Each tab can exchange information to make creating, prioritizing and completing tasks more efficient. For example, users can quickly create a calendar entry based on email content, or locate related items with the tap of a button.

These communication tools are woven together via a unified search feature to help users easily find exactly what they need to see. From Focus tab, users can see a summary of major notifications via the easy-to-read, card-type UX, that can be customized based on the user’s preferences. Furthermore, Samsung Focus will push reminders and suggest actions such as joining a conference call when appropriate.

Samsung Focus’ streamlined interface also features a notification bar and a floating action button that give users more control over their work environment. And, because the mobile app can be synced with a PC, users can switch back and forth between devices anytime, anywhere.

The features of Samsung Focus work in tandem to enhance workplace productivity, from managing emails to dialing in on a conference call.

Keyword Setup

With simple setup for keywords in Focus Tab, Samsung Focus displays a notifications of email or schedule contains a previously registered word, such as “conference” or “business trip.” This feature ensures that users never miss out on essential information.

Priority Sender

An alert notifies users of emails from preset priority senders to flag importance.

Conference Call

Making conference calls has become simpler with Samsung Focus. Users can now make a meeting request via email directly through the app, and can also instantly dial in with a single tap.

History

The app automatically sorts emails and schedule events so users can manage previous messages and appointments with ease.

The latest version of Samsung Focus is available for download on Google Play and is supported on Samsung smartphones running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow or later.

In line with its mission to bring technology closer to people, Samsung Electronics Chile has launched the ‘Trade In: Your Best Return’ campaign, with the aim to both encourage users to renew their phones and provide a responsible and meaningful way to put old devices to good use. Samsung will donate phones traded in at its stores during the month of August to ‘App Clubs’ across Chile, enabling more children to learn to code applications.

The clubs were created in 2015 under a partnership between the Tech Institute of Samsung Electronics Chile and Fundación País Digital, with the goal to teach children to develop apps. More than 110 teachers have already been trained through the project. Today, they’re teaching over 600 students in 37 schools across Chile, helping a new generation of programmers make their application ideas reality.

One of the main barriers to including more students in the App Clubs is a lack of mobile phones for instruction purposes. The ‘Trade In: Your Best Return’ campaign is expected to collect 200 devices to donate to the schools that need them most, allowing App Clubs to increase their capacity and benefit more children.

Samsung and Fundación País Digital’s ultimate goal for the campaign is to provide the tools to enable kids to better shape their futures, which will be heavily influenced by technology, and in particular by mobile apps.

“With this campaign, we aim to provide an additional incentive to our existing trade-in program, closely aligned with our consumers’ interests and our company’s citizenship efforts, that puts technology to work for education,” said Germán Sáenz, Senior Manager of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics Chile. He added that “For us, it is really meaningful to support the App Clubs, which significantly contribute to the formation of these young students who, in just a few years, will become citizens and leaders, shaping the future of our country.”

For users, this creates additional incentive to renew a smartphone at any Samsung store across the country. Aside from receiving credit toward the purchase of a new Galaxy device, by trading in their old phones users will also enjoy the confidence that their old device will have a meaningful fate, enabling more children to acquire coding skills in the App Clubs.

The campaign will run through August 25, or until 200 phones have been collected.

For more information, please visit www.samsungclubdeapps.cl

Samsung Electronics, Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, announced that the Rio 2016 Official Application is available to download starting today.

The Rio 2016 app which is created by collaboration with the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee will provide a range of features to help user better enjoy this year’s Olympic Games, including the Olympic Games schedule, venue and event information, results, medal counts, and more real-time updates across all Olympic and Paralympic sport.

The Rio 2016 app gives users access to information about all the competitions at the Games, along with up-to-the-minute updates. You can also check out Olympic and world records, plus specific details about all the sports, athletes, teams and venues at the Games, and the official news from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Not only can the Rio 2016 app provide users with all the Olympic Games information that users need, but it is also highly customizable, so users can focus on what matters most to them. User can choose to get results and push-notification alerts based on their favorite countries, sports or athletes, as well as the start time of events, results and medals.

In addition, the app has a “Samsung Zone” that provides information about Samsung’s activities at the Games, as well as the Galaxy X Olympics, customer service and an introduction to the Samsung Members App.

This is the tenth consecutive edition of Olympic Games that Samsung has been an official partner, using its technologies and innovations to help officials, athletes and fans. And Samsung is committed to continuing to share the Olympic spirit to make a better future.

The app is now available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

You can download the Rio 2016 Official Application at Galaxy Apps (Mobile), Google Play Store, Apple App Store and the Windows App Store.

* This sample form is intended to be used for reference only.

Fitness Gets Fun

To motivate users to be more active, S Health v.4.8 adds an element of competition to your fitness routine with Together.

First of all, the game-like concept of Steps challenges enables you to create a one-on-one match with your friend. Simply select a friend to challenge, select a step target, create a name for your challenge and send the invitation.

Compete to be the first to reach the set steps target, while monitoring your step count and your opponent’s along the way. Falling behind? S Health alerts you as to how many “steps” you need to take the lead. The Steps challenges allow you to gain a more immediate sense of accomplishment, not to mention bragging rights.

Of course, you can monitor the status of all your challenges with your new Gear Fit2 from your wrist.

But the fun doesn’t end there. With the Steps leaderboard function, you can also compare your own step counts with those of your friends, your age group or all S Health users around the world.

Once activated, the comprehensive Steps leaderboard provides data from the previous seven days, such as average step count, distance and calories burned in comparison to other users. Here you can check your rank and your competitors’ step counts.

With the new S Health, you also have access to more comprehensive step count information. In addition to being able to monitor step count and distance walked data from each individual source—like your smartphone or wearable device—you can also estimate your total step count with the All steps option. Should you enable All steps, your total number of steps across all devices and select third-party apps will be displayed in the Steps Tracker and the S Health widget.

Ultimate Organization

The S Health update also features a faster and simpler way to record various activity data. Now, with the Detect Workouts function, the app can automatically detect and log your running, cycling, walking and hiking sessions that occur for at least 10 minutes. Turning on the Auto Pause setting will also improve tracking accuracy, as it will recognize when you stop your exercise session.

Customizing the S Health dashboard has never been easier with the more organized Trackers management list, which is now arranged in two different sections.

Exercises are now listed separately from general health measurements such as weight and caffeine intake. From the Exercises list, you can select from more than 40 types of exercise that you’d like to manage, ranging from Hula-hooping to Push-ups to Yoga. With these added exercise options, you can customize the Trackers on the S Health dashboard based on your fitness preferences, and record individual workouts more accurately.

For a more generalized overview, the updated My page keeps track of your weekly activities by displaying a detailed weekly summary, rewards received, program history and a compilation of personal bests. Using this accumulated data, the app will suggest goals and targets to work towards in the future.

Quick and Accurate Heart Rate Monitoring

You can now also measure your heart rate quickly, wherever, whenever, without having to launch S Health. After activating the Quick Measure** feature, simply place a finger on the heart rate sensor and set the device facedown to complete the reading.

Heart rate information, along with other data such as blood pressure measurements and glucose levels can be exported as HTML, XLS and PDF files with a simple tap.

Not only can you track more types of exercise, and have fun while doing it, but the enhanced layout of the app also makes it easier to personalize and navigate the S Health dashboard. The pinch-zoom function can adjust the screen grid according to your preference, improving the overall user experience.

S Health can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Apps. The app is compatible with all Samsung smartphones since Galaxy S3, as well as select non-Samsung Android devices.***

* Gear Fit2 pairs with smartphones running on Android OS 4.4 and higher with over 1.5GB RAM.

** Quick Measure operates with Android 6.0 when activated. Not compatible with Galaxy S5 and Alpha.

*** The latest update of S Health is compatible with the Galaxy S6, Note5 and S7.

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 or obligation.

Samsung Printing Solutions has announced the release of Remote Fax, a new printing application that enhances fax functionality while cutting printing maintenance costs.

The Remote Fax app means users do not need to install additional fax kits or PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) lines in order to equip fax functions. This allows companies to reduce installation fees and better manage their TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).

The new application enables multiple printing products to run fax functions using a single fax server and fax kit or PSTN.

“Samsung continues to exceed customers’ expectations in providing convenient, cost-effective printing products,” said David SW Song, Senior Vice President of Printing Solutions Business at Samsung Electronics. “The Remote Fax app will provide more office efficiency and accessibility.”

The Remote Fax app is Samsung Electronics’ first paid application for its printing products. The company expects it to usher in a new business model for the company’s dealers and business partners.

Remote Fax is compatible with Samsung printing products with the Smart UX Center, including the MX7 range of multifunction printers.

Users can download the Remote Fax application from the Samsung Printing App Center: https://printingapps.samsung.com/apps

Samsung has announced the launch of the Samsung Safety Screen application that helps users, especially young children, hold their mobile devices at an ideal viewing distance from their eyes.

Available for free to all Android devices on the Google Play store, the Samsung Safety Screen runs in the background on mobile devices and can even be password-enabled by parents. Employing advanced facial recognition software, a friendly animation pops up shutting down the screen when the device is held too close the eye, unlocking only once the device is held at the minimum recommended safe distance.

According to the Vision Council*, there is an increase in myopia that scientists attribute to a mix of genetic and environmental factors, including increasing near-range activities such as the use of digital devices, and decreasing exposure to natural light through outdoor activities. Digital eye strain can also affect children and teens, whose eyes may fatigue after long periods of use.

Tarek Sabbagh, Head of IT and Mobile Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics commented, “The usage of electronic devices, such as mobiles and tablets, is increasing extremely fast, within all age groups, from entertainment such as watching movies, to gaming and lately education where many schools started using the tablets in their curriculum. We noticed that children spend extended time using their devices, holding them too close to their eyes, which is not ideal and might cause damage to their sight. Hence, in Samsung, as leaders in innovation, we also care for the health and safety of our consumers. Therefore, we are introducing today an innovative app that helps protect users eyes by reminding them to their devices at a safe distance.”

Developed by Samsung Gulf Electronics in collaboration with Leo Burnett MENA with an aim to deliver innovation that transforms people’s lives, the Samsung Safety Screen application has already been awarded at the recent Dubai Lynx awards. Earlier this year, among other regional innovations, Samsung introduced KalimaLock – a smart application aimed to revive the use of the Arabic language among younger audiences. The Samsung-developed KalimaLock application teaches users to write and pronounce words in Arabic, as well as providing their many meanings and connotations.

* https://www.thevisioncouncil.org/content/digital-eye-strain/kids

Samsung Soundcamp, a mobile DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) sequencer application, functions as an easy-to-use studio recording system that gives musicians access to an ensemble of virtual instruments, as well as an audio recorder. In the latest version, Soundcamp offers artists even better tools, including its new launcher design, to fine-tune their skills and produce creative tracks.

Upon opening the app, you can find what looks like a real life rehearsal room. On the floor of the studio, there are basic, preset musical instruments that users can access and play with a simple tap. The app’s plug-in style, open-concept structure also gives users the option to connect to and record with various third-party music apps, which are located on the shelf above the instrument icons.

Among the instruments that come pre-equipped on Soundcamp include an upgraded guitar and bass.

Users can play the guitar in either Chords Mode by strumming the on-screen strings in the same way they would play a normal guitar, or in Notes Mode by selecting notes on the guitar fretboard. Other basic techniques such as string muting, string bending, hammer-ons, pull-offs and slide guitar can also be performed to create a richer, more realistic sound. There are also both electric and acoustic timbres available, and others can be downloaded.

The bass can be played in Notes Mode, and the previously mentioned techniques can also be applied. The option to play the bass in fingered and picked timbres allows for an even more customized melody.

In addition to improving the app’s instruments, Samsung updated the Looper feature to help musicians to more easily produce the sound they want.

Looper allows users to play live by manipulating the elements of sample loops, short sections of tracks that have been edited to repeat seamlessly. The technique is commonly used in contemporary musical genres like hip hop, trip hop, techno and contemporary dub.

In the newest version of Soundcamp, Samsung kept this easy-to-use function for beginners and named it Pattern Mode, as it mixes 256 pre-made patterns from Loopmasters, the world’s leading producer of sample libraries. But it also expanded Looper by adding a more advanced Song Mode, which now gives more experienced musicians greater freedom to express themselves.

This new mode allows users to follow a professional musician’s performance using up to 64 samples, instead of the 32 offered in Pattern Mode. It also allows the user to play multiple cells at once in a group unit rather than one cell per vertical line at a time.

Song Mode also allows for a more detailed beat synchronization so users can ensure tracks are precisely what they want, while sound reactive lights move and change with the music, producing an eye-catching effect.

While Song Mode was designed specifically for experts, it also enables users to learn how to write or practice their own music by following along with songs written by well-known professionals. (Some songs are embedded in the app and can be downloaded, and more tracks will be available in the future.) By providing previews (auto play) and finger performance videos, the app demonstrates the process in the same way that popular rhythm games do.

To celebrate the launch of the new version of Soundcamp, Samsung, along with JYP Entertainment—one of South Korea’s biggest entertainment companies—will host the Remix Contest from April 18. At the event, participants will compete to produce the best remix of “Still Alive,” a track recently released by Korean recording artist JY.Park.

Soundcamp offers all the tools artists need to unleash their creativity and create unconventional tracks that go above and beyond listeners’ expectations. And, with the newest additions to the upgraded version of the app, users can create unique tracks in a variety of styles, or incorporate and mix their own sources, more efficiently and precisely than ever.

Download Soundcamp in Galaxy Apps or the Google Play store.

People who’ve bought a Galaxy device want to be sure they’re getting the most out of it, which is why Samsung has introduced the Samsung Members app. Samsung Members is an all-in-one app that offers a wide range of benefits and customer communication and troubleshooting services for the loyal and passionate users of Galaxy devices around the globe.

Feedback

Samsung Members offers a variety of feedback and troubleshooting services. There are FAQs for common problems; 1:1 Questions, where users can ask expert advisors; and Error Report, where users directly report suspicious activity on their devices and get fast feedback.

Support

Support offers three tools to keep a user’s Galaxy device working optimally. Device Diagnostics lets people select a number of tests to run on the device, including on the battery, Bluetooth, Wifi or sensors. Depending on the results of those self-diagnostics, the support app may be able to take actions to repair issues automatically.

Smart Tutor lets users get in touch with a live customer service agent for advice and help in analyzing and fixing technical issues. Technical experts can even take control of a device remotely, to perform necessary fixes and changes.

For people who need to get to a service center for more in-depth help with a device, the A/S Center option lets users find the nearest support center and book a reservation.

Community

Community provides a forum for Galaxy users around the world to talk freely with each other about anything related to Samsung products. People can post reviews, tips or just about anything that on their mind about Galaxies on the Free Board. There is also a Suggestion screen, where users can send their advice and ideas to Samsung.

In addition to that range of solution services, Samsung Members offers a rewards program with a variety of benefits and coupons in select countries. Customers can earn various “levels,” and as a user goes up levels, the benefits increase. The Benefits page offers a wide range of coupons that can be used for discounts on repair services at customer service centers or to purchase accessories at Samsung stores.

The Samsung Members app can be downloaded via the Galaxy Apps and comes preloaded on new Galaxy S7 and S7 edge in select countries including the China, Spain, Russia, Brazil and UAE. It is expanding to more countries around the world.

* The Samsung Members app service may vary by country and device.

“At Samsung, we listen to consumers and engineer products that deliver on those needs. From the rotating bezel to the range of apps, we give consumers the ability to personalize their devices and use them in ways that work best for their lifestyle,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics.

Popular Gear S2 applications include:

• Unique, Stylish Watch Faces: From artists Jean-Michael, Jeremyville to Burton Morris, new designs announced this year from artists Jean-Michael, Jeremyville and Burton Morris will give users even more options to customize the Gear S2 to fit their style. These new watch faces will join already popular choices like the Snoopy design, available in multiple styles, and the Art Collaborated Watch Face series inspired by the American artist and social activist Keith Haring.

• On-the-Go Convenience: Whether on the ground or in the air, consumers can experience a convenient way to travel, without having to worry about the logistics of transportation. With the Uber app, users can schedule a ride from their location, expect reliable pick-up and pay without reaching for their wallet. With Iberia and KLM, travelers can easily check the flight information, check-in, and access the boarding for a quick scan-and-go.

• Fitness: Dedicated applications on Gear S2 make it easy for users to maintain a healthy lifestyle. With its built-in sensors and voice guide, the S-Health feature helps users achieve health and fitness targets. And for golf fans – from beginner to pro – Golf Navi, free on Gear S2, manages everything from measuring the distance to the hole and keeping score; the app can even locate the nearest golf course.

• Get in the Game: For a fun break any time of day, Bubble Bash is a popular game that takes advantage of the rotating bezel on the Gear S2 letting users burst bubbles and take a gaming break no matter their location.

Samsung Gear S2 and applications reflect Samsung’s commitment to collaborate with developers and partners to broaden the wearable ecosystem to give users more personal and smart wearable experiences.

Ahead of MWC, Samsung has launched the official BBC micro:bit app for Android that will connect the micro:bit to smartphones and tablets, allowing young people to code their micro:bit on the go whether they are in the playground, on the school bus or at home with the whole family.

The BBC micro:bit, which will be delivered free to all year 7 or equivalent students this year, is a small programmable hardware device that aims to transform a new generation from passive users of technology to creators and innovators in today’s digital world. Samsung is a key partner in making this free drop of 1 million devices possible in the BBC’s most ambitious education initiative in thirty years.

Samsung will be demonstrating the micro:bit app at MWC. Developed by Samsung’s R&D team as a volunteering project, the app with its unique set of features will allow young people to learn how to code to control their phones and tablets via the BBC micro:bit. For example they can build their own selfie remote controller, launching their phone camera by pressing a button on their micro:bit, or even build their very own security alarm using the micro:bit’s sensors. The possibilities for creative applications are endless as young people can develop useful and fun technology solutions for themselves and their peer group inside and outside of the classroom.

By connecting the BBC micro:bit to smartphones and tablets, which young people are already very comfortable with, the app will introduce them to “connected technology” and the Internet of Things. This is important as coding becomes an integral skill in today’s job market, where code is not only at the heart of technology but also at the heart of products, for example, household appliances in the connected home.

Teachers have already begun to receive their devices which come with teaching resources, off-timetable STEM activity days and hands-on projects that complement the science, maths, design & technology (D&T) and computing curriculums. Samsung has also developed free resources and projects for both teachers and parents to use the app with their children. Samsung BBC micro:bit projects include ‘micro:bit hide and seek’, ‘Get out of my room’, a fun project to build your own security camera, and the ‘hi-tech selfie’. These projects are hosted on http://www.samsung.com/uk/microbit.

The BBC micro:bit is part of the BBC’s wider Make it Digital initiative, and has been made possible by a partnership between the BBC and over 30 partners. The project aims to improve digital literacy in the UK in light of alarming statistics, such as 1.4 million digital professionals will be needed in the next 5 years, and to inspire a new generation of digital pioneers.

Aleyne Johnson, Head of Government Relations and Citizenship, Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland said: “We’re very proud to bring the micro:bit to life in partnership with the BBC and officially launch the app at this year’s MWC. The combination of the micro:bit with the app will be a powerful learning tool for young people, inspiring them not only to use technology but to develop fun applications for themselves and their friends. As digital skills such as coding are increasingly important for all industries, we hope that the micro:bit will give year 7s a head start by putting them in the driving seat as developers.”

Sinead Rocks, Head of BBC Learning said: “We want children to be able to programme the BBC micro:bit from any device they want, wherever they want, whenever a moment of inspiration hits them. Pupils and teachers have told us they’d love to be able to code on the go, and we can’t wait to see the ingenious ways they’ll get creative with the app. It also means they can start controlling their handheld devices directly through the micro:bit, which is a hugely important part of understanding how the technology works.”

The Samsung micro:bit app is free to download from Google Play here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.microbit.

Free micro:bit resources for teachers, parents and young people can be found here: http://www.samsung.com/uk/microbit.

With the bright, interactive screens on today’s mobile devices, children love playing with them—maybe too much. “It can be a great challenge taking back a smartphone from a kid; they cry their eyes out,” noted Hyungbo Sim, a UX designer at Samsung Electronics and father to a young boy.

But Sim’s smartphone has Kids Mode installed, which means that once his son has reached his daily limit for using the device, the cute Crocro character from the app appear to doze off, locking the device. “He brings my smartphone back to me voluntarily after Crocro falls asleep, saying he’s done. It’s amazing.”

Kids Mode is Samsung’s service which lets parents control the content their children have access to when they use a mobile device and for how long they can use it each day. But more than that, Kids Mode is also fun and natural for children to use, specially designed for them at all levels, from the physical interface to the graphics to the content. To get a better sense of how Kids Mode was created, the Samsung Newsroom talked with some of its designers and developers—including designer Sim.

Making a Safe Space for Children to Play

Kids Mode had its origins in the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids, a tablet Samsung designed expressly for children. “It was in late 2013 that Galaxy Tab 3 Kids was launched globally,” recalled Jongin Lee, Senior Manager of Service R&D Team. “Later on, we saw that kids were increasingly sharing their parents’ smartphones, so we asked ‘Why not install Kids Mode on smartphones in the first place, so parents could hand their device to their kids and let them play with it safely?’”

“The focus of the original version was to assure parents they could let their children use their smartphones without worrying,” said Sim. “But then we thought it would be better if we could make it interesting for kids.”

Stimulating Imaginations Through Fun

The developers and designers focused on creating a world that was fun and natural for children, so they would enjoy using it. Instead of focusing on text, like for regular platforms for grown-ups, Kids Mode focused on a more organic storytelling that children could explore on their own.

“An app’s graphic elements are about entertaining kids,” said Jookyung Woo, UX designer. “There needed to be storytelling, so that a child can imagine what happens next. Kids Mode doesn’t have any text. The graphic user interface should stimulate their imagination, based on the story.”

“Kids Mode does not limit how children use the smartphone, but allows them to explore and play in a safe environment, just like in the real world,” said Woo. “Kids learn by touching. To develop a UX for children, it was very important that the interface naturally encourages children to touch and try the buttons and move on to the next step.”

Part of that storytelling approach also meant having cute characters to interact with. At first there was just a simple crocodile, but now Kids Mode uses four colorful characters to help guide children through its fun world: Crocro the crocodile, Cooki the sloth, Bobby the beaver and Lisa the bird.

“They’ve been upgraded to 3D and they look cuter now, too, with more facial expressions so children relate more easily,” said Woo. “In the past, kids’ characters would be good and bad. But in Kids Mode, there are no bad-guy characters, just different ones. Every character has a different personality: the sloth is lazy but he also likes things, the bird sings and dances, the beaver likes to paint and the crocodile enjoys decorating.”

“Kids Mode is the only Samsung app that features characters,” added Wonje Mok of the Service R&D Team.

More than just fun, though, these characters also are designed to teach children. Children can help Bobby brush his teeth, or help Crocro get dressed. “Children should want to dance, wash and play the way their favorite characters do,” said Sim. “It should be fun to help them develop.”

The native apps designed for Kids Mode also use these characters—for instance, Bobby hosts the Kids Drawing app, while Lisa appears on Kids Music and Kids Magic Voice.

“Parents liked Kids Mode, but how to make it usable from the perspective of children emerged as another challenge,” said Sim. “So a music app was added, and then Kids Drawing, which lets children draw on an empty canvas, color in coloring books and draw in sand. The concept was to stimulate children’s creativity and intelligence development. Different contents for different countries were added as well.”

Facing the Challenges

Throughout development, the developers and designers never stopped refining and improving Kids Mode. “The process was not easy,” said NamSuk Koo, Developer on the Mobile R&D team. “We were not creating an app for adults, so even after we finished the app, we were not sure if children would really like it.”

In addition to optimizing the app for children and making it fun, they also had to deal with many technical challenges. “Kids Mode is mostly an animated app” said Koo. “It was quite challenging to synchronize the motion. On top of that, we had to deal with battery usage and then memory and then heat, because of the size of the app. Sometimes we had to start all over.”

“At an early stage, the problem was with battery consumption,” said Keunchang Hur, Developer on the Mobile R&D Team. “Since there were no apps from Samsung or other developers to compare, we approached Kids Mode from an adult’s point of view on issues like power consumption or text. It was difficult to get other ‘grown-up’ members to understand those points.”

“It took so long to convince everyone,” said Woo. “Some people even wondered why there should be a cloud in the background. That’s natural given that we tried to understand everything from an adult’s point of view. The graphics were quite strange as well. People didn’t understand why a crocodile should appear at all. That’s why I created a backstory for the characters.”

Constantly Refining for a Child’s Point of View

Getting the interface just right for the inquisitive, grasping hands of children also required plenty of fine-tuning. “I found that children like unpredictable things,” said Gyusik Kim, Manager of Service R&D Team.

“That made me realize that I have to think from a kid’s point of view. I can anticipate to some extent what adults like, but there is no such thing as logic for how children think.”

“Some children would touch the display so hard, the distinction between a long touch and a regular touch was not clear,” Sim said. “So simple touching became the main interface, not dragging or double-touching or long touches.”

For Woo, who earned her nursing teacher’s license while on maternity leave, she brought a strong interest in child development to the project. “Kids Mode was the first project I had right after I got the license,” she said.

Other developers tried thinking more like a child. “Rather than trying to study and analyze, I tried to become a child again,” said Jaechan Ahn, Developer on the Mobile R&D team. “I even started watching kids TV channels.”

“I’m lucky that I like Disney characters,” said Jeun Park, from the Service R&D Team. “Am I some sort of ‘kidult’? Maybe that’s why I like kids.”

“I’m trying to be childish all the time,” said Lee with a laugh.

Most children find long car trips horribly dull, but keeping them occupied by buying interactive pop-up book apps can be expensive. But what other choice do parents have to keep their child entertained during a protracted drive? Or at a nice restaurant, during a long dinner, what can a parent do if their 4-year-old suddenly starts crying? For many parents, the easiest solution is giving the child a mobile device, like a smartphone or a tablet. Children love their bright, flashy images and intuitive, responsive interfaces, and are happy to spend hours watching videos and playing games. But how to protect children from inappropriate online content and limit them from using the device too much without spending too much on an expensive, complicated monitoring service?

Samsung’s Kids Mode provides a solution to these problems, creating a free and easy-to-use interface on smartphones and tablets that is simple to control and monitor, while providing plenty of fun and educational apps for children. Indeed, already Kids Mode has gained 1.9 million monthly active users and supports 2,500 child-friendly apps and video content, with more appearing all the time.

Samsung Introduces an Easier Option

With Kids Mode, parents can select and control apps and monitor how their children use mobile devices, making those devices as open or as closed as they wish. Kids Mode controls the apps that a child can use, the videos, music and other content they can access, and how long they can use a device.

But just as importantly as helping parents out, Kids Mode is also fun to use. Its simplified user interface features large and colorful buttons designed for children, with controls that are uncomplicated but that give a wide range of options for children to explore. In addition, there are a variety of exclusive native apps that come preinstalled and that can be downloaded. Plus, Kids Mode and many of its related apps are free, so it’s a solution that every family can afford.

Getting Started

To begin using Kids Mode, parents need to download the app from Galaxy Apps. After installing, they set up a PIN code and a profile for their child, then the app is ready to go.

Parents can then go to the Parental Control area (the button in the lower-left) to customize Kids Mode as they see fit. They can limit the amount of time each day their child can use the device, setting different amounts for weekdays and weekends. Parents also get to control the list of contacts, apps and media their child has access to, ensuring the content is always appropriate for their family.

Kids Mode comes with the Kids Store preinstalled, as well as the Play Zone, a 3D block house with seven themes users can choose. The Play Zone comes with several mini-games that feature the app’s four cartoon characters: Crocro, Cooki, Bobby and Lisa (see box below).

Adding the Exclusive Native Apps

Once the device is configured, parents will need to download apps to get the most out of it. Kids Mode offers a variety of exclusive, native apps, featuring those familiar cartoon characters and the same easy-to-use interface. Among those apps are Kids Camera, Kids Drawing, Kids Music, Kids Magic Voice, Kids Video and Kids Call, offering lots of fun options for playing and developing creativity.

For example, the Kids Camera lets children take a picture of someone, then add funny stickers to the photograph, like googly eyes, mustaches and silly hats. Kids Drawing lets children unleash their artistic side, with a drawing application, coloring book, sandbox and a scratchboard.

Kids Music offers a playful, interactive space for children to play digital instruments along to tunes that a parent has uploaded to the device. And Kids Media lets children watch only the content their parents make available.

All these apps are available both in the Galaxy Apps store and Kids Store. They are free to download, appearing on the Kids Mode home screen. The first time they are downloaded, they appear as a cute gift ready to be unwrapped; tapping the gift opens it up to reveal the regular app icon.

Thousands More Apps and Media to Choose From

Aside from those native apps, Kids Mode is optimized for thousands of partner apps and media content around the world, which can be downloaded from the Kids Store. Samsung has focused on the quality of its apps through partnerships with the most popular content providers from around the world—including Lego and PBS Kids.

The Kids Store groups apps by three different age groups or by category, to make selecting the appropriate apps easier for parents. Just a few taps on the Kids Store download the content, once again appearing on the phone’s home screen as a cute gift. Some apps are educational, some functional and others are just fun, but there are plenty of options in the Kids Store for everyone.

Samsung introduced the tablet designed especially for children in 2013, and since then the company has continued to enhance both usability and content on smart devices for kids. Kids Mode was a major step forward in ensuring mobile devices were optimized for young people.

Now, in 2016, Samsung is showing its continued commitment to children through a newly launched Kids Mode website, which offers more content and services than ever to parents around the world.

* Features and functions of Kid Mode can be vary by device. This article was written using a Galaxy Note5.

Before the start of CES 2016, Samsung Electronics is launching a mobile application, called “Samsung CES”, equipped with beacon technology for the attendees of the annual trade show in Las Vegas. Once downloaded, the Samsung CES app will provide location-based information to visitors and offer additional background information on Samsung products seen on the show floor.

The Samsung CES app will send relevant news articles and interactive content directly to users, making it easier for visitors to access CES-related information. The app will alert users to Samsung events and activities at CES – including Samsung’s press conference and keynote – and deliver news and video clips from the Samsung Newsroom following each event.

CES visitors can download the mobile app by searching “Samsung CES” on Google Play and the iTunes Store, starting Jan. 5.

In the past, developments in skiing and snowboarding technology have often been centered on new forms of clothing, such as lightweight, breathable material, or new shells that make taking one’s boots on and off effortless. Now, however, wearables are making their mark on winter sports around the globe—a revolution catalyzed by products such as Bluetooth controlled gloves, battery-powered foot warmers and ski goggles outfitted with cameras and head-up displays (HUD).

Yet, among the devices infiltrating ski resorts and backcountry treks, the Samsung Gear S2 is perhaps the Swiss Army knife of the group, boasting a number of versatile features and tools that add convenience, safety and fun to users’ outdoor experiences.

Sleek and Sporty for Active Lifestyles

At first glance, it becomes obvious that the Gear S2’s cutting edge circular face, comfortable stainless steel body and premium finishes epitomize elegance. But don’t let its sophisticated looks fool you. This device was designed for active lifestyles, featuring an IP68 water- and dust-resistance rating, which means it stays protected even if you take a fall. And with interchangeable bands and customizable watch faces, it can be personalized to match just about anyone’s style.

Furthermore, the intuitive bezel lets you navigate with ease to get to what you need without having to take off your gloves. Access important notifications at a glance, make phone calls (3G version only) and get directions, even when you leave your phone back at the ski lodge. After all, you’ve got enough equipment to keep your hands full.

Speaking of hands, the Gear S2 lets you keep them where they should be—on your ski poles. Simply activate S Voice to get the latest weather updates or manage your hydration status via S Health. You can also pair the wearable with a Bluetooth-enabled headset like the ultra-sporty Level U headphones and use voice commands to control your playlist for an even bigger adrenaline rush.
Adding to these features is the device’s superior battery capacity. Lasting about three days, the wearable keeps up with you, regardless of your downhill speeds. Even if you forget to charge the Gear S2, you can switch on its Power Saving mode to extend its battery life.

Perfect Partners

In addition to the preloaded apps, the Gear S2 is also compatible with a number of other apps developed by Samsung’s partners to maximize the usability and functionality of the device. A few of them are particularly useful for outdoor winter activities.

From the moment you start your weekend winter getaway, Here for Gear (Navigator), a companion of the preloaded Here Maps app, makes it easy to find your way to your destination. Get maps and turn-by-turn directions and view each step on the screen so you can get to where you need to be quickly and effortlessly to enjoy more time in the snow.

Once you do hit the slopes, keep up with your ski buddies with Voxer. This convenient service lets you send live or recorded voice messages instantly to one person or an entire group in walkie-talkie style. Received messages can be heard directly from the Gear S2, via a paired Bluetooth device or a smartphone equipped with the app. Voxer works on any cellular or Wi-Fi network around the world.

Finally, after a long day of slope-side activities, indulge in a bit of aprés-ski with the help of Yelp. This useful app transforms the Gear S2 watch face into a spinning wheel of attractions, which makes good use of the wearable’s round screen and rotating bezel. Search for the perfect restaurant or watering hole based on your location as well as consumer-submitted reviews to complete your winter weekend getaway.

With multiple features, hands-free functions and a suite of apps perfect for winter sports enthusiasts, this sleek yet sporty device is sure to make a statement on the slopes.

Samsung Electronics announced that Samsung Pay, the most accepted mobile payment system that works at the majority of merchants today, now supports 50 popular merchant gift cards as well as a gift card store that enables users to buy gift cards from supported merchants for themselves, friends and family directly within the Samsung Pay app starting today. Samsung Pay allows you to purchase, store, pay with, and share gift cards right from your Samsung phone.

Samsung Pay supports 50 popular merchant gift cards including Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us, Bass Pro Shops®, Domino’s®, eBay, GameStop®, Nike, Regal Entertainment Group and Staples in partnership with Blackhawk Network. More gift card options will be added to Samsung Pay in the coming months. In addition to using these cards in stores across the U.S., Samsung Pay also supports the purchase of select gift cards—for yourself, friends and family—directly within the app itself.

“With the support of 50 major retail gift cards and the launch of the in-app gift card store, Samsung Pay is bringing consumers an easier way to use gift cards ,” said Injong Rhee, EVP of Samsung Electronics, Global Head of Samsung Pay. “People love gift cards, but how many of us have gone to pay for something only to realize we have a gift card sitting around somewhere at home? With Samsung Pay, you can easily carry your gift cards with you everywhere you go and not have to worry about a card going unspent.”

“Another feature that is unique to Samsung Pay is the ability to buy gift cards and gift them to friends within the Samsung Pay app itself. We hope this will provide greater flexibility, access and choice for Samsung Pay customers heading into the holiday season.”

Samsung Pay supports many of the country’s major banks and continues to expand its partnership ecosystem. Click here for the full list of financial partners that support Samsung Pay.

• SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users can simply swipe up, scan their fingerprint and pay.
• SAFE: Samsung Pay uses tokenization, Samsung KNOX, and fingerprint authentication to provide secure payments. And, as terminals are upgraded to EMV, that security is leveraged, too.
• ALMOST ANYWHERE: Samsung Pay is compatible with the majority of existing and new terminals, including most magnetic stripe, EMV and NFC terminals*. That means Samsung Pay works at more places than any other mobile payment service.

Samsung Electronics launched its new Samsung Smart View app, currently available on select Samsung Smart TV models in beta format. The full version is scheduled to be released in early 2016. The new software, which allows users to conveniently share personal content with Samsung Smart TVs, integrates versions 1.0 and 2.0 and improves connection reliability, as well as expanding device compatibility.

The new Samsung Smart View app enables a wider range of devices to connect to Samsung Smart TVs, even beyond Samsung’s own Galaxy devices, for which the service was originally designed. As a result, Smart View now supports Android, iOS and Windows PCs, enabling users to transfer their own pictures, music and video content from their devices to their Samsung Smart TV.

Smart View can also now be used on a wider range of Samsung’s Smart TVs, from the 2011 models up to the latest 2015 SUHD line up.* The full version will also support the new SUHD TVs of 2016.

Once a device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as a Smart TV, consumers can immediately use the Smart View service simply by choosing which TV set to connect with. At the push of a button, this intuitive, newly designed app can instantly transfer content stored on mobile devices and PCs to TVs. Consumers can also use multiple functions simultaneously, and access other apps on their mobile devices without affecting the sharing function. For example, consumers can browse the internet on their smartphone, while watching a movie via Smart View on their Samsung Smart TV.

Consumers can install the updated Samsung Smart View app on their mobile device from the Google Play, App Store and also onto their Windows PC** by visiting www.samsung.com/smartview. Once installed, users can enjoy a range of Smart View features, including the ability to create playlists for music, video and photos, easily switch between these content types and instantly share content with any Samsung Smart TV on the same Wi-Fi network.

Currently, a survey is in progress at www.surveymonkey.com/r/smart-view to collect consumers’ feedback on the Smart View beta service.

For more information on the Samsung Smart TV lineup, Samsung Smart View application or upcoming announcements, visit the official website at www.samsung.com/smartview and Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

*List of Supported Devices

Samsung Smart TV

2011 LED D7000 and above, PDP D8000 and above.
2012 LED ES7500 and above, PDP E8000 and above.
2013 LED F4500 and above (except F9000 and above), PDP F5500 and above.
2014 H4500, H5500 and above (except H6003/H6103/H6153/H6201/H6203).
2015 J4500, J5500 and above (except J6203).
Please note supported TV models may vary by region.

Mobile

Android OS 4.1 and above.
iOS 7.0 and above
Please refer to the app description in your preferred app store for a list of supported devices and models.

PC

OS Windows 7, 8, 8.1 (32/64 bit supported)
CPU Intel Pentium 1.8GHz processor or above (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz higher recommended)
RAM 2GB (recommended)
VGA 1024 x 768, 32bit or above

**Please note the availability of the Smart View software for Windows PCs may vary by country

Samsung Electronics announced the launch of the Samsung Pay Transportation Card Service, which provides Samsung Pay users with a more convenient way to use transportation in Korea. The service is available beginning Dec. 8.

The Samsung Pay Transportation Card Service essentially brings both the T-Money and Cashbee transportation payment methods into one easy-to-use mobile payment service for all your transportation payment needs. Customers with pre-registered transportation cards will be granted immediate use by simply activating the import function. Once registered, the Samsung Pay Transportation Card can be used for all methods of transportation, including buses, metro, and taxis without the hassle of using different transportation applications or cards.

Once the transportation cards are registered within the Samsung Pay application, users can pay transportation fares by tapping their smartphones against the transportation card readers. The transportation cards can be recharged through credit or debit cards that have already been registered within the Samsung Pay application.

Mobile T-Money can be recharged with both Samsung and KB Kookmin cards, while mobile Cashbee transportation cards can be recharged with Lotte cards. Samsung plans to expand partnerships with additional credit card companies in the coming months.

By offering a comprehensive offline and online payment service, membership service, and transportation card service, Samsung Pay is taking consumers one step closer to a world without wallets.

Since launching in August in Korea, Samsung Pay has already reached KRW 250 billion in accumulated transaction volume and over 10 million in accumulated number of transactions.

“Samsung Pay’s Transportation Card Service provides our customers with a much more convenient and diverse mobile payment experience. We plan to extend our partnerships so that we can move even closer to a world where we can easily and safely make payments without having to carry around a wallet.” said a Samsung official.

T-Money and Cashbee will be celebrating the launch of Samsung Pay Transportation Card Service by offering promotions that include cashback and recharge fee waivers. For more details, please go to the event page of your Samsung Pay application or the T-money (www.t-money.co.kr), or Cashbee (www.cashbee.co.kr) websites.