photographers.

To improve the overall camera experience, we worked closely with Adobe to tightly couple Expert RAW with Lightroom. The result is that photographers have full control over their creative experience. Novice photographers can also utilize automatic set points for camera controls, and then use the Samsung-specific default values in Lightroom. In both cases, the tight integration of the two apps makes for an enjoyable experience.

Girish: Expert RAW is an epic leap forward for photography. It essentially places a professional studio in your pocket. Whether you are a pro photographer or you’re just a user who wants to capture amazing content, anyone can take full advantage of the Galaxy S22’s pro-grade camera with Expert RAW. It captures high-quality, high dynamic range pictures in the multi-frame RAW format that enables precise post-capture editing and professional results.

With Expert RAW, people can capture much more information in a single picture — from dark details to bright highlights. It also drastically reduces noise and increases sharpness and detail. If you’re looking for the ultimate creative controls, you can choose your own settings for aspects like ISO, shutter speed, white balance, EV and focus, and even choose which lenses you want to use for the subject and the scene. Finally, because both JPEG and DNG files are saved when shooting, you can hop right into the Adobe Lightroom app on your smartphone or PC and edit with ease.

Q: What was the original inspiration for Expert RAW?

Hamid: Samsung camera technologies have always relied on sophisticated computational photography algorithms to produce the best picture quality. However, the standard camera app makes many decisions about how the image will be rendered in terms of color, tone, detail and noise. The user has very limited say in these decisions.

Our inspiration came from the confluence of user experience limitations and the leaps in computational and AI capabilities of today’s mobile processors. We asked ourselves, “How can we make the photography experience more inspiring for users?” So really, our inspiration came from the expert and enthusiast photography community, which yearned for an easier mobile photography experience, without sacrificing the creative control that DSLR and post-capture editing allows. Expert RAW was born out of a desire to transform that inspiration into reality.

Girish: As we heard the input of professional photographers who were mostly utilizing DSLR cameras, they wanted to achieve a pro-grade experience with smartphones. Our consumer research also showed that after using their smartphone’s auto camera for a long time, typical users were very passionate about exploring Samsung’s pro-grade camera capabilities in-depth to become better photographers.

The more we talked to professional and amateur photographers, the more we understood their needs in terms of RAW image capturing, camera controls, the post-editing experience, creative capabilities and more. That’s when we set out to create a new pro-grade experience based around RAW capturing so that every level of photographer could merge our camera controls and their creativity to enjoy professional-looking photos.

Q: What makes Expert RAW such an important release for mobile photography in general?

Hamid: The camera experience is one of the most important experiences that a user has with his or her smartphone. Samsung has been at the cutting edge of camera quality, and the gap between consumers and professional/enthusiast photographers has always been a tempting one to bridge.

I think with the release of Expert RAW, users will find that their photography experience will take a quantum leap in terms of creative control and artistic expression. I expect more and more people will find this new experience rewarding because it lets them personalize their camera based on their tastes — exactly how they want them — and not based on what some other engineers chose for them.

Girish: As an app, this platform has simplified the RAW capturing process with precise camera and lens controls and post-editing with Adobe Lightroom. It’s for every user who is willing to go beyond — to unleash the true power of an Expert RAW camera, and explore their creative side.

Q: What role did the MPI Lab play in Expert RAW’s development?

Hamid: Any time we are creating a brand-new user experience, we have to consider and overcome many tough engineering challenges. The MPI Lab developed the main idea behind Expert RAW and its technologies, and we knew it was challenge worth pursuing.

We developed a brand-new computational photography pipeline that can produce both DNG as well as processed JPEG files. Developing a complex computational photography pipeline from scratch was not easy. We no longer had the benefit of an older, mature technology base to build upon. But our team successfully developed this new, AI-based 3DISP technology to produce raw data that looks very natural when users load it in editing apps like Adobe Lightroom.

Q: What role did SRI-B play in Expert RAW’s development? What were the team’s main areas of focus?

Girish: Expert RAW was a complex R&D project, and SRI-B’s role was to think in terms of end-to-end for the best consumer experience. This required multi-domain expertise and deep collaboration among multiple teams.

SRI-B is equipped with strong multi-domain expertise teams, so we formed a task force of talented experts. They all worked together as a single team within SRI-B and also worked with a larger team of experts based in Korea and at the MPI Lab.

The multi-domain expertise and close collaboration with all key stakeholders helped SRI-B continuously focus on improving Expert RAW’s product experience, end-to-end pipeline, etc.

Q: Could you offer more details on your collaboration with one another?

Hamid: The MPI Lab has been working with SRI-B throughout our entire history at Samsung. SRI-B contributed its amazing skillset and resources towards the development of the software technologies, as well as key AI blocks for the Expert RAW pipeline. They also owned the UI piece of the Expert RAW application and provided many innovation points on the Expert RAW experience. It’s always fun working with them.

Girish: The MPI Lab has world-class expertise in computational imaging domain, and has a proven record of developing successful IPs for Samsung flagship products. That expertise was one of the key requirements for Expert RAW’s development. The MPI Lab came up with the multi-frame pipeline building blocks implementation, which helped SRI-B integrate and enhance the same for the end-to-end architecture and pipeline.

One of the major expectations for Expert RAW was that it would enable the best image quality in different lighting conditions, which requires the tuning of the multi-frame processing pipeline. MPI’s strong expertise in this area helped us continuously improve image quality before the commercial launch. In summary, MPI’s expertise in computational imaging and SRI-B’s breadth of knowledge in multiple subdomains helped SRI-B prepare Expert RAW’s end-to-end experience for commercial launch.

SRI-B and the MPI Lab used their 12-hour time zone difference effectively to plan and collaborate on Expert RAW. SRI-B’s day was MPI’s night, and vice versa. It helped to have 24/7 development to finish this complex feature in record time. We are proud of Samsung’s culture that enables respectful collaboration among different overseas R&D centers and we always enjoy working with MPI Lab.

Q: How do the MPI Lab and SRI-B plan to build on this collaboration to develop even more innovative camera technologies?

Hamid: Our journey with the new RAW camera experience is just beginning. I am excited to think about what new improvements and enhancements we can make. One of the best parts of the Expert RAW experience is that the photographer is front and center. We’ll preserve that as we actively look into the experiences of different users and continuously implement improvements to make Expert RAW even better than before.

Girish: The MPI Lab and SRI-B have been working together for the last few years developing the world’s best night mode for Samsung flagship smartphones. This collaboration helped lead us to the success story that is Expert RAW on the Galaxy S22. We’re excited to continue that momentum for the next innovative products to come.

In the future, we would like to continuously enhance Expert RAW with a focus on creating a new ecosystem for pro photography that fully utilizes pro-grade camera capabilities.

Collaborating for Creativity 

Features like Expert RAW underline Samsung’s commitment to developing tools that empower users to unleash their creativity.

Going forward, the company will continue to strengthen collaborations that leverage the knowledge and capabilities of its world-class network of R&D centers. Doing so will help unlock technologies that change the way we live, work and create.

¹ Expert RAW must be downloaded separately from the Galaxy Store, for free, before use. Expert RAW app availability is currently limited to the Galaxy S21 Ultra and S22 series. Samsung Members notified Expert RAW will become available on Galaxy Z Fold3 in April 2022 and Galaxy S20 Ultra, Galaxy Note20 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold2 later this year.

² Samsung Electronics’ advanced R&D hub, which leads the development of future technologies for its Device eXperience division

This year’s Neo QLED 8K lineup includes features that produce the most “real life” images yet, taking its picture quality to another level. Between the updated Neural Quantum Processor 8K, the new AI upscaling feature and the new calibration app, the consumers’ on-screen experience becomes a true reality, allowing them to easily manage their on-screen experience in a much more personal manner.

To fully grasp the technologies and features behind the 2022 Neo QLED 8K, Samsung Newsroom is showcasing them in a dynamic graphic format for easy comprehension.

14-bit Contrast Mapping

The 2022 Neo QLED 8K panels are built to provide extreme details in all types of scenes with the newly added 14-bit contrast mapping, building on top of the existing 12-bit control offered in 2021. The result is a new 8K screen that is capable of showing extraordinary picture quality with more contrast and control over details. The contrast and difference in detail are evident between last year’s model and this year’s Neo QLED 8K. Even with similar specs, such as Mini LEDs and dimming zones, the 2022 Neo QLED 8K allows us to be aware of intricate scenes and details that weren’t recognizable before. As shown above, 14-bit contrast mapping allows us to see the fine details on the surface of the water as well as the granular texture of the rocks under water.

Real Depth Enhancer

When the eye is focused on the object, it directs its attention to the object, focusing on the sharpness, clarity and texture of the object while maintaining the background. The 2022 Samsung Neo QLED 8K’s Neural Quantum Processor 8K acts quite similarly through its new feature, the Real Depth Enhancer, which increases overall contrast and definition of the object — creating a greater sense of depth and making the images pop.

As you can see in this example, the Real Depth Enhancer naturally guides the consumers’ eyes to focus on the object in front of them, creating depth and allowing the rhinoceros to truly stand out from the background.

Smart Calibration

With a new year of image quality improvements, comes a new sense of control for Samsung Neo QLED 8K. Now, viewers can calibrate and optimize their display from the menu bar or through the Smart Calibration app on their smartphone.¹ With Basic Mode, the app offers calibrated images in 30 seconds, while Professional Mode offers thorough image calibration and optimization within 5 to 8 minutes. Both modes require a simple one-step process from the users’ part to optimize the on-screen image. As shown here, the Professional Mode’s enhancement is very apparent, allowing Neo QLED 8K viewers to take advantage of its premium hardware and AI upscaling technology.

¹ Requires Galaxy S, Note, Z Flip or Z Fold series models released after January 2019, or an iPhone that supports Face ID. Supported models may differ depending on the situation. For more information, please check the product manual at samsung.com/support.

At its Unbox & Discover event on March 30, Samsung Electronics unveiled all its latest visual display innovations, including the all-new 2022 Neo QLED 8K, and introduced how its vision for new product development is centered on enhancing user experience.

In his opening speech, Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Samsung Electronics’ Device eXperience (DX) Division, emphasized that screens such as TVs are set to transform from something to be watched into something that brings more value to users’ daily lives, redefining the future role of screens under the vision of “Screens Everywhere, Screens for All.”

Vice Chairman Jong-Hee (JH) Han underlines the importance of streamlined technology optimized for users in his opening speech at Unbox & Discover 2022.

For those who weren’t able to tune in, or perhaps are just looking for a recap on all the announcements from the latest Unbox & Discover livestream, Samsung Newsroom is sharing all the highlights from the event, including Samsung’s unwavering efforts to shape a more sustainable future along with its very latest products.

1. Let’s Go Further: Bringing About a Sustainable Future for People and Planet

Chrissie Moncrieffe at Samsung Europe Office shares the company’s efforts to contribute to sustainable everyday lifestyles.

Samsung is making every effort to minimize its environmental impact throughout its products’ life cycles. For example, the company’s eco-packaging keeps print on packaging to a minimum, reducing the use of ink by 90%. Also, the latest SolarCell Remote is now completely battery-free and can now be charged through 2.4GHz radio frequency harvesting — drawing power from spare energy emitted by Wi-Fi routers. It is 88% more efficient than the previous 2020 models.

Furthermore, Samsung’s Neo QLED 8Ks have received carbon footprint certifications from the Carbon Trust in recognition of the company’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the product’s entire life cycle.

Since 2014, Samsung has been focusing on accessibility by placing utmost priority on ensuring easier and more seamless accessibility to screens for everyone. To this end, the company introduced an innovative new technology at Unbox & Discover 2022 which automatically analyzes and identifies a better location to display subtitles on-screen to avoid blocking a certain area of the screen. Samsung has also developed a sign language avatar to guide users through all functions of Samsung TVs and help them easily navigate through all manner of different functions.

2. Let’s Do: A Hub for the Smart Home Ecosystem

Ivan Zakharov, Service Biz Team at Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business, introduces Samsung’s new Smart Hub.

With TVs at the center of the smart home ecosystem, users can easily control all their devices using their TV, thus putting them to the best use. Samsung also unveiled Smart Hub, its new user interface, powered by Tizen. The all-new Samsung Smart Hub brings every aspect of the smart experience into one easy-to-navigate home screen. The new tab classifies features, settings and content into three categories for a seamless user experience: Media, Gaming Hub and Ambient.

The Media screen integrates a wide array of entertainment services into one, including Samsung TV Plus,¹ featuring over 190 free channels for a user’s enjoyment. The Ambient screen is designed to display a variety of content, including world-renowned works of art, as wallpapers when users are not watching the TV, contributing to their interior design aesthetic. Furthermore, the Neo QLED 8Ks provide a one-stop NFT platform to enable users to explore and display digital artworks thanks to close cooperation between Samsung and Nifty Gateway.

3. Let’s Play: A Perfect Ecosystem for Gamers

Adam Burgess, Product Design Group at Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business, explains how Samsung delivers vivid gaming experiences.

The 2022 Samsung screens are set to help create the perfect ecosystem for gamers with the introduction of cutting-edge streaming technologies and state-of-the-art hardware. The Samsung Gaming Hub provides all the necessary functions users need to enjoy all the latest titles from game search platforms along with streaming services. The new platform will be available later this year on select 2022 Samsung Smart TV models.²

Notably, Samsung’s 2022 lineup features four HDMI 2.1 supporting ports,³ ensuring a simplified connection to even the newest game consoles. The new devices also feature an outstanding refresh rate of 144Hz, an excellent resolution of 4K and a low input lag to ensure quick speed, while the all-new Game Bar enhances visibility. At Unbox & Discover 2022, Samsung stressed that users can be fully immersed in all different types of games thanks to the improved image quality and optimized gaming environment of the 2022 lineup.

4. Let’s Experience: A Culmination of TV Innovations

Lydia Cho at Samsung Electronics America introduces the key elements of 8K picture quality.

At the core of the innovation behind Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K lies its Neural Quantum Processor 8K. Twenty independent neural AI networks analyze each scene and adjust picture quality to deliver the best viewing experiences regardless of content’s original picture quality. Also, Samsung’s 2022 Neo QLED 8K’s Real Depth Enhancer maximizes depth and vividness by improving picture quality and sharpness, making scenes more real.

Nicole Murakami at Samsung Electronics America underscores the excellence of Neo QLED 8K’s design and sound technology.

Samsung’s signature Infinity One Design provides a slimmer and sleeker look, making the TV appear as if it is floating above the ground. The 2022 Samsung Neo QLED 8K is also built with a 90W 6.2.4 channel audio system with Dolby Atmos support featuring Object Tracking Sound Pro (OTS Pro).⁴ The slim screen is the perfect match for its new Ultra Slim Soundbar, which supports a Wireless Dolby Atmos system. Furthermore, the soundbar’s subwoofer with 3.1.2 channels and a passive radiator provides the perfect audio performances.

5. Let’s Make Your own: The Expansion of Experiences Through Cutting-Edge Accessories

At Unbox & Discover 2022, Samsung introduced new accessories to offer optimized screen experiences tailored to each user’s changing lifestyles and trend preferences. The new Slim Fit Wall Mount makes the ultra-thin Neo QLED 8K stand out with a wall-to-wall distance of 7.5mm. Furthermore, the latest Full Motion Slim Wall Mount, almost 50% slimmer than its predecessor, sits just 19.5mm from the wall to complement the sleek style of the screen. It can be also tilted up, down, left and right to create the ideal angle for the best viewing experience regardless of the location of the viewers. In addition, by using Auto Rotating accessory, the screen is able to switch to portrait mode upon using the remote control to enable users to easily enjoy vertical mobile-style content.

When putting the screen in the middle of the room or placing it without the media console, the Studio Stand ensures a sleek, trendy look. Users can display artworks, photos or NFT artworks in a landscape or portrait orientation even when the TV is turned off so that their TV can also serve as a singular piece of art. The latest three-way MultiView also allows users to display various content such as live broadcasts, YouTube or online reviews, all at once.

At Unbox & Discover 2022, Samsung reiterated how the ever-evolving role of the screen is quickly transforming it into a tool to fulfill all kinds of functions, from ‘game console’ and ‘virtual playground’ to ‘the perfect partner to improve efficiency’ and a ‘Smart Hub to control one’s home’. Stay tuned to see what screen product Samsung will next bring to the market to once again take user experiences to the next level.

¹ Service availability may vary by region.

² Availability of Gaming Hub may vary by region.

³ Specification of ports may vary by product.

⁴ available in the QN900B model.

Samsung Electronics today showcased its 2022 lineup of Neo QLED 8K, soundbars, accessories and sustainability initiatives at its virtual Unbox & Discover event. With this new lineup, Samsung aims to redefine the role of television by creating beautifully designed, cutting-edge screens that offer more than just entertainment. This year’s products and features take the screen to new heights by providing one central hub to play, connect, work and more.

“We are focused on creating a seamless experience across all of our products, which allows consumers to effortlessly enjoy all their benefits. The 2022 Neo QLED 8K is designed to fulfill the needs and empower the passion of our consumers, and the innovations are sparked by their experiences,” said Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Samsung Electronics’ DX (Device eXperience) Division. “Neo QLED 8K also has the power to unlock new experiences as the most important device at the center of the home.”

Samsung’s 2022 portfolio was developed from the vision of ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All,’ with TVs at the center of users’ home and daily lives. In line with this vision, Samsung created devices that seamlessly connect to provide deep personalization and connectivity ensuring there is a screen fit for every occasion and lifestyle. Historically, TVs and screens have been mainly associated with the act of “watching,” but Neo QLED 8K aims to change this by expanding the user experience.

Neo QLED 8K: The Best Gets Better

The 2022 Neo QLED 8K has been upgraded to bring the large screen experience to another level. At the heart is the Neural Quantum Processor 8K. The latest processor has 20 independent neural AI networks, each analyzing the content’s characteristics and picture quality for optimal viewing, regardless of the source.

The Neural Quantum Processor 8K also powers a new technological innovation — Real Depth Enhancer. This scans the screen, and maximizes contrast with the background by enhancing the object while keeping the background unprocessed. It works similarly to the way human eyes perceive images in real life so the object on screen stands out against the background.

In fact, Samsung’s all new 2022 QLED received the world’s first ‘Pantone Validated’ certification in display from Pantone, the global authority on color and creator of the Pantone Matching System (PMS) — meaning the models authentically reproduce more than 2,000 colors as well as the newly added 110 skin tone shades found in Pantone’s guidelines. Additionally, these brilliant colors are comfortable to watch with the new EyeComfort Mode. The feature uses AI technology to automatically adjust the brightness and color temperature of the screen based on how light or dark the room is combined with the sunset/sunrise information to optimize the most comfortable viewing experience.

Immersive Dolby Atmos Sound With Smart Features

For true immersion, TVs and screens need powerful and nuanced sound to match the rich colors and sharp details. The Neural Quantum Processor 8K’s AI analyzes what is on screen in real-time so that the Adaptive Sound features can track and move between speakers to precisely match the movement on screen.

In QN900B, a flagship Neo QLED 8K model, all the sounds come from a 90W 6.2.4 channel audio system, featuring new top channel speakers and Dolby Atmos with Object Tracking Sound Pro. This technology has also been applied to voice recognition with Voice Tracking Sound, so that sound effects and voices truly follow the movement across the screen.

Samsung is also introducing Wireless Dolby Atmos to its Neo QLED 4K and 8K TVs — this means pristine audio quality without the clutter of HDMI cables. Wireless Dolby Atmos will also be applied to Samsung’s new 2022 Ultra Slim Soundbar, designed for an immersive audio experience from a more aesthetically at a minimal setup.

Experiencing Your Screen

To ensure the experience is as seamless as possible, the 2022 lineup is outfitted with new and smarter features and user interface, allowing Samsung TVs and screens to become the central hub to watch content, control devices, play games, work out and more.

• New Smart Hub: This year, Samsung also unveiled Smart Hub, its new user interface, powered by Tizen. The all-new Samsung Smart Hub brings every aspect of the smart experience into one easy-to-navigate home screen. The new tab classifies features, settings and content into three categories for a seamless user experience: Media, Gaming Hub and Ambient.
  
  
  • Media: The Media screen organizes users’ entertainment options — including video on demand, streaming and Samsung TV Plus¹ with 190+ free channels — and learns users’ preferences with machine learning to make smart recommendations across all platforms and services.
  • Gaming Hub: Gaming Hub is a new game streaming discovery platform that bridges hardware and software to provide a seamless player experience. No downloads required, no storage needed. Samsung also announced partnerships with leading game streaming services — NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Stadia and Utomik, with more to come — to bring their libraries of games to the Gaming Hub. The new platform will be available later this year on select 2022 Samsung Smart TV models.²
  • Ambient: The Ambient screen enhances the home’s aesthetic, whether that means synchronizing the screen’s display with its surrounding décor or making a bold statement with eye-catching art.
• Gaming Experience: In addition to the all-new Gaming Hub, the 2022 lineup comes with specifications and features that are made for the ultimate gaming experience. They include four HDMI 2.1 supporting ports,³ Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro 4K 144Hz gaming, Super Ultrawide GameView and Game Bar, making gaming more efficient and accessible for a fast-paced and streamlined experience. With these incredible picture quality and settings improvements, games will be more realistic and thrilling than ever. Samsung is also introducing an exclusive TV lineup for gaming in 43 and 50 inches in the near future.
• Samsung Health: Samsung Health offers not only a wide variety of workout and wellness classes, but also ways to track your progress and routines. Users can easily track their fitness journey and activities on their TV and seamlessly sync with other devices such as Galaxy Watch4 series to track progress in real-time on the screen.

• SmartThings: A critical component of the connected experience is Samsung’s SmartThings. With SmartThings, the screen becomes the central hub to conveniently control other home devices at a single point. This feature, included in Samsung TVs, takes advantage of the large screen to help users discover, view and control devices at-a-glance.
• NFT Platform: Finally, new in 2022 is Samsung’s NFT Platform, partnering with the industry leader, Nifty Gateway. Ambient mode will offer consumers a one-stop NFT platform to explore and display NFT digital arts on 2022 Neo QLED and QLEDs, a new way to collect and present art works.⁴

Sustainability at the Core With ‘Going Green’

Samsung is always thinking about how the manufacturing process and the use of products impact the Earth’s environment, looking for ways to reduce its footprint and build a better future for the planet.

• Eco-Packaging: Samsung is improving its eco-conscious packaging with 90% less ink while also removing the staples during production. Both improvements reduce waste and make it easier for recycling centers to process.
• SolarCell Remote: The SolarCell remote also received an upgrade for 2022. It is 88% more efficient than the previous 2020 models. They are now completely battery-free and can now be charged through 2.4GHz radio frequency harvesting — drawing power from spare energy emitted by Wi-Fi routers.

• Recycled Materials: Samsung’s 2022 TVs, monitors, digital signage and remote controls use recycled resin. Notably, high-resolution monitors use recycled resin from ocean-bound plastic recovered in coastal areas that would otherwise have become marine hazardous waste.
• The Carbon Trust Certification: Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K/4K has achieved the ‘Reducing CO₂’ label from the Carbon Trust, demonstrating that the carbon footprint for the Neo QLED lineup is being reduced year over year.

Making It Personal With Accessories

Each consumer has their unique taste and needs when it comes to TVs, which is why Samsung created new accessories for its 2022 TVs that facilitate entirely new TV experiences.

• Slim Fit Wall Mount: For those who want to wall mount their screen, the Slim Fit Wall Mount allows the TV to lie flush against the wall while offering swivel up, down and sideways for the perfect angle no matter where the viewer is seated.
• Studio Stand: In case the TV stand is preferred, the Studio Stand offers a unique and elegant way to display the Neo QLED 8K in an artistic fashion.
• Auto Rotation: The new accessory extends the rotating capabilities of The Sero to the Neo QLED 8K. Auto Rotation brings mobile experiences to the big screen, portrait art to the full screen, and MultiView experiences to new layouts. It can be used as a stand or wall mount so that whatever is on, the whole screen is filled to optimize the viewing experience.

To pre-order or for more information on Samsung’s TV products, please visit www.samsung.com.

¹ Service availability may vary by region.

² Availability of Gaming Hub may vary by region.

³ Specification of ports may vary by product.

⁴ Detailed features or user interface may vary by model and region.

As versatile as it is powerful, the 2022 Smart Monitor M8 comes packed with enhancements that cater to consumers’ evolving needs. These include a choice of four colors that go well with any space (Warm White, Sunset Pink, Daylight Blue and Spring Green); an ultra-slim design, which is less than one-third the thickness of the previous version; a monitor stand that allows users to freely adjust its height; and the device’s Workspace feature, which lets users manage all their work-related services on one screen. Small enough to fit in one’s hand, the SlimFit Cam is a particularly handy feature that can be easily attached or detached, allowing you to utilize your space in versatile ways, such as a home office.

With support for new levels of connectivity, the Smart Monitor M8 is a landmark release for the home office era. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the monitor’s exciting features.

Samsung Newsroom sat down with engineer Uihyun Kim and product planner Joonho Jeong to ask them eight questions about Samsung’s latest 8K TV, which pushes the boundaries of what is possible with a television. Read on to learn what they had to say.

This is why the all-new Galaxy A53 5G features an AI-enhanced camera experience designed to power every moment of learning, creating and exploring. You can make every photo and video pop, even in low lighting, with a camera that automatically adjusts its framerate to different light conditions.

Whether you’re snapping pics alone or with friends, you can take your best photos yet with an enhanced Portrait mode that captures depth and subject outlines more accurately. What’s more, with Fun mode, you can add playful filters to turn any gathering into an impromptu photo shoot. Sometimes, things get in the way of the perfect photo — like an accidental photobomb or a distracting glare. Using Photo Remaster, you can breathe new life into old and low-quality images or use Object eraser to remove any background distractions to create your picture-perfect shot.

Take a look at the video below to learn more about how the Galaxy A53 5G’s AI camera functions make every moment awesome.

▲ (From left to right) The product experts behind The Freestyle: Jenny Jung, Sooyeon Chung, Dami Baik and Seungyeon Ian Jeong of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics

The Freestyle, Samsung Electronics’ all-new portable screen and entertainment device that displays crystal-clear images up to 100 inches in size, is proving a hit in markets around the world including North America, Latin America and South Korea.

The secret behind the popularity of The Freestyle, a device that is especially beloved by younger generations, is that feedback from Millennial and Zoomer-age individuals has been welcomed and incorporated right from The Freestyle’s product planning and early development stages.

In order to hear more about this process, Samsung Newsroom sat down with 4 of the product experts behind the planning and development of The Freestyle: Seungyeong Ian Jeong, who worked on product planning, Sooyeon Chung, who worked on service product management, Jenny Jung, who worked on UX design and Dami Baik, who worked on product launch marketing.

Developing an All-New Device Based on Changing Lifestyle Trends

Ever since the initial planning stages of The Freestyle, Samsung’s product experts have been researching Millennial and Zoomer lifestyle trends and have endeavored to apply them to the product. Millennials and the Zoomers pursue their own unique lifestyles, and are not afraid to speak out and express themselves. They place importance on practicality as well as the vibe and style of the products they choose. By respecting the preferences of such young users, The Freestyle took such changes in preferences into consideration.

The changes in lifestyles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic became the background for product planning as well. People began to spend more time in their own personal spaces, and it became more important to bring entertainment into spaces previously used for relaxing, such as the bedroom. At the same time, outdoor leisure activities, such as camping, have been becoming more common. “The concept of The Freestyle is its frameless portable screen that is ‘with me anywhere,’” explained Jung.

Creating a Unique TV Experience Out of a Unique Platform and a Young Vibe

It is not easy to describe The Freestyle in one word, simply because it is a completely new product with no precedent. Some users will use it as a screen, while some will use it as an interior mood light; others might use it as a digital placard, too. As the very name of the device states, the purpose of the product changes in freestyle along with the lifestyle and the unique style of each user.

We asked the 4 product experts what they think the secret behind the popularity of The Freestyle is, and all of them highlighted the strong synergy between the product experience that can be harnessed in all kinds of ways with the unique Samsung Smart TV platform. “The Freestyle provides all kinds of major OTT apps with built-in streaming services certified by partners so that you’re never behind on the best in content and screen experiences,” elaborated Chung. “Moreover, smartphone mirroring can very easily be undertaken with both Android and iOS mobile devices.”

Actively Reflecting the Interests and Experiences of Younger Generations

Since The Freestyle is a product that is the first of its kind, naturally some hurdles arose during the development stage. “Since it is the first product of its type being developed by Samsung, there was no defined reference for us,” explained Jung. “It wasn’t easy for us to plan the product’s features and to design its experiences from zero.” Whenever doubts arose about the direction of the product, what helped the most was actually the feedback the team could get from the community board for Samsung employees in their 20s and 30s.

At the beginning of the product planning stage, the crux of The Freestyle’s offering was mainly content watching through projection. However, colleagues who are Millennials and Zoomers at Samsung provided their feedback as to how excited they would be to use The Freestyle to create their own type of mood by projecting an image of their choice when not watching content, and this is what led to The Freestyle’s ambient features.

Even the device’s high-quality audio offering came to be following the incorporation of feedback on the community board. “While we were thinking about the sound specification of the device, we paid attention to the opinions being shared about how the sound quality should not be compromised,” noted Jeong.

Going Beyond the Limitations of a Space With Convenient Portability and Usage Options

In order to use this product, small enough to fit into a purse and weighing only 830g, anywhere regardless of place, a convenient usage environment is a must. Unlike other projectors, The Freestyle quickly adjusts its screen’s focus automatically through auto keystone correction, leveling and focusing features. Through the Scale & Move feature, users can adjust the projected screen size and position it without having to physically move the projector around.

In addition, the Freestyle features a convenient functionality that allows users to directly access settings while watching content that doesn’t require them to go through any menu — this is accessed by simply pressing and holding the home button. Moreover, users can control the device through voice recognition, as the product comes with technology to minimize surrounding noise, previously a persistent issue for projectors. Through farfield voice assistant support, The Freestyle also lets users play music and engage in virtual assistant features even when the screen is off.

A Versatile Device To Be Used Anytime, Anywhere — On Your Terms

So how do the product experts themselves use The Freestyle? “I enjoy using The Freestyle to listen to music in high-quality sound while projecting my favorite album cover image in the background,” said Jung. “I also enjoy projecting a video of the stars shining brightly onto my bedroom ceiling before I go to bed. When I feel like falling asleep, I can just turn off the device using my voice.”

“My kids really like it when we install The Freestyle on the headboard shelf and watch content projected onto the ceiling while lying in bed together,” added Baik. “Since the device can be used freely in any way you want, it is receiving rave reviews just not from Millennial and Zoomer-age users, but also from users of all ages, including those who are using The Freestyle as a family.”

The most appealing thing about The Freestyle is that it can be used in all kinds of scenarios in daily life thanks to its compact design and convenient usability. “We want to present a user experience that meets users’ diverse preferences and needs anywhere, anytime, by going beyond the limitations of a space,” said Jeong. “Our goal is to establish The Freestyle as a personal, movable, smart screen that can be truly utilized to the fullest.”

Part one of this two-part series focused on Samsung’s latest home appliances and displays. Here, Junghoe Kim of Samsung Research’s Robot Center¹ and Hoseong Kang from Samsung’s Mobile eXperience Business offer exclusive insights on the company’s latest robots and the new Galaxy S21 FE.

Robotics: Reimagining Robots as Life Companions

▲ Junghoe Kim of Samsung Research’s Robot Center stands alongside the Samsung Bot i interactive robot.

Q: What is the theme for Samsung Research’s showcase at CES 2022?

The overall concept for Samsung Research at CES 2022 is “Digital, Meet Physical”. We’ve gone to great lengths to show how the personalized experiences that millennials and zoomers value can be seamlessly connected to the digital world.

To that end, the ‘house’ that we set up at CES was designed to resemble a digital world like a metaverse. Our AI ​​Avatar was created to identify users’ locations in the real world using UWB (Ultra Wide Band) location recognition technology, and interact with them through the nearest smart home product.

At this year’s CES, two types of companion robots will be introduced: the Samsung Bot i, an interactive robot, and the Samsung Bot Handy, a manipulation robot that can assist with household chores. They can help users by arranging a video conference for an urgent meeting, or by setting the table for a meal. Our CES 2022 booth demonstrates how AI and robots can come together to introduce innovative user experiences to the home of the future.

Q: What are some of the Samsung Bot i and Samsung Bot Handy’s most innovative features and technologies?

The Samsung Bot i is an interactive robot that utilizes balance control technology. It moves like a living being, making dynamic and life-like movements. When it’s next to the user, it moves alongside them and offers various forms of support. When it’s away from the user, it manages various tasks for them using its telepresence² function.

The Samsung Bot Handy is a robot that helps out with various household chores using manipulation³ technology. This enables the robot to recognize objects at home and skillfully pick them up. Whereas at last year’s CES, we showcased a technology that could pick up a single object based on learning, this year, we will introduce a scenario called “tableware handling”. This technology enables the robot to pick items up after recognizing multiple objects and analyzing the surrounding environment.

▲ (From left) The Samsung Bot Handy, an AI Avatar and the Samsung Bot i

Q: How would you summarize Samsung Research’s R&D philosophy when it comes to robots, and where is the company’s research heading?

Samsung Research’s Robot Center is conducting research in various areas under the vision, “Samsung Bot, Touching Your Daily Life.” We strive to make our robots companions that help users in their daily lives by closely interacting with them and making their lives happier and more convenient. To achieve this, we’re taking core robot technologies like mobility and manipulation a step further by creating platforms based on our extensive expertise in AI, and we’re developing various robots based on research in those areas.

The Galaxy S21 FE: A Smartphone for Fans, by Fans

▲ Mobile eXperience team member Hoseong Kang holds up the Galaxy S21 FE, the newest S series smartphone, designed with feedback from Galaxy fans

Q: Which features of the newly unveiled Galaxy S21 FE should people pay special attention to?

The goal of the Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition) is to offer the Galaxy S series experience to even more users. It was created by combining the most beloved features of the Galaxy S21. What makes the S21 FE so special is that it makes the S21 series’ flagship experience available to more people while offering the same iconic contour-cut design, outstanding AI-powered camera, Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and flagship performance.

The camera is a crucially important part of the smartphone. Millennials and zoomers (members of Gen Z) in particular make use of the front-facing camera in a range of different ways. That’s why we equipped the S21 FE with a high-resolution, 32MP front camera that lets you take high-quality photos anytime, anywhere.

Q: Galaxy FE devices are designed to allow more people to enjoy the core flagship features that Galaxy users love. How are users’ opinions gathered on functions, and what insights have you gained through that research?

When planning FE devices, we collect feedback on the Galaxy series from thousands of fans. Through that research, we’ve been able to identify which aspects of the Galaxy S series fans love the most.

We listen closely to their feedback and identify the common perceptions about Galaxy devices that transcend regional and cultural boundaries. One of the insights that has come up repeatedly in our research is that many fans associate Galaxy devices with the idea of constant innovation. This is something that Galaxy devices have earned by driving innovation in the mobile space for more than a decade. It’s also the core philosophy that the FE line, and other future products, must live up to.

▲ The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE empowers fans to express themselves with four unique new colors

Q: Why is Samsung continuously expanding the Galaxy S series lineup? What is the ultimate goal?

When it comes to innovating with the mobile experience, Samsung is at the forefront. We have always been one step ahead of market demand, and we’ve been able to use the Galaxy brand to bring users new and innovative mobile experiences. The Galaxy S21 FE is the latest product of our approach to innovation. With its unique colors and design, it offers users a broader range of choices, helping them express themselves.

¹ Samsung Electronics’ advanced R&D hub, which leads the development of future technologies for its Device eXperience division

² Refers to a virtual video conferencing system that makes participants feel as if they are in the same room.

³ Refers to the skillful manipulation of objects with hands. This includes picking objects up.

But this change in viewing trends doesn’t mean that you should have to miss out on the immersive, cinematic experiences that movie theaters are able to provide. In order to help provide you with the tools to enjoy cinema-esque picture and sound quality when watching a movie at home, Samsung Newsroom has done a deep dive into the Samsung Neo QLED 8K and the latest premium soundbar.

1. Catch All the Fine Texturing and Details On-Screen Thanks to Quantum Mini LEDs

Even for fast-paced action films, your display should be able to keep up without you missing a single moment of the movie. In order to achieve this, the control your TV has over its LED lights is important for delivering details – which is why the 2021 Neo QLED 8K comes equipped with Quantum Mini LED¹ for more precise control of thousands of tightly-packed LEDs.

Samsung Electronics’ proprietary micro-layer technology expresses images more vividly and accurately. Micro layers inside each LED eliminate unnatural noise among thousands of LED elements – the secret behind how these TVs can express all the fine details on-screen, including a character’s skin tone and even their drops of sweat.

2. Never Miss a Moment of the Action, Even in Darkness, With Quantum Matrix Technology

Detailed blacks and high contrast are key to delivering realistic fight scenes that take place in darkness in action movies. Quantum Matrix Technology, Samsung’s proprietary local dimming technology, allows for clear contrast between dark and light areas on-screen.

Quantum Matrix Technology enhances the LED brightness level from 10-bit to 12-bit, which means that the TV can control its lighting up to 4,096 levels – four times² more than conventional displays. The TV’s local brightness booster efficiently distributes power and improves peak brightness by harnessing unused electrical power from darker areas to brighter ones.

3. Enjoy the Classics Upscaled to High Resolution With the Neo Quantum Processor

When watching classic movies, you may often find that the picture quality is poorer compared to the movies produced today, and may also have found yourself wishing that the picture and resolution were better. The Samsung Neo QLED 8K is capable of upscaling the picture quality of a movie, even older ones, to a higher resolution thanks to its Quantum Mini LEDs, Quantum Matrix Technology and its Neo Quantum Processor, which is armed with powerful AI upscaling technologies.

Based on an artificial neural network, the Neo Quantum Processor’s deep learning imitates the learning mechanism of humans to train its AI. The Neo QLED 8K’s Neo Quantum Processor now uses 16 multi-neural networks, whereas conventional technologies only use a single neural network. Each of the 16 networks divides up the content based on the input resolution and picture quality and then accurately analyzes all kinds of factors including edge handling, details and noise level. This then allows the processor to enhance a movie’s picture clarity without stalling, even for movies made in lower resolutions.

4. Immerse Yourself in Ultimate Sound With the World’s First 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar

A truly cinematic viewing experience isn’t complete without a sound system capable of creating truly immersive and realistic audio experiences. Given the growing number of users who enjoy watching movies at home, the need for premium sound experiences capable of delivering you that­ realistic rain downpour or airplane departure is also growing.

The immersive sound in a movie theater comes from high-performance speakers that fill both the walls and the ceiling; Dolby Atmos movie theaters use up to 400 speakers to create that audio experience. But now, with the Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar, you, too can enjoy a theater-like three-dimensional experience at home without the need to install any extra speakers thanks to its 11.1.4 channel speakers and Dolby Atmos technology.

5. A TV and a Soundbar That Operate in Perfect Harmony Thanks to Q-Symphony

When connecting your soundbar to the TV to watch movie at home, your TV’s built-in speakers are automatically disabled to allow the soundbar to emit sound due to technological limitations regarding compatibility between different devices and content. Samsung has been working to overcome this issue with its industry-leading TV and audio technology.

With the newly-introduced Q-Symphony, Samsung TVs and soundbars work together to produce the most room-filling surround sound experiences. While the soundbar itself is capable of providing rich and deep audio on its own, Q-Symphony lets you enjoy another level of cinematic experience at home as both the TV and the soundbar work together.

Samsung Audio Lab is behind the success of this technology. Samsung Electronics established the Samsung Audio Lab in California, United States in order to gather top-level sound experts and engineers to continue developing audio technologies and provide the best possible sound experiences to users.

¹ Compared to the LED module height featured in the 2020 Samsung UHD TV, each 2021 Neo QLED 8K’s Quantum Mini LED is 1/40 the size.

² 10-bit: 210 = 1,024 levels of control; 12-bit: 212 = 4,096 levels.

But Samsung’s cutting-edge new foldable solutions couldn’t have been realized without the hard work and collaborative efforts of Samsung’s global network of engineers. Among other accomplishments, these employees were able to incorporate advanced technologies like AI to enable drawing and writing on the Galaxy Z Fold3’s large screen, and to allow the device to convert handwriting in a range of languages into on-screen text with S Pen.

To find out more about just what went into the development of the innovative new S Pen, Newsroom spoke to Olga Radyvonenko from the Visual Intelligence Team at Samsung Research Ukraine.

Q: Can you briefly introduce the Ukrainian Research Institute and the kind of work that goes on there?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the key technologies of our R&D center. Our lab is focused on bringing Samsung users human-centric AI technologies that make input and interaction easy and enjoyable.

Q: The S Pen has now been applied to the Galaxy Z Fold3, making it the first of its kind among foldable smartphones. What role did you play in this process?

The major contributions of our lab to the Z Fold3 were the development of on-device deep learning technologies for handwritten content recognition and the technology for reducing S Pen input latency that combines advances in graphics and AI.

Q: What is the S Pen Software Development Kit? What particular advantages does it bring?

The S Pen Software Development Kit (SDK) is being developed by Samsung researchers and developers from many countries around the world, and we are very proud to be part of this international team. The S Pen SDK provides ways to speed up rendering and to reduce and optimize S Pen input latency. In addition, it comprises smart AI-powered features, such as recognition of handwritten text, shapes, diagrams and handwriting straightening.

Q: Given the unique function of the S Pen on the Z Fold3, was there any function of the S Pen that was developed or expanded specifically for the foldable smartphone?

As the new Z Fold3 has a massive and unique foldable display, we’ve focused on using our AI technology to optimize the S Pen experience as well as improve the latency. Thanks to our point prediction technology powered by deep learning, we are able to predict the next movement of the S Pen to minimize the delay between input and output on the screen of the Z Fold3. This, in combination with the front buffer rendering technology and unique large screen, means that our users can enjoy the most natural handwriting, note-taking and drawing on their Z Fold3.

Q: How many languages does the S Pen now support? What were some of the difficulties of expanding the number of recognized languages for the Z Fold3’s S Pen?

At this moment, the S Pen supports 88 languages in total, 14 of which were newly added in the past year.

Adding a new language for handwriting recognition requires a lot of effort. In order to achieve the world’s best level of recognition quality and speed, we have developed an advanced AI technology. This technology is based on deep learning across millions of users’ samples and language modeling for natural language processing (NLP).

Q: Do you have any special tips for making the most out of the S Pen on the Z Fold3 to share with users?

For those who love writing by hand, the S Pen To Text feature now supports writing with the S Pen directly into text fields. The handwriting is then automatically converted to text. Also, you can edit any printed text with your S Pen – for example, when correcting spacing or inserting words.

One feature that will also interest many users is Neat Shape mode. It can help you to not only draw shapes, but also build a flowchart.

Make sure to check the Tips application and not skip usage tips – there you will discover the newest S Pen and input features, and also learn how to use many other Samsung apps to their fullest potential.

Q: Looking forward, what do you think the future of the S Pen looks like? How might it evolve?

We hope to introduce more ways to support better user experiences by providing even more personalization in the near future. Our mission is to make S Pen input like writing in your notepad with a pen, but better and smarter.

Most of all, I want for as many people as possible to experience the power and convenience of the S Pen and its handwritten input capabilities. It has the potential to enhance input on a wide range of devices. We view the S Pen not only as a cool gadget, but first and foremost as an accessible and useful tool. I hope I will see the S Pen and its features casually used in education, in the workplace and in everyday life. I do believe we are set to see a revolution in input technology.

The full interview video can be viewed here:

During the event, Samsung highlighted its consumer-centric approach to innovation. In particular, the company showcased how advancements in AI, IoT and security work alongside the breadth of Samsung’s portfolio to create experiences that fit into how people live, ultimately unlocking a new era of connectivity and collaboration.

“We are proud of the pioneering work we are able to do in partnership with the creative developer community,” said DJ Koh, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics. “As society becomes more closely connected through new tools and devices, we want to make people’s lives easier and smarter – wherever they are.”

Platforms Designed for Connected Experiences

A strong platform of technologies across AI, IoT and security enhances the consumer experience and accelerates the ability of developers to build creative applications. Samsung detailed its plans to strengthen core platform technologies such as Bixby, SmartThings and Samsung Knox.

During the SDC21 keynote, Samsung announced improvements to Bixby, which has become a central part of the user experience for more than 300 million Samsung devices. Bixby now uses on-device AI and deep neural networks to process commands on devices themselves. Thanks to on-device AI, this development makes the service up to 35% faster than before.

For developers, Samsung also announced the Bixby Home Platform, which serves as an intelligent layer between Bixby’s natural language processing and SmartThings. With the platform, voice commands can now be executed more intelligently, taking into account the state and context of various devices.

Samsung made further announcements with regard to SmartThings, including how the platform will be fully integrated with Matter, the newest standard in smart home compatibility. Matter solves developer interoperability challenges and with an expansive list of partners, will be the catalyst that makes smart home connectivity nearly effortless. SmartThings Hub software will also be embedded into the Samsung product portfolio, which includes Samsung Smart TVs and Family Hub refrigerators.

Samsung believes that consumer data and personal privacy is just as important as the experiences they enable. Samsung is committed to providing a seamless consumer experience, and to ensuring that its devices and services are secure from beginning to end. Samsung Knox, the company’s defense-grade security platform, offers built-in protection for more than 100 million Samsung devices. To further secure consumer data, the Samsung Knox Vault comes in a combination of security-specific hardware (a new secure processor and isolated secure memory) and new integrated software that shields the most secure data from the Android OS and applications. During the SDC21 keynote, Samsung highlighted the importance of collaboration and its philosophy of open innovation to improve security and privacy, reiterating its work to continue releasing security analysis tools as open source projects.

Samsung also outlined its Privacy Principles at SDC21, highlighting the three commitments that guide all innovation at the company: Protection, Choice and Transparency. With these principles, consumers, developers and partners are given the information needed to make decisions about how data is managed. The company offers users the option to review and manage their permissions from the privacy setting on their Galaxy devices and Smart TVs and discloses Samsung’s privacy policies through the Privacy Portal. Going forward, Samsung will collaborate with global security experts while continuing to release open source security analysis tools to make its ecosystems more secure.

Tizen Takes Smart TV to New Heights

Based on its ‘Screens Everywhere, Screen for All’ vision, Samsung continues to build on its position as the world leader in TVs by developing new experiences that enhance connectivity, functionality and immersive entertainment. At SDC21, Samsung introduced various ways that Samsung TVs are enabling new experiences, including:

• Video communication based on partnership with Google to allow users to enjoy better video calling on TVs via AI-enabled focus and zoom features.
• Samsung Health on Smart TVs that connects with a webcam to analyze movements and provide real-time feedback during a workout.
• More realistic gaming thanks to HDR10+, with automated settings for low latency and HDR calibration.

For enterprises, Samsung will launch Tizen for Business. This service supports interactive e-boards in schools, kiosks in malls, and even displays in restaurants, airports and subways. With new management portals, businesses can conduct real-time monitoring and control screens remotely, easily applying settings to multiple devices with one simple touch.

With the Tizen TV Platform Licensing, manufacturers who want to introduce a premium TV platform like Tizen can do so quickly with minimal cost. This enables them to use the Tizen TV presence to promote their products in the Smart TV market, and ultimately, help more consumers enjoy Tizen.

Innovating Across the Galaxy Ecosystem

Samsung provides a user experience that meets the needs of all users and devices. And with an expanding range of device types and form factors, developers have a breadth of opportunities to innovate in new ways.

At SDC21, Samsung introduced the new One UI 4, the latest version of its user interface for mobile devices. One UI 4 will provide new levels of customization to enable users to create an experience and a device that is truly theirs. It combines Samsung’s leading privacy and security features with options for users to personalize permissions so that they are always in control of their data when using a Samsung device.

Samsung demonstrated the possibilities of One UI 4 to developers at the event, particularly for foldable devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3. Thanks to One UI 4, users will be able to make use of features such as Flex mode and Multi-Active Window, which enable users to enjoy more intuitive and user-friendly experiences that are unique to the foldable form factor. SDC21 also included a Galaxy Watch session that showcased developer tools to help them build new apps in the new watch app ecosystem.

Samsung invites developers and partners on its journey to bring new and secure experiences to life. For more information about the Samsung Developer Conference 2021, please visit developer.samsung.com.

Voice Recognition With Bixby: More Convenient Than Touch

Artificial intelligence (AI) enhances the performance of all kinds of devices essential to our daily lives, including smartphones, tablets, TVs and more. In particular, AI-powered voice recognition facilitates more seamless interactions between these devices. Principal Engineer Joohwan Kim from the AI ​​Client Development Group, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics, shares below how the Bixby voice assistant platform is set to enable more convenient experiences – using just your voice.

Q: What does the newly updated Bixby voice assistant platform look like?

Bixby aims to be the best voice interface able to control multiple Samsung devices using only a small amount of data. From this standpoint, we focused on providing a unique user experience that only Galaxy can provide when developing Samsung’s latest devices. For example, Galaxy Z Flip3 provides a Bixby function that allows users to utilize the Cover Screen, and Galaxy Watch4 series includes hands-free functionality.

Bixby has advanced in many ways as an AI platform, and, in terms of the engine, it supports Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) on-device. Because it processes users’ voices immediately from within the device itself, it is fast and secure in terms of privacy protection. Moreover, the development of Bixby Home Platform further expands the range of supported devices. What used to require multiple voice commands is now possible with only a single command that the device understands and performs accordingly.

Q: What are the areas of possible collaboration with developers around the world for the Bixby Platform?

There are several ways third-party developers can participate in Bixby. They can develop various voice services using Samsung’s AI engine in our smartphones, watches and Family Hub. This service, called a capsule, is provided by the Bixby Developer Center. We have also updated the developer tools to make debugging and natural language learning easier, and to allow convenient use of various UI components, all of which will be presented at SDC21.

The update being announced will make it possible to use for developers to harness multiple contexts when adding devices. Smarter device control has been made possible by Bixby Home Platform, an intelligent layer which sits between Bixby Voice – which provides natural language understanding and issues commands – and SmartThings’ Internet of Things (IoT) layer – which provides connection and operation between devices. Commands that previously had to be made individually for separate devices can now be more efficiently undertaken using the Bixby Home Platform. We are introducing this tool at SDC21 and currently working on providing it to third-party developers in the future.

Enjoy More of the Content You Love: Samsung Smart TV’s Tizen

In the past, TVs were evaluated only on their resolution and design, but given changing lifestyles and user demands, the kind of content a TV is able to provide has become paramount. Thanks to the Tizen platform, Samsung’s Smart TVs are able to provide users with a wide range of content able to suit any taste. Ju-hyun Choi, a Staff Engineer at the Software Development Group, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, describes below how Tizen has evolved to provide partners with the optimal environment in which they can develop with wide compatibility and stability.

Q: What are the new functions of Tizen Web Platform for Samsung Smart TV?

Through a powerful web standard technology called WebAssembly, high-performance web apps can now be developed on Samsung Smart TVs. For SDC21, we have prepared an upgrade plan that allows for the installation of the very latest web features for previously-released Smart TVs.

Q: The competitive edge held by Tizen-based display products has been strengthened thanks to the cooperation of partners from various fields. What are your future collaboration plans?

We are currently working on web-based cloud games, with the goal of allowing users to play the latest games on their Samsung Smart TV equipped with the Tizen platform – all without the latest consoles or expensive graphic cards. In order to achieve this, we are working closely with our current service partners. The Tizen platform, an open source-based operating system (OS), is open to everyone and we are working to provide the best possible development environment to developers that features a wide range of compatibility and development tools.

A Must for Innovative User Experiences: On-Device Personalized Neural Networks

Recently, on-device AI technology has been garnering attention. In the past, a high-performance cloud server capable of performing complex calculations was required in order to run AI-based apps, but when the neural network used in AI apps runs within the device, many advantages for users emerge. Jihoon Lee, an Engineer at the On-Device Lab at Samsung Research, explains below the role of on-device AI and cooperation with developers.

Q: On-device AI is considered a must for powerful and innovative consumer experiences. What kind of benefits will users enjoy from using it?

The biggest advantage offered by on-device AI is that the privacy of the users is maintained since all processing occurs on-device. Developers, too, will be able to provide services that are that much closer to the users, while also free from privacy concerns. For example, a camera app that harnesses facial recognition will not share sensitive data with a server if the AI is run on-device.

Another advantage is that on-device AI models can be used without an Internet connection or any mobile data consumption. For example, if a certain on-device AI model is required to be on constant low-power standby, the necessity of an Internet connection or data consumption could be a big limitation. With on-device AI, user application experiences are improved since there is no need to send data to a server and wait for results – resulting in reduced response times.

Thirdly, one is able to create custom AI directly on their device. Previously, the concept of personalizing the already-deployed AI firsthand was unexplored, as there was no framework to help train a deep-learning model on-device. Moving forward, we expect that NNTrainer, which we are presenting at SDC21, will play a big role in better recognizing a user’s face, their accent and even their pets to automatically create photo albums based on their furry friends – and more.

Q: In the future, what kind of synergies can be expected in this field through cooperation with the developers present at SDC?

Ultimately, we hope to bring users closer to AI through on-device training and personalization. We look forward to developers who attend SDC21’s sessions recognizing and utilizing NNTrainer in order to provide AI that is closer to users. Following such collaboration, NNTrainer, currently in its initial stages will become an even more mature framework. Since it is being developed as an open source, anyone can search for it and contribute directly.

Developing Watch Apps for Wear OS Powered by Samsung

Won-Hee Seo, a Staff Engineer at the Strategic Partner R&D Group, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics, below introduces the new developer tools and benefits of creating watch apps for the Wear OS Powered by Samsung platform, running on the Galaxy Watch4 series.

Q: It’s now easier to develop a great watch app for the Wear OS ecosystem. What are some new helpful experiences that will be available to users?

With the Galaxy Watch4 series, the most loved and used watch apps and services have been optimized for the new Wear OS Powered by Samsung platform. In addition to Samsung and Google services and apps such as Google Maps and YouTube Music, users will also have access to their favorite watch apps available for download in the Google Play Store. In particular, health-related apps, including Sleep Cycle, are starting to launch and are growing in popularity.

Many developer partners have started to work with the new tools available for the Wear OS platform, which has led to the release of many useful apps.

Moreover, we have launched Watch Face Studio, a new developer tool that makes it easy to design watch faces. Thanks to this tool, designers and developers will be able to create more watch faces, which provides users with a greater variety of watch faces to choose from, helping them to further personalize their watch with their own tastes.

Q: Throughout this session, you discussed the development of new watch apps with other developers. What was at the center of the discussion?

A total of four watch-related sessions were arranged for SDC21: one Highlight Session and three Tech Talk Sessions. They provide all the necessary information for developers, such as the developer guide, in order to help them more easily create diverse watch apps and services. In order to help stimulate the watch face market, a session was also added to SDC21 to provide a detailed introduction to the Watch Face Studio tool that is set to allow designers and developers to easily design and create faces.

To help you get through your busy day, Samsung Electronics has put together a team. With the SmartThings app on the Galaxy Z Fold3 leading the way, Samsung’s latest washer and dryer, Neo QLED 8K and the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ are ready to team up to help you get ready.

Read on to find out how Team Samsung helps its user ‘A’, breeze through his busy morning.

Good Morning Mode Opens the Curtains and Displays the Weather

A was watching his favorite movie last night and fell asleep late. He ended up missing the alarm on his smartphone, but there’s no need to worry. All he needs to do to get ready for the day is simply unfold his Galaxy Z Fold3 and activate Good Morning Mode in SmartThings.¹ Once he’s done that, the curtains that were closed so he could get a good night’s sleep automatically open up and the lights in his home switch on to help him begin his morning in a bright mood.²

One of the most important factors to consider when getting ready to go out is the weather. It’s the first thing to check before choosing your outfit and deciding whether or not to take an umbrella with you. Because Good Morning Mode displays the weather automatically through A’s Neo QLED, there’s no need to use the remote to check the weather.

A Washer That Chooses the Best Wash Cycle While Staying Eco-Conscious

A has picked out an outfit of the day that’s appropriate for the weather, but he forgot to start his laundry. Luckily, Team Samsung can select the best wash cycle and get his laundry done on time even when he’s not around.

Here’s how it works. First, open up the SmartThings app, tap on Laundry Recipe and choose the color, soil level and types of clothes you want to wash in your washer. Wash cycles will differ depending on the color and soil level of the clothes, and whether you want to wash shirts or things like socks. The feature will automatically choose the best wash cycle based on your input.

The Laundry Planner feature allows you to specify when you’d like the load to finish, so your clothes will be fully dry and looking good to go when you need them.

Whipping Up a Delicious Breakfast With SmartThings Cooking

A hearty breakfast is a must for starting off the day with lots of energy. Luckily for A, Team Samsung makes it easy to pick out a recipe for a great meal.

After receiving a recommendation on his Galaxy Z Fold3 using SmartThings Cooking, A automatically sends the recipe to the smart oven and starts cooking. When it’s all done, he can receive a notification through his Galaxy Watch, Family Hub or TV.

Forgot to Turn Off Your Lights or Devices? Don’t Worry With Away Mode

After putting on some fresh, clean clothes and finishing a delicious breakfast, it’s finally time for A to head out the door. With SmartThings’ Away Mode,³ if A realizes that he forgot to turn off a light or the TV as he’s heading out the door, he won’t need to head back inside to do so. The feature allows you to control not just the lights and the TV, but devices like robotic vacuum cleaners (RVC) as well. In addition, if you have a pet who’ll be left alone at home, SmartThings Pet⁴ offers peace of mind by allowing you to monitor your furry friend.

Monitoring Energy Usage With SmartThings Energy

After Team Samsung helped him get ready and he headed out the door, while on his way to his destination, A became curious about how much energy he’d been consuming this month. Once he unfolded his Galaxy Z Fold3, he accessed the SmartThings Energy⁵ service, which offered him detailed insights on his energy usage.

For those who can’t afford to miss work or skip chores in this busy world, Team Samsung is here for you. Experience a smarter and more relaxing start to your day with SmartThings.

For more information on Team Samsung, please visit samsung.com.

¹ SmartThings application must be installed and connected to devices in order to utilize its features. Application requirements may differ depending on the device.

² The electric curtains and lights described are products of a partner company, not Samsung. Therefore, quality assurance depends on the partner company’s standards.

³ SmartThings application must be installed and connected to devices in order to utilize its features. Application requirements may differ depending on the device.

⁴ SmartThings Pet is available for Bespoke Jet Bot AI+.

⁵ How much detergent, water and energy can be saved can differ depending on the actual usage environment and the types of items being washed. SmartThings Energy service may not be supported by some devices.

To help alleviate pet owners’ concerns, Samsung Electronics has included a ‘Pet care’ feature in its Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum. By using the SmartThings app, users can record a video of their pets while alone at home and remotely take care of their animals by syncing with their pet products from PETKIT.¹ Below, Newsroom takes a look at the pet care features made possible by the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+.

Daily Monitoring – How Is My Pet Doing?

Wouldn’t it be nice to finally have a way to know how your pet’s day has been? There are so many things it would be nice to know. How has your pet spent their day? Have they eaten anything they shouldn’t have? Have they knocked anything over? This is where the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+’s ‘home monitoring’ feature, and its ability to record your pet’s day while you’re away, come in.

Set up a home monitoring schedule, and your roaming security camera will navigate the designated locations like it’s on patrol and capture your pet’s day. Simply connect your Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ to the SmartThings app, and your device’s LiDAR sensors will scan the indoor structure of your home, analyze the objects² in it and store their location to map out your living space. You can even set your device up to monitor your pets even more efficiently by telling it to monitor spaces that your pet is especially fond of. And if your pet has an accident on the floor, your Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ even includes a feature that allows it to identify the pollutant and vacuum around the spot in question.

Keeping an Eye Out – Notify Me of Odd Behavior

When your pet exhibits abnormal behavior, it can often be because something out of the ordinary has happened. The way our pets behave can often give hints as to what has happened, such as when our animals stay curled up in the same spot because they’re sick. When our pets react like this while we’re not at home, we usually aren’t able to give them the care and attention they need in a timely manner.

Thus, the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ acts as the owner’s eyes when they’re not around and quickly detects abnormalities in the pet’s behavior. Just turn ‘Home alone mode’ on when leaving the house, and you will receive notifications when your Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ detects that your pet hasn’t moved for a while. While monitoring their pets through SmartThings, users can also designate a start and end time for this option and receive notifications when their dog behaves abnormally.

Remote Care – Alleviating Pet Anxiety With Music

The Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ also allows users to comfort pets who are feeling lonely or anxious while home alone by using the ‘Remote caring’ feature to play music or videos for their pets. When the pets exhibit abnormal behavior, the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ notifies the owner and recommends a selection of calming, comforting songs from its ‘Music box’. Once the owner chooses a song, the music is played right away to comfort the pet.

Powerful Suction – Stop Worrying About Loose Hair

Having to worry about pet hair all over your clothes and the floor can be a real nuisance, with constant cleaning required to keep your space hygienic. The Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ comes equipped with a Jet Cyclone, which applies powerful suction to all sorts of dust and dirt with its 16 air holes. The Jet Cyclone is also capable of vacuuming up even the less visible hairs shed by short-haired breeds without any issue.

If your pet is especially sensitive, even a small noise from a home appliance can cause them stress. Despite its powerful suction, the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ produces less noise than other vacuums. What’s more, it is capable of recognizing and avoiding small obstacles like bowls and feeders and the pet’s excrement, thus relieving the owner’s concern over potential collisions with small objects. After the vacuuming is done, the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ returns to its Clean Station automatically and empties its dustbin on its own, removing the need for you to empty it later.

The Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with the features that loving pet owners need to show their pets the attentive care they deserve. With the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+, enjoy a clean space, find peace of mind when it comes to pet care, and spend more time making precious memories with your furry companion.

¹ SmartThings Pet syncs with the Element feeder series and the COZY smart pet house from PETKIT, a tech company dedicated to bringing smart pet products to market.

² Objects that can be recognized include the pet’s excrement, towels, socks, electric cables, cups, bottles, flower pots, plates, air conditioners, TVs, refrigerators, beds, couches, tables, bookshelves, washing machines, dryers, air purifiers and AirDressers. Objects that are at least 1cm in length, width and height respectively can also be detected and recognized. The object recognition feature can be impacted by the condition of the object and the surrounding environment.

There aren’t that many people who would say that floor cleaning is a beloved hobby of theirs – in fact, given half the chance, most people would instead opt for floors that clean themselves.

Until such a thing exists, the next best solution is an AI-powered robot vacuum that knows when, where and how to get the job done. Enter Samsung Electronics’ Bespoke Jet Bot AI+, a sleek and smart robot vacuum that can be programmed to clean while you are doing other things, including running errands outside the home.

What’s more, Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ can also help you monitor your pets while out and about, making it the perfect device for those leading busy lifestyles juggling work, exercise and more. If cleaning your floors is constantly ending up a low priority on your to-do list, Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ has it covered for you.

Intelligent Navigation for Smarter Floor Cleaning

Users can trust Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ because it is equipped with industry-leading object detection and recognition technologies that not only make floor cleaning more intelligent and convenient, but also more personalized and even pet-friendly.

Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ can identify and classify the objects it encounters on the floor by mapping out their location. This allows it to clean closely around your furniture, home appliances¹ and items such as lamps or plants so that you don’t have to move them before starting a cleaning cycle. Furthermore, Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ can gauge if an item is fragile or delicate, like a porcelain vase,² and maintain a safe distance from it. It can also classify if an object is dangerous, like electrical cables, and avoid them accordingly.

Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ is the world’s first robot vacuum to be powered by an Intel AI solution and equipped with an active stereo-type 3D sensor. This enables it to think and make decisions on its own and gauge the layout of your living space in order to drive more efficiently throughout your home and navigate around objects—including your pets—with no need for manual supervision.

Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ also features a LiDAR sensor much like those in self-driving vehicles to accurately track its location and optimize its cleaning path to cover more of your home so that it can pick up dirt, dust and dander in nooks that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Additionally, pet owners can rest easy as the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ can recognize pet excrement and will simply maneuver right around it to prevent any unwanted spreading or secondary contamination.

Personalized Cleaning at Your Fingertips

Thanks to SmartThings integration, Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ can help you with your chores even when you’re not at home. For a seamless and connected experience, the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ can be synced to your smartphone via Wi-Fi using the SmartThings app.³

The Select & Go feature allows users to easily schedule their Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ to clean remotely, and can even program it to clean specific rooms. SmartThings also lets you define virtual No-Go Zones to prevent the device from entering certain areas of your home, meaning that you don’t have to worry about your Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ falling down stairs or getting tangled in a carpet while you’re out and about.

An Extra Set of Eyes to Check In With Your Pets

When away from home, many pet parents know the feeling well of wondering what their pets are up to without them. With Bespoke Jet Bot AI+, you can check in on your pets at any time and from anywhere. The Jet Live Home Monitoring function streams a live feed from Bespoke Jet Bot AI+’s front camera via the SmartThings app and can automatically monitor the status of rooms you want to check or simply show you what your pet is doing using the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+’s patrol mode. For further peace of mind, the video clips are securely encrypted and can only be viewed by an authorized user.

It is also natural for pet owners to seek ways to better interact and care for their pets from a distance, which is why Samsung developed their SmartThings Pet service. Not only does this pet care service include the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ in its ecosystem of pet care devices, but it also makes daily routines more simple and convenient by syncing with products from PETKIT.⁴ 

For example, the PETKIT COZY smart pet house comes with its own set of sensors to adjust temperatures and track your pet’s resting patterns while offering a sense of security, while PETKIT’s Element feeder series lets you feed your pet scheduled meals (or a little treat)—all managed remotely via the SmartThings app. After all, all an owner really wants is to ensure that their beloved pets are happy and healthy.

^* The new product names go into effect on July 5, 2021. This is a change to the product name only. Jet Bot AI+ will become Bespoke Jet Bot AI+.

¹ Example Items include air conditioner (stand type), refrigerator, TV, washing machine/dryer, air purifier, AirDresser, sofa, bed, bookshelf, table, Bespoke (refrigerator, dishwasher), excrement, electrical cable, towel/sock, cup, glass cup, bottles, bowl, vase.

² Object recognition may be affected by an object’s shape or environmental conditions.

³ Available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

⁴ SmartThings Pet syncs with the Element feeder series and the COZY smart pet house from PETKIT, a tech company dedicated to bringing smart pet products to market.

From voice assistants that tell us the time and weather to automated cleaning units, robotics and AI technologies have already become a major part of everyday life. However, because our experiences with these technologies don’t always line up with our expectations, it may seem like we still have a way to go before AI and robotics become truly seamless.

Samsung Electronics’ designers envision a future in which robots are made to resemble, understand and care for users. Their approach to design is based on fostering natural interactions between technologies and users, rather than simply innovating for innovation’s sake.

The Jet Bot AI+* was designed with this approach in mind. The designers’ vision for a robot vacuum cleaner was one that could analyze users’ natural behaviors in order to provide a cleaning experience that catered to their daily lives and living spaces. The goal was to equip the device with a friendly personality that connected with people, as well as the ability to analyze situations and offer both pets and users their attention. A robot vacuum cleaner that was designed to resemble humans, the Jet Bot AI+* offers a more complete cleaning experience by carefully considering users’ needs.

A Robot That Cleans Like You

Standard robot vacuum cleaners require constant inspection, even when cleaning. This is because the devices tend to require a fair amount of guidance on how to clean your home. To make this process more efficient, Samsung’s designers wanted to design a robot vacuum that cleaned in a similar way to humans. They meticulously examined various functions and structures to enable the robot to manage cleaning independently from beginning to end.

“We thoroughly reviewed the entire process of a robot vacuum’s journey to create a device that didn’t rely on human intervention.”

– Nooree Nah, Designer

The Ability to Think

Many robot vacuum users have experienced those irritating incidents when the robot failed to recognize obstacles in its surroundings, leading it to malfunction or accidentally suck up bulky objects. In order to recognize obstacles and spaces without moving in monotonous lines, a robot vacuum needs to be able to think analytically, like a person.

The thinking process of the Jet Bot AI+* is based on proper perception and delicate sensitivity. The device’s LiDAR sensor behaves like an eye, allowing it to obtain a better understanding of its surroundings by scanning the structure of the house and building a map. Once it has learned the layout of your home, it identifies an optimal path to provide a more efficient clean. The device also features an object-recognition camera that’s been trained using more than a million images of various items, as well as a 3D sensor that can detect objects in front of it, which greatly reduces opportunities for errors.

An Agile Design

Cleaning requires constant and careful attention, especially when cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as under tables and chairs. Vacuums need to be appropriately sized in order to navigate freely between furniture and under narrow gaps.

When refining the structure of the Jet Bot AI+*, Samsung’s designers went to great lengths to ensure that the device’s size would be ideal for cleaning. In a balance of form and function, the LiDAR sensor located on the back of the device has been designed to protrude slightly, while the triangular front bumper includes an efficiently arranged brush, distance sensor and electric wheels. The brush, too, has been optimized for size, delivering a thorough clean wherever it goes.

A Hands-Free Clean

When cleaning a home, robot vacuum cleaners often require user intervention. For instance, users may be required to move their device to clean hard-to-reach areas, and empty the dust bin once it’s finished the job.

In order to clean like we do, a robot vacuum cleaner must be capable of locating and collecting dirt completely independently. The Jet Bot AI+* achieves this without any user intervention by mapping out your living space to detect areas that need to be cleaned and utilizing the Clean Station to empty its own dustbin.

A Sense of Character

Because robot vacuum cleaners tend to inform users of their cleaning routines in a mechanical way, they aren’t necessarily perceived as very ‘friendly’ devices. Samsung’s designers sought to change this. They envisioned a device that could understand and would genuinely care for users, treating them as if they were companions sharing the same living space. The Jet Bot AI+* offers that companionship, and builds strong relationships with users with its unique design and communication method.

“Our focus was to create a friendly AI that befriended the user as a helpful assistant, so they wouldn’t have to interact with a machine-like personality.”

-Yeonsu Kim, Designer

“We focused on designing a harmonious form that emphasized the combination of basic shapes.”

-Jaewon Choi, Designer

22 Expressions

Instead of relaying information via a digital screen like other devices, the Jet Bot AI+* vividly expresses functions and situations with subtle lighting on a curved surface. Before cleaning, the lighting gradually increases, creating the impression that the device is opening its eyes and looking from side to side to examine the structure of the house. The 22 delicately designed lighting animations intuitively and expressively inform users of the robot’s status.

A Friendly Voice

The Jet Bot AI+* is equipped with Bixby, a mobile voice assistant developed by Samsung. Behavior and voice are important factors when it comes to determining personality. With this in mind, extensive research was carried out in various countries to develop a voice that was universally favorable among a diverse set of users.

The Jet Bot AI+’s* voice projects warmth thanks to its meticulously designed tone and manner. When relaying functions and information related to cleaning, the robot exudes reliability by communicating in a clear and direct tone. At other times, it speaks to users in a friendly manner to create a sense of companionship. The device’s witty responses to certain situations and questions make it seem that much more human and alive.

A Comforting Appearance

The Jet Bot AI+* is composed of a harmonious combination of circles and triangles that’s inspired by modern minimalistic design and can stand the test of time. The combination of the two most basic and familiar shapes completes the device’s geometric figure, and accentuates its image as a home mascot. Unlike conventional robot vacuum cleaners, whose designs primarily focus on emphasizing power, the Jet Bot AI+’s* simple and neat design focuses on blending in in any space.

A Sense of Caring

When designing the Jet Bot AI+,* Samsung sought to offer users a richer experience by creating a device that was not just a vacuum cleaner, but a life companion. Accordingly, the Jet Bot AI+* has been designed to go beyond simply thinking like a human being, to helping users knock out chores and lessening their burdens. The device’s pet care functions demonstrate how it makes pet owners’ lives easier by helping them care for their furry friends.

“We thought about pets being left alone at home and how worried their owners must feel when designing the pet care functions.”

-Dongmin Lee, Designer

Leave Home Without Worrying

The thought of leaving a pet alone at home can make many owners anxious. The Jet Bot AI+* offers pet owners peace of mind by allowing them to monitor their pet when they’re away from home. By roaming in designated spaces, the device enables users check in on their home and pets, and even allows them to use connected devices to adjust the temperature or lighting to alleviate any anxiety that their pets may be experiencing.

A Pet Companion

The Jet Bot AI+* not only allows users to monitor their pets, but is also constantly examining and managing pets’ needs. If, for instance, a pet exhibits abnormal behavior due to its owner’s absence, the robot will immediately notify the user and offer them helpful information relevant to the situation. The Jet Bot AI+* can also record pets at home, so users won’t have to miss out on any precious moments that they may have missed when they were away.

It’s clear that robotics and AI technologies are already playing significant roles in our everyday lives. This deep connection is a testament to the fact that, at their core, the inspiration for any product or technology stems from an understanding of basic human insights and needs.

To prevent technology from becoming inaccessible to users, each and every product experience must be carefully designed based on an understanding of human behaviors. Going forward, Samsung’s designers will continue to examine the many different elements that shape human behaviors in order to add more value to users’ lives and living spaces.

* The new product names go into effect on July 5, 2021. This is a change to the product name only. Jet Bot AI+ will become Bespoke Jet Bot AI+.
* Images shown are for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the actual product. The product’s release date and specifications may vary by country, region, and model.

“Jet Bot AI+* reflects Samsung’s ongoing dedication to creating connected appliances that deliver dynamic performance that can adapt to the varying needs of our consumers,” said Hyesoon Yang, Vice President and Head of the Customer Experience Team of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re truly excited to introduce a robot vacuum that comes with industry-leading object detection and recognition technologies. Consumers can now clean their homes more intelligently and efficiently using the AI-powered Jet Bot that makes cleaning more personalized and convenient.”

World-Class Object Recognition and AI Driving

Jet Bot AI+* is the world’s first robot vacuum that comes with an active stereo-type 3D sensor, which accurately scans a wide area¹ to avoid small, hard-to-detect objects on the floor. Its 3D depth camera—equivalent to 256,000 distance sensors—can precisely detect obstacles as small² as 1cm. This game-changing object detection can prevent the unit from getting stuck on small obstacles in its cleaning path.

Jet Bot AI+* is also the world’s first robot vacuum to be equipped with an Intel AI solution, which powers its Jet AI Object Recognition technology. The smart solution allows the robot to navigate with more accuracy by recognizing not only the objects on the floor, but also appliances and furniture.³ The robot’s smart decision-making ensures users can have their unit clean closely around items such as children’s toys while maintaining a safe distance from delicate objects like porcelain vases.⁴ It can also classify items such as pet excrements, glass cups and electrical cables as dangerous or likely to cause secondary contamination in order to avoid them.

Jet Bot AI+* is even equipped with a LiDAR Sensor that calculates its location precisely to optimize its cleaning path by repeatedly scanning the room⁵ to gather distance information. This technology works well in dark areas such as low-lit rooms or underneath furniture so the unit can cover a larger area⁶ with minimal blind spots.

Powerful Clean From Start to Finish

Users can clean their homes much more thoroughly with advanced technologies that enable powerful cleaning. Jet Bot AI+’s* Digital Inverter Motor maximizes the suction power for a deeper clean. And with its Intelligent Power Control function, the new robot vacuum can even identify the type of surface it needs to clean as well as the amount of dust that is on it. Using this information, the unit can automatically adjust its suction power for a more optimized cleaning session.

Jet Bot AI+* also comes with a host of hygiene-related functionalities that enable effortless floor cleaning while ensuring that dust is securely trapped and less likely to be released back into the air. Its Advanced 5 Layered Filtration system traps 99.99%⁷ of micro dust, including 0.5~4.2µm sized particles that easily escape. All parts and filters are washable, so they can be kept hygienic.

Jet Bot AI+* pairs with the Clean Station, which collects dirt and hair in a 2.5L dust bag and only needs to be replaced once in every one to three months.⁸ After cleaning, the robot vacuum automatically returns to the Clean Station, emptying itself⁹ using Air Pulse technology complemented by a multi-layered filtration system that traps 99.999% of fine dust,¹⁰ ensuring virtually no dust is released back into the air.

Convenient Cleaning for Hassle-Free Usability

Users can control and monitor the Jet Bot AI+* remotely using the SmartThings app¹¹ on their smartphones. The robot vacuum can be scheduled to clean selectively in either a single room or multiple rooms with the Select & Go function. The app can also be used to custom-define virtual No-Go Zones to prevent the unit from entering certain areas without the need for physical barriers.

The smart robot also offers Bixby voice recognition capabilities,¹² meaning users can use voice commands to schedule cleaning sessions, change modes or even ask for the latest information such as news or weather updates.

And with Live Cleaning Report, users can easily track the movement of their Jet Bot AI+* on a virtual map of their homes in real time. Users can see where it has cleaned, and even pause it or instruct it to stop cleaning. Once it has completed cleaning, users can check its cleaning history to see which areas have been cleaned, how long it took, and which path it followed.

Moreover, users can monitor their home remotely with the Jet Bot AI+’s* Patrol Mode, which uses the unit’s front camera to livestream video images through the SmartThings app. The Patrol Mode allows users to monitor the status of rooms they want to check while away, and even lets them enjoy this feature through scheduling. The smart unit also supports end-to-end encryption, so video clips are secure and can only be viewed by an authorized user.

Intuitive Pet Care for the Modern Pet Parent

Pet owners can take advantage of these features further with the SmartThings Pet service. Set to launch in August, SmartThings Pet allows users to check in and care for their pets even while they are away. For example, SmartThings Pet syncs with products from PETKIT, a tech company dedicated to bringing smart pet products to the market—namely its Element feeder series and the COZY smart pet house.¹³ By integrating pet care into its smart home ecosystem, Samsung is reimagining how consumers live and interact with their pet companions.

* The new product names go into effect on July 5, 2021. This is a change to the product name only. Jet Bot AI+ will become Bespoke Jet Bot AI+.

¹ Up to 1m, Horizontal field of view: 60°, Vertical field of view: 40°.

² As small as about 1cm wide, 1cm tall and 1cm deep.

³ Example Items: air conditioner (stand type), refrigerator, TV, washing machine/dryer, air purifier, AirDresser, sofa, bed, bookshelf, table, Bespoke (refrigerator, dishwasher), excrement, electrical cable, towel/sock, cup, glass cup, bottles, bowl, vase.

⁴ Object recognition may be affected by an object’s shape or the environmental conditions.

⁵ Scans 360° over an area of 6 meters at 10 rotations per second.

⁶ Based on internal testing in an area with furniture arranged in similar way to a real home environment compared with a conventional Samsung VR7000M.

⁷ Based on internal testing, using Max mode, in accordance with the IEC62885-2 Cl. 5.11 standard. Results may vary depending on the actual home conditions.

⁸ May vary depending on the amount of dust in actual home environments.

⁹ Results may vary depending on individual use. Dust and hair stuck inside the grille may not be removed with a single cycle.

¹⁰ Based on internal testing, using Max mode, in accordance with the IEC62885-2 Cl. 5.11 standard. Results may vary depending on the actual home conditions.

¹¹ Available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

¹² Only available on certain models (VR50T959). Bixby is Samsung’s brand of artificial intelligence (AI) / Internet of Things (IoT) voice assistant. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account is required. Different languages are supported in each country.

¹³ PETKIT feeder and COZY products require a Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account in order to be synced with SmartThings Pet. Available on Android and iOS devices.

These days, when it comes to capturing precious moments, spectacular weather, or a delicious dish, a smartphone camera is an absolute necessity. It should come as no surprise that, according to a Samsung survey, an overwhelming number of consumers rank the camera and camera-related features among the top three factors that matter most when buying a new smartphone. The camera’s importance has been amplified as social media platforms have grown more popular, and as more smartphone users have begun to create their own content.

Since releasing its first camera phone, the SCH-V200, in 2000, Samsung has remained a leader in the industry by relentlessly advancing the camera phone segment. The Galaxy S series’ innovative cameras are the culmination of years of experience developing groundbreaking technologies. Follow along as we explore just how much the series’ cameras have evolved over the last 11 years – from the launch of the very first Galaxy S in 2010, all the way up to the recently introduced Galaxy S21.

The first Galaxy S device featured a VGA-class front camera that was capable of making video calls, as well as a 5-megapixel (MP) rear camera that could record HD videos. The rear camera also included built-in autofocus, facial recognition and anti-shake functions, and featured a Panorama Shot mode, which allowed users to capture an image of a scene that was much wider than what they saw on their screen.

Introduced a year after the Galaxy S, the Galaxy S2 featured a thoroughly enhanced camera. Included among the upgrades were boosts in pixel counts – 2 megapixels in the front and 8 megapixels in the rear – and an LED flash to facilitate night shots. Other fun additions included an improved autofocus feature, which made it easier to focus the camera on a desired subject, and a cartoon-inspired feature that transformed photos into hand-drawn images.

Introduced with 2012’s Galaxy S3, Burst Shot offered users the perfect tool for capturing blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments like fun jump-in-the-air shots. Both the 1.9MP front camera and the 8MP rear camera supported the mode, which allowed users to take up to 20 pictures in 3.3 seconds. The cameras also featured a Best Photo mode, which helped users select the best photo out of eight continuous shots, and a Zero Shutter Lag mode, which guaranteed that there would be no delay between the moment the user tapped the shutter button and the picture was produced.

The Galaxy S4 ushered in the era of 10-plus megapixel cameras by combining a 2MP front camera with a 13MP rear camera. The smartphone also introduced features that changed how users captured special moments, and in doing so, transformed their pictures into stories. For example, the camera’s Dual Shot mode allowed users to capture images with both cameras at the same time, producing a photo in which the photographer and the subject occupied the same frame. Other features unique to the Galaxy S4’s camera experience included Sound & Shot, which allowed users to record audio to accompany their images, and Drama Shot, which let users take multiple pictures in quick succession and combine them into an image that tells the story better than a single photo could.

The Galaxy S5 was a landmark release, as it was the first smartphone in the industry to feature a 16MP ISOCELL camera. The ISOCELL image sensor enhanced image quality with less cross-pixel interference, making it possible to take clearer pictures even in the dark. The camera also featured an upgraded HDR mode for enhancing photos. When taking pictures or recording videos, applying the HDR feature allowed users to enjoy vibrant images even in dimly lit rooms or environments with heavy backlighting.

To make it easier for smartphone users to capture more moments, Samsung introduced a Quick Launch function with the Galaxy S6 that allowed users to launch the camera in just 0.7 seconds, simply by tapping the home button twice on any screen. A function that automatically tracked and focused on moving objects enhanced image sharpness, while a 5MP F1.9 lens was installed on the front to boost selfie quality.

The Galaxy S7 incorporated a dual pixel image sensor – a technology featured in high-end DSLR cameras – to allow users to quickly snap crisp and clear photos even when they’re in the dark. The sensor worked by splitting every pixel into two photodiodes for on-chip phase detection, providing vastly improved autofocus performance. The camera also introduced a selfie flash mode, which would cause the screen to flash when taking a selfie to produce a brighter shot. Together, the Galaxy S7’s camera innovations achieved a then-record DxOMark Mobile Score of 88 points.

A perfect photo requires proper lighting and minimal movement from your subject. Unfortunately, while those may be the perfect conditions, they’re also conditions that we rarely find ourselves in when taking a shot.

To help users snap better photos, the Galaxy S8 introduced an improved image signal process algorithm that ensured clear, stable images regardless of time or place. It achieved this by taking three consecutive photos and selecting the best one. Because the device’s large, 6.2-inch¹ display could prove difficult for some to manage with one hand, gesture-based controls were also introduced to help users operate the camera. For example, with the camera open, swiping left or right with your thumb would toggle filters or modes, while swiping up or down would allow you to switch between the front and rear cameras or zoom in or out.

To help ensure that users’ photos would come out well in various environments, the Galaxy S9 introduced a Dual Aperture camera that would automatically adjust to ambient light just like the human eye – widening in the dark and shrinking in bright light. The camera featured the brightest F1.5/F2.4 lens available in a smartphone at the time, which allowed it to absorb approximately 28 percent more light than the previous model, resulting in clearer pictures even in dark settings.

Samsung also enhanced the camera with functions designed to help users express themselves more effectively. The camera’s Super Slow-mo feature allowed users to record videos at 960 frames per second, making it possible to capture movements or moments that are too fast for the human eye to see. Once they finished recording, the function made it easy for users to share these epic slow-mo moments as GIFs on social media. Another notable addition was AR Emoji – a function that utilized the camera and augmented reality technology to allow users to create AR avatars that could mimic their facial expressions in real time.

By the time the Galaxy S10 was released in 2019, smartphone users were creating more content than ever before. To cater to this trend, the Galaxy S10 introduced Super Steady mode. The function greatly enhanced the quality of users’ recordings through video stabilization, making it perfect for recording smooth content when enjoying activities like cycling and dancing. The Galaxy S10’s HDR10+ support produced true-to-life colors in users’ videos, while its 16MP Ultra Wide Camera captured scenes as users saw them with a field of view that was similar to the human eye (123 degrees).

The Galaxy S20’s outstanding performance raised the bar for smartphone photography. Both the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s 108MP camera, as well as the 64MP shooter equipping the Galaxy S20 and S20+, were designed to capture each and every detail in a given scene.

Perhaps the most eye-catching camera enhancement was the Space Zoom function, which paired Hybrid Optic Zoom with AI-powered digital zoom. This allowed users to zoom much further into images – up to 100x in the case of the Galaxy S20 Ultra. In addition to supporting 8K video recording, the camera also included an upgraded Super Steady mode that took camera stability a step further thanks to an anti-rolling stabilizer and AI-based motion analysis.

To offer users the ability to capture moments of their lives in more meaningful ways, Samsung equipped the Galaxy S21 series with a pro-grade camera that enhances content using on-device AI. The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first Samsung smartphone to feature two telephoto lenses, and boasts five cameras in all: a 40MP (F2.2) front camera, a 12MP (F2.2) rear ultra-wide camera, a 108MP (F1.8) rear main camera, a 10MP (F4.9) rear telephoto camera, and a 10MP (F2.4) rear telephoto camera. The Galaxy S21 and S21+, meanwhile, feature a total of four cameras: a 10MP (F2.2) front camera, a 12MP (F2.2) rear ultra-wide camera, a 12MP (F1.8) rear main camera, and a 64MP (F4.9) rear telephoto camera.

The cameras of the Galaxy S21 series are packed with features designed to help you capture the moments that matter most. The combination of anti-shake technology, 10x optical zoom, and both laser and dual-pixel autofocus enables the cameras to produce results that rival those of high-end DSLRs. The new Director’s View feature, meanwhile, helps users pick the perfect lens for their photo by placing three preview screens beneath the camera’s viewfinder. The Galaxy S21 series also offers creators the ability to utilize the selfie and rear cameras simultaneously to create unforgettable video content.

Each camera additionally supports 4K video recording at 60fps (frames per second), and the dual telephoto lens setup is especially adept at capturing vivid photos from virtually any distance. Furthermore, with an upgraded 108MP lens and nona-binning technology, the Galaxy S21 series ensure bright and clear photos even in low-light environments.

¹ Measurement describes the Galaxy S8+; the Galaxy S8 featured a 5.8-inch display

* Images in this article have been edited to enhance readers’ understanding of various camera features

* Camera specifications and features may vary by region

The latest additions to the Samsung Visual Display lineup range from products that provide new premium entertainment experiences to purpose-driven inclusivity features – and more. In case you missed the event, check out these five highlights from the First Look 2021 presentation.

1. A Sustainable and Accessible Future for All

Samsung will seek to decrease its overall carbon footprint across the TV manufacturing, packaging design and product power efficiency areas.

In 2021, Samsung TVs will come with a solar-powered remote control that can be recharged by indoor light, outdoor light or USB—a first-of-its-kind innovation for the brand. This will help prevent waste from a projected 99 million AA batteries over seven years.

The 2021 TV lines will also include the latest advances in technology and AI to give those with the hard of hearing, the deaf, people with low vision, and the blind the power to comfortably enjoy their TV experiences through new features that include Caption Moving, Sign Language Zoom, Multi-Output Audio and Voice Guide.

2. Hailing a New Era of Breathtaking Picture Quality and Design

In 2018, Samsung’s first MICRO LED display was introduced in the form of “The Wall”— a system of configurable modules that could be installed professionally. In December 2020, Samsung then announced the launch and pre-sale of the groundbreaking 110” Samsung MICRO LED in Korea.

Unlike any other displays currently available on the market, Samsung MICRO LED produces astonishing color vibrancy and brightness with self-emissive LED display technology along with an all-new Micro AI processor that delivers stunning 4K HDR content.

3. Neo QLED Takes a Quantum Leap in LED Technology

By incorporating Quantum Mini LEDs based on Quantum Matrix Technology into their visual display products, Samsung is taking QLED to the next level by enabling displays to have precise control of the individual LED pixels, which can prevent blooming and maximize display longevity. Samsung’s 2021 8K Neo QLED features a new Infinity One Design—a nearly bezel-less form factor that provides an even more immersive viewing experience – as well as an all-new cable management system with the Slim One Connect box that can be attached to the TV’s back.

The 2021 8K Neo QLED also features several premium, room-filling audio functionalities that correspond to the movement of objects onscreen and uses AI to analyze a TV’s physical environment to deliver an immersive sound tailored specifically to a user’s space.

4. Enhancing the Award-Winning Lifestyle TV Portfolio

In addition to bolstering their QLED lineup, Samsung is also enhancing its 2021 Lifestyle TV line with new design and form factors to reflect the changing interests and tastes of consumers. Since launching in 2017, The Frame has redefined the concept of the television, transforming displays into stunning works of art – with over one million units sold. In 2021, The Frame will become 46% thinner and offer five color options and two different customizable styles—Modern and Beveled—to match the aesthetic of each and every room The Frame is placed in.

5. New Smart TV Features for 2021

During the past year, we have all witnessed seen the pivotal role technology has played in helping us carry on with our lives and stay connected to each other. Samsung’s 8K and 4K 2021 Neo QLED models offer smart features that expand the role of the TV and adapt to the changing needs of consumers in the fields of fitness, entertainment and the home office.

Samsung’s 2021 TVs will sport new productivity features, including Google Duo for large-screen video conference calls right from your living room; Super Ultrawide Gameview and Game Bar for gamers enjoying next-generation 4K gaming consoles; and Samsung Health’s Smart Trainer, a feature that tracks and analyzes your workouts via AI and provides feedback on form, rep improvement and estimated calories burnt.

As the company heads into its 15^th year as the leading global TV brand, Samsung announced its ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All’ vision, underscoring their commitment to closely aligning business operations with a series of long-term sustainability and accessibility endeavors. Stay tuned to learn more about the innovations for the future of the display Samsung has in store in 2021.

* Revision has been made from ‘AAA batteries’ to ‘AA batteries’ with regards to the Solar Cell Remote Control on March 4, 2021.

“We are living in a mobile-first world, and with so many of us working remotely and spending more time at home, we wanted to deliver a smartphone experience that meets the rigorous multimedia demands of our continuously changing routines,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “We also recognize the importance of choice, especially now, and that’s why the Galaxy S21 series gives you the freedom to choose the best device for your style and needs.”

For over a decade, the Galaxy S series has delivered groundbreaking, flagship mobile experiences for people who rely on their smartphone for expression, connection and entertainment. The new Galaxy S21 series builds on this legacy to offer the premium flagship experience and make every day epic. Galaxy S21 will be available in a variety of models, so you can find the perfect complement for your personal style and needs. For users who demand a flagship mobile experience, with pro-grade camera innovations and top-of-the-line performance, at various price points, Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ deliver in every category — and then some.

Bold New Style

With a bold new style, Galaxy S21 is built for expression. Galaxy S21 was designed for those who want a light design and compact 6.2-inch display¹. Galaxy S21+ sports an expanded 6.7-inch display and a larger battery, perfect for marathon gamers and binge-watchers².

The Galaxy S21 series introduces an all-new, iconic Contour Cut Camera housing that seamlessly blends into the device’s metal frame for a sleek, yet striking, aesthetic. S21 and S21+ will be available in a range of eye-catching colors, including a new signature color: Phantom Violet. And each device is coated with a luxurious haze finish on the back for a sophisticated look and feel.

Galaxy S21 touts an intelligent, edge-to-edge Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O display with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and viewing³. It automatically adjusts the frame rate based on the content whether you’re swiping through your social feeds or watching shows. The display is also easy on the eyes. To help reduce eye fatigue, the new Eye Comfort Shield⁴ automatically adjusts the blue light based on the time of day, content you’re viewing, and your bedtime.

Make Everyday Moments Epic

Galaxy S21 continues Samsung’s legendary camera heritage with pro-grade enhancements and video innovations that enable users of every skill level to get the best shot. Whether you’re recording your puppy’s first encounter with a mirror, chronicling series game night antics or documenting spectacular views on a week-long road trip, Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ have you covered. Just point, shoot and let Galaxy S21 do the heavy lifting — so you can capture the moment before it’s gone.

Improved 8K Snap lets you grab crystal clear images from your 8K video footage, so you can capture all the live action and get standout still shots every time you hit record. Even in fast-moving or bumpy conditions, your footage will be buttery-smooth with Super Steady video at an improved 60fps⁵. New Director’s View lets you see, switch, and select the best shot to tell your best story. Capture video with the front and rear cameras at once for real-time reactions with Vlogger View, and preview or change the angle, zoom or go wide without losing any action with Live Thumbnails. Paired with Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds Pro⁶, you can capture both ambient sounds and your voice at the same time using multiple mic recording⁷. That means you can set up Galaxy S21 in Pro Video Mode on a tripod and use Buds Pro as your voice mic, so you can step away and record speech, movement and background sound in crisp quality. With the power of AI, the popular Single Take⁸ feature allows you to capture a variety of still and video formats with one tap. It has been enhanced with new pro-style video settings like Highlight Video and Dynamic Slow-Mo, which lets you focus on the most compelling action in stunning stills and highlight reels.

Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+’s AI-powered triple-lens pro-grade camera is designed for those times when you want to be more intentional and have more creative control. The camera system intuitively assesses and adjusts to your scene to ensure you can perfectly capture any environment. In Portrait Mode, the AI-powered camera leverages an improved 3D analysis that more accurately separates the subject from the background. It also brings in options for virtual studio lighting and AI background effects to make sure the subject pops from the frame. It also works for selfies too. For elusive faraway shots, whether you’re on a hike or sitting in the back row, improved Space Zoom helps you get clear and steady shots. The new Zoom Lock minimizes shaky hands and captures clearer images at 30x zoom on Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+, by leveraging AI to keep your focal point in the center of the frame. Plus, enhanced processing power means bright pictures, even in the dark, so you can do proper justice to gorgeous sunsets and skylines.

Connectivity and Performance That Delivers

Samsung is committed to helping you stay connected, and keeping your data secure, in more convenient and personalized ways. Galaxy S21 delivers next-generation performance and seamlessly connects you to the Galaxy Ecosystem to give you more flexibility, no matter your routine, so you can do more with confidence.

Galaxy users love and expect powerful experience. The Galaxy S21 features the latest and most advanced smartphone chipset yet in a Galaxy for greater speed, energy efficiency⁹, and advanced computing capabilities to support 5G connectivity and on-device AI¹⁰. Galaxy S21 packs all the power you need to process photos, record 8K videos, enjoy a cloud gaming marathon and make the perfect video clips.

We rely on our smartphones more than ever, which is why protecting sensitive information is more important than ever. Galaxy S21 is secured by Samsung Knox Vault, Samsung’s own proprietary chipset level (SoC) security platform. By adding tamper-resistant secure memory to our secure processor, Samsung Knox Vault enables S21 to add a new layer of protection.

Galaxy S21 also introduces a new tool to protect and monitor your privacy. You can safely remove location metadata from photos before sharing. With Galaxy S21’s all-new Private Share function¹¹, you can also control who gets access to the content you send, and how long it’s available – so you can share content worry-free.

Galaxy S21 is designed to be used with other Galaxy devices and with SmartThings Find, it can help you quickly and easily locate your compatible Galaxy devices even when they’re offline. Whether you left your device in another room, under the seat of your car or in a completely different city, SmartThings Find will send you in the right direction. You can now locate non-connected devices, with Samsung’s new Galaxy SmartTag¹² Bluetooth locator. Simply attach a SmartTag to your keys, a bag or even your pet’s collar and you can use SmartThings Find to find the item or your pet.

Optional Samsung Care+ Coverage

Experience total peace of mind and get the most from the new Galaxy S21 with Samsung Care+. Enjoy a personal set-up session with a Samsung Care+ Pro, 24/7 dedicated support via phone or chat, screen repairs, an extended warranty¹³ and coverage for accidental damage¹⁴. Add Samsung Care+ at checkout on samsung.com/samsung-care-plus/.¹⁵

For more information about Galaxy S21 /Galaxy S21+, please visit news.samsung.com/galaxy, www.samsungmobilepress.com, or www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-s21-5g/. To learn more about Galaxy S21 Ultra, please visit www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-s21-ultra-5g/.

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.

* Audio and video specification has been revised on Feb 2, 2021 to provide more accurate information.

¹ Display measurements are diagonal, and actual viewable area is less due to rounded corners and camera hole.

² Display measurements are diagonal, and actual viewable area is less due to rounded corners and camera hole.

³ Compared to 60Hz screens.

⁴ Eye Comfort Shield is ‘off’ by default, and must be turned on in Settings. SGS, the world’s leading certification company, awarded Galaxy S21 series’ display the Eye Care Certification based on its ability to drastically reduce the harmful effects of blue light. This certification can be found on www.sgs.com.

⁵ Super Steady video is limited to 1080p resolution.

⁶ Sold separately.

⁷ The feature is available on Galaxy smartphones or tablets with One UI 3.1 or above, which can be turned on and off in the Bluetooth® setting. Requires the same Samsung account to be registered on the devices. The availability of the feature may vary by application.

⁸ Single Take captures images and video up to 15 seconds.

⁹ Compared to Galaxy S20.

¹⁰ Requires optimal 5G network connection, available in select markets. Check with your carrier for availability and details. Download and streaming speeds may vary based on content provider, server connection and other factors.

¹¹ Private Share works between Galaxy smartphones with Android P or later. App download required to send/receive Private Share link.

¹² Sold separately.

¹³ An extended warranty is a service contract that covers repair beyond basic warranty. Limitations and exclusions apply. Please see terms and conditions for full coverage details.

¹⁴ Maximum of 3 accidental damage from handling claims per 12 month period. Additional restrictions apply. Please see terms and conditions for full coverage details.

¹⁵ Samsung Care+ coverage may vary by country, model and deductibles may apply.

For as long as people have had dwellings, they have had to commit time and energy to maintaining those dwellings. But now, Samsung is looking to make the age-old task of maintaining our homes far quicker and easier.

Created to give your house an amazing clean with minimal effort on your part, the JetBot 90 AI+ is the industry’s first smart robotic vacuum powered by Intel^® AI. It uses cutting-edge object-recognition technology to navigate your home just like you do: avoiding furniture, dog droppings and cables without missing any spaces out. Check out the video and read on below to learn more about how, with innovations like a self-cleaning Clean Station and a camera you can monitor from anywhere, the JetBot 90 AI+ allows you to give your house a fast, efficient clean while barely lifting a finger.

Intelligent Navigation

The first-ever smart vacuum to be powered by Intel^® AI, the JetBot 90 AI+ uses 3D sensors and enhanced object recognition to navigate your home as well as a person would. Utilizing a high-precision LiDAR sensor similar to those used in self-driving cars to detect distance and track location, the vacuum is capable of moving with a high degree of precision. Able to sense distances of up to six meters, rotate 360 degrees and access hard-to-reach spaces, no dirt is safe when the JetBot 90 AI+ is on the case.

When it comes to evading objects, the JetBot 90 AI+ features a powerful 3D sensor that allows it to scan an object and expertly maneuver around it without missing any cleanable spaces. Utilizing cutting-edge sensors, high resolution and object recognition technology, the JetBot 90 AI+ is capable of not only seeing, but classifying objects in its line of vision to differentiate which items to avoid, and which to clean close to.

The Intel^® AI utilized in JetBot 90 AI+ allows for object recognition capabilities based on learning from over 1 million images of household items like home appliances and furniture. JetBot 90 AI+ is able to recognize objects such as sofas, bookshelves, tables, dog bowls, towels, and electrical cables.

Thoroughly Clean

Once it has finished cleaning, the JetBot 90 AI+ returns to its Clean Station, an elegantly designed dock for your robot vacuum that optimizes health and convenience by automatically emptying the vacuum’s dustbin for you. Dirt, dust and hair is emptied into a dust bag inside the machine through a filtration system that traps 99.999%¹ of pollutants the vacuum captures and prevents them from being released back into your home during emptying.

The Clean Station’s dustbin only requires a bag change once every two to three months, and, like the robot vacuum itself, it features a blue LED notification light that alerts you when the bag is full.  And the JetBot 90 AI+’s innovative dustbin is also made entirely of washable parts, making keeping it clean quick and convenient.

Remote Monitoring and Smart Control

And to make sure you stay connected and in control of how and where your robot vacuum is cleaning, the JetBot 90 AI+’s front camera and upgraded smart controls allow you to connect to your vacuum from anywhere via the SmartThings mobile app. You can use the app to see where the vacuum is cleaning in real time, schedule cleanings, and even specify ‘no-go zones’ on a map of your home.

With the JetBot 90 AI+, keeping your home clean and hygienic is easier than ever before. Combining powerful intelligence with an elegant and minimalistic design, Samsung’s new JetBot 90 AI+ is taking the ‘work’ out of housework, ensuring that you will return to a clean house at the end of the day.

¹ Based on internal testing, using Max mode, in accordance with the IEC62885-2 Cl. 5.11 standard. Results may vary depending on the actual home conditions.

“At Samsung, we’re committed to delivering new appliance innovations that inspire families, while helping make life at home easier in ways not thought of before,” said John Herrington, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Home Appliances. “By automating your floor care and learning your laundry preferences, these new home appliances remove items from your to-do list, freeing you up to do more of what you love.”

JetBot 90 AI+ Vacuum with AI-Based Sensors and Navigation

The JetBot 90 AI+—the world’s first smart robotic vacuum, powered by Intel^® AI—gives your floors an amazing clean with minimal effort.

Using a combination of sensors and AI-enhanced object recognition technology, the JetBot 90 AI+ navigates your home with the same efficiency and care you do. A LiDAR sensor, similar to that used in self-driving cars, detects distance and tracks location for precise movements. A 3D sensor recognizes the difference between objects such as a toy and the leg of a chair, detects even small objects on the floor, and recognizes a room’s shape to maneuver around it. An object recognition algorithm allows it to identify objects of all kinds and map the safest, most efficient route. JetBot 90 AI+ then uses this information to clean closely around items on the floor, while being sure to maintain a safe distance from fragile or delicate objects, and to lower itself under furniture when needed. If anything is classified as dangerous or likely to cause secondary contamination, it will simply avoid the object.

As it cleans the floor, the JetBot 90 AI+’s advanced digital inverter motor maximizes the 30W suction power of its Jet Cyclone system to trap dust from the air and dirt from the floor. The unit’s self-cleaning brush, which has fine fibers made of soft woven textiles, picks up dust from hard floor and reaches into crevices.

When it’s finished cleaning, the JetBot 90 AI+ automatically heads back to the Clean Station, Samsung’s signature disposal system. There, it empties the dirt, dust, and hair it has collected into a bag that you only need to replace once every two to three months.

And by connecting to your smartphone via the Samsung SmartThings app,¹ the JetBot 90 AI+ literally puts its cleaning power in your hands. Control your vacuum from anywhere—schedule a clean, set “no-go zones” on a map of your home, or even connect to its camera to keep an eye on your home and your pets while you’re away.

Streamlined Clothing Care with AI-Powered Washer-Dryer Pair

Samsung’s AI innovations are continually changing the way consumers tackle everyday tasks. The new 8800 Series Smart Dial Front Load washers and dryers have been redesigned to make laundry easier, more intuitive, and less stressful.

Samsung is bringing its signature Smart Dial technology to the new laundry pair. The Smart Dial intelligently learns your preferred cycles and settings, then prioritizes them for quick access in a simplified, easy-to-use control panel. It also recommends specific cycles based on intelligent learning of past cycles run on particular days of the week or at specific times.

Its powerful OptiWash feature detects the laundry load’s weight and uses a patented Turbidity Sensor to determine the ideal amount of water and detergent to use in the cycle. It also determines how long to wash clothing, ensuring that clothes come out their cleanest.

Using a stacked washer and dryer has never been easier. With the MultiControl feature, you can fully operate both the washer and the dryer right from a centralized panel on the washer,² keeping all controls within an easy reach.

You can also use the SmartThings app³ to receive end of cycle alerts, remotely start or stop your wash, schedule cycles, and more, right from your smartphone.

The JetBot 90 AI+ and laundry pair will be on display at Samsung’s virtual CES exhibit from January 11 to 14. For more information on Samsung’s latest products, please visit https://www.samsung.com/us/explore/experiences/ces2021.

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

² Use of this feature requires DV‑MCK/A1, which is sold separately.

³ Requires wireless network, Samsung account and SmartThings App. The Samsung SmartThings app supports Android OS 4.0 (ICS) or later which is optimized for Samsung smartphones (Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series). This app also supports iOS 7 or later for iPhone models. The SmartThings App is available in the App Store and Play Store.

“During the past year, we have witnessed the pivotal role technology played in helping us carry on with our lives and stay connected with each other,” said JH Han, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our commitment to an inclusive and sustainable future goes hand-in-hand with our relentless pursuit for innovation to meet consumers’ ever-changing needs – from reducing the carbon footprint of our products, to providing a suite of accessibility features, to offering an unparalleled viewing experience that fits each user’s lifestyle.”

A Sustainable and Accessible Future for All

Over the next few years, Samsung will embark on a journey of “Going Green” in aligning TV business operations through the following long-term sustainability programs:

• Reducing Carbon Footprint and Improving Energy Efficiency: Samsung will seek to systematically decrease its overall carbon footprint in TV manufacturing. The company will also seek to lower user power consumption and use more recycled materials across its entire TV line.
• Sustainable Packaging Design: Building on valuable consumer feedback, Samsung is expanding its award-winning ‘Eco-packaging’ design to all 2021 Lifestyle TVs and most of the 2021 Neo QLED line. This sustainable solution can upcycle up to 200,000 tons of corrugated boxes each year.¹ By minimizing text and graphic imagery on the Eco-packaging, the oil-based ink from color printing that’s traditionally used on TV boxes is eliminated, helping to further reduce waste.
• Solar Cell Remote Control: In 2021, Samsung TVs will come with a solar-powered remote control that can be recharged by indoor light, outdoor light or USB—a first-of-its-kind innovation for the brand. This will help prevent waste from a projected 99 million AA batteries over seven years.² To construct the remote, Samsung innovated manufacturing process that upcycles plastics from recyclable bottles –including 24% recycled content.³

Samsung’s 2021 accessibility features – now available on all 2021 QLED and Neo QLED models – bring the latest advances in technology and Artificial Intelligence(AI) to help more people comfortably enjoy their TV experience. The 2021 line adds new features such as Caption Moving, Sign Language Zoom and Multi-Output Audio, giving those with the hard of hearing, the deaf, people with low vision, and the blind the ability to optimize their viewing to their needs and preferences. By 2022, Samsung is committing to expand its Voice Guide feature—which provides audio guidance for people with the deaf and people with low vision. And Samsung will continue to develop new AI based features to enhance the accessibility of Samsung TVs in the years to come.

Neo QLED Takes a Quantum Leap in TV Display Technology

Samsung is introducing a whole new display technology, Neo QLED, to its flagship 8K (QN900A) and 4K (QN90A) models. Samsung is taking QLED to the next level enabled by new light source, Quantum Mini LED precisely controlled by Quantum Matrix Technology and Neo Quantum Processor, a powerful picture processor optimized for Neo QLED.

Samsung designed the Quantum Mini LED to be 1/40 the height of a conventional LED. Instead of using a lens to disperse light, and a package to fix the LED in place, the Quantum Mini LED has incredibly thin micro layers filled with many more LEDs. Quantum Matrix Technology enables ultra-fine and precise control of the densely packed LEDs, preventing blooming—and allowing viewers to enjoy content as its meant to be seen. Neo QLED increases the luminance scale to 12-bit with 4096 steps; this helps make dark areas darker and bright areas brighter, resulting in a more precise and immersive HDR experience. And Neo QLED benefits from Samsung’s proprietary, powerful Neo Quantum Processor with enhanced upscaling capabilities. By using up to 16 different neural network models, each trained in AI upscaling and deep learning technology, the Neo Quantum Processor can optimize picture quality to 4K and 8K picture output regardless of the input quality.

Samsung’s 2021 Neo QLED 8K features a new Infinity One Design—a nearly bezel-less screen providing an even more immersive viewing experience in a sleek design and form factor. And Neo QLED 8K’s attachable Slim One Connect box—an all-new cable management system that can be attached to the TV’s back—allows for an easier install and cleaner aesthetic. The 2021 Neo QLED 8K also packs in several premium, room-filling audio features; Object Tracking Sound (OTS) Pro’s dynamic sound corresponds to the movement of objects on screen, and SpaceFit Sound analyzes the installed TV’s physical environment and outputs immersive sound tailored specifically to your space.

Samsung’s 2021 Neo QLED 8K and 4K models offer smart features that expand the role of the TV and help consumers meet their changing needs when it comes to fitness, entertainment and the home office.

• Samsung Health seamlessly transforms the home into a personal gym, and the new Smart Trainer feature tracks and analyzes posture in real time, just like a personal trainer. During and post-workout, Smart Trainer provides feedback on form, helps you count your reps, and estimates calories burned. With video and interactive training via Bixby-enabled voice control, Samsung Health Smart Trainer elevates and personalizes the home workout experience.
• With two new exclusive features, Samsung is delivering the ultimate TV gaming experience. Super Ultrawide GameView gives gamers the option to play not only at the wide 21:9 aspect ratio, but even at the ultrawide 32:9 ratio. The wider field of view ensures gamers don’t miss a moment of the action. And Game Bar lets players quickly monitor and adjust critical aspects of play—whether that’s switching aspect ratios, checking input lag, or connecting a headset. Finally, FreeSync Premium Pro minimizes stuttering so players enjoy smooth picture quality throughout gameplay.
• With Google Duo, consumers can use their phone to initiate a high-quality, high-speed video call that up to 32 people can join—no matter which operating system they’re using. With Google Duo app, you can make video calls directly through an optional USB-connected And with smart camera solution, the camera can follow your movements. It will automatically zoom in and out so you’re just the right size, always in focus.
• PC on TV on Samsung devices allows consumers to connect a PC to the TV, enabling working and learning from home through the TV screen with a connected mouse, keyboard, and PC. Consumers can also directly access MS Office 365 through the TV’s web browser to create and edit documents. Simply install an Easy Connection app on your computer and log into your Samsung Account—and your TV will automatically connect to your PC, making working from the living room seamless.

Opening a New Era of Breathtaking Picture Quality and Design With MICRO LED

In 2021, the promise of Micro LED comes home. With the new MICRO LED line, Samsung has made Micro LED available in a traditional TV form factor for the first time—bringing consumers a breathtaking visual experience on an ultra-large next-generation screen.

Available in 110’’, 99’’, and smaller sizes by the end of the year, the new MICRO LED line uses micrometer-sized LED lights to eliminate the backlight and color filters utilized in conventional displays. It is self-illuminating, producing stunningly lifelike colors and brightness through its 24 million individually controlled LEDs. And with a Monolith Design defined by over 99% screen-to-body ratio, all you will see is the breathtaking picture quality.

Samsung has innovated its Smart TV features to take advantage of the new MICRO LED line’s massive screen. For example, consumers can use the 4Vue(Quad View) feature to comfortably watch up to four different content sources simultaneously on one screen. Viewers can connect multiple external devices to keep up with multiple playoff games at once, or stream a walkthrough while playing a video game—all in stunning quality and size.

Finally, the new MICRO LED’s dynamic audio experience is just as immersive as its visuals. With Majestic Sound, it delivers breathtaking 5.1 channel sound with no external speaker—transforming any room into a luxurious home theater.

Enhancing the Award-Winning Lifestyle TV Portfolio

Samsung is also making enhancements to its 2021 Lifestyle TV line with new design and form factors to reflect the changing interests and tastes of consumers. Since launching in 2017, The Frame has redefined the television, transforming displays into stunning works of art, with over one million units sold.

The 2021 version builds on The Frame’s innovative legacy, offering a more customizable experience in a slimmer form. The Frame is about half thinner⁴ compared to previous iterations, mirroring the depth of a traditional picture frame. New attachable bezel options come in five color options and two different customizable styles—Modern and Beveled—to match the aesthetic of whatever room The Frame is in.

With a subscription to The Frame’s all-new Art Store, consumers will be able to enjoy 1,400+ carefully curated pieces. Samsung’s new AI-based auto-curation technology better analyzes individual consumer preferences to recommend artwork.

With near-endless options for customization, Samsung’s lifestyle TV portfolio including The Frame, The Serif, The Sero, The Terrace and The Premiere immediately upgrade the décor of any home.

For more information on Samsung’s 2021 TV lines, please visit https://www.samsung.com/.

¹ Based on internal research.

² Based on internal research. Results may vary upon usage circumstances.

³ Based on internal research.

⁴ 46% slimmer than the previous models.

* Revision has been made from ‘AAA batteries’ to ‘AA batteries’ with regards to the Solar Cell Remote Control on March 4, 2021.

The global market for large screen televisions is on a surge. According to global market research firm Omdia, global shipments of TVs with displays over 75-inches are expected to increase by 17% compared to 2019 and 8K TVs are set to increase by 110% this year as well.

Given the market demands, Samsung is doubling down on its efforts to give consumers large screen TVs that not only offer the best picture quality but also the best sound experiences.

At the heart of that is Samsung’s AI Quantum Processor.

The AI Quantum Processor is a high-performing chip developed using Samsung’s proprietary technologies that can process complex algorithms quickly using machine learning-based upscaling. That gives consumers the ability to stream 8K content in real-time paired with dynamic, location-based acoustics.

Samsung is peeling back the secrets of the AI Quantum Processor to share on how it brings these experiences together to get better resolution, better sound and better picture integrity.

One of the leading questions consumers continue to ask about large screen TVs is how to watch ultra HD content in 8K resolution given that it isn’t widely available yet. That’s where Samsung’s AI upscaling technology comes in.

Today, the technology transforms not only 4K content into 8K, but it also works for lower-resolution SD, HD and FHD-quality content as well. The AI Quantum Processor 8K combines the advantages of existing machine learning capabilities with new deep learning technologies to analyze and deliver content at some of the most granular levels possible.

This hybrid approach helps to remove unnecessary noise and creates life-like textures and smooth edges on upscaled 8K content that only Samsung can deliver. It also adjusts content brightness and darkness levels according to the light and living room conditions the display is set up in.

AI Quantum Sound for the Most Suitable Audio Experiences

Adding a truly effective audio experience to high-quality picture quality serves to bring about an even deeper sense of immersion to viewers. Samsung’s AI Quantum Sound, bolstered by artificial intelligence, provides a listening experience similar to that of a movie theater right in your living room.

Samsung’s new innovative sound technology Object Tracking Sound+ follows movement on-screen to match the direction of the sound to the action. The technology recognized and analyzes the recorded audio synced to the content in real-time and evenly distributes the audio tracks to the six speakers embedded in the TV.

And due in part to the Active Voice Amplifier (AVA), users will never miss a word of dialogue, regardless of what is happening around the TV. The feature monitors the sound environment so that if there is noise louder than the TV’s audio, it will increase the volume of just the dialogue audio so as not to overwhelm users while ensuring no word goes unheard. Also, sound will be delivered seamlessly thanks to real-time deep learning audio separation technology, high-performance NPU (Neural Processing Unit).

AI Streaming for Minimal Data Loss

Thanks to the widespread use of the Over the Top (OTT) streaming services, more and more users are taking advantage of their large screen TVs and stream 8K content. However, existing network infrastructures cannot always guarantee image quality that meets users’ high-resolution expectations. This is why at the Samsung Developers’ Conference in 2019, Samsung introduced its AI Scalenet technology, designed to overcome these infrastructure limitations and support effective 8K streaming and low-latency livestreaming.

AI Scalenet is a CES 2020 Innovation Award-winning AI codec technology that generates resolutions four times higher than conventional technologies without any change to the network infrastructure. It minimizes the data loss that may occur during the compression and playing of videos through deep learning technologies, meaning users can enjoy 8K-quality content regardless of their network infrastructure. Even during peak usage, AI Scalenet dramatically improves image quality and content speed according to the network status and reduces picture breaking and ambient noise.

These days, more content than ever can be enjoyed on our TVs, meaning that the expectation for immersive viewing experiences in the home has increased, too. Samsung plans to continue to use a range of innovative technologies, starting with artificial intelligence, to bring the best experience 8K content and audio experiences to living rooms across the world.

With the emergence of high definition and large-screen TVs that offer spectacular visuals, user attention has been turning to the importance of sound quality, the finishing touch to providing the most immersive home entertainment experience possible.

In developing its 2020 QLED 8K TVs, Samsung Electronics implemented artificial intelligence (AI) so that users are able to enjoy a truly powerful large-screen TV experience. The 2020 QLED 8K range features technology that configures content audio to follow the movement of objects on screen and will also change depending on obstructions or distractions it senses around the product. These features further maximize audible immersion sound when paired with the HQ-Q800T soundbar – winner of the CTA’s “Best of Innovation” Award. The QLED TV’s speakers sync with the soundbar, allowing it to serve as an additional audio channel and create a more dynamic soundscape.

In this two-part series, Samsung Newsroom is exploring this innovative technology to learn more about its intelligent functionality. 

Object Tracking Sound: Reading the Room for More Realistic Audio Experiences

Say you are enjoying an action movie with a dynamic car chase. As the car moves from left to right and top to bottom on-screen, with a 2020 QLED 8K TV, the tension of the scene seems even more real, regardless of where in the room you are watching from.

The secret to this dynamic and realistic sound experience is Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound (OTS) technology, realized through the optimized speaker placement of the QLED 8K range. Unlike conventional TVs, which feature two speakers, the QLED 8K has six speakers¹ positioned all around the screen for a more vivid audio experience. The QLED 8K even has two speakers on the left- and right-hand side of the back of the device for a surround sound experience that fills up any room.

A conventional TV that emits sound only from the bottom of the screen (left) and the 2020 QLED 8K TV with speakers on all sides (right). Thanks to this speaker placement, the QLED 8K TV delivers a dynamic surround sound experience

On TVs with a conventional design, which normally feature speakers only on the bottom of the device, an increase in screen size will lead to more audio blind spots between the points of sound emission. For example, if a helicopter is flying on the upper left-hand side of the screen, the sound would still be being emitted from the bottom of the screen, resulting in a dissonance between the content’s visuals and its audio.

Compared with two-channel sound that features speakers only on the left- and right-hand sides of a TV, multi-channel speakers, as found in movie theaters, deliver a more refined sense of realism. The optimum placement for speakers is on the backside of a screen, just as it is in movie theaters, meaning that when an object on-screen moves, a speaker right behind that object can produce sound to match the visual. In order to recreate this dynamic realism achieved by movie theater screens, Samsung’s OTS technology harnesses all six speakers on all sides of the QLED 8K TV in order to have a video’s audio follow the on-screen action in real time.

OTS also features 3D rendering technology, which automatically recognizes a content’s genre and optimizes the sound tracks accordingly. This means that any type of sound, including stereo and 5.1 channel, will be optimized as 3D multi-channel sound. Whereas with conventional TVs, users would need to sit front-on to the screen to best enjoy the sound of a helicopter in flight in a movie or TV show, with a QLED 8K TV, users can experience the sound of the helicopter moving and rising over the TV even while sitting at a side angle from the screen.

AVA: Intelligent Noise Detection to Enhance Voice Clarity

The living room is the heart of the home, and often, the soundtrack to a movie or TV show is not the only source of noise to be found in this busy family space. However, there is nothing more frustrating than having a crucial scene in a TV show be overpowered by ambient noise.

This is why Samsung’s Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) technology was developed for QLED 8K TVs. AVA technology recognizes exterior noise sources and increases the volume of the voices on-screen if the surrounding conditions become too loud. For example, if there is a vacuum running while the TV is playing, the TV will automatically amplify the audio track to ensure viewers can hear everything that is going on.

Not only does this technology help ensure users never miss a piece of dialogue, it does so intelligently by meticulously analyzing the space within which the TV has been placed. Through a sound sensor on the bottom middle of the TV, AVA technology will allow its quantum processor to adjust the sound output when it detects a continuous noise from the surrounding environment that is louder than the TV and lasts for more than 3 seconds.

The TV’s sound sensor takes in and monitors audio from the content onscreen as well as the ambient audio from its surrounding environment. AI technology then compares the volume levels of the two types of sound, and if external sounds are found to be louder than that of the TV’s content, it will selectively raise just the voice audio track from the content being watched to ensure users can clearly hear every word being said.

Thanks to AVA technology, users no longer need to scramble for the remote when ambient noise suddenly gets too loud to adjust the TV’s volume. Furthermore, as the only existing TV technology to extract and amplify just the voice audio track of a piece of content, users do not have to put up with a boisterous sound experience when looking to increase a TV’s volume due to a loud surrounding environment. Users can also easily toggle the automatic audio adjusting of AVA on or off in the TV’s settings menu.

The sound innovations that come together to make up the 2020 QLED 8K’s dynamic audio experience take the inconvenience of adjusting TV audio out of users’ hands. Users can enjoy intelligent, 3D surround sound thanks to Samsung’s OTS and AVA technologies. Check out the videos below to experience the realistic sound experience of the 2020 QLED 8K range for yourself.

A Closer Look at the 2020 QLED 8K’s OTS Technology

A Closer Look at the 2020 QLED 8K’s AVA technology

¹ As of the 2020 product line-ups, 8K QLED TV implements OTS+ that uses a total of six speakers and 4K QLED TV (Q90, Q80 series) implements OTS that places a total of four speakers on top and bottom.

With its 2020 QLED 8K TVs and AI sound technologies, Samsung has raised the bar for TV audio experiences. Object Tracking Sound+ uses AI-based software to match the movement of audio with movement on-screen; Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) tracks the user’s audio environment; and Q-Symphony creates a more realistic, three-dimensional sound.

Samsung Newsroom sat down with the sound developers of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business to learn more about their extensive capabilities and the journey to fostering innovation in sound.

(From left to right) Youngtae Kim (Sound Lab), Jongbae Kim (Sound Lab), Yoonjae Lee (Sound Device Lab) and Sunmin Kim (Sound Lab)

Object Tracking Sound+: Reading the Room for More Realistic Audio Experiences

Action movies with amazing sound arrangements provide the most realistic experiences when experienced at movie theaters. This is because movie theaters have multi-channel speakers with 3D sound placed on almost all the walls (including the ceiling), as well as around the screen. Compared with two-channel sound that features speakers only on the left- and right-hand sides, the multi-channel speakers in a movie theater deliver a more refined sense of realism. So how can this realism be recreated in the home? Samsung’s sound developers came up with Object Tracking Sound+ technology, in which sound follows movement onscreen through six speakers built into the TV.

Thanks to this technology, a video’s audio follows the action on-screen in real time. When a car moves from the left to the right-hand side of the screen, so will the sound it makes; and when a heavy object drops from the top to the bottom of the screen, so will the audio.

When developing the 2020 QLED 8K TVs, Samsung’s TV developers increased the number of QLED TV speakers from two to six in order to realize sound that can mimic action. “By placing two speakers on each side of the screen, as well as on the top and bottom, we enabled the dissemination of sound in all directions from a total of six speakers,” explained Jongbae Kim. “The distance between the two main speakers has been widened as much as possible, and the additional speakers have been installed in order to maximize sound across all axes to be as three-dimensional as possible. For example, we placed speakers on the upper side of the screen to enable the movement of sound in a vertical direction for a more immersive sound experience.” Additionally, Kim highlighted how, despite the complex nature of a TV structure that includes six embedded speakers, the team managed to keep the design of the TV slim and minimal.

In order to ensure audio will follow on-screen movements accurately, it is important to understand the original intentions of content creators. “The role of a sound engineer is to increase the consistency between the action onscreen and its accompanying audio track when mixing. The location information of sound in a piece of video content, including sound panning information, is subsequently audio-signaled into the audio channel by the sound engineer – something we must be able to track in order to reproduce the location and movement of a content’s audio accurately,” noted Jongbae Kim. “Our Object Tracking Sound+ technology analyzes the location information contained in these audio signals as originally placed during mixing. This means the TV can then effectively distribute the sound amongst its six speakers by distinguishing between sound orientations and whether or not the audio source is on-screen, off-screen, close-up or distant.”

AVA: Intelligent Noise Detection to Enhance Voice Clarity

When that crucial scene in the show you are watching is overwhelmed by mixer sound or an important breaking news report is obscured by loud thunder, the act of reaching for the remote to adjust the TV’s volume can come too late. This is why the team developed their AVA technology, which recognizes exterior noises and increases the volume of voices in content accordingly if surrounding conditions become too loud.

The way it works is intelligent. The TV’s sound sensor, attached to the bottom middle of the TV, takes in audio from the content onscreen as well as its surrounding environs. AI technology then compares the volume levels of the two types of sound, and if external sounds are found to be louder than that of the TV’s content, it will selectively raise the TV’s volume. “The system does not have one set definition of noise,” explained Sunmin Kim. “It considers any and all elements that disturb enjoyment of content as noise. When exterior sounds persist above a certain decibel level, that is when the system registers it as ‘noise’.”

However, AVA technology does not just raise the volume of the TV when it recognizes a louder environment, as this would only contribute to a boisterous room experience. “The system harnesses AI to keep sound effect and background audio levels consistent and to only raise the volume of voice audio,” highlighted Sunmin Kim. “Our research showed us that the majority of content is dialogue-heavy, so we believe that enhancing the delivery of dialogue would be most beneficial to aid comprehension.”

Q-Symphony: Creating a Multi-Dimensional Soundscape

One of key elements to achieving a realistic sound during content playback on a TV is three-dimensionality, which encompasses both horizontal and vertical audio characteristics. Until recently, these perspectives had been being developed separately by the TV and Soundbar teams. However, with the inclusion of upper side speakers on Samsung’s 2020 QLED 8K TVs, the team developed an all-inclusive solution that utilizes the capabilities of both the TV and the soundbar in perfect harmony. Q-Symphony is a feature that plays audio using both the TV speakers and the soundbar at the same time, and as an industry first achievement, the Q-Symphony technology was even recognized with a Best of Innovation Award at CES 2020.

“The core of Q-symphony, which manages sound playback harmoniously using speakers with different characteristics, is technology that follows the sound playback rules which are determined in advance and exchanges the necessary information between the TV and the soundbar, when connected. This approach allows for a superior reproduced sound experience,” explained Yoonjae Lee. “A key element of the technology is a special algorithm that we created which divides and harmonizes sounds seamlessly between the TV’s speakers and soundbar.”

During development, challenge arose regarding the quality of dialogue reproduction. When both the soundbar and the TV speakers played dialogue simultaneously, the sound quality was noticeably diminished. However, the sound development team were able to resolve this issue by separating the main sound track, including dialogue, from the entire signal and assigning the different tracks to the TV speakers and soundbar respectively. “In the 2020 QLED 8K TV range, the voice signal is extracted and removed from the sound being reproduced by the TV’s embedded speakers, which are then assigned to play ambient sound signals such as sound effects,” explained Lee. “The soundbar then reproduces the main sound involving any dialogue. With this technology, Q-Symphony harnesses the advantages of both TV speakers and the soundbar in order to deliver the best, and most harmonious, sound experience to users.”

Working Together to Develop the Perfect Sound Experience

The sound development team agreed that realizing the addition of speakers, the new placement of speakers and the AI harmonization with the soundbar on the 2020 QLED 8K TV range was possible because of close coordination with a variety of other teams. “When developing new TVs, all areas need to be in sync with their innovations,” noted Youngtae Kim. “We came together in suggesting various solutions to overcome each and every technological hurdle with an open mind.”

Youngtae Kim (left) and Sunmin Kim introduce the innovative sound technologies of the 2020 QLED 8K TV range

The sound development team has always been and always will be dedicated to developing the best possible audio experiences for users. As well as working with Samsung’s Audio Lab based in the U.S. for the future audio technology, the team also works with Samsung Research’s R&D Centers, universities and start-up experts around the world. “We want to bring about sound experiences that are as natural and as real as possible,” explained Youngtae Kim. “To achieve this, we will continue to work hard to understand the end-to-end process of the sound and realize sounds in our TVs.”

Samsung’s sound innovation also helps to realize its vision of ‘Screens Everywhere’. “In the future, we will bolster the use of AI so that users do not even need to use a remote control to find the perfect audio balance when enjoying their favorite content,” said Sunmin Kim. “As time goes by, TV installation environments, lifestyles and age groups will be diversified. We want users to enjoy the sound of their content as intended, regardless of content type or listening environment.”

Samsung Electronics’ 2020 QLED 8K TV lineup continuously receives praise for its devices’ innovative display quality, sound, design and many other areas. In particular, the range showcases an impressive evolution with regards to its video upscaling technology, at the core of which is Samsung’s AI Quantum Processor 8K.

Samsung Newsroom interviewed the team from the Picture Quality Solution Lab of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business to learn more about this revolutionary technology.

(From left) Hyungjun Lim, Hyunseung Lee, Cheon Lee and Seungho Park of the Picture Quality Solution Lab of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business

Leveling Up Deep Learning for Optimized Upscaling

When a low-resolution video plays on a high-resolution display, the resulting image quality can be below a viewer’s expectations. AI (artificial intelligence) upscaling is a technology that converts low-resolution videos into ones of more vivid and natural resolutions by analyzing the video data and adapting it intelligently.

In 2018, Samsung Electronics implemented its machine learning-based AI 8K upscaling technology for the first time. This technology harnesses machine learning wherein a human-designed algorithm intelligently analyzes the various video qualities, including line, light and color, and improves each of these for an improved display resolution. Such deep learning capabilities permit a TV to analyze and process video features whilst simultaneously learning thanks to an artificial neural network that acts in the same way as the human brain.

The members of Samsung’s Picture Quality Solution Lab focused on developing deep learning algorithms that enable displays to always showcase optimum video qualities without human intervention. “Deep learning enables more precise and efficient image quality improvements than can be achieved by humans alone,” noted Hyungjun Lim, who developed the AI upscaling technology’s texture generation method.

This operational advantage is what led the team to develop an AI upscaling technology that combines machine learning with deep learning – Samsung’s AI Quantum Processor 8K. “Previous machine learning technology brought about enhanced sharpness to display picture quality, but now our technology can also offer more delicate texturing,” noted Hyunseung Lee, who developed enhanced edge sharpness for the AI Quantum Processor 8K. “Images with complicated textures, like mountain or grass landscapes, can now be upscaled into 8K quality more naturally.”

Solving the Conundrum of Deep Learning

Although deep learning has limitless potential, there are still obstacles to be overcome. The Picture Quality Solution Lab team had to go through countless trial-and-error scenarios in order to make their technology market-ready. “It was difficult for us, at first, to clearly follow and comprehend the algorithm being developed by the artificial neural network of the processor,” highlighted Cheon Lee, the developer of the AI Quantum Processor 8K’s network structure and learning method. “The artificial neural network’s high hardware chip power consumption was an issue we had to solve, too.”

After a lengthy development process, Samsung was eventually able to solve the problems that had arisen thanks to its range of differentiated technologies. “We achieved the highly efficient display quality performance of our processor by making it a hybrid technology that combines complexity along with different aspects of deep learning and machine learning,” explained Lee.

Dreaming Bigger, Better and More Realistic with AI        

It wasn’t that long ago that the day-to-day application of AI-powered technologies was but a distant dream to us. Nowadays, technology has improved rapidly to the end of improving the lives of people across many different areas of everyday life.

“We are now able to categorize videos of differing quality levels in a more detailed way while also bringing these AI categorization technologies to the commercial market,” noted Seungho Park, who worked the AI Quantum Processor 8K’s noise elimination and improving the detail contrast range. “Such technologies permit next-generation displays, such as The Wall, to be able to showcase all kinds of videos at the most realistic qualities possible today.”

This AI-powered innovation is not just limited to upscaling technologies. There exist a variety of ways to harness AI to improve the screen qualities of displays, including video quality categorization, noise elimination, data-compression-caused distortion restoration and spatial or time-based resolution restoration, to name just a few. “Our goal is to continue Samsung’s legacy of providing leading TV viewing experiences by combining the advantages of our next-generation displays with AI technologies that can restore videos to realistic-level qualities, regardless of their original qualities and resolutions,” affirmed Park. The future of QLED 8K is looking bright.

The 2020 QLED 8K lineup provides consumers with an unprecedented viewing experience and unparalleled smart home integration. It leverages the power of enhanced AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology to improve audio, video and smart capabilities. Plus, it offers a range of smart features powered by Tizen, making it easier than ever for consumers to use voice commands and access new features like Tap View, Digital Butler and Samsung Health.

The ultimate expression of these different innovation is the new, flagship Q950TS QLED 8K TV, which is the first TV in the industry to feature surround sound audio, true-to-life 8K resolution and a stunning, ultra-thin form factor.

“8K resolution has the potential to transform our industry. Screens over 75” are the fastest growing segment in the market, and that segment is where 8K resolution matters the most,” said Joe Stinziano, Head of Consumer Electronics Business at Samsung Electronics America. “Our 2020 8K lineup demonstrates the power of this potential. Its unprecedented immersive capabilities and unparalleled smart features empower consumers to pursue their passions more simply and more comprehensively than ever before.”

Reinventing TV Design

The Q950 practically eliminates the bezel around the display to create a screen-to-body ratio of nearly 99 percent, the largest in the market. When watching from about ten or fifteen feet away, consumers experience a stunning Infinity Screen effect where the bezels seem to disappear. The result is an even more immersive viewing experience that eliminates the boundaries between the TV and its surroundings.

In addition, the Q950 is only 15 millimeters thin across the entire display. In combination with a completely flat black panel, the Q950 can lay flush against the wall or create a striking silhouette when placed on a media stand.

Redefining Picture Quality

The 2020 QLED 8K lineup reflects Samsung’s commitment to leading the industry in the implementation, adoption, and playback of 8K resolutions. Every model in the lineup will meet the requirements of the 8K Association’s Certified Test Specifications as well as the CTA 8K Ultra HD Display Definition.

At the same time, the QLED 8K lineup is among the first in the industry to support the playback of native 8K content. In 2020, consumers will be able to enjoy and stream AV1 codec videos filmed in 8K on QLED 8K TVs. All Samsung TVs in the 2020 8K line will ship with this capability built-in.

And, Samsung is working with partners like YouTube to create pathways for streaming native 8K content.

In addition to building out the 8K ecosystem across the industry, the QLED 8K lineup helps consumers to experience the power of 8K resolution even when they are watching lower resolution content. Based on powerful Samsung semiconductor technology, the Q950’s next-generation Quantum Processor 8K features improved AI upscaling capabilities that use machine learning to analyze and identify the characteristics of individual pixels. It then restores different elements of the image to create a pristine 8K picture, regardless of the content source.

The Q950 also leverages the power of AI to ensure that nothing distracts viewers from their content. While traditional TV sensors can only adjust screen brightness based on the ambient light within the room, Adaptive Picture accounts for the distribution of light within the particular scene, ensuring that the TV can maintain a clear picture in bright rooms while still maintaining contrast.

Another common issue for consumers streaming content is the speed of their internet connection. AI ScaleNet ensures a smooth streaming connection by optimizing the available network bandwidth. It compresses content as it leaves the content provider and then restores it after it reaches the TV to effectively cut in half the bandwidth needed for consumers to stream content. Samsung Electronics is continuing to work with Amazon on this feature, utilizing AI ScaleNet from standard definition to 4K in Prime Video.

Reinvigorating Sound Performance

Since audio as important as video when it comes to an immersive streaming experience, the Q950 delivers some of the best TV audio on the market. It features speakers on every side of the display, as well as sub-woofers in the back. When combined with Object Tracking Sound+, which uses AI-based software to match the movement of audio sound with the movement of objects on the screen, the Q950 can deliver crisp and clear 5.1 channel surround-sound.

The Q950 can also adjust the volume of dialogue in response to common sounds like a blender or vacuum cleaner. Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) helps the 40% of U.S. consumers who say that these sounds tend to distract them while they’re watching TV by detecting the these noises and automatically enhancing voice clarity.

Finally, the Q950 is uniquely capable of using its built-in speakers as an additional audio channel when connected to a 2020 Q Series soundbar like the Q800, a 2020 CES Best of Innovation honoree. Q-Symphony pairs the audio from both devices together to create a dynamic and multi-dimensional soundscape.

Reinventing the Viewing Experience

Consumers today have access to—and are consuming—more streaming content than ever before. That’s why the 2020 QLED 8K TV line offers unique features that help consumers to better enjoy their content and interact with their different devices.

In 2020, Bixby, the Samsung’s AI assistant, is getting even smarter. Consumers can use their TV to change the mood of a room. For example, if they tell Bixby to create a calm atmosphere, the TV will then display a relaxing backdrop on the screen. In addition, Samsung will offer multiple voice assistant options in order to provide consumers a choice by integrating Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant into Samsung’s 2020 QLED 8K line. Now users will enjoy easier access to the content they love, with expanded smart home and TV control capabilities.

The Q950 features a new and improved Universal Guide that uses AI-based algorithms to analyze the type of content that consumers watch, as well as the services and TV channels that they tend to use, to offer recommendations uniquely customized to their specific habits and tastes.

Through Samsung TV Plus, Samsung’s free smart TV video service, consumers can easily access new content, even if they have cut the cord. With just an internet connection, consumers can instantly access news, sports, entertainment, and more—with new options joining all the time. There are currently nearly 100 channels on Samsung TV Plus, including CBSN (CBS’s 24/7 live digital news channel), Yahoo Finance, Lively Place (from A&E Networks), Bon Appétit, VEVO, Outside TV+, and much more.

Reimagining Connected Living

The 2020 QLED 8K lineup accounts for the evolving ways in which consumers use screens today through innovative new features that integrate into modern lifestyles.

Because four out of every five people do not get enough regular exercise, Samsung has developed a fitness and wellness solution designed to fit around consumers’ hectic schedules. The Q950 can serve as the central hub for fitness and mindfulness within the home through the launch of Samsung Health on TV. Through Samsung Health on the Q950, consumers will be able to see their activities, track their progress, and pursue shared fitness goals with the entire family. Plus, they will have access to free and exclusive content from leading partners, including Calm, Fitplan, Jillian Michaels, Echelon, obé fitness, and barre3 and more.

In addition, more consumers are using their mobile devices while watching content on their TVs, even though it can be difficult to see everything happening on both devices. Multi-View ensures that these consumers won’t miss a thing on either screen by projecting the screen of the consumer’s mobile device onto the TV alongside a separate window for their TV content. With 14 different layouts, users can customize their viewing experience, from side-by-side viewing to picture-in-picture viewing along with several other options.

To create an even more streamlined experience for consumers, the Q950 also offers novel ways of mirroring your mobile device and controlling your home devices. Tap View empowers consumers to mirror their phone screens to the TV just by touching the two devices together. And with Digital Butler, consumer can control more devices than ever before by using infrared technology to detect and control non-IoT devices within the home.

“In the five years since we launched Family Hub, we have introduced innovations that reflect the new ways that busy, modern families are managing their daily lives,” said John Herrington, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Home Appliances, Samsung Electronics America. “The latest Family Hub is the most innovative yet, with more personalized, intelligent features that enable busy families to stay better connected to one another.”

The latest version of Family Hub is simple, sophisticated, and modern, making it the perfect addition to today’s connected kitchen. In response to years of consumer insights with Family Hub, the next generation delivers innovative features that people want the most: AI-enhanced cameras inside the refrigerator and improved, thoughtful meal planning and recipe suggestions tailored to personal preferences. The new Family Hub also enables families to share more types of media and entertainment together, and brings a new level of control to the connected home.

Intelligent Meal Planning

Family Hub is more streamlined and more personalized than ever, meaning you’ll spend less time preparing your meals and more time enjoying them. It customizes the entire food experience for you—recommending Smart Recipes based on the dietary preferences you set, helping you come up with a weeklong Meal Plan based on your refrigerator inventory, and preparing your Shopping List with all the right ingredients.

Family Hub’s ViewInside cameras have been upgraded with brand-new AI image recognition technology, which automatically scans the products inside your fridge, identifies them, and sends you updates on items your family has added or depleted. Family Hub’s Meal Planner is also smarter, with the Quick Plan feature now offering a week’s worth of recommended recipes with just one click.

Another new feature for meal planning is brought to Family Hub through innovative technology from Whisk, a food AI startup recently acquired by Samsung NEXT. Whisk can help you plan an entire meal—or even a week’s worth of meals—by adjusting recipes based on the number of guests you expect and building a smart shopping list that consolidates ingredients from several recipes.

Bring Your Family Closer

Since the launch of the Family Board last year, families have been using this virtual bulletin board to enhance life’s special moments, sharing favorite songs and images for the whole family to interact with. Now, for the first time, the Family Board supports video clips, so you can transfer videos from your smartphone to the refrigerator and relive important memories together.

To make sharing easier, Family Hub has also updated the SmartView feature, which mirrors content from connected Samsung TVs and Samsung mobile devices. With portrait mode, you can enjoy vertical smartphone videos, as well as your favorite social media content on the full screen of Family Hub. With almost half a dozen options available, your family members can continue to enjoy music from their favorite music streaming apps.

Connect and Control Your Smart Home

The new Family Hub takes managing your smart home to the next level. You can monitor and control over 1,000 SmartThings-compatible products throughout your home: turn your lights on or off, see who’s at the front door, set the temperature, and lock the front door. And with the addition of the new SmartThings Video widget, you can now view multiple security cameras at-a-glance, to keep an eye on your entire home from the kitchen.

The new Family Hub software enhancements will be available this spring. For more information about the product or Samsung Home Appliances, please visit http://www.samsung.com.

Samsung home appliances’ seamless connections are all part of the company’s “Intelligence of Things” vision, which envisions a world in which the devices around us are constantly communicating with one another in ways that simplify our day. To demonstrate how the devices take the work out of housework, we present a typical Sunday in one of these connected homes.

[7 a.m.] “Hi Bixby”

You’ve got a lot to do today, so you wake up early, kick off the covers, and start to map out your day. To check the weather forecast and fine dust level, you could reach for your phone and check a weather app, or switch on the news on your TV. Or, in the true spirit of a lazy weekend, you could do those things faster and easier with Bixby, Samsung Electronics’ convenient intelligence platform, which offers users personalized services powered by natural interactions.

With Bixby, everyday tasks like checking the weather and fine dust level are as easy as uttering a simple voice command. To make their lives easier, Bixby learns users’ usage patterns and frequently used apps, and gets smarter and more useful with time.

[9 a.m.] Laundry Made Simple

Samsung home appliances’ smart features were designed to take the stress out of finishing household chores. To simplify laundry cycles, Samsung introduced Auto Cycle Link¹, a clever feature that links compatible washers and dryers so the dryer can automatically select an optimal setting once the wash cycle has ended.

[11 a.m.] An AI-powered Meal Planner

Figuring out what to whip up for lunch has also become simpler thanks to Samsung’s Food AI, which keeps you up to date on what you have in your fridge. The technology understands the preferences of each family member, and recommends appropriate recipes to suit various tastes and diets.

It also makes it easier to keep tabs on ingredients. Utilizing image-recognition technology, which detects the names of the items you have in your fridge, it allows you to easily monitor the freshness of various ingredients. It also enables you to search for recipes for dishes that you can prepare with the ingredients you have, and lets you shop online for any additional ingredients that you might need.

[1:30 p.m.] A Kitchen That Prepares Itself

Once the user selects a recipe, Samsung’s Food AI will preset their appliances accordingly so they can focus on preparing a delicious meal. Running a kitchen in which your appliances prepare themselves may make you feel like you’re cooking with a team of sous-chefs by your side!

The hood and cooktop’s pairing feature offers a simple way to keep the air in the kitchen fresh. The hood automatically activates when any of the cooktop’s burners are turned on, and switches off when the burners are turned off. When you need some fresh air, your air purifier’s window-checking feature² springs into action, switching the air purifier off when the window is open, and turning it back on when the window is closed.

[3 p.m.] Self-monitoring Appliances

While it’s true that appliances need to be checked regularly to ensure that they’re performing efficiently, it’s not always easy to remember to do so. That’s where Samsung’s AI Homecare Manager comes in. The technology monitors the status and usage patterns of various appliances, and notifies users of appropriate actions to take. Not only does it offer users simple steps for handling any issues that may arise with their appliances, it also notifies them when it’s time to replace items like filters, and provides links to streamline purchases.

Samsung home appliances can also offer users insights to help them better manage electricity usage via SmartThings Energy Control, an easy-to-use, app-controlled smart meter service. This intuitive feature encourages efficient energy usage by allowing you to compare your monthly electricity usage with other users using the same appliances.

[6 p.m.] You’re Welcomed Back to a Home That’s Set Just the Way You Like It

‘Welcome Care’ is Samsung’s GPS-enabled home-management feature. When the user is almost home, AI technology measures the air quality in the house. If the air quality is ‘bad’ or worse, it sends the user a notification that offers them the option to activate the air purifier.

This feature also applies to air conditioners. When enabled, once the user gets within a certain radius of their home, they’ll receive a notification asking them whether they’d like to turn the air conditioner on, or leave it off. This also applies when the user leaves home. So no more worrying about whether you forgot to turn the AC off before leaving the house.

[9 p.m.] An Air Conditioner That Optimizes Temperature by Room

A single house can contain multiple spaces that require different environments. Samsung’s Pleasant AI service automatically regulates air conditioner settings to maintain an optimal temperature in each room, ensuring users’ comfort. Air conditioner usage data is analyzed as time goes by, making the feature more and more reliable.

[3 a.m.] While You Sleep, Your Devices’ AI Ensures That You Get a Good Night’s Rest

Samsung devices’ smart services work nonstop, even after you’ve gone to bed. For example, regardless of whether it’s been switched on or off, the air purifier keeps measuring air quality throughout the night, and automatically turns on when it detects that the air is ‘bad’ or worse. Before going to bed, you can also ask Bixby to do things like play a particular playlist that helps you fall asleep, or show you your schedule for the next day.

¹ Availability may vary depending on region and products.

² The window should be connected to Smart Things via a multi-purpose sensor. Whether or not the window is equipped with this sensor differs according to region.

The culmination of ten years of industry-leading smartphone innovations, the Galaxy S10 line places a laundry list of industry-first and best technologies at users’ fingertips that allow them to do more with their phone than they ever could before.

Our previous articles examined how the new flagship line’s groundbreaking display, camera and performance innovations raise the bar for smartphones to follow. Now, using Gameloft Barcelona’s Asphalt 9: Legends as an example, we’ll show you how the Galaxy S10+’s supercharged specs take the gaming experience to the next level.

Buckle up, folks. You’re in for a ride.

Faster Speeds, Better Gameplay

In a game like Asphalt 9: Legends, a split-second decision can mean the difference between capturing a race and crashing out of contention. That’s why it’s important that your phone’s processor is capable of handling graphics-heavy games without slowing you down with lag or frequent FPS (frames per second) drops.

Featuring up to 12GB of RAM and a next-generation application processor (which improves CPU and GPU performance by up to 29 and 37 percent, respectively),¹ the Galaxy S10+ allows you to leave the days of dealing with spotty FPS, lag, and long load times in your rearview mirror. When playing Asphalt 9: Legends, the Galaxy S10+’s high FPS rate makes details truly pop, and makes each 360-degree spin and slow-motion moment that much more enjoyable.

So whether you’re drifting through a turn or tearing down a straightaway, you can trust that the Galaxy S10+ will keep your gameplay snappy and smooth.

A Smooth Ride

The Galaxy S10+ also features a built-in, AI-based Smart Performance Adjuster that analyzes game playing patterns to make gameplay even smoother. As you’re racing down each track, it’s working to provide stable GPU and CPU performance – and eliminating frustrating peaks and valleys that could potentially slow you down.

The smartphone’s stable performance makes it abundantly clear that it’s built to handle the best mobile games that the industry has to offer. And that includes 64-bit games as well, which represent the future of mobile gaming.

In fact, the Galaxy S10 variants are the first Android devices to feature 64-bit game support. That means better battery drainage and thermal management when playing graphics-intensive games like Asphalt 9: Legends, Fortnite and other popular 64-bit titles that will be released throughout the year.

These days, nearly half of all new mobile games are created using the Unity game engine.² In order to offer users the best possible mobile gaming experience, Samsung specially optimized its newest flagships for running Unity-built games. So when you play these titles on your Galaxy S10+, you’ll be playing them in their best form.

The smartphones are able to deliver a more seamless and stable gaming experience because they’re the first mobile devices to be optimized to work with Unity’s new Adaptive Performance feature.³ Adaptive Performance support means that when playing high-performance games on your Galaxy S10 line, you’ll enjoy better battery life and smoother, faster performance – without having to worry about your phone overheating. If the game you’re playing was built using the Unity engine, Adaptive Performance will boost its overall performance by approximately 10 percent.

Keep It Cool

Just like cutting-edge supercars feature the latest and greatest in terms of engine technology, the Galaxy S10+ features hardware and software that have been optimized to support truly incredible gaming experiences.

Take, for instance, Samsung’s Vapor Chamber cooling system, which allows the Galaxy S10+ to stay cool during heavy gaming sessions. This innovative technology improves GPU efficiency, which means that 3D games are smoother and more immersive than with the Galaxy S9. So as you breeze through each course in Asphalt 9: Legends – burning rubber at one picturesque location after another – you can rest assured that your phone is designed to keep cool when the pressure’s on.

Stunning Visuals, Immersive Sound

As anyone who’s put the pedal to the virtual metal with the Asphalt series knows, when it comes to high-octane mobile racing games, it doesn’t get any better than this.

The game’s scenic courses and nitro-fueled racing mayhem look absolutely stunning on the Galaxy S10+’s 6.4-inch, high-resolution Infinity-O Display. The display’s vibrant, lifelike colors add depth and realism to everything from your supercar’s glossy contours to the game’s astoundingly detailed city- and landscapes. It’s also been optimized by Samsung to be easy on the eyes, which makes it perfect for those extended gaming sessions.

From the moment you take your mark for the start of the race to the moment you cross the finish line, the Galaxy S10+’s first-of-its-kind⁴ Dolby Atmos for Gaming technology immerses you in rich sound. Accessible in-game via the Game Tools menu, this clever innovation carefully optimizes each level of sound – from background music to sound effects – to create a well-rounded soundscape⁵ that enhances the overall gaming experience.

The results are some truly heart-pumping audio effects that ramp up your adrenaline with every turn.

Game On!

Offering easy access to over 30,000 exhilarating games and counting, the Galaxy S10 line’s built-in Game Launcher is your one-stop hub for all things mobile gaming.

The convenient app, which allows you to view all of your installed games at once, is packed with intuitive tools designed to help you get the most out of your gaming experience. These allow you to, for example, instantly mute your games’ sound before you begin to play, and make detailed adjustments to game settings in order to optimize performance or save power.

The in-game accessible Game Tools menu offers users even more ways to take their gaming experience to the next level. The handy menu includes options to disable calls and notifications while gaming – to minimize distractions – and makes it easy to snap in-game screenshots, record gameplay, lock navigation buttons, and activate the Galaxy S10+’s Dolby Atmos for Gaming mode.

To introduce users to more games they’ll love, Game Launcher also offers game recommendations based on users’ usage patterns. Each game’s in-depth rundown includes insights into how the game is trending with Galaxy users worldwide, as well as the average amount of time that users are playing.

¹ Varies by model and region.
² The Unity game engine is utilized by over 6.5 million developers, and has served as the framework for approximately 40 percent of the world’s top 1,000 most popular mobile games.
³ Adaptive Performance is slated for release in the second half of this year. Availability may vary.
⁴ On a smartphone.
⁵ Approximately 30 percent clearer than the Galaxy S9 according to Samsung Electronics’ internal tests. May vary depending on conditions.

For the Galaxy S10 line, Samsung brought new, advanced hardware and software-based technologies to the camera, including cutting-edge, AI-powered features. In order to learn more about the phones’ pro-grade camera system – which features an Ultra Wide lens, Super Steady video recording, and a built-in Neural Processing Unit (NPU) – Samsung Newsroom sat down with Samsung Electronics’ Mobile Communications Division’s camera developers and product planner.

(From left) Seoyoung Lee, Sunyong Kim, Sugon Baek and Wonseok Song of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile Communications Division, who planned and developed the Galaxy S10 line’s camera technologies.

The Power of the Ultra Wide Lens

The secret to taking incredible photos with the Galaxy S10 line is the Ultra Wide lens. The addition of the Ultra Wide lens was a major moment for Samsung, and represents one of the biggest changes to the Galaxy series in generations. Now, users can capture every detail of an epic landscape, or fit the entire family into one group shot without having to move back.

“Users expect more than just improved image quality with a new device. They want a camera that makes it easier to take amazing photos,” explained product planner Sunyong Kim. “The Ultra Wide lens features a 123-degree field of view, just like the human eye, so you can easily capture the moment just as you see it.”

Image captured using the Ultra Wide lens on the Galaxy S10+. This feature is also available on the Galaxy S10 and S10e.

With the Ultra Wide lens, users can easily take dynamic pictures using the camera’s Live Focus function and Panorama mode. “Live Focus has been available on previous Samsung devices with the Telephoto and Wide-angle lenses, but for the Galaxy S10 line, we brought it to the Ultra Wide lens as well,” noted Sugon Baek. “What’s more, Panorama mode offers more vertical scope than previous models did, and greatly reduces the need to move the camera from left to right in order to capture the full shot.”

A panorama shot on the Galaxy S10+. This feature is also available on the Galaxy S10 and S10e.

Shake-Free Video Quality

Another new innovation that’s built into the Galaxy S10 line is the camera’s Super Steady video-recording feature, which offers users enhanced video stabilization.²

Super Steady works by using VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilization) technology. It predicts user movements before filming starts, and once the camera is running, it calculates the adjustment range to minimize shakiness in videos.

“In the past, achieving optimum video stabilization meant sacrifices for the camera’s angle of view,” noted Wonseok Song. “A conventional wide-angle camera couldn’t solve the problem. But thanks to the Ultra Wide lens, the S10 is able to support a natural viewing angle while also offering stability and quality.”

Given that the adjustment capability of the Super Steady technology is best for capturing bigger movements, Song has a tip for users filming in different conditions: “For scenes that feature less action in low light, use the camera’s normal mode. For brighter scenes that feature more movement, Super Steady is best.”

Video footage³ shot on the Galaxy S9 (left) and Galaxy S10+ (right). This feature is only supported when filming with the Full HD Ultra Wide lens.

A Camera That’s Smart

The Galaxy S10 doesn’t just have the most advanced camera system on a Galaxy phone, it also has the smartest. In a first for Galaxy smartphones, the Galaxy S10 includes a next-generation NPU that automatically optimizes pictures in up to 30 different categories.

“We added 10 additional categories to optimize common photos, including ‘Dog,’ ‘Drink,’ and ‘Shoe,’” explained Seoyoung Lee. ‘Dog’ mode, she added, optimizes users’ pictures by focusing on fine details, such as strands of fur, whereas categories like ‘Shoe’ and ‘Clothing’ focus on objects’ colors, since most pictures of these objects are taken without people’s faces in the frame. “We also added ‘Drink’ category because we noticed the growing trend of people sharing pictures of their cocktails on social media.”

The Galaxy S10 line’s camera also provides suggestions of ways to potentially improve photos through its Shot Suggestion function. Based on the Galaxy S10 line’s machine learning capabilities, Shot Suggestion references a database of over 100 million users’ pictures to offer helpful tips on improving overall composition, positioning and proportions for photos of various subjects, including people, animals and vehicles. “The AI-based suggestions have been developed not just to prioritize putting the subject at the center of a photo,” said Lee. “That way, no matter how you want to set up your shot, the Galaxy S10 will help you do it in the most striking way possible.”

Seeing the Whole Picture

In developing the Galaxy S10 line’s camera, the team focused on engineering technologies that add real value to the camera experience, rather than simply increasing the number of lenses and features available.

“The camera is for more than documenting and recording,” explained Kim. “It is now the means through which we communicate.”

From the Ultra Wide lens, to Super Steady, to the NPU – and to other features, like Instagram mode, new filters, enhanced Bixby Vision, and easy shifting between lenses – the Galaxy S10 helps users do more with their camera than they ever could before. For all of those users who say a great camera is the top feature they’re looking for in a smartphone, Samsung has planted the flag.

¹ According to Samsung Electronics’ research

² Video stabilization on the Galaxy S10 line is up to three times better than conventional technologies.

³ This footage has been placed side by side and edited for comparison purposes.

Samsung Electronics is showcasing the latest diagnostic imaging medical equipment and AI-based solutions at ECR 2019 – European Congress of Radiology in Vienna, Austria. At booth #406 (Expo. X4), Samsung is displaying a variety of diagnostic imaging equipment, especially, the X-ray zone, which was designed and inspired by pediatric wards, features a new low dose imaging processing engine for children.

“We are pleased that Samsung’s AI technologies have been successfully applied to the existing diagnostic imaging devices and have been well received in the market,” said Dongsoo Jun, President of Health & Medical Equipment Business at Samsung Electronics and CEO of Samsung Medison. “Samsung will continue to deliver on our promise of fast, easy and accurate diagnostic solutions for our customers in the healthcare community.”

Samsung is continuing to expand its boundaries in finding new solutions in radiology ultrasound. At ECR 2019, Samsung will introduce its solutions for breast screening and real-time streaming solutions in ultrasound including:

■ Breast Screening Solutions

• S-Detect for Breast is an AI-based software which analyzes breast lesions using ultrasound images. It assists in standardizing reports and classification of suspicious breast lesions by incorporating BI-RADS® ATLAS (Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System, Atlas) into the tool. When the user selects a region of interest, S-Detect for Breast analyzes the selected lesion and provides lexicon classification options with a streamlined workflow.

• S-Shearwave Imaging allows for non-invasive measurement of the stiffness of tissue/lesions in the breast, by providing an advanced level of diagnostic information. The color-coded elastogram, quantitative measurements (in kPa or m/s) are especially useful to healthcare professionals for making an accurate diagnosis of breast diseases. The reliability of the result is highly improved by providing the RMI (Reliable Measurement Index)

• MV-Flow offers a novel alternative to Color Doppler for visualizing slow flow microvascularized structures. High frame rates and advanced filtering enable MV-Flow to provide a detailed view of blood flow in relation to surrounding tissue or pathology of suspicious breast lesions.

• ElastoScan+ is an ultrasound technology for imaging elasticity. It detects the presence of solid breast masses in tissues and converts any stiffness into color images. Samsung provides semi-quantification assessment designed to enable quick and easy calculation of the strain ratio.

■ Real-time Ultrasound Image Sharing Solution

• SonoSync provides a real-time streaming network service that overcomes the spatial limitations of conventional ultrasound exam operations. Compared with general video sharing solutions, it also has the advantage of supporting bidirectional communication such as voice chat and marking.With SonoSync, clinicians on both sides can simultaneously review the shared images and have discussions during the examination. SonoSync can be simply used without any additional hardware for ultrasound scanners and can be easily connected with various devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop PCs.

Samsung recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved pediatric low dose across its entire digital X-ray portfolio.

“We are excited to expand our commitment on patient safety with the addition of U.S. FDA clearance for pediatric low dose that may improve dose care without compromise to image quality,” said Insuk Song, Senior Vice President of Health & Medical Equipment Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is constantly working on pediatric-centric innovation to uphold ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle for minimizing radiation dose. Our dedication to pediatric care conveys the effort keep the long-term safety of children who are more sensitive to radiation and its cumulative effect.”

■ Dose Less Care More: From The Very Start

• S-Vue delivers high-resolution images through advanced processing technology. Especially, spatially adaptive multi-scale processing and advanced de-noising technology preserve the image quality at high standards despite the reduced dose of radiation. The advanced noise reduction algorithm in the S-Vue imaging processing engine cuts dosage by 45% to a low dose level for pediatric abdomen exams without sacrificing image quality¹.

Without worries of additional settings or exposure, you can easily improve the clarity of the clinical images to boost your diagnostic confidence empowered by Samsung’s unique post-processing feature, SimGrid.

• SimGrid allows you to provide better patient care with higher satisfaction and reduced retake rates without the use of a portable grid. It improves image contrast by reducing scatter radiation effects and creates better image quality.

Samsung is also presenting the mobile CT OmniTom^® and a prototype of Extremity MRI using Media Wall.

At the AI room of the event, visitors can learn about Samsung’s AI technology more easily. Samsung will also host a satellite symposium that will present clinical research using Samsung’s contrast-enhanced ultrasound technology and Pediatric DR Imaging for Patient Safety.

For more information on Samsung’s healthcare division, its subsidiaries and products, please visit https://www.samsunghealthcare.com.

¹ FDA 510(k) clearance: The non-clinical and clinical image evaluations show that the proposed devices with the new IPE (Image Post-processing Engine) employing and advanced noise reduction algorithm are able to reduce x-ray dose up to 47.5% for abdominal radiographs of average adult and up to 45% for pediatric abdomen, 15.5% for pediatric chest, and up to 27% for pediatric skull exams, compared with radiation doses needed to obtain similar image quality using the old IPE on the same x-ray systems.

The Galaxy S10 line builds on Samsung’s camera leadership – which includes the company’s game-changing Super Speed Dual Pixel and Dual Aperture technologies – by introducing a slew of exciting enhancements and even more advanced intelligence. Together, these innovations offer users all the tools they need to take truly epic shots and videos.

See More, Snap More

Each Galaxy S10 is like a professional-grade camera that fits in your pocket. The devices’ easy-to-use cameras were designed to allow you to capture any shot and angle. So no matter what you’re shooting, you’ll always have the right lens for the job.

At 123-degrees, the rear camera’s new 16MP Ultra Wide lens features a field of view that’s similar to the human eye. It covers approximately 4.3 times more area¹ than a 77-degree Wide-angle lens, and allows you to capture the world as you see it. Perfect for taking epic landscape shots, big panoramas (both horizontally and vertically), or simply fitting the entire family into a photo, the Ultra Wide lens ensures that you’re always able to capture the full scene.

Pictures taken with Galaxy S10’s Wide-angle (left) and Ultra Wide lens

Each Galaxy S10’s rear camera setup also includes a 12MP Wide-angle, Dual Aperture, Super Speed Dual Pixel lens. It combines an f/1.5-aperture lens with an f/2.4, and automatically adjusts to light just like our eyes to help users snap professional-looking photos, day or night. The Galaxy S10 and S10+’s triple rear camera setup also includes a 12MP Telephoto (zoom) lens. For those times when you need to get a little closer to your subject, the Telephoto lens provides two times optical zoom and ten times digital zoom.

Each Galaxy S10 comes equipped with a 10MP UHD Dual Pixel front-facing camera that’s perfect for taking high-quality selfies. The Galaxy S10+’s dual front camera setup offers improved megapixels and super-fast autofocus,² and includes an RGB depth lens for enhanced quality of bokeh effects.

A Smarter Way to Shoot

The Galaxy S10’s hardware is complemented by a next-generation Neural Processing Unit (NPU) – a layer of intelligence for all your photos – that streamlines image processing and makes already smart features better.

The addition of the advanced NPU makes the camera’s Scene Optimizer function that much more powerful. Now, Scene Optimizer is capable of analyzing even more complex scenes, and can simultaneously process more image recognition data than before. The camera recognizes up to 30 different types of scenes in all (up from 20 with the Galaxy Note9), including “Face,” “Baby,” “Dog,” “Vehicles,” and more. The function will also automatically optimize the color, saturation, white balance and contrast in order to ensure that the image you see on your screen appears as true to life as possible.

Pictures (right) taken with Scene Optimizer

When the camera recognizes specific scenes, it will also suggest other ways to potentially improve your photo. For example, if you’re taking a picture of a sunrise, the camera will automatically ask you if you’d like to switch to the Ultra Wide lens to ensure that you capture the scene in all its glory. If you’re taking a picture in extreme low-light conditions, it will propose that you take a Bright Night Shot for a professional-quality picture.

The camera also offers users instant, automatic recommendations on how to best frame their photo through its Shot Suggestion feature. Utilizing a database of over 100 million pictures, Shot Suggestion’s composition guide offers helpful tips to help you improve your photo’s proportions, positioning and overall composition.

The camera’s upgraded Live Focus mode allows you to customize your photos with artistic effects. The Galaxy S10+ utilizes its dual front cameras to support the feature, which includes options to add new spin bokeh, zoom bokeh, and color point effects, while the Galaxy S10 and S10e’s front-facing camera utilizes the NPU’s intelligence.

(From left) Live Focus’s new spin bokeh, zoom bokeh and color point effects

Silky Smooth Videos

Recorded videos are so much smoother with the Galaxy S10, thanks to groundbreaking innovations that ensure that users’ footage looks fantastic.

The camera’s Super Steady video-recording feature is the first of its kind on a smartphone, and offers users up to three times better video stabilization than conventional technologies. Powered by anti-shake stabilization technology (VDIS), Super Steady evens out shaky footage, allowing you to record fluid video during even your most active moments. So whether you’re dancing at a concert or recording a bumpy bike ride, with the Galaxy S10, the content you capture will be nice and steady.

Both the front and rear cameras are capable of recording pro-grade UHD footage, which allows users to step up their social game with true-to-life video quality. And in another smartphone first, the rear camera offers users the ability to take their recordings to the next level by capturing them in stunning HDR10+.

Utilizing dynamic tone mapping technology that provides 2.1 times broader color range than SDR, the Galaxy S10 allows you to take videos that are brighter and more dynamic than those taken with other smartphone cameras. That’s because the camera uses tone mapping techniques to go frame-by-frame and optimize the color for every scene.

A New AR Emoji Experience

Samsung’s latest flagships offer users a brand new AR Emoji experience, highlighted by a revamped design, greater customization options, and the ability to track not just your face but also your eyes, tongue and body movements, including your arms and legs.

AR Emoji’s new Mask Mode offers a fun way to touch up a less-than-stellar photo. Not satisfied with the expression you made in your last shot? Simply choose an AR Emoji that nails the emotion you want to express, and place its face over yours.

Users can also customize their AR Emojis like never before. In addition to choosing from the dozens of expressive stickers that are created for each AR Emoji, you can create your very own stickers, featuring unique backgrounds, expressions and other personal touches. Users who download AR World from the Galaxy Store app will also be able to access tons of new hairstyles, outfits and accessories that’ll make their AR Emoji even more unique.

Samsung’s Most Epic Cameras Yet

In addition to placing more fun and convenient features at users’ fingertips, the Galaxy S10 line’s powerful cameras allow you to capture moments in more detail – and with more lenses – than ever before.

The Galaxy S10 5G truly packs the power of a professional-grade camera into your phone by offering a total of six lenses – two on the front and four on the back. In addition to featuring all of the lenses included in the Galaxy S10+, the 5G model introduces Samsung’s next-generation 3D Depth Camera.

This innovative camera allows the device to accurately capture depth by measuring the length of time it takes for an infrared light signal to bounce off the photograph’s subject. The camera uses the resulting depth information to improve the quality of portrait-style images, and to power exciting new features like Video Live focus and Quick Measure. The former allows you to apply cinema-quality bokeh effects to recorded videos, while the latter enables you to use your phone to instantly measure distance, area or volume.

¹ At a distance of approximately one meter.

² Super-fast autofocus is included in the front cameras of the Galaxy S10e, S10, S10+ and S10 5G, as well as in the rear cameras of the Galaxy S10, S10+ and S10 5G.

Last year at CES, Samsung Electronics unveiled breakthrough technologies designed to make consumers’ IoT experiences more seamless and intuitive. This year, the company is showcasing how its latest innovations take connected living to the next level, simplifying users’ lives both inside and outside the home.

Samsung’s CES 2019 booth is chock full of interactive exhibits that offer attendees a chance to get hands-on with the company’s latest TVs, home appliances, mobile devices and more. The illuminating exhibits also offer up-close looks at Samsung innovations that are paving new ground in the fields of 5G, AI, IoT, automotive electronics and robotics, and transforming the way consumers live, work and connect.

Check out the video above to take a virtual tour of the booth and experience the excitement for yourself!

In 2016, Samsung announced its aim to launch a “revolutionary advancement that changes the refrigerator category in meaningful ways.” Since then, the subsequent versions of the Family Hub have continued to get better and better. At CES 2019, Samsung unveiled the new Family Hub, one of the company’s most anticipated products that has been packed with upgraded features.

The new Family Hub is all about giving over more time to the family, offering them a communal, emotional and cultural experience in the kitchen. Popular smart features – including built-in view cameras, voice recognition technology and music and radio streaming – are all there. But Samsung has taken it to the next level by enriching the core values of the Family Hub with enhanced AI and IoT capabilities. Let’s take a look at what the company has put in the new smart kitchen assistant.

Share Memories and Memos on the Family Board

One of the most exciting new features is the Family Board. Families around the world use their refrigerator doors as bulletin-boards to share various things with each other – whether it’s by posting each family member’s schedule and the weekly menu, attaching travel magnets of the countries that they have visited, or proudly displaying the kids’ artworks for everyone to see.

According to a survey conducted by Samsung, over 60% of Family Hub users in the US are families with children. That’s why Samsung paid close attention to updating this distinct feature. The Family Board allows family members to interact with one another and share countless memories, giving the refrigerator’s screen a familiar, analogue feel. Meanwhile the Home Screen offers a digital service experience with an overview of important information and apps. The new Whiteboard has been updated with smart calligraphy that can recognize handwriting and a drawing function that can identify the objects depicted.

There is also a dynamic screen saver feature that can be used to display precious family moments or blend into your home with ambient mode when Family Hub’s touch screen is not in use.

Experience Seamless Home AI with the New Bixby

Another feature that sets the 2019 Family Hub apart from previous iterations is support for the new Bixby.

The new Bixby offers more services, allowing users to seamlessly control and monitor home IoT devices and services from the kitchen with your voice alone. For example, when you run out of ideas on what to cook for dinner, you can ask the new Bixby to search for recipes that cater to your taste and new Bixby will respond with suggestions. You can also check the weather forecast ahead of time, so if new Bixby tells you that rain is on the forecast, you can set a reminder to tell the family to take an umbrella. With a 21.5-inch touchscreen, users can also check at a glance whatever weather charts or recommended restaurant lists and ratings that the new Bixby finds.

Enjoy More Home Entertainment Features

A lot of multitasking is required in the kitchen, so it can get quite hectic when you have to chop, prepare, and cook dishes at the same time. It gets even more tricky when your phone starts to ring. With an enhanced Smart View, multitasking is made easy, as you can mirror third-party apps on Family Hub’s screen seamlessly from your Galaxy phone, without the need to run the Smart View app on the fridge. Not only does the new Bixby allow you to answer a call hands-free, you can also browse through the millions of third-party apps available for the kitchen.

It’s now even easier for users to manage their apps on Family Hub, with efficient installation, updates and deletion from the Apps menu. On top of that, the Home Service can set the mood with music when you are preparing a small gathering or turn on your favorite playlist while you are cooking.

Get Smart about Food Management

Last but not least, the kitchen experience has become more intelligent and efficient with updated features for Food Management. With the new Family Hub 2019, you can search for healthy recipes or preset the oven directly from the Recipes app with easy-to-use voice features. You can also add items to your Shopping List or tag items for reminders and expiration dates.

Showcased at CES 2019, Samsung’s 2019 Smart TVs signify the next stage in the evolution of intelligent displays, as the screen becomes a hub for content and device connectivity in the home. This year’s lineup builds on the innovations of previous years, including the Universal Guide and the One Remote Control, to bring an enriched experience to the home. Equipped with the new Bixby, a conversational AI platform, not only do the 2019 Smart TVs enhance your content experience, but they also widen the reach of connected living.

Below are three key developments for Samsung’s 2019 Smart TVs that will change the way you think about content and connectivity at home.

1. Stronger Partnerships, Even More Content

Samsung has expanded its partnerships to provide a greater variety of content to viewers in 2019. From Over The Top (OTT) and live TV streaming, to free channels and lifestyle media, a large range of content and services are now available to choose from.

What’s more, in March a landmark partnership with Apple will come into effect, allowing iOS devices like iPhone, iPad and Mac to stream directly to Samsung’s 2019 Smart TVs via Airplay 2, without the need for Apple TV or an additional connection. Samsung customers in over 100 countries will have exclusive access to Apple’s new iTunes Movies and TV Shows app on Samsung TVs when it is launched.

2. A More Intelligent Search for Content

With such a vast library of content, sometimes you need a little help finding just what you want to watch, when you want to watch it. The 2019 Smart TVs are equipped with an advanced Universal Guide that analyzes a user’s preferences and viewing patterns to provide personalized content suggestions.

New Bixby is an AI platform that asks intuitive questions, encouraging sequential conversations to better understand what users have in mind. Just like how people get to know each other better through each conversation they have, new Bixby learns more about a user’s preferences from each interaction, so the AI platform can make informed suggestions about what to watch. New Bixby on Samsung 2019 Smart TVs also covers a wider range and can hear voices from a greater distance, so you no longer need to press the speaker button on your remote control to talk to the intelligent assistant.

The seamless experience of searching for content with new Bixby is demonstrated on stage at the CES 2019 Samsung Electronics Press Conference.

3. Seamless Connectivity Throughout the Home

2019 Smart TVs can act as a hub for the home, allowing you to control devices around the home with the SmartThings dashboard. SmartThings seamlessly connects and controls devices around the home, creating a comprehensive IoT ecosystem. Users can create automations that control devices or run scenes whenever certain conditions – such as the time of day, device status or the locations of family members – are met. For example, an air conditioner might turn itself off when open windows are detected, or a smartphone might switch on the lights at home when its GPS indicates that it is close by.

Samsung’s 2019 Smart TVs can also strengthen home security systems. Whereas smaller displays can only show the feed from one CCTV camera at a time, this year’s Smart TVs have larger screens that can simultaneously display footage from several cameras, giving users a more comprehensive view of their security environment.

Another key development for the 2019 Smart TVs is Remote Access control for peripheral devices. Remote Access can provide users with wireless control over connected PCs, laptops, smartphones and tablets, allowing users to remotely access their programs and apps on a larger TV screen. The feature works when the connected devices are both close at hand and in another room.

Thanks to their open ecosystem, 2019 Smart TVs are able to have seamless interactions with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. Users can navigate a range of simple operations such as turning the power on/off, controlling the volume and changing channels all with their pre-existing voice assistant.

Whether it’s by expanding content partnerships, enhancing AI capabilities or strengthening device connectivity, Samsung is committed to providing users with individual personalization and tailored services for its Smart TVs in 2019.

Samsung Electronics today announced how the company’s investment and leadership in AI, IoT, and 5G technologies will serve as the building blocks for its vision for Connected Living. The company also unveiled its future AI-powered robotics platforms, which can be used to manage activities of daily living, such as helping an aging population independently manage their health routine.

“2019 is Samsung Electronics 50^th anniversary, and for the last five decades, we’ve been committed to bringing meaningful innovations to consumers everywhere,” said HS Kim, President and CEO of Consumer Electronics Division, Samsung Electronics. “In 2019, we’re taking things to the next level, and leveraging our industry leadership to make our vision of Connected Living a reality.”

HS Kim, President and CEO of Consumer Electronics Division, Samsung Electronics gives his opening remarks, welcoming guests to Samsung Electronics’ CES 2019 Press Conference.

Accelerating the Intelligence of Things with IoT, 5G, and AI  

Driving Samsung’s Connected Living philosophy is the Intelligence of Things – IoT, 5G, and AI working together across devices, to create seamless experiences. At its CES press conference in Las Vegas today, the company explained how its work in these core technologies is enabling innovation throughout its product portfolio.

Since unifying the SmartThings app and introducing the SmartThings Cloud, the SmartThings ecosystem has grown significantly. The number of registered SmartThings users has grown 220 percent and app installs have increased 61 percent. The number of partners participating in this ecosystem has also grown by 44 percent. Today, consumers can enjoy SmartThings experiences with devices from top global brands like Amazon, Google, Bose, Sylvania, and Plume.

Samsung leveraged its telecommunications leadership to make major strides in bringing 5G connectivity to consumers. Samsung is the number one patent holder with ETSI¹, having registered more than 2,000 5G essential patents as of November 2018. And it is the world’s first company to receive FCC approval on its commercial 5G equipment. The company powered the commercialization of home and mobile 5G networks with major U.S. carriers and all three mobile carriers in Korea, with additional trials running in Europe and Asia. Samsung is also committed to putting the power of 5G in consumers’ hands, with a 5G smartphone coming in the first half of 2019.

Samsung believes that AI is most useful when it helps to simplify a complex world. To that end, the company established seven Global AI Centers, and is adopting unique technologies into its products and services. And to ensure that Samsung works with the best and the brightest in the field, Samsung NEXT and the Samsung Strategy and Innovation Center (SSIC) have invested in more than 20 AI-related startups over the last five years.

Bixby, Samsung’s Intelligence Platform, Expands

Bixby started as a smarter way to use your Galaxy phone. Today, it is evolving to become a scalable, open AI platform that will support more and more devices. The company announced that Bixby intelligence will be infused into its 2019 QLED and premium TVs, and smart appliances like refrigerators, washers, as well as air conditioners, mobile devices, AI speakers and more. What’s more, Bixby is expanding to a new Digital Cockpit and robotics platforms.

Uber, Ticketmaster and others are using Bixby to make their services more intelligent. Today, Samsung announced that iHeartRadio joined as a new partner. And, Bixby will continue to grow as more partners, such as Google, join the ecosystem.

Samsung also announced its core AI philosophy: Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency. As it works to advance AI technology, Samsung is committed to ensuring the algorithms it builds are inclusive, the protection of user information and privacy are top priorities, and it’s easy for consumers to understand what the company does with their data and how it is handled.

Next Level Experience of Samsung’s 2019 Portfolio

Samsung also introduced a lineup of new innovations, all of which streamline and simplify day-to-day tasks, and offer a more personalized and unique experience for each user, in a way that only Samsung can.

Entertainment:

Samsung unveiled its 98” QLED 8K – it’s largest yet – adding to its 2019 lineup that features 65”, 75”, 82”, and 85” models. Embedded with the Quantum Processor 8K chip, the 2019 8K line delivers the best in QLED picture quality, design, smart features in more sizes than ever in stunning 8K resolution. Whether a viewer is watching content through a streaming service, set-top box, HDMI, USB or even mobile screen mirroring, Samsung’s proprietary AI-based technology can recognize and upscale any content, regardless of the native resolution, to near pristine 8K quality. This is Samsung’s smartest and most powerful TV yet.

Dave Das, Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics America, unveils the 98-inch QLED 8K.

In 2019, Samsung Smart TVs offer more ways to search for content and more compatibility with connected devices than ever before. With an improved AI algorithm that leverages a user’s subscription services, favorite content, and TV viewing habits, the Universal Guide makes it easier for users to find the perfect show for them to watch. Users also have more options than ever to quickly and easily find and control their favorite content with just their voice by using new Bixby and the AI Remote as well as even more ways to control their Samsung TVs through Amazon Echo and Google Home.

(From left) Dave Das, Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics America and Yoon Lee, Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics America, demonstrate the Universal Guide with new Bixby on a 2019 Samsung Smart TV.

In a move to deliver more entertainment options, value and open platform functionality to Samsung Smart TV users, Samsung announced it will offer iTunes Movies and TV Shows and Apple AirPlay 2 support on 2019 Samsung Smart TV models beginning this spring. Support on 2018 Samsung Smart TVs will be made available via a firmware update. In an industry first, a new iTunes Movies and TV Shows app will debut only on Samsung Smart TVs in more than 100 countries. AirPlay 2 support will be available on Samsung Smart TVs in 190 countries worldwide.

Home:

Family Hub 2019 is more intuitive and intelligent than ever before. The new Family Board offers a completely redesigned screen experience, letting family members communicate and share memories in a creative space on the front of the fridge. Honored with a CES 2019 Innovation Award, Family Hub 2019 with the new Bixby lets users interact in natural language to get answers to complicated questions, preset the oven, search for recipes, and even call an Uber. In addition, Bixby visually shows you information on the screen for a richer experience and displays an array of visual information. These new features will also be available via automatic update for most earlier Family Hub models.

(From left) John Herrington, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Home Appliances, Samsung Electronics America and Yoon Lee, Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics America, demonstrate Family Hub’s enhanced AI and IoT capabilities during Samsung’s CES 2019 press conference.

The new front load washer, also a 2019 CES Innovation Award winner, can finish a full load in just 30 minutes² with the SuperSpeed feature. With Bixby, users can also control its smart features like getting recommendations for the best wash cycle, scheduling a cycle to be completed at a users’ preferred time, automatically connecting the dryer cycle when the washer is done, or monitoring usage to efficiently manage their laundry appliances.

Work:

Samsung revealed a line of new, innovative products that combine productivity and flexibility to help consumers get things done more conveniently. The redesigned Notebook 9 Pro is engineered for on-the-go modern professionals to help them reach their true creative potential, while the Notebook Odyssey gaming laptop, powered by the new high-end NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 20-series GPU, is ready for both work and play. Samsung Space Monitor leverages its sleek design and functionality to allow users to focus on what’s on the screen and not what’s around it. Its unique built-in space saving solution, a minimalist, fully-integrated clamp stand that grips to the desk, tilting back and forth to free up space for optimal user productivity. Beyond aesthetics, Samsung’s Space Monitor is a feature-rich, high-performance monitor. The 27-inch model offers QHD resolution for incredibly detailed, sharp images, while the 32-inch model presents content in 4K UHD.

Connected Driving:

Samsung also presented its latest development with HARMAN, showcasing its innovation in automotive technology. The Digital Cockpit 2019 offers an enhanced connected car experience focused on connectivity, personalization, and safety.

With the integration of Bixby’s connected car experience, drivers can remotely check how much gas they have before going on a long road trip or set the car temperature before heading out for the day. Using onboard cameras, the new Digital Cockpit recognizes specific drivers and passengers and sets up the car’s personal space accordingly – adjusting the display preferences, seat height, lighting, and queuing up favorite playlists. Passengers can even enjoy personalized screens on the rear seats and connect to In-vehicle Samsung DeX to get work done on-the-go. The Digital Cockpit 2019 also provides a safer driving experience with the mirror replacement vision system and camera-based safety solutions.

All of this is possible thanks to Cellular-V2X technology that incorporates Samsung’s expertise in mobile network solutions with automotive technologies. With Samsung’s C-V2X, cars will be able to receive and analyze information that will make the driving experience safer and more enjoyable.

Device Solutions:

In order to power tomorrow’s AI technologies, Samsung emphasized that today’s AI infrastructure must evolve to handle intelligence at the edge. For this reason, the company is working to launch a comprehensive portfolio of solutions that will shape the future of intelligent devices.

Samsung’s mobile memory and AI-enabled processors, including the recently-announced Exynos Auto line, will allow for faster and more efficient on-device processing. At the same time, its advanced memory solutions will meet the rigorous demands of tomorrow’s datacenters and enterprises as they look to complete more complex AI tasks.

Robotics Platforms for the Future of AI

Samsung offered a peek into the future of Connected Living by demonstrating its latest developments in robotics platforms including the Samsung Bot Care, Samsung Bot Air, Samsung Bot Retail, and Samsung GEMS. Among the robotics platforms, Samsung gave a first public demonstration of Samsung Bot Care, which helps consumers manage their daily health routines. With its advances in AI and robotics, the company is harnessing its best assets to make a positive impact on society and shape a better world.

Geunbae Lee, Head of the Samsung AI Center, joins Yoon Lee on stage to introduce the crowd to Samsung Bots, which combine the company’s latest advancements in robotics platforms, hardware, software and AI technology. The speakers demonstrated how Samsung Bot Care, pictured here, helps users manage their daily health routines.

For more information including photos and videos, please visit news.samsung.com. Samsung’s CES booth #15006 is on Level 1 of Central Hall in the Las Vegas Convention Center and will be open from January 8-11, 2019.

¹ European Telecommunication Standards Institute
² Based on using SuperSpeed on a Normal cycle with an 8lb load.

Samsung Electronics, a leader in medical imaging technology, is showcasing its latest Ultrasound, Digital Radiography, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) concept and their software innovations at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2018 Annual Meeting at McCormick Place in Chicago.

“We are pleased that Samsung’s AI technologies have been successfully applied to the existing diagnostic imaging devices and have been well received in the market,” said Dongsoo Jun, President of Health & Medical Equipment Business at Samsung Electronics and CEO of Samsung Medison. “As a comprehensive diagnostic imaging solution provider, we will continue to strengthen our technologies through collaboration with hospitals and healthcare professionals. We aim to bring together radiologists and AI to fill in the gaps for improved healthcare management.”

Samsung showcases several types of AI based diagnostic imaging software:

• Ultrasound System – S-Detect for Breast is AI based software which analyzes breast lesions using ultrasound images, and has been implemented into Samsung’s ultrasound systems dedicated to Radiology. It assists in standardizing reports and classification of suspicious breast lesions by incorporating BIRADS® ATLAS* (Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System, Atlas)

According to a recently published study¹ by radiology professor Tommaso Bartolotta from the University of Palermo in Italy, S-Detect for Breast has shown to assist various degrees of improvement in the overall diagnosis of breast lesions. When using S-Detect for Breast, the diagnostic accuracy for doctors with experience of four years or less improved from 0.83 to 0.87 (AUC, Area Under Curve). S-Detect for Breast could be a useful tool for supporting and guiding breast diagnosis among non-expert breast imaging physicians (Only shape and orientation descriptors are automatically classified in the United States).

• Digital Radiography – By using AI technology, the ‘Bone Suppression’ function, which reduces the bone signal from the chest x-ray image, clearly brings out the lung tissues obscured by the bones. ‘SimGrid’ has also been introduced as a solution to ease the workflow to replace grids, while providing excellent image quality with reduced scatter artifacts. According to a recently published study², ‘SimGrid’ provided image quality almost as good as the images taken with a physical grid.

The Auto Lung Nodule Detection (ALND) is a CAD (Computer Aided Detection) solution based on AI technology used in the detection of lung nodules and is 510(k) pending. According to a recent  study³in press in Journal of Thoracic Imaging, ALND improved the detection sensitivity of lung cancer nodules 3 cm or smaller in chest radiographs by seven percentage points to 92 percent, compared with the average of six chest radiologists.

• Computed Tomography – Samsung has introduced the intra-cranial hemorrhage package that combines a mobile stroke unit with a radiological computer aided triage and notification solution based on AI technology.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging – Utilizing AI technology, Samsung is developing a technology to display information such as knee cartilage thickness as well as images of knee arthritis patients. The software is a prototype and not for sale in any region of the world.

At the Samsung booth, attendees will find a separate ‘AI zone’ that allows visitors to experience Samsung’s AI technology more easily. Samsung will also host a symposium that will demonstrate how its image processing technology improves diagnostic accuracy and promote radiation safety for pediatric patients.

Through the release of new diagnostic tools that utilize diverse data based on AI technology, Samsung will continue to support healthcare professionals to improve the diagnostic accuracy.

For more information on Samsung’s healthcare business, and products, please visit https://www.samsunghealthcare.com.

About Samsung Medison

Samsung Medison is a global leading medical device company, founded in 1985. With a mission to bring health and well-being of people’s lives, the company manufactures diagnostic ultrasound systems around the world across various medical fields. In 2011, Samsung Medison became an affiliate company of Samsung Electronics, integrating world’s best IT, image processing, semiconductor and communication technologies into medical devices.

¹Tommaso Vincenzo Bartolotta, et al. Focal breast lesion characterization according to the BIRADS US lexicon: role of a computer aided decision making support. La radiologia medica. 2018 Mar 22

²S. Y. Ahn, et al. The Potential Role of Grid-Like Software in Bedside Chest Radiography in Improving Image Quality and Dose Reduction: An Observer Preference Study. Korean J Radiol, 2018; 19(3):526-533

³M.J. Cha, et al. Performance of Deep Learning Model in Detecting Operable Lung Cancer with Chest Radiographs. J Thorac Imaging, 2018 In press

Let the Galaxy Note9 give you a tour of its innovative technologies in the guide below.