For Samsung Electronics, IFA 2015 in Berlin was all about the Internet of Things (IoT). And because the IoT is designed to encompass all aspects of our life, there’s an awful lot of great innovations and stylish devices that Samsung presented. Let’s take a look at 10 of the most notable and coolest things from this year’s IFA.

1. IoT Zone

To better explain the IoT, people don’t want to hear technology and numbers as much as they want to understand how the IoT will improve their lives, so Samsung put a creative IoT Zone at the heart of its IFA exhibit. With a series of 24 glass displays, created by architect and designer Ferruccio Laviani to resemble the pages of a popup book, the IoT Zone was a friendly and intuitive way to show people the infinite possibilities of the Internet of Things.

Read more:

Samsung’s Internet of Thing Enters Our Lives

Samsung Electronics Talks the Future of TV

2. SleepSense

One new product that really woke up visitors was SleepSense, a sensor and sleep analysis system that tracks your sleep patterns and suggests changes to improve your sleep. Just a small, thin pad, SleepSense slips under your mattress, where it can track your breathing, pulse and other traits more accurately than anything else on the market. SleepSense can also work together with consumer electronics in your home to adjust your lights and alarm, to wake you up gradually, when your body is at the best point in its sleep cycle.

3. Gear S2

Anticipation was high for Samsung’s latest wearable device, the Gear S2, but according to the people who attended the high-energy launch showcase on September 3, the Gear S2 surpassed all expectations. The round design was stylish and fashionable, and the rotating bezel was an intuitive innovation just right for maximizing the usefulness of a wearable. Available in two versions—the Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic—the device is incredibly customizable, with various watch faces and a wide range of colorful straps that can be easily swapped. And with the Gear S2 being Android-compatible, its promises to be the most versatile and functional wearable yet.

Read more:

[Infographic] Circular Design and Intuitive UX of Gear S2

The Future Gets a Twist at the Gear S2 Showcase

First Look: The Gear S2

Samsung Gear S2 Showcase: Better with Every Turn

4. SmartThings

At home, the SmartThings Hub can turn any home into a smart home, connecting all sorts of devices on an open platform. Now people can turn on the lights or change the temperature even when away from home, as well as get notifications about movement or potential problems (like smoke or leaks).

But the power of SmartThings goes beyond the home, too. In conjunction with cross-industry collaborators, SmartThings is connecting devices and people across industries, from retail to enterprise, and healthcare to transportation, thus growing an open IoT ecosystem across the world. For instance, BMW cars can now directly integrate you with your home while you are driving, giving you alerts right to your dashboard.

And thanks to the open platform SmartThings was built on, expect plenty more partnerships in the future. As Alex Hawkinson, the chief executive of SmartThings, said during the opening press conference on September 3, SmartThings is all about “peace of mind,” “flexibility” and “control.”

Read more:

SmartThings: Bringing Your Home to Life

5. Connected Car

The IoT goes beyond our homes, and one of the most important part of our lives is the car. Now Samsung is bringing the IoT there, too. With the Car Mode for Galaxy app, you can use your smartphone or other wearable device to take calls, listen to music, get directions and even have your text messages read to you, all without taking your eyes off the road or your hands from the wheel. It makes the driving experience much safer and more convenient.

And with Car-Net e-Remote with Volkswagen, you can use your new Gear S2 wearable to integrate with your car. Using your Gear S2, you can see where your car is parked, turn on the air conditioning on a hot day, even stop and start the battery charger for electric vehicles.

6. Virtual Reality Experiences

With Samsung’s virtual reality headset, the Gear VR, people can dive into content like never before. And this year, for the first time, Samsung took advantage of the Gear VR to create a new type of exhibition experience. At four locations around Berlin, anyone could take part in Experience Zones to see for themselves what Samsung’s IFA exhibit was like. And at Club des Chefs, the partnership with four world-renounced chefs, visitors were able to truly immerse themselves in the food and cooking experience.

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Read more:

Checking Out Samsung’s IFA Exhibit from Basecamp

[Video] Samsung Cine des Chefs Show at IFA 2015

Gastronomy Goes Virtual with the Samsung Club des Chefs

7. Curved – SUHD, UHD TVs

With 28 types of TVs, ranging from 32 inches to 105 inches, Samsung now has the right TV for every home, from the smallest apartment to the biggest home. The curved screens of the latest UHD and SUHD TVs are fashionable, too, fitting in with everyone’s home.

With UHD and SUHD TVs offering four times the resolution of traditional HD TVs, people are going to need content at that resolution, too, which is why Samsung is working with the UHD Alliance to create standards for the industry—and they say final certification is nearly ready. In the meantime, Samsung announced Gamefly, a streaming service that offers the latest and hottest games in UHD, as well as agreements with many partners to offer movies, TV shows and other content in the stunning, UHD format.

8. Customization

Behind all of Samsung’s innovations and creations is the dedication to making technology work for people and to fill their needs. With that in mind, this year’s IFA saw many collaborations with the fashion industry to customize people’s phones and wearable devices. In partnership with Montblanc, there was an artist tattooing leather cases by hand for Galaxy S6 edge+ phones. And Swarovski is offering glittering, crystal-covered cases for Samsung smartphones, too.

9. Smart Suit

Not only are Samsung’s devices growing more stylish and fashion-forward, but now fashion is increasingly growing more tech savvy. Samsung C&T brought four wearable outfits to IFA, including a suit that has an NFC tag in the wrist, allowing users to change their phone’s mode easily and discreetly, without ever taking it out of their pocket.

10. The Year of the Circle

The circle is nature’s perfect shape, without a beginning or an end. And at this year’s IFA, the circle turned up again and again in the designs and ideas of Samsung’s devices. The IoT Zone, at the heart of Samsung’s exhibit, was circular, with 24 displays arranged like the spokes of a wheel. The Wireless Audio 360 speakers are circular in shape, and their sound is likewise omnidirectional, coming from ring radiator technology.

But the biggest circle at this year’s IFA was undoubtedly the Gear S2 wearable. Not only is this Samsung’s first wearable in a stylish circular shape, but the round bezel actually rotates, serving as the key tool of the device’s interface.

Read more:

[Video] Dive into Samsung Exhibition at IFA 2015 with a Virtual Reality Tour

[Video] Samsung Gear S2 Showcase Highlights

[Infographic] Wireless Audio 360: 360 Sound. All Around You 

[Video] 5 Reasons to Pick Samsung’s New Wireless Audio 360 Speakers

Samsung Electronics, the world’s No.1 TV manufacturer, talked the future of television at IFA 2015 in Berlin. From content partnerships to an ever-expanding TV line-up, there was a great deal of exciting news, but one aspect was a common theme: the Internet of Things (IoT) TV.

Up until now, the TV has been a device for viewing television shows and movies; as such, picture quality and viewing experience have always been two of the most important features of the device. Unsurprisingly, these core values are not likely to change in the future, especially at the dawn of the 4K UHD and even 8K resolution era.

Samsung also disclosed its strategy to expand the value of TV with IoT while maintaining its leadership position in core areas such as picture quality. Furthermore, Samsung illustrated the concept of IoT TV in a storytelling format via an eye-catching display of six glass showcases. These displays illustrated what a day with IoT TV might be like, from the early hours of morning to bedtime.

Creating New Value of TV with IoT

So what can one expect from the future TV? First, upon waking, the morning news, weather forecast and traffic information fill its screen, all the while displaying the user’s schedule for the day. With IoT TV, the user can use voice controls to open the window blinds or power on the air purifier and air conditioner, which had already been gauging the air conditions inside the house.

After the user returns home from work, the TV and audio system automatically start, playing his or her favorite song. Even the lighting and temperature settings automatically adjust to optimal conditions.

Samsung also suggested that television can be a family communication tool. As demonstrated in the IoT showcase, all Mom has to say is, “Dinner’s ready,” and the TV and audio installed throughout the house will signal everyone in the family to head to the kitchen.

Additionally, the TV acts as the family’s control center, checking the status of all surrounding appliances, such as the baby monitors, washing machine and even the doorbell. The system can also manage notifications by reporting them in a prioritized order based on the user’s life patterns.

Another part of the IoT showcase presented a home where the TV identifies programs being watched and provides a viewing environment customized for each type of content. When playing movies, for examples, the TV dims the lights and shifts the audio to movie mode to deliver a richer, grander sound, creating a cinema-like experience in the comfort of the user’s living room.

Finally, recognizing the “Good Night” command, the audio system will turn off the lights, lower the blinds and switch the air conditioner to a comfortable temperature for sleeping.

This is one way Samsung envisions how the future of TV will positively impact our lives. But if a company only looks to the future, it cannot be a genuine leader of industry. Therefore, a company must constantly strengthen its core customer value of presence.

Upgrading the viewing experience

As such, Samsung remains forever committed to enhancing the viewing experience and has recently teamed up with Netflix, Amazon, Wuaki, Chili, Strefa VoD, Videoland, Videoload, TVN, Viaplay and European broadcast partners to enrich the UHD ecosystem.

Also, Samsung’s SUHD TVs are capable of displaying High Dynamic Range (HDR) picture quality—an industry first—which features greater contrast, brighter colors, intricate shadow detail and distinct highlights. Overall, the picture appears richer, more vivid and more authentic than ever before. Furthermore, users can enjoy this superior picture quality on Samsung’s 28 curved SUHD TVs ranging in size from 48-inch to 105-inch.

“Through IoT operated by TV and audio, people will be able to experience a more convenient, productive and enjoyable smart home,” said Min Lee, Vice President of the Visual Display Division at Samsung Electronics. “But Samsung will never compromise with constraining ultimate picture quality and viewing experience.”

Each zone will offer ways Samsung can enhance business capabilities, create virtual shopping experiences and leverage partner innovation respectively, for greater productivity and performance.

Samsung has the right TV for everyone, no matter what their home needs. And thanks to Samsung’s cutting edge lineup of UHD and SUHD screens, no matter what TV you choose, you’re certain to get an amazing, immersive experience.

Watch at IFA 2015 to learn more about the future of television.

Car Mode for Galaxy is an app that seamlessly combines your car with your smartphone or other favorite mobile device, allowing you to get directions and navigate, listen to music, and take calls—it will even read your text messages to you—all without taking your hands from the wheel or your eyes from the road.

Another app, Car-Net e-Remote, lets you connect your car to the Gear S2, so you can check to see if your car doors are locked, if the battery is charged, or where you parked your car.

It came as no surprise that one of the biggest areas of focus at this year’s IFA trade show in Berlin was the Internet of Things (IoT), a proposed development of the Internet in which everyday objects—from lights to locks to cars—have network connectivity, allowing them to send and receive data.

Connectivity between smart devices was one of Samsung’s main topics at its own pre-event Press Conference, held on September 3, and was the central focus of the majority of all of its new products and services on display at its exhibit.

Of particular interest was Samsung SmartThings’ upgraded SmartThings Hub and accompanying sensors to connect such smart devices, as well as its expanded “Works with SmartThings” program to offer deeper integration with the platform to third-party developers. With these advancements, the potential of the IoT now seems infinite, and with over 200 devices already compatible with SmartThings, the possibility of a connected home is quickly becoming a reality.

Just imagine. A house that wakes you with the soft illumination of lights and a freshly brewed pot of coffee. A house that communicates with you when your daughter arrives home from school, or it detects smoke in the kitchen. A house that makes life more convenient by turning off the lights and locking the doors for you when you leave. A house that takes care of you by analyzing your sleep patterns or by letting you look into your living room, no matter where you are in the world. With SmartThings, home is no longer a place where you live, but is rather a place that lives with you.

The latest version of the SmartThings Hub, which is currently available for purchase in the United States and online, and will launch in the UK September 10, has been designed not only to make life more convenient, but also with improved privacy features. For example, video is only recorded when the Smart Home Monitor detects unusual activity, such as someone at the door or if the dog knocks over a potted plant. When this happens, the video clip is sent to the user via text message so action can be taken immediately, if need be.

With added security and easy-to-use control settings, the new Samsung SmartThings Hub will give consumers peace of mind, control and flexibility all day, everyday. Take a look at some other ways this impressive innovation in IoT technology is bringing your home to life.

All around the spacious, charming café Basecamp, young people are studying, writing, and chatting. But while everyone else is hanging out and relaxing, Michelle is plunging through the atmosphere on a thrilling skydive. She looks at the ground coming up toward her incredibly fast, at the plane above from where she jumped, and her fellow skydiver who took the jump with her.

Of course, Michelle is just in the café, too. Her jump is just part of Samsung’s Virtual Reality Experience Zone, which have been set up at four locations around Berlin for IFA 2015. It’s a chance for the general public to get an immersive sense of the many innovations and creative devices coming to this year’s IFA consumer electronics expo.

After the skydiving introduction comes a detailed 3D rendering of Samsung’s huge exhibition space at this year’s IFA. Viewers can explore all aspects of the Berlin CityCube exhibit—the gastronomical delights of the Club des Chefs kitchen installation, an area dedicated to the latest in UHD televisions, and, in the center of it all, the IoT Zone, where all of Samsung’s new devices come together through the Internet of Things. It’s just like being there in person.

For Michelle, a student at nearby Humboldt University, she said she couldn’t attend the regular IFA. But at Basecamp, a favorite coffee shop, she was excited to try on the VR Gear and check out what Samsung was doing at this year’s expo.

“I’ve never tried VR before,” she said. “It was fun to be so immersed in another world. It was like really being there.”

There are Experience Zones in the popular shopping mall Boulevard Berlin and in two BMW dealerships, but Basecamp offers a very different, laid-back vibe, popular among students in the center of town. It’s all part of Samsung’s “something for everyone” approach to innovation and design, providing different options that are best for each individual. With its affordable coffee, cozy chairs and inviting, open spaces, Basecamp is a good space for students and those who just want to hang out and use the Wi-fi.

After finishing her virtual tour of the Samsung IFA exhibit, Michelle rejoined her friends and went back to work. But there were plenty more students and travelers passing through Basecamp, eager to check out what Samsung had to offer.

All four Experience Zones are operating in Berlin from September 2 (before IFA starts on the 4^th) to September 9, giving everyone the chance to check out the Samsung IFA exhibit. If you’re in town, you should drop by one of the Experience Zones and see for yourself. Or you can see a YouTube version of the VR video here.

One of the more attention-grabbing displays of the bunch is the 55-inch transparent OLED (T-OLED), the first transparent display panel for commercial use on the market. Designed to add appeal to storefronts and showcases through improved aesthetics and unconventional advertising, the display allows for the streaming of content without blocking a customer’s view of what’s behind the screen. The touch-ready T-OLED, which also boasts built-in speakers, promises a highly differentiated customer experience before the consumer even sets foot into the shop.

In a day and age when competing for consumers’ attention gets increasingly more competitive, the 65-inch signage (DM65E-BR), with a high resolution and All-in-one Touch capabilities, is intended to keep guests in the store and shopping.

At IFA, Samsung illustrates how the DM65E-BR might specifically be used in a clothing store. On one display designated as a digital shopping guide, attendees can browse the brand’s wares by flipping through an oversized lookbook to get an idea of which pieces look best together, or mix and match tops and bottoms to create an exquisitely personalized look.

Next to it, the same display model is mounted and acts as a virtual fitting solution, boasting even more interactive options. A computer-generated model donning one of the brand’s featured items can be rotated with a swipe of the finger to get a 360-degree view of the outfit. For a more accurate idea of what the clothing might look like on the shopper, the model’s hair style and clothing size are able to be altered with a simple tap.

Once a customer selects items to try on, Samsung’s Wi-Fi enabled, 55-inch Mirror Display (which is also a highlight of the Samsung Smart Signage booth at IFA) greets consumers in the fitting room. Utilizing transparent and reflective OLED panels, the display adds a unique aesthetic to one of the most important, but often underestimated, areas of a store. Information about the store’s products as well as discount information can be displayed on the screen, creating a unique opportunity for the store to interact with the consumers in an unprecedented fashion

After finding one’s perfect outfit, the customer can utilize Samsung’s 10.1-inch Small Signage (DB10E-POE) to obtain coupons for the specific products he or she is purchasing, and can even pay directly from one’s smartphone via Samsung Pay. As such, the entire shopping process, from the beginning to end, is seamlessly connected with Samsung’s Smart Signage.

Such interactive, helpful tools will no doubt establish brand loyalty, and display models such as the 85-inch (QM85D-BR) and 48-inch (DM48E) signage will help a brand reward customers when they return to the store, while increasing sales at the same time. At IFA, Samsung is demonstrating that businesses can utilize these displays to create a system that keeps track of a customer’s purchase history, shopping preferences and even wish lists through their smartphone.

Once the customer taps their mobile device to the screen, the QM85D-BR recognizes the shopper and as he or she navigates the store, connected displays such as the DM48E will present advertisements that include QR codes for discounts based on the shopper’s preferences.

The possibilities are endless with Samsung’s latest Smart Signage displays and those at IFA illustrate only a few of them. Time will only tell what the rest of these possibilities may be, but one thing is for certain: Samsung is making the consumer purchasing experience more visually engaging and interactive, and as such, transforming the way we shop.

Afterwards, world-renowned chefs Elena Arzak and Modest Amaro joined Troisgros to treat guests to a live cooking demonstration of some of their favorite dishes. After getting the chance to interact with the Michelin-starred culinary masters, attendees were able to sample the tasty treats that were prepared using the Samsung Chef Collection kitchen appliances. Check out the highlights:

The IoT is a fast-evolving network of devices which have embedded technology and software allowing them to be interconnected via the internet and centrally controlled. Currently there are 15 billion connected devices across the world and due to consistent technological advancements, this number is predicted to grow to 50 billion by 2020[i]. At this growth rate, the IoT has the potential to become a revolution in modern day living, and Samsung is committed to being at the forefront of this growth.

“The Internet of Things has the potential to transform our society, economy and how we live our lives. It is our job to pull together—as an industry, and across different sectors—to make true on the promise of the Internet of Things”, Chief Executive BK Yoon said during a keynote speech at CES earlier this year.

Offering such an extensive product portfolio of consumer electronics and domestic appliances, Samsung provides the complete home experience to its customers. By 2020, all Samsung products will be IoT-enabled. As homes increasingly transform into smart homes, the range of appliances and home sensors which can enter into this interconnected network will be expanded through the further development of SmartThings[ii], Samsung’s recently acquired open IoT platform.

However, Samsung does not only deliver a technology-driven premium lifestyle of convenience at home to its customers. The company is also directing resources into providing customers the opportunity and the potential to turn their IoT-enabled smart home into a low energy hub.

“Home automation is an early area of adoption (of IoT) because of the potential to reduce energy costs, improve security and increase comfort,” Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research wrote[iii]. Research shows that the “IoT can help reduce home energy consumption by over 40 percent”[iv].

Environmental Innovation in Software and Hardware

ECOS, the Energy Cost Optimization Solution powered by Samsung, is designed to empower customers to use the SmartThings IoT platform to its full environmental potential. Homeowners will be able to use ECOS software to measure, plan and improve the services provided by an IoT home to program appliances to run during off-peak hours to reduce energy costs; use occupant sensors to control electrical and natural lighting; optimize heating, cooling and ventilation[v]; and use smart-meters to relay real-time energy data to find ways to cut down on wasted energy, among other limitless possibilities[vi]. Lighting, for example, when connected to occupant sensors, becomes smart and has the potential to reduce costs by up to 30 percent, according to EnergyStar[vii], and connected energy systems and smart metering promoted by IoT can save approximately £50 per month on utility bills[viii].

Customers will also be inspired by new advancements in hardware technology. At IFA 2015, the world’s leading trade show for consumer electronics, the Samsung EcoZone is showcasing products with high environmental credentials and reduced environmental impacts. These Samsung products have high energy efficiencies, eco-modes and energy-saving technology which will help customers aspire to use technology to accurately monitor and reduce their home energy consumption and provide them with a convenient, hassle-free way to live an IoT-enabled, low energy lifestyle.

In order to mitigate the impacts of increased device use through the IoT, Samsung has adapted hardware to achieve three major environmental advancements which will ensure the lowest potential environmental impact for customers.

Developing Low Energy Modes

In order for IoT products to constantly be connected, devices must remain on, or on standby mode. Therefore, Samsung has been developing devices with increasingly lower energy consumptions. Eco Sensors and energy saving modes on the latest LED TVs can use up to 51 percent less energy compared to 60-inch models in 2011 and the refrigerator digital inverter compressor adjusts to humidity levels and usage patterns to optimize cooling, providing 33 percent savings compared to 400-liter models in 2011.

Improving Product Energy Efficiency

Samsung has also been proactive in reducing the overall energy consumption of all its products. Since 2008, the entire product portfolio has improved its energy efficiency by 42 percent, allowing consumers to further reduce their energy costs[ix].

Managing Impacts

The expansion of the IoT open platform will spur the creation of new networks and devices. Therefore, in order to respond to the potential environmental impacts of increasing resource use, Samsung has invested a large amount of time researching and developing products that have lower resource consumption. For example, Samsung’s Ecobubble washing machines reduce water consumption by utilizing the latest speed wash setting which reduces washing time by half, thus reducing energy consumption. Additionally, the overall use of recycled plastics and recycled paper packaging has increased throughout the product range.

Samsung understands the importance of the environment to customers and the responsibility of a business to provide innovative environmental solutions in a modern world. Providing an open IoT platform will ensure that SmartThings continues to develop to facilitate these savings through both Samsung and its partners to provide technological inspiration to customers to lessen their environmental impact and empower them to live more responsible lifestyles.

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[i] Intel ©, ‘Intel IoT Gateways: Get Started’, available: https://www-ssl.intel.com/content/www/us/en/embedded/solutions/iot-gateway/overview.html

[ii] Samsung, ‘Smart Things Homepage’, available: http://www.samsung.com/uk/smartthings/

[iii] Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research, ‘The Internet of Things: Making sense of the next mega-trend’, available: http://www.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/pages/internet-of-things/

[iv] Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research, ‘The Internet of Things: Making sense of the next mega-trend’, available: http://www.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/pages/internet-of-things/

[v] For further information on IoT possibilities, see Carbon Trust, ‘The Internet of Things; a rising tide’, available: http://www.carbontrust.com/news/2014/05/the-internet-of-things-a-rising-tide

[vi] For further information on IoT possibilities, see Accenture, ‘Digital Business Era: Stretch Your Boundaries’, available: http://techtrends.accenture.com/us-en/business-technology-trends-report.html

[vii] EnergyStar, ‘Existing Buildings; Save Energy’, available: http://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-and-managers/existing-buildings/save-energy/find-cost-effective-investments

[viii] For further information on IoT possibilities, see GSMA, ‘GSMA: The Impact of the Internet of Things. The Connected Home’, available: http://www.gsma.com/newsroom/wp-content/uploads/15625-Connected-Living-Report.pdf

[ix] Samsung, ‘Samsung Improves Product Power Efficiency by 42% in Six Years’, available: http://global.samsungtomorrow.com/infographic-samsung-improves-product-power-efficiency-by-42-in-six-years/

In partnership with renowned Italian architect Ferruccio Laviani, Samsung’s IoT Zone showcases the infinite possibilities of the Internet of Things ecosystem at IFA 2015.

Samsung Electronics is showcasing everything about the Internet of Things (IoT) at IFA 2015 in Berlin, focusing on how IoT technologies are having a positive impact on our world.

The exhibition gives IFA visitors a first-hand experience with what we mean by the connected world. They will be able to touch and feel key Samsung products, to truly understand the huge potential of IoT technology.

The IoT Zone comes in a large, circular design at the center of Samsung’s IFA exhibition hall. It is a space that immerses visitors in a demonstration of how Samsung’s IoT technology can become part of everyday life.

Visitors can wander among twenty-four distinct glass showcases, highlighting four key Samsung products and solutions: Samsung SleepSense, Smart TV & Audio, Gear S2, and SmartThings. The benefits of these products and solutions naturally and intuitively show visitors the present and near-future potential for their lifestyles.

Samsung SleepSense

For Smart TVs and Audio system showcases, the television is like a “conductor” for the whole home entertainment system. The TV can recognize the programs being watched and suggest similar options. If someone chooses to watch a movie, the TV can dim the lighting, lower the blinds and shift the audio to movie mode to deliver a grander sound. The viewer doesn’t need to move from the sofa or even say anything.

Samsung Gear S2

With the Gear S2, users can enjoy a connected daily life like never before. The device can track all of your physical goals and progress in real-time – everything you need to know about your body is right there, just a glance away. People can pay for the bus or taxi with the Gear S2, and as they travel they can get real-time notifications from home about security and safety. And by synchronizing the Gear S2 with a smart home hub like SmartThings, they can also adjust their home temperature or lights precisely with just simple twist of the Gear S2’s rotating bezel, wherever they are.

SmartThings Products

SmartThings is the heart of Samsung’s IoT. It connects all the devices at home and even outside of the home on an open platform, available to all companies and developers. About 200 devices are already available for the SmartThings platform, including lighting, cameras, thermostats, locks and wearables. Again, this isn’t the future; it’s happening right now.

To create this IoT Zone, Samsung collaborated with renowned Italian architect Ferruccio Laviani. The round design of the zone represents infinite possibilities and the lack of boundaries like Samsung’s IoT. It also symbolises the convergence of technologies, showing the interplay between IoT technologies and their rapidly growing ecosystem.

“As the visitors move from one showcase to another, the possibilities of IoT unfold in front of them like the pages of a popup book, with each showcase conveying the key information,” said Laviani.

But Samsung’s exhibition doesn’t end there. Visitor can also experience IoT applied to real life. The IoT Zone is right beside an IoT lounge, with partners like BMW, Volkswagen and Samsung C&T.

At the BMW car, notifications from home get displayed on the dashboard, and the Samsung SmartThings smartphone app makes it possible to check the status of the car, and lock or unlock the car remotely. Furthermore, Samsung’s Car Mode for Galaxy app for Volkswagens allows drivers to take calls, choose and listen to a favorite playlist and get directions all by voice or simple touch. Visitors can also see how the Gear S2 can control many aspects of a Volkswagen remotely, such as the air conditioner and the battery level with the Volkswagen’s Car-Net e-Remote app.

Samsung C&T Fashion Division (formerly Cheil Industries) is showing off four wearables that integrate fashion, technology and human in form of clothing and accessories: Smart Suit, On Bag, Body Compass and Perfect Wallet. There is also “the humanfit”, which is the platform brand for wearables. It collaborates with Samsung C&T’s fashion brands to develop IT-integrated clothing, accessories and mobile fashion apps.

Finally, there are four product zones displaying Samsung’s cutting-edge and IoT-ready products. Visitors can try out smart shopping and smart office space, a virtual fitting room, mirror displays and transparent OLEDs display at the B2B product zone.

“This exhibition underscores what’s possible,” said Dr. Won Pyo Hong, President and Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Electronics. “It shows Samsung’s view of the Internet of Things – as a world that’s centered around people, and that offers infinite possibilities because it will be rooted in our open IoT strategy.”

To demonstrate these innovations, we have created an IoT Zone, where visitors can learn about and try out the newest and most cutting edge devices. For example, there is the SmartThings Hub, bringing together all the devices in the home in one smart, interconnected center, and SleepSense, a small monitoring device that tracks your sleeping patterns and provides key feedback.

Now you can check out Samsung’s exciting IFA exhibit for yourself—in virtual reality. With this VR tour, available online, people everywhere can explore our innovative vision of the future, anytime, anywhere.

Today, IFA officially opened its doors to the public and attendees were quick to flock to the Samsung exhibit, housed in CityCube Berlin. Making their way between demonstration areas, visitors checked out the latest products and services from Samsung, but perhaps no other area attracted more attention than the Club des Chefs kitchen. Here, attendees were invited to embark on a visual and gustatory culinary journey that would not soon be forgotten.

President and CEO of Samsung Electronics BK Yoon greeted guests as he entered the cooking space bedecked with a number of the dazzling appliances of the Chef Collection series. Designed by Samsung engineers in coordination with the culinary masters of the Samsung Club des Chefs, selected members of the world’s top culinary artists, the appliances have garnered a great deal of attention since their release at IFA last year.

Yoon noted that what attendees would soon witness would be a very special moment that would allow them to experience how technology can enrich one’s passion for cooking, stating, “Our passion continues to grow with all these possibilities and Samsung will always try hard to offer you better experiences.”

With that, guests were asked to put on the Gear VR headsets that had been distributed and after doing so, were immediately transported to a farm in France, face-to-face with world-renowned chef and President of Samsung Club des Chefs Michel Troisgros. Troisgros then gave viewers an exclusive look at a day in the life of a Michelin starred chef, from choosing the freshest ingredients to incorporating them into fantastic culinary delights with the help of a talented kitchen staff and the Chef Collection appliances.

Soon enough, the virtual journey ended and after attendees removed their headsets, they were greeted by Troisgros himself, who was eager to share with visitors a taste of his acclaimed food by preparing a signature dish of zucchini stuffed with grapefruit and apple-basil aspic. Guests sipped champagne as Troisgros walked them through his recipe, noting how the Chef Collection refrigerator’s Precise Chef Cooling feature was essential in helping him get the desired results while preserving the original flavors of the ingredients.

World-class chefs Elena Arzak and Modest Amaro joined Troisgros, also sharing their own favorite recipes and offering a variety of cooking tips from how to incorporate certain spices into a dish to the importance of presentation.

Guests looked on, eager to sample the mouthwatering dishes that came to life in front of them and soon enough, they were given a chance to do so. BK Yoon, too, was just as excited about the tasting as the rest of the attendees and had only words of praise when he sampled the three chefs’ dishes. As the showcase winded down, guests were able to get a closer look at the innovative Chef Collection kitchen appliances on display.

The IoT Zone is a peaceful, reflective area in the middle of Samsung’s exhibition space. It’s a circular space, symbolizing the infinite and boundless possibilities of the IoT. With 24 glass showcases, arranged like the pages of a popup book, the IoT Zone explores four major aspects of our approach to the IoT: SleepSense, the SmartThings platform, Smart TV and the Gear S2.

The showcase kicked off with a captivating presentation highlighting the features of the Gear S2, rooted in the natural perfection of the circle and designed to create an unprecedented level of style and functionality for wearable devices. Check out how exciting the showcase was with this video

Samsung Electronics announced that its 2015 SUHD and UHD TVs will be the first on the market capable of supporting the new HDMI 2.0a specification.

Samsung will issue a firmware update that will enable its 2015 SUHD and UHD TVs to display a broader library of High Dynamic Range (HDR) content now from external devices. HDR delivers a much higher level of contrast between light and dark to produce an image that is more realistic and closer to what the content creator imagined. The firmware update is available now at no additional cost to owners of 2015 Samsung SUHD and UHD TV’s.

HDMI 2.0a enables the transmission of HDR metadata from external HDR-compatible sources, such as the Ultra HD Blu-ray players that will soon become available. Combined with Samsung’s Nano-crystal technology and picture quality enhancements, such as Peak Illuminator, this update will further provide owners of SUHD sets with the most lifelike picture quality available today.

“Samsung provides cutting-edge technology that our consumers expect from an industry leader, and our SUHD TV’s are our best ever,” said John Ryu, Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “While our 2015 SUHD and UHD TV lines are already capable of delivering HDR capability from internal sources such as streaming services, this firmware update will enlarge the spectrum of available HDR content for our customers.”

HDMI 2.0a will be supported on all 2015 SUHD and UHD TV models via the firmware update and does not require new HDMI cables.

For more information on Samsung’s SUHD TV lineup or upcoming announcements, visit the official website at www.samsung.com and the blog at global.samsungtomorrow.com.

As a result, businesses can be better connected and work more collaboratively.

We create first-class service solutions for businesses, inspire people to reach higher and make their ambition a reality and to provide new products and services for customers to live richer, fuller lives.

Here’s a video that demonstrates Samsung’s open and collaborative approach to technology, partners and customers. Ultimately Samsung Business brings together the company’s various capabilities and expertise to amplify business outcomes. Take a look!

Samsung Business unifies mobile devices, Samsung KNOX for security, mobile device management, the Samsung SMART Signage Platform, Samsung printing solutions and more in one enterprise-ready portfolio.

Samsung Business powers the future

Samsung’s latest innovations, such as wearable devices and Samsung Pay, demonstrate how the company is opening up possibilities for new, innovative business practices. Samsung’s wearable devices – including the Gear S, and Gear VR – redefine the mobile experience and streamline existing workflows while Samsung Pay, a secure mobile payment service , is the only nearly universally accepted mobile payment service – with more than 30 million merchant locations worldwide.

Further, Samsung will continue to play a leading role in building the Internet of Things (IoT), working across industries—from connected vehicles to consumer empowered health management—to build a world that’s driven by new data-powered services and collaborative innovation.

Samsung is committed to helping businesses thrive in today’s connected world. Innovation and creativity are – and always will be – at the heart of our brand, with the focus on developing customized answers for the business environment.

Last month at the Unpacked event in New York, Samsung teased a new device, and since then, there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding the newest addition to the Samsung Gear line-up. Finally, with the kick off of IFA 2015, Samsung has officially unveiled the much anticipated Gear S2, and did so with a grand celebration, at that.

Hundreds of guests packed into the Tempodrom, one of Berlin’s most iconic event venues, on September 3, for experience the new device for the first hands.  Although it wasn’t the first time Samsung  held an event at the Tempodrom—it has done so for product unveilings in the past—never before has it been more appropriate.

In fact the venue was the perfect place to unveil Samsung’s smartwatch, as it resembles the same shape as the one that inspired the Gear S2.

“The circle is intuitive,” YH Lee, EVP and Head of Marketing, IT & Mobile Communication business, said in the opening speech of the event. “And, as your body just knows instinctively, a circle is functional. With every turn, your life gets better.”

The audience, seated in rows that surrounded the circular stage, looked on as a video introduced the Gear S2 in all its glory. Afterwards, Lee explained the two versions of the smartwatch: The Gear S2 for sporty, active types, and the Gear S2 Classic for those that prefer a more timeless look. Despite their differences, both are minimal, gender-neutral and modern.

Pranav Mistry, VP, Head of Think Tank Team, was then introduced to show off the innovative design of the Gear S2, which is unlike any other on the market. Boasting a singular home key and a rotating bezel, the Gear S2 is easy to navigate, Mistry explained, which keeps its Super AMOLED display from being blocked from view. As a result, users can more easily read long emails, check the score of the big game or navigate within apps.

“That’s been a challenge for other smartwatch-makers,” Mistry explained. “Once you see how simple it is to turn and swipe your way around the Gear S2, you’ll see how easy it is. And you’ll wonder how you lived without it.”

In addition to its improved usability, the stainless steel Gear S2 boasts customizable watch faces and interchangeable wristbands designed by collaborators such as Italian designer Alessandro Mendini, so users can better express their own personal styles. Similarly, standalone 3G connectivity, an industry-first embedded SIM for a wearable and a power-saving mode let users be free and remain in the present moment. After all, who has “time” for anything else?

Alanna Cotton, VP of Product Strategy, Samsung Electronics America spoke to guests next about the incredible usability features of the smartwatch. From fitness functions such as a circular 24-hour timeline that displays a user’s activity levels to motivational notifications to “get moving” when it senses longer periods of inactivity, Cotton called the Gear S2 an “indispensable partner.”

Furthermore, the Gear S2 makes it easier to get around, providing navigational features or acting as a transportation card. Cotton explained that users can also use it to buy a round of drinks for their colleagues after a long day of work through Samsung Pay, or turn on the lights and set the temperature on their way home via SmartThings. And considering the device is worn on the wrist, it is always accessible, which Cotton stated will be the reason it will become the tool of first response.

“When you want to handle more complicated matters, you’ll go to your phone,” she said in her speech. “It reminds me of how we check our phones first, and then handle real work on a computer. Think of the Gear S2 as the next evolution in your mobile life. And it keeps getting better with every turn.”

To wrap up the presentations, YH Lee announced that the Gear S2 will be available in stores in October, giving the audience a glimpse a new product before encouraging guests to check out the experience zone, which was instantly illuminated at the end of her presentation.

Guests then gathered, trying out Samsung’s hottest products including the Galaxy S6 edge+, the Galaxy Note 5 and, of course, the Gear S2.

While the audience appeared to be impressed with each demonstration of the experience zone, one of the most memorable moments of the evening was when a group of culinary masters from the Club des Chefs, led a cooking show while utilizing the Samsung Chef Collection kitchen appliances.

But guests were treated to much more than tasty treats. They enjoyed capturing great food shots, with a little help from the exceptional cameras and features of the Galaxy S6 edge+ and the Galaxy Note5.

In October 2013, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Gear, laying the groundwork for the wearables market, the popularity of which has since taken off worldwide. With an estimated 169 million wearable devices expected to be produced in 2020, Samsung has since expanded its wearables portfolio to embrace the latest in consumer demand and product innovation.

Its brand new Gear S2 reflects the company’s commitment to progressive innovation as the leader of this speedily developing sector, merging simple and intuitive usability, stylish and compact design and better integrated features into a single device.

The Power of the Circle

Perhaps the most stand-out feature of the Gear S2 is its eye-catching design. The Gear S2 is available in two versions, and its design harnesses the power of everything the shape represents: perfection and timelessness.

The premium, elegant look of the Gear S2 Classic and the unique, modern style of the Gear S2 are both refined in design and display. Natural materials such as metal, leather and glass add to their look, while the devices’ compact sizes enable them to naturally fit the wrist like an analogue wristwatch.

The Gear S2’s intuitive interface is just as impressive as its stunning aesthetics, and is navigated via a rotating bezel and side button that allow the user to access a series of pre-set applications and functions quickly and conveniently. Its navigation features are easy-to-use, comfortable and allow for an unobstructed interface, setting it apart from similar devices on the market.

Wrist Control

In addition to its versatile circular display and interface, the Gear S2 is optimized for seamless, everyday use with enhanced wearables technology.

Its always-on communication features let users stay connected like never before via notifications that allow them to check email and review their calendar, along with functions to send texts via pre-set messages, voice input, emoticons and a keypad. Along with 3G connectivity and an e-SIM card—a first for a wearable device—all of this is possible straight from the user’s wrist.

Thanks to the device’s quick and convenient communication features, consumers will have more time to focus on more important things, such as health and fitness. The Gear S2 has been designed with this in mind, and includes a number of sensors and improved tracking functions to monitor activity progress throughout the day, which is illustrated on a circular timeline. And, in a time when it’s more difficult than ever to stick to a fitness plan, the Gear S2 acts as a personal trainer (minus the hefty monthly fees) by sending messages of motivation when users have been inactive for a period of time, and praise when it recognizes that users have been exercising.

With the Gear S2’s embedded NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, wallets can be left at home, as users can process payments with a tap on an NFC reader. Furthermore, Samsung is working with a number of partners across a variety of industries to expand the usability of wearables, from smart car keys to hotel room keys and remote controls.

These innovative, connected features are powered by a battery that can last two to three days, keeping users constantly connected without having to worry about the next charge.

Open Collaboration for Maximum Customization

Although smaller than a smartphone, the Gear S2 still offers the same great access to users’ favorite apps, and through open collaboration with developers and partners, many of them have been optimized for the device’s circular interface. This makes it easy for a user to check the score of the big game, the morning weather forecast, locate a nearby restaurant or see what’s going on in their social circles.

Similarly, a slew of customization features, such as the Design It Yourself watch face, enable users to truly personalize their device to express their own moods and unique styles.

The Gear S2, Samsung’s most progressive innovation in wearables to date, illustrates the power of the circle through its intuitive, customizable user interface and enhanced features that allow for greater personalization.

Samsung Electronics announced the public release of its Tizen Software Development Kit (SDK) for the recently unveiled Samsung Gear S2 wearable device. The SDK is now available for download at Samsung’s Developer websites: http://developer.samsung.com/wearable.

Thanks to the early access program announced back in April, over a thousand applications for the Samsung Gear S2 are expected to be available to users at launch. This is in addition to the five thousand apps already available to Samsung Gear users.

In advance of this launch, a Gear S2 seller site was also opened on August 18th for developers and partners to start registering their Gear S2 applications.

The Samsung Gear S2 SDK offers the following advantages:

• Enhanced Standalone Features: Developers can create enhanced standalone Samsung Gear S2 apps with network, call and location-based APIs with the freedom to connect to 3G networks without a smartphone.
• Web and Native Apps: Developers can also build both Web and Native apps with the new SDK. Tizen Native APIs enable them to build fast, light-weight and beautiful apps with EFL (Enlightenment Foundation Libraries).
• Support for Android: Connect to Android phones*, including but not limited to Samsung models. Wider device coverage will help to reach more users. A list of supported devices can be found here.

The following applications will be ready for the Samsung Gear S2:

• Keep up-to-date with the news: Switch between your favorite sports teams by turning the interactive bezel or flicking the screen to get upcoming, live and final game updates on the ESPN app for the Gear S2 or get immediate access to scores with the ESPN Watch Face app. Read the latest news from 10 different sections, stories, push alerts and photos with CNN’s app for the Gear S2. Stay on top of your regional market indexes and see the day gain of the companies at-a glance with the Bloomberg Business Watch Face app, and Bloomberg Business Gear S2 app for more market indexes and details and the latest business news. Select the Twitter Trends Watch Face on your Gear S2 to see top local trends.

• Stay ahead while on-the-go: Request an Uber driver and get picked up in minutes without having to take out your mobile phone. Search, call and get directions to nearby restaurants, shops and services – all from your wrist with the Yelp for Gear app. Access your most relevant, time-sensitive trip information – including real-time flight alerts – at a quick glance of your Gear S2 with the TripCase

• Easy access to your mobile utilities: The convenience of having your Gear S2 smartwatch means you no longer have to fumble with metal keys, with Yale Digital Keys for your Yale Real Living Lock, you can easily access your home or share keys with friends or family members. Control your smart locks powered by Unikey with touch-to-open simplicity – now you can lock and unlock your home, business or hotel door through the convenience of your Gear S2 smartwatch.

• Stay in touch more easily than ever: Access at-a-glance message alerts through Voxer’s messaging app. It is the easiest way to communicate – like a walkie talkie on your wrist.

• Convenient access to shopping and e-commerce: The Gear S2 gives you instant access to the best features for everyday shopping. With FidMe, all of your loyalty cards, coupons and in-store notifications get sent straight to your smartwatch. Discover and browse more great nearby deals from local businesses with Groupon’s Gear S2 app. In addition, through the payment bar code system of Alipay, users can conveniently and promptly complete transactions and enjoy services at various offline supermarkets and restaurants, without having the need to carry any cellphone or cash.

• Track your fitness: The Nike+ Running app for the Gear S2 allows runners to track their distance, pace and time and view their in-run metrics with a simple glance. Individuals with Bluetooth-enabled headphones also have the ability to play music directly from the smartwatch.

For more information about Samsung Gear S2, please visit http://www.samsungmobilepress.com/.

* Compatible with smartphones running Android 4.4 or above and 1.5GB RAM above.

** The services listed above may not be available in all regions and features may vary by region, and service provider may change the name and/or value of its application at any time. Restrictions may also apply.

Samsung Electronics announced a partnership with Italian designer Alessandro Mendini to offer exclusive accessories for its new Gear S2, a versatile circular design smart watch with intuitive, custom UX and advanced connected features. The collaboration between Samsung and Alessandro Mendini will provide a variety of options for Gear S2 customers to customize and personalize their smartwatch, adding more fun and style to their mobile experience.

“Because smartwatches are worn directly on the wrist, visible to everyone, they represent a more unique, personal experience than the everyday smartphone,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung. “Our partnership with Alessandro Mendini on these exquisite watch faces and bands for the Gear S2 is part of our continued commitment to deliver more custom options that help users express their personal styles while they stay connected.”

Alessandro Mendini played an important role in the development of modern Italian design, and is well known for his mixing of different cultures and sensibilities to push design boundaries and forego conventional notions of function. This design philosophy aligns closely with Samsung’s approach to create wearable devices that redefine the culture of mobile communication through a functional, yet incredibly chic and personal experience. As one of Samsung’s main watch face design partners, Mr. Time by Apposter worked closely with Alessandro Mendini to help seamlessly integrate his designs with Gear S2.

“I believe the watch is one of the most precise and valuable devices that mankind has ever made, and Samsung has successfully reinvented this device in a way that fits within in our technology-driven world,” said Alessandro Mendini. “It was a fun and highly collaborative experience working with the global leading mobile company to craft something that merges the style of a traditional watch with the digital world for a completely unique design experience – it will truly become the future of mobility.”

The Samsung Gear S2 tastefully maintains the aesthetic function of a watch with watch-faces keep users connected and on-time through an unmatched battery life that can last up to 2-3 days. With unique, colorful watch faces and super slim, fashionable band options, the Alessandro Mendini collection for the Samsung Gear S2 further allows each individual customer to achieve their own personalized look.

Alessandro Mendini’s the new collection of watch faces and bands for the Samsung Gear S2 will be available at the launch of the device.

IFA 2015 has finally arrived and to get things started off with a bang, Samsung held a press conference on September 3 to usher in the long-awaited event. Like last year’s trade show, hundreds gathered at the ultra-modern CityCube Berlin to find out what to expect from Samsung over the coming week. From improved IoT platforms to the latest in UHD TVs to some exciting new products and partnerships, the event was action-packed. Check out the highlights below.

In Sync with Life

Challenging the audience to imagine what the world would be like if all personal devices were connected, YH Eom set the tone for the event by illustrating the main theme for IFA 2015: the Internet of Things. For those that remember, this was also the focus of last year’s show, but as Samsung’s Chief Marketing Officer Dr. WP Hong conveyed in his speech about Samsung’s vision for IoT, this year is all about taking it even further to unlock the infinite possibilities by making IoT completely “in sync with life.”

According to Hong, IoT is not simply a trend, but is “at the heart of today’s Industrial Revolution.” With endless possibilities of how it can transform the world for the better across a variety of industries, Samsung is approaching it through a three-prong philosophy: openness, cross-industry collaboration and—most importantly—a human-centric approach.

“The most important principle of the Internet of Things for Samsung has to be that it’s not driven by technology, but by people’s expectations. It has to be an IoT for you. Only then can it naturally blend into other parts of our lives,” Hong noted.

SmartThings for a Smarter World

In order for IoT to reach its full potential, it requires an exceedingly efficient platform, and as Alex Hawkinson, the founder and CEO of SmartThings, took the stage, it quickly became evident that the latest version of the Samsung SmartThings Hub has what it takes to be that platform.

Considering the needs of consumers—peace of mind, flexibility and control—Hawkinson demonstrated to a captivated audience how the improved platforms’s powerful processor and intelligent video work together so users can monitor their homes from anywhere at anytime.

Balancing privacy with security, the video monitoring capability allows people to access a livestream at any time, yet only records video when an unexpected event, such as motion at the front door, is detected. Likewise, the platform’s Smart Home Monitor service provides alerts if its sensors detect an incident such as a fire or leak.

Along with the new Hub, Hawkinson explained, SmartThings is also launching a more intuitive SmartThings App to make it easy for consumers to make their homes (and cars) more connected. In fact, thanks to their collaboration with BMW, users will soon be able to be notified about any issues with their automobile, or lock it remotely.

“Together we will grow an open IoT ecosystem all around the world,” Hawkinson proclaimed. “That’s because the SmartThings platform is at the heart of Samsung’s drive to build the Internet of Things.”

SleepSense: Personalized Well-Being

Another way Samsung is growing the IoT ecosystem is through its IoT-enabled devices. Dr. Christo Mantzoros from Harvard Medical School was up next to discuss the importance of a good night’s sleep, as well as his role in the collaboration with Samsung Electronics.

Shaped like a flat disc and designed to be placed under a bed’s mattress, Samsung SleepSense* provides contactless monitoring of an individual’s vital sleep health data with up to 97% accuracy**. Providing daily sleep scores, reports and recommendations through the SleepSense smartphone app, users will be able to improve the quality of their sleep, and thus their overall health.

The app can also be connected to other Samsung smart devices to control lighting and room temperature to create an optimal sleeping environment. And, unlike most sleep studies, Mantzoros noted, there aren’t any complicated or stressful overnight tests.

Home, Sweet Smart Home

Talk of IoT in the home didn’t end there. Samsung’s latest addition to its home appliance collection, the Samsung WW8500 AddWash, was unveiled. Boasting an extra door, the washing machine allows users to add clothing items (hence the name) at any washing cycle.

Even better is that the eco-friendly AddWash is a connected washing machine, as Dan Harvie, Director of Samsung Electronics Europe, explained, so it can easily be controlled by a smartphone. Furthermore, the device utilizes Samsung’s ecobubble and SuperSpray technology, along with a slew of features such as the SuperSpeed cycle for a faster, better clean.

Harvie cited, “The Samsung AddWash is truly going to change the way you do your laundry.”

Moving along to televisions, Samsung announced some exciting partnerships with Amazon, Netflix, Wuaki, Chili, Strefa VoD, Videoland and Videoload, as well as regional broadcast partners across Europe, including Canal Plus, British Telecom (BT) and HD+, who are all vital for creating and delivering UHD content to a global consumer base.

Michael Zoeller, Vice President, European Head of Visual Display TV/AV/Display, also explained how Samsung’s line-up of Curved TVs now includes over 28 models, from 32-inch up to 105-inch in size—the biggest range of Curved Televisions on the market by far. He also announced the new Samsung Ultra HD Blu-Ray Player, which is capable of upscaling content to provide UHD resolution for any disc, as well as 4K streaming services.

Along with new content, Zoeller mentioned, Samsung’s new partnership with Gamefly will give gaming fanatics a chance to access the well-known and much loved streaming service from their UHD TVs, without the need for any extra equipment such as consoles, cables or discs.

Coming Together to Connect

These advancements are no doubt making houses smarter, but IoT, after all, isn’t all about the home. Jean-Daniel Ayme, Vice President of Mobile at Samsung Electronics Europe, the final speaker of the press conference, explored some of the ways Samsung is taking IoT beyond the walls of the home, into the office with cloud printing and on the road with connected cars.

Ayme announced the details of Samsung’s partnership with Volkswagen, which will offer drivers a seamlessly connected car experience through Car Mode for Galaxy, an app powered by MirrorLink, an industry-leading standard for car connectivity. Controlled by touch, as well as voice powered by S-Voice, the app allows users to take calls easily and safely, and reads incoming text messages aloud for a more enhanced and safer driving experience.

The Volkswagen partnership also integrates the Volkswagen App for wearables, which launches in Europe next month. The app connects the new Samsung Gear S2 with a range of Volkswagen vehicles, enabling seamless interaction right from one’s wrist. Users can easily locate their car in a crowded parking lot, or turn on the air conditioning before getting in their vechicle on a hot day.

“It’s these kinds of collaborations that will take the Internet of Things beyond our homes,” Ayme exclaimed in his closing statement.

As the press conference wrapped up, YH Eom reiterated the importance of IoT and invited guests to explore the already-here technology at the Samsung IoT Zone, designed in collaboration with world-renowned architect and designer Ferrucio Lavini.

With so many things to look forward to, it’s clear that IFA 2015 will be the best yet, and Samsung Tomorrow will continue to bring you the latest in all the excitement and the technology that is truly in sync with life.

*Developed in partnership with medical device manufacturer EarlySense

**Based on Samsung internal testing data

So what exactly is IoT capable of? Well, seemingly just about everything. And never before has this been clearer than at the 2015 IFA Samsung Press Conference, when a new video was released, spelling out a few specific (and fantastically awe-inspiring) examples. From things that help one locate a favorite Chardonnay at the supermarket to things that create an optimal environment for a good night’s sleep, IoT makes one’s life richer and more convenient.

But what’s the best thing about the Internet of Things? Simply that it is designed to be in sync with life. Check out the video below to find out how.

Samsung Electronics demonstrated how it is taking the Internet of Things (IoT) from vision to reality, using its IFA 2015 press conference in Berlin to showcase a range of new connected devices and IoT services. Samsung’s latest contributions to the rapidly growing IoT ecosystem are deeply rooted in the company’s core philosophy for IoT: openness, cross-industry collaboration and – most importantly – a human-centric approach.

“For Samsung, IFA 2015 is all about the Internet of Things. We are certain that IoT will revolutionize the world of consumer electronics, and this is our opportunity to update you on how far we have come in just a year,” said Dr W.P. Hong, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Electronics. “Every year, Samsung sells more than 300 million products to European consumers. Today, our products are used by 85 million Europeans – at home, and increasingly at work. No organization is better placed to ensure that the latest industrial revolution is driven not by technology, but by people’s expectations. Our vision is of an IoT that’s ‘In Sync With Life’, that’s an IoT for you.”

To get a sneak peek of the infinite possibilities of IoT, visit Samsung’s IoT zone at the center of Samsung’s stand in the CityCube at Messe Berlin, which was created in collaboration with renowned architect Feruccio Laviani.

Samsung SmartThings Hub, with ‘Smart Home Monitor’ Solution

Samsung SmartThings launched a new line-up of more powerful and easier to use IoT devices, and is taking them global.

Alex Hawkinson, the founder and CEO of SmartThings, said that for the Internet of Things to succeed, IoT devices must to be extremely user-friendly, while also giving consumers the ability to customize and seamlessly access tools that offer peace of mind when they’re away from home. The new Samsung SmartThings Hub, sensors and updated mobile app, launch in the United States today, in the United Kingdom next week, and will roll out across Europe in 2016.

The new Samsung SmartThings Hub has a more powerful processor that enables video monitoring, and includes a battery backup that lasts up to 10 hours in case of a power outage. Balancing privacy with security, the video monitoring capability allows people to access a livestream at any time, yet only records video when an unexpected event, such as motion by the front door, is detected.

SmartThings is also introducing a new solution called ‘Smart Home Monitor’ which provides unified access and control against intrusion, smoke and fire, leaks and floods, and other common household issues by delivering real-time notifications and video clips from multiple cameras via the SmartThings app.

Personalized Well-Being with Samsung SleepSense

A good night’s sleep is one of the most important factors for a healthy life, and Samsung SleepSense helps consumers to better understand and manage their sleep. The sensor is a flat disk, and simply by placing it under a bed’s mattress, it provides contactless monitoring of a person’s heart and respiratory rate including movements during sleep.

The SleepSense is a connected device that helps create the best environment for falling and staying asleep. It connects to Samsung appliances as well as third party IoT devices; for example, when the user falls asleep, the application will automatically turn off the television, and adjust the heating or air conditioning for a perfect sleep environment.

Based on SleepSense’s daily sleep scores and reports, which can be seen on the user’s smartphone, the application provides expert advice and recommendations, taking into account each individual’s metabolism – the result of a collaboration with Dr. Christos Mantzoros from Harvard Medical School. SleepSense delivers an accuracy of up to 97% in the comfort of your own home.

Expanding the UHD Ecosystem with Key Content and Partners

Samsung is committed to expanding the UHD ecosystem by partnering with companies including Amazon, Netflix, Wuaki, Chili, Strefa VoD, Videoland, and Videoload, as well as regional broadcast partners across Europe, including Canal Plus, British Telecom (BT) and HD+, who are all vital for creating and delivering UHD content to a global consumer base.

Through these partnerships with global leaders in the UHD space, Samsung is bringing commercial UHD broadcasting to market, so users can enjoy their favorite shows and programs in the premium picture quality they desire.

Samsung also has partnered with Gamefly to launch Gamefly Streaming – a subscription service that brings the world’s favorite games into peoples’ living rooms – without the need for consoles, cables or discs. Gamefly works by streaming popular titles over the Internet, with games including Batman: Arkham Origins, Lego Batman 3, GRID 2 and HITMAN Absolution – all available directly on Samsung Smart TVs.

Elevating the Viewing Experience

Samsung’s No. 1 commitment is to provide users with TVs that produce the ultimate viewing experience. Samsung’s SUHD TVs are capable of displaying High Dynamic Range (HDR) picture quality, which showcases greater contrast, brighter colors, intricate shadow detail and distinct highlights. Overall, the picture appears more vivid and authentic than ever before.

Owners of Samsung TVs can celebrate that their TVs are the first on the market that support the new HDMI 2.0a specification, which enables the transmission of HDR metadata across external HDR-compatible sources. The software update provides SUHD TV owners with the most lifelike picture quality available today. This firmware update is set to broaden the spectrum of HDR content available for consumers, as well as set an entirely new standard for the TV and entertainment industry at large.

Furthermore, customers can enjoy this superior picture quality on Samsung’s range of curved televisions, which provide a true-to-life viewing experience paired with sleek design that fits seamlessly in their homes. Customers can choose from 28 amazing Curved SUHD TVs – ranging in size from 48-inch to 105-inch.

To further provide consumers with more options to consume their favorite UHD content, Samsung is introducing the new Ultra HD Blu-ray Player which supports UHD Blu-ray disc playback. The player, which is capable of providing four times the resolution and 64 times higher color expression compared to standard Blu-ray, is capable of upscaling content to provide UHD resolution for any disc. Additionally the 4K streaming services are available. The Ultra HD Blu-ray Player features a sleek, curved design—matching perfectly with Samsung Curved SUHD TVs.

Samsung AddWash – a Washing Machine that’s Clever and Connected

Samsung WW8500 AddWash is the world’s first washing machine that allows consumers to add laundry at any point of the wash cycle, thanks to its innovative ‘Add Door’. A simple press of the pause button stops the spinning drum, and makes it possible to add laundry to the wash, whether it’s a uniform that needs to be ready for soccer practice tomorrow or a sweater or even a jeans that did not make it to the laundry pile. AddWash also provides a new level of care for delicate hand-wash only fabrics because they can now be added right at the start of the rinse cycle.

AddWash is also a connected washing machine that works with both Android and iOS devices, enabling consumers to remotely monitor and operate the machine as well as receive a range of notifications straight to their smartphone. The new WW8500 Add Wash helps consumers get faster and better laundry results thanks to its SuperSpeed cycle, which can wash a normal load in less than an hour. It also features SuperSpray, which uses a jet of water to rinse detergent more effectively. The improved ecobubble function creates thicker bubbles that intensely penetrate fabrics 40 times faster than the usual mix of water and soap, delivering exceptional washing results even in cold water.

Collaborations with BMW and Volkswagen

Samsung sees cars as an important part of the emerging IoT ecosystem, and is working with several leading car makers to innovate in the automotive space.

Samsung SmartThings will soon integrate with BMW cars by displaying notifications from the SmartThings Hub directly on the dashboard. In turn, the SmartThings app makes it possible to check the technical status of your BMW, and even lock and unlock it remotely.

Samsung also announced details of its partnership with Volkswagen, which will offer drivers a seamlessly connected car experience, through Car Mode for Galaxy, an app that adds value to the driving experience powered by MirrorLink^TM, an industry-leading standard for car connectivity.Car Mode for Galaxy, controlled by both touch and voice powered by S-Voice, lets you take calls easily and safely, listen to your favorite playlist, or get directions to your destination ; it even reads you incoming text messages out loud. Users can enjoy all the features through Car Mode for Galaxy mobile app even in a car without mirroring functionality.

The Volkswagen partnership also integrates the Volkswagen Car-Net e-Remote app. The app connects the new Samsung Gear S2 with a range of Volkswagen vehicles, enabling seamless interaction right from your wrist. Whether locating where you parked your car, turning on the air conditioning before you return to your car on a hot day, or managing the battery levels of your electric Volkswagen car, Samsung and Volkswagen take the link between automobiles and wearables to a new level.

“At the heart of all Samsung’s IoT innovations,” said Dr W.P. Hong, “is our long-standing approach of researching and observing people’s daily lives, and looking beyond the obvious to find innovative ways of enriching them, by turning everyday moments into enjoyable experiences. This philosophy will not change as we lead the way to a smarter, more connected, and more human future for us all.”

Samsung at IFA 2015

Samsung will be exhibiting at IFA 2015 from September 4-9, 2015, based in the CityCube at Messe Berlin.

Samsung Electronics unveiled Samsung SleepSense at IFA 2015 in Berlin; Samsung SleepSense is a new type of personal healthcare device that helps people improve the quality of their sleep.

Sleep is essential for our general wellbeing, but as busy and stressed professionals and parents, many of us struggle to achieve the recommended seven to nine hours sleep a night, putting our health at risk.

Too little sleep is associated with a host of very real problems, from weak performance and increased errors to a greater risk of accidents.

Now with Samsung’s new SleepSense,* you can quickly and easily understand your sleep patterns and learn how to improve it without having to seek advice. Samsung SleepSense can be your personal sleep consultant. This sleep monitoring device uses patented technology to analyse your sleep quantity and quality, provides personalised sleep reports and gives you expert recommendations on how to improve your sleep – all through a mobile app.

Simple process to understand your sleep

Samsung SleepSense is easy to use: simply place the sensor under your mattress, download the SleepSense app to your mobile, connect the two, drift off to sleep, and SleepSense gets to work.

SleepSense is an accurate sleep tracking sensor – with up to 97% accuracy** – available on the consumer market. With real-time contactless sensor it analyses heart and respiratory rates, plus your movement whilst you sleep, so every morning you receive a personalised sleep briefing – a summary of your sleep activity with your sleep score mapped against the average data for your age.

Your sleep score is calculated based on seven elements; total sleep time, sleep efficiency, time it took to fall asleep, number of times you woke up, number of times you got out of bed, percentage of time in REM (rapid eye movement) and percentage of time in deep sleep.

Expert advice to help improve your sleep

Based on your individual sleep score, the app will also provide you with expert recommendations on how to improve it.

Harvard Medical School Professor Dr. Christos Mantzoros worked with Samsung to provide personalized professional tips on improving your sleep quality, covering your lifestyle, nutrition and exercise. Depending on your sleep pattern, you will receive handy tips and words of advice to help you sleep better next time.

Smart control of your sleep environment

A comfortable sleep environment is crucial for good quality sleep. To do this, Samsung SleepSense can be connected to Samsung smart appliances, allowing you to control air conditioning units and to turn off the television when falling asleep – all designed to provide automatically an optimal sleeping environment. The sensor can also be connected to the Samsung SmartThings app that controls many other devices in your home such as thermostats, security cameras, and lightbulbs – all of which may affect or assist your sleeping conditions.

Wake up fresh

Being woken up with noise by your alarm ringing while you are still in deep sleep leaves many people dazed and irritable for the rest of the day. The Smart Alarm feature wakes you up gradually, by analysing the data collated from your sleep stages and identifying the best time for you to wake up. Less groggy and sleepy throughout the day; instead you will feel fresh and energised for the day ahead!

Help the ones you love

For people concerned that their loved ones – for example elderly family members – suffer from a lack of sleep, SleepSense can help: simply put the sensor under their mattress and select the app’s ‘family care’ option to receive an analysis of the quality of their sleep via email.

*Developed in partnership with medical device manufacturer EarlySense

**Based on Samsung internal testing data.

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.

At the IFA 2015 Samsung Electronics Press Conference, SmartThings launched its new line of products, available across the U.S. and coming next week to the U.K., including an upgraded Hub, sensors, and intuitive mobile app for a more powerful and easier to use solution that helps solve specific problems. The company also introduced a new set of developer tools and partnership programs to enable deeper integrations and collaboration across its open platform and the industry at large.

“People are beginning to understand the real value and utility smart home technology can provide in their everyday lives. With this next major iteration of our products, we focused first and foremost on security and home monitoring to help answer the question, ‘is everything okay at home?’” said Alex Hawkinson, CEO and founder of SmartThings. “This marks our first product launch as part of the Samsung family, and together we’re continuing our commitment to deliver the easiest smart home solutions with a truly open ‘Internet of Things’ platform that maximizes collaboration and innovation across the industry.”

The new Samsung SmartThings Hub is equipped with a more powerful processor that enables video monitoring and a battery backup that lasts up to 10 hours in case of a power outage. The Hub is also able to process some automations locally, meaning it can operate without an internet connection. The collection of Samsung SmartThings sensors are now smaller and have been redesigned with a sleeker, more contemporary look.

The Hub’s video monitoring capability, launching in beta, is unique in that it allows people to improve peace of mind while maintaining their privacy. A livestream can be accessed at any time, but video is only recorded when an unexpected event, such as motion by the front door, is detected. With this new feature, SmartThings is introducing a solution called Smart Home Monitor, which provides unified access and control against intrusion, smoke and fire, leaks and floods, and other common household issues by delivering real-time notifications and video clips from multiple cameras via the SmartThings app. Intelligent buffering enables video clip recording to start prior to the event so users can see what caused the incident.

The SmartThings app has also been redesigned for iOS and Android to include easier navigation and a more intuitive experience. Users can now directly organize and control devices by room, and customize actions to occur automatically based on preset routines. With the additions of Smart Home Monitor and new features that enable SmartThings to perform certain functions without power or Internet, the offering has evolved into a solution for real life problems – a testament to the promise of the smart home and the IoT.

SmartThings continues to offer the most open and developer friendly platform available, and has expanded to support nearly 200 compatible devices. Its platform is now integrated with GitHub, providing developers with a more efficient way to write, manage and share their creations in an open environment. The company has also expanded its “Works with SmartThings” program beyond compatibility to include deeper integrations within the SmartThings app for a simple, unified experience. Partners at launch include Samsung, Honeywell, Schlage, Yale, First Alert, D-link, Osram, Cree, Bose and many more.

SmartThings is available for purchase on Shop.SmartThings.com, Samsung.com and will be rolling out on Amazon.com and retail stores across the U.S. The new Hub retails for $99 with sensors ranging between $30 and $55 each. SmartThings will be available in the U.K. at select Currys PC World stores and online at Samsung.com and currys.co.uk beginning September 10. The Hub retails for £99 and the Starter Kit is £199. SmartThings also plans to expand across Europe in 2016. Smart Home Monitor is available for free through December 31, 2015 with some features transitioning into a premium offering later this year.

SmartThings will be exhibiting at IFA 2015 from September 4-9, 2015, in the Samsung booth based in the CityCube Berlin Hall B (Level 2) at Messe Berlin.

For more information, visit www.smartthings.com or www.smartthings.co.uk.

on Vimeo

About SmartThings
SmartThings is the easiest way to turn a home into a smart home, bringing users peace of mind, savings, and convenience. As an open platform with a thriving ecosystem, SmartThings also brings users freedom of choice in devices and limitless possibilities. Since SmartThings was acquired by Samsung in August 2014, the team has tripled in size, tripled developer activity from a community of over 10,000, and has one of the largest ecosystems of compatible devices. SmartThings is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA and operates independently as a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.

IFA is the world’s leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances. IoT is sure to be in the spotlight this year, and Samsung will share its latest innovations.

You can get all the latest updates on the official global blog, view videos from Berlin via YouTube, see real-time tweets via Twitter and access images via Flickr.

Samsung Electronics announced the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch, the company’s latest offering as a result of many years of progressive innovation in the wearables category.

The Samsung Gear S2 comes in a versatile, circular design with an intuitive, custom UX and advanced features that enable users to enhance, personalize and bring more fun to their mobile experience.

The Gear S2’s unique rotating bezel, along with the Home and Back buttons, ensures users will have a quicker, more precise method to comfortably access notifications and applications.

Samsung Gear S2

Introduced in two different options – the Gear S2 and the Gear S2 classic – Samsung designed the Gear S2 to appeal to two distinct consumer preferences. The Gear S2 classic is made for users who prefer a more timeless watch design, offering an elegant Black finish with a matching genuine leather band. The Gear S2 is ideal for those who are on-the-go and have an admiration for minimal and modern design.

“For the past several years, Samsung has pioneered and advanced the wearables category, bringing brave new concepts to the smart wearables market,” said JK Shin, CEO and Head of Samsung’s IT & Mobile Business. “The Samsung Gear S2 reflects Samsung’s most progressive innovation. It is the perfect complement for any occasion, easily taking you from day to night, from work to workout—and ensuring that you get more out of every moment in your day, by making it smarter and ultimately more personal and fun.”

A mere 11.4-millimeter thin, the Samsung Gear S2 brings a light and compact design to your wrist. It offers an incredibly vibrant viewing experience for a smartwatch, thanks to its 1.2-inch circular screen and its 360 x 360 resolution (302 ppi). The applications on the Gear S2 can be viewed with amazing clarity so that users don’t miss notification pop-ups. Also, with the latest Tizen OS and an optimized 1-GHz dual core processor, the Samsung Gear S2 can perform tasks easily and efficiently.

Galaxy Gear S2 Classic

Users can stay connected with at-a-glance notifications to check calendars, e-mails, news and can even send important texts directly from their wrist. Users can choose the Gear S2 with 3G connectivity which incorporates the first-ever e-SIM with voice capability, to perform quick functions without being closely tethered to their phone.

New fitness functions on the Samsung Gear S2 will encourage consumers to stay healthy and active. The 24-hour activity log lets users view daily activity progress and patterns at a glance. It will also send reminder updates to motivate users to stay on track with their fitness goals.

For the ultimate convenience, the Samsung Gear S2 comes with NFC technology which will enable mobile payments without the need for a wallet. Samsung is working with a wide selection of partners across different industries to expand the usability of wearables and streamline consumers’ mobile lives in a variety of ways, including smart car keys, residential room keys, and remote controls to manage a connected home.

All of these connected features will be supported by a battery that can last up to 2-3 days, allowing consumers to stay connected without the hassle of constantly having to recharge. To charge, simply place the Samsung Gear S2 on the wireless charging dock right out of the box.

The Samsung Gear S2 reflects Samsung’s commitment to openly collaborate with developers and partners to bring increased customization and applications to its devices. Samsung is working closely with partners to offer a range of watch faces and watch bands so that users can have a variety of ways to express their personal style and mood. Users can easily change the band with one click, and change the watch face for a more personalized and sophisticated Gear experience depending on the time, place or occasion.

A variety of apps optimized for the Gear S2’s circular user interface will be available at launch. Through open collaboration with developers and partners, Samsung is continuing to enrich its wearable ecosystem and provide users with a more optimized and unique smart wearable experience.

The Samsung Gear S2 will be available in a Dark Gray case with a Dark Gray band and Silver case with a White band. The Samsung Gear S2 classic will be available in a Black case with a Leather band.

The Samsung Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic will be showcased for full media hands-on and more applications will be demonstrated with partners at Tempodrum, Berlin on September 3.

For more product information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com.

Samsung Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic Product Specifications:          

Samsung Gear S2 3G Version Product Specifications:

*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.

* Battery performance may vary depending on network conditions and configuration, and device usage.

*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 Electronics is demonstrating for the first time a new subtitling format – HbbTV 2.0 – which at long last will bring accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing to live streaming and on-demand content. The technology will be shown at IFA 2015 in Berlin, Germany, as part of the Hbb4All Pilot-A project, in collaboration with IRT and RBB, which aim to improve the delivery of a wide range of accessibility services.

Across Europe, broadcasters have the challenge of providing subtitles in a format that works on multiple platforms, so that they can help individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing, or simply do not have sufficient language skills to comprehend the content without text support – whether it is in the original or a foreign language.

While sub-titling technologies for traditional broadcast platforms are well established, today’s challenge is to provide subtitles that meet the specific needs of the users in terms of channel, platform and their consumption requirements. To provide accessibility services that are easy-to-use, are of a high quality and work on all platforms offered by on-demand and IP television, broadcasters need a well-conceived production and distribution strategy that allows them to exchange subtitles and re-purpose them automatically.

“Samsung is delighted to demonstrate its on-going commitment to supporting accessibility features in its TVs,” said Mi Young Yoo, Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “In order to support the work of the Hbb4All project and to be ready for this demonstration, Samsung has accelerated its implementation for EBU-TT-D based subtitles, and we are really grateful for the support provided to us by IRT, RBB and all other Hbb4All partners.”

HbbTV 2.0 adds support for EBU-TT-D as a subtitle format (TTML) for broadband content. On-demand content can be linked with out-of-band EBU-TT-D documents and content based on MPEG-DASH can have embedded EBU-TT-D subtitles. This in turn makes it possible to generate subtitles for live streaming via the Internet.*

The HbbTV terminals currently available in the market do not support subtitles for broadband content natively. However, these terminals provide sufficient information on the playback position for on-demand content directly to applications, so subtitles can be added in the application. This provides the flexibility needed to offer users customized subtitles, such as larger font sizes.

Samsung’s demonstration of the HbbTV 2.0 format is the first element of the Pilot-A project as proposed by the Hbb4All project. Demonstrations of HbbTV 2.0 will be available at IFA in Berlin in the ARD Digital Hall at the IRT and RBB booths, as well as at IBC, Amsterdam from Sept. 7-15, 2015 at the IRT booth.

*Source: Hbb4All website www.hbb4all.eu/home/hbb4allpilots/multiplatform-subtitle-services/

The fun kicks off on September 3 with a major Press Conference (invitation only), announcing several exciting new products. You can check out the livestream of the press conference on YouTube at 11am local time (5am EST).

The Samsung Gear S2 Showcase will also be happening in Berlin, with the invitation-only event occurring at the Tempodrom on September 3 at 7pm (doors open at 6pm).

Another popular feature that’s returning is the Cine des Chefs event, taking place on September 4 and 5.

In addition, Samsung will be hosting several events from the main IFA Event Stage throughout the consumer expo.

Samsung Smart Lounge, a space for IT and tech journalists and bloggers to work, relax, and network, will be available during the event. With plenty of seats, Wi-fi, charging stations and other offerings, the Smart Lounge is a popular oasis in the middle of the hustle and rush of IFA.

Finally, Samsung will have a major presence around Berlin from September 2 to 9 with four Experience Zones—at two BMW showrooms, Café BaseCamp and the Boulevard Shopping Mall.  At these locations, visitors can experience Samsung’s latest immersive  products and technologies through the Gear VR.

Put all these events together, and this year’s IFA is shaping up to be another amazing showcase to show how Samsung Electronics’ newest appliances are helping to enrich and transform people’s lives. For all the latest updates, press releases, news and exclusive stories, keep checking out Samsung’s IFA event page.

In just a few years, the technology driving wearable devices has advanced rapidly. Samsung launched the world’s very first watch phone in 1999. The SPH-WP10 featured a monochrome LCD screen and 90 minutes of talk time through an integrated speaker and microphone. Samsung followed this in 2009 with the release of its S9110 watch phone which was the world’s slimmest watch phone at the time. While the first model looked like a miniature phone attached to a wristband, the second looked much more like modern wearables.

Since then, technology has progressed quickly, and the ability of wearables to transform health, entertainment and how we live our day-to-day lives is greater than once thought possible. In 2013, Samsung launched the Galaxy Gear, which was followed by the Gear 2, the Gear 2 Neo. The Gear Fit and the Gear S made their appearances in 2014. As we wait to see what is in store for wearable devices of the future, it is clear that they are making an impact on how we stay connected.

Efficiency

Wearables are a great way to streamline processes, allowing employees to customize client interactions and deliver a more personalized experience. Wearables can collect information hands-free, bringing the smartphone experience to the wrist, which helps create safer working environments and boosts productivity.

The Gear S, with its 2-inch Super AMOLED display, allows users to view notifications and messages at a single glance. You can reject calls during a meeting, reply to messages using the on-screen keyboard or use voice command controls when your hands are full. With the ability to connect hands-free to e-mail, calendars, productivity applications and real-time notifications, wearables are changing the way we work.

Monitoring

Health and fitness tracking are major areas of concern for consumers. The Gear Fit was designed to be light and easy to wear during a workout, or for simply tracking your steps every day. It is the first wearable that was curved to fit your wrist, and featured a slimmer face than the Gear S.

S Health comes equipped and ready to use on the latest Samsung wearables, including the Gear Fit, the Gear S, the Gear 2 and the Gear 2 Neo. You can set goals and track heartrate, steps, calorie intake, stress levels, sun exposure and more. S Health helps you take control of your health. The wide range of apps available for Samsung wearables allow users to build healthy lifestyles that are just right for them.

Samsung Gear S not only includes S Health, it is a perfect health and fitness companion with more enhanced multi-sensors and built-in GPS. Using Bluetooth technology, it receives notifications while on-the-go. Partnerships that make third party apps available, such as Nike+ Running and Trek Bicycle allow users to track exercise and stay motivated, without their smartphones.

Connectivity

Wearables are also changing the way we stay connected. The Gear S can be used as a stand-alone device, with its brilliant, curved Super AMOLED display. The first wearable that supported connectivity through Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth, the Gear S lets you stay in touch, even away from your phone. The Gear S makes and receives calls, directly from the wrist and syncs automatically with your smartphone.

When the Gear Circle is paired with a smartphone, users can easily receive calls, listen to music and make voice commands in style through a Bluetooth connection. It features a magnetic lock which clasps around the user’s neck when not in use, as well as a vibrate function to signal incoming calls and notifications.

Design

The Samsung wearable products feature a rectangular face and interchangeable wristbands. After the first Galaxy Gear, the following Gear 2 had a finishing that made it look more similar to the elegance of a timepiece. With a Super AMOLED, 2MP camera, tracking apps and connectivity power, the Gear 2 took wearable devices to the next level. The Gear 2 was one of the first wearable devices that not only worked in sync to receive notifications from your smart device, it was the first to run apps on its own. When launching the Gear Fit and the Gear S, Samsung applied its curved display technology for a more comfortable, contoured fit. As materials and display quality improved, curved screens were developed and more interchangeable wristbands were offered, wearables from Samsung have become as fashionable as they are functional. Customizable screen options and changeable straps empower users to express their own tastes and styles.

The Gear series help users express moods and fit each day’s look with changeable bands and charms. Partnering with leaders in the fashion industry like Moschino, Swarovski and Nicholas Kirkwood, Samsung introduced a collection of wide-range accessories.

What’s Next?

As the technology and innovation of wearables meets the Internet of Things (IoT), the future of connectivity is bright. It is clear that wearables and connected devices will continue to transform our lives. Wearables will improve wireless connectivity, improving our homes, our cities and communities everywhere.

Designed by Thoughtfulness

Incorporated in all of Samsung’s products is the unwavering determination and faith of the designer. Great attention to detail is put into the design of each item, from the selection of a particular material to the use of a certain color, demonstrating the sincere thoughtfulness of every member of Samsung’s design team.

To symbolize this commitment, designers are recognized in the Designed by signature line. Although their names do not appear on the home appliances, their collective work is honored through the word Thoughtfulness. After all, the designs are not the result of one specific designer’s efforts, but are instead born from a thoughtfulness for all users.

Designed by Thoughtfulness, the design philosophy behind Samsung’s home appliances, is an expression of the company’s enduring faith and will to seek new life values that begin with thoughtfulness towards users.

Additionally, Samsung continuously strives to get closer to the consumer’s life to better understand their needs and produce products that meet their demands. The three design values that illustrate this closeness are: Close to Human Sensibility, Close to Intuition & Essence and Close to Timeless Value.

Close to Human Sensibility

Design must get closer to human needs and emotions, and the shape of a product is a gesture toward the user. Through that gesture, the product’s personality is defined and communicates with its user. Unlike the stiff, machine-like form of traditional washing machines, the flowing character line of the WW9000’s upper panel is a gesture that expresses its readiness to provide the services that the user desires, maximizing sensibility by enabling the user to personally feel a warm, welcoming thoughtfulness.

Along with shape, the feel of a product also helps to form one’s relationship to it. The moment a user steps up to the Chef Collection Refrigerator, for example, a display hidden in the face of its metal door subtly appears and greets the user as if it has been waiting for the user’s touch. To make the display more discrete, Samsung created a Micro Hole Display that projects clear, concise information through an intricate matrix of minute perforations in the metal exterior. This patented Perforation Fill Technology, breaks the conventional paradigm in lighting display techniques that had been in practice for many years.

Likewise, the Knob Dial of the Chef Collection Oven instills a sense of nostalgia for the analog days, while its handle, rounded through delicate trimming, presents a sense of volume by harmonizing with the exterior body of the oven. Furthermore, the door’s weight and grip produce a feeling of reliability and pride, similar to owning a luxury item or a rare collectable.

Close to Intuition & Essence

Products embracing essential and intuitive designs have been created with the users in mind to protect them from danger. The virtual LED flame of the Chef Collection induction oven, a product of Samsung’s proprietary Virtual Flame Technology, intuitively shows the level of heat and temperature being used through an LED virtual flame.

This intuitiveness is also evident in the Chef Collection Oven, as its display maximizes convenience by providing the user with real time data at a glance. The Most Used Oven Mode remembers the settings that have been used most frequently and automatically sets the oven’s controls accordingly, while the Look Depthless feature allows the user to easily operate the appliance with simple, one touch convenience in any mode.

Close to Timeless Value

As household appliances are usually purchased with longevity in mind, it is necessary that their designs have a timeless appeal. Perhaps no other material is more timeless than metal, as its properties and values do not change as time passes.

The Chef Collection Dishwasher embodies the pure and everlasting value of metal, as expressed through the texture of its pure stainless steel surfaces. It presents a sleek and sophisticated design, featuring brushed platinum stainless steel that evokes the pure and everlasting value of the material through handcrafted metalwork.

Even more visually outstanding than a product’s materials is its color. Samsung’s design concept is focused on embracing the colors of nature in their original state, and no other element is more essential than air. As such, Samsung’s airborne color palette embodies life values that are as pure as air and as clean as light. Offering both subtle changes and dramatic contrasts, the colors maintain their distinct characteristics throughout, like the unchanging properties of nature.

Seamless Design, as it is applied to the Chef Collection Line, creates an integrated image by aligning the appliances with the cabinetry of the kitchen. Dedicated to quality materials and a smooth uninterrupted visual plane, the Chef Collection Line completes the integration of contemporary form and function into a single look that harmonizes with the interior of the home and the users’ navigation of space.

Close to Life

Someone designed a washing machine that would warmly welcome the user. This is how doing the laundry became pleasurable. Someone thought of a vacuum cleaner that embodied the pure and clean colors of nature. This is how cleaning became relaxing. Someone dreamed up a convenient kitchen, based on the consumer’s movements. This is how cooking became a joy.

Thoughtfulness is at the center of all of Samsung’s home appliance designs, making them more valuable and meaningful. The thoughtfulness in creating meaningful change and innovation may not at once be recognizable, but it impacts consumers’ lives in a truly significant way. To this aim, Samsung is drawing one step closer to consumer’s lives.

Visit design.samsung.com to read more Samsung Electronics design stories.

At IFA 2015, Samsung Electronics, will showcase the latest additions to its innovative SMART Signage portfolio for the European markets, demonstrating its ability to deliver impactful, eye-catching displays for any business and retail environment. Samsung’s booth will be located at Booth 101 at City Cube Hall B, Messe Berlin in Berlin, Germany.

“As the retail and business marketplaces become increasingly crowded, high-performing display technologies can offer companies a significant advantage by enhancing their ability to efficiently deliver striking content,” said Seok-gi Kim, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “At IFA 2015, we are excited to demonstrate how our advanced SMART Signage display technologies create new opportunities for businesses, enabling them to transform content delivery and meet the changing engagement demands of their most critical audiences.”

Samsung’s display technologies enhance the customer and employee experience through clearer picture quality and visible and impactful message presentation, generating new opportunities for revenue and productivity. With a flexible lineup, including indoor and outdoor LED signage, ergonomic business monitors, and versatile television-and-signage-hybrid displays, among other solutions, Samsung will give IFA attendees a look at the business and retail landscapes of the future.

The Store of the Future

IFA 2015 attendees could get a glimpse of the retail store of the future, enhanced by interactive and informative display technologies, through a unique Samsung Electronics booth experience. Samsung’s line of retail-oriented displays provides shoppers with a more convenient, informed and customized shopping experience. These innovations range from technologies that sense customer movements and shopping interests and deliver targeted advertising content as they move across the store floor to virtual fitting rooms, mirror displays and small signage that pair customers’ exploration of clothing options with expanded visibility and an interactive catalogue of complementary accessories and on-sale items.

Most notably, Samsung will unveil its OLED Transparent display for the first time. With a thin, self-lighting panel, Samsung’s OLED display provides a dynamic interior design solution for retailers by giving shoppers near-perfect viewing angles from any perspective. The display’s superior brightness (150 cd/m2), high transmittance (45 percent) and high-quality imagery (CDI 98 percent) also help to capture customer attention, enhancing the delivery of promotional and informational content.

Captivating LED Signage

To meet the growing demand from corporate, retail, sports and entertainment, and transportation users, Samsung’s expanded LED Signage technologies – enhanced by the company’s early 2015 acquisition of LED manufacturer YESCO Electronics – deliver superior picture quality, extended durability and reliable technical support.

Available in Europe starting in September 2015, Samsung’s indoor LED Signage displays feature 1.5mm and 2.5mm fine pixel pitch (distance between pixels) configurations and top-tier diodes to provide deeper contrast and life-like picture quality.

The LED displays undergo rigorous factory and field calibration to ensure continuity and presentation accuracy even in extreme heat or weather conditions. Additionally, Samsung’s LED Signage displays are available in rectangular and curved layouts, enabling businesses to design and easily install displays that suit their brand and unique operational needs.

All-in-One Promotional and Entertainment Displays

By combining the benefits of digital signage with the picture quality and captivation of live television, Samsung’s SMART Signage TV (SSTV) RHE Series expands content possibilities for small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) and small office/home office (SOHO) owners. Available in 48- and 55-inch models, the all-in-one SSTV RHE enables businesses to instantly create and deploy informative and entertaining custom content, including text, images, videos, promotional banners and real-time broadcasts.

The SSTV RHE includes Samsung’s MagicInfo Express Content Creator 2 content management software. With the software, businesses can design, schedule and update custom promotions with less hassle and expense than required when updating static and traditional print materials.

Ergonomic, Productivity-Enhancing Business Monitors

Samsung’s line of business-oriented SMART Signage monitors enhance workplace efficiency by delivering improved convenience and comfort. These monitors are an all-in-one, versatile alternative to traditional business displays that often are complex and expensive to maintain:

• SE790C and SE650C Curved Monitors – Designed to match the natural curve of the human eye, Samsung’s curved business monitors minimize the fatigue-driving distortion and reflection common in flat screen alternatives. Equipped with a height-adjustable stand (HAS) and wide viewing angles configurable to specific user needs, these displays also enable workers to view monitors comfortably for longer periods, extending productivity.
• SE370 Wireless Charging Monitor – Set to be available to European customers in September 2015, Samsung’s recently unveiled SE370 monitor (24- and 27-inch models) is the world’s first to offer integrated wireless charging for all Qi-supported mobile devices. The SE370 monitor condenses multiple charging ports into a single embedded circular wireless charging area, eliminating the workspace clutter common as users work between multiple cables and ports.

Given that Samsung had already offered a glimpse of its then-latest products—the Galaxy Note 4, Gear VR and POWERbot VR9000—over the days leading up to the commencement of IFA 2014, many were curious to see what Samsung had in store for the keynote speech.

From the Lightbulb to the Internet of Things

The keynote began with a mention of the theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, who, in 1930, spoke at the opening of the German Broadcasting Exhibition (as IFA was then known) about the transformative power of innovation in our daily lives. The host noted how Einstein’s talk 84 years earlier, which centered on how the invention of the radio would change society, is still relevant today; and, despite how far we have come technologically, “the most dramatic change is yet to come.” With that, BK Yoon, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics, was introduced.

Yoon briefly walked the audience through a century’s worth of technological advancements, starting with the invention of the lightbulb and making his way to home appliances and more recent digital devices, focusing on how much technology has developed to improve our way of life and accelerated to move at lightning speeds. He continued by explaining that, as the Big Data market is predicted to grow to $32.4 billion by 2020, six times faster than the overall IT market, more than 212 billion devices will be part of the Internet of Things by then.

IoT, and connectivity in general, he forecasted, will trigger a quantum leap of innovation while “the biggest change, the biggest transformation, it will happen in our homes at a speed we can barely imagine.”

Connected and Adaptive: The Home of the Future

Yoon was quick to share Samsung’s vision of the “Home of the Future,” the practical expression of those predictions. He also made it clear that this vision is not about showing off technical details, but rather making sure that it fits into people’s lifestyles while anticipating and meeting their constantly changing needs.

And because every person has different needs, as illustrated in a video presentation, each home requires different levels of protection, flexibility and responsiveness; therefore, the Home of the Future must be customizable more so than smart, and utilize technology in a way that it is virtually unnoticeable.

The future home, Yoon suggests, will be a “Show Me, Know Me and Tell Me home” that adapts to its inhabitants.

He went on to explain. “First, it will be a ‘Show Me’ home that makes complex data visible and useful, so that you can make better choices. For example, it will show when to take your medicine, alert you to air pollution or give you choices for saving energy. Second, it will be a ‘Know Me’ home that learns your needs and recognizes your lifestyle patterns. It’s a home that knows when your day starts. For example, it will turn on the lights and the coffee pot just in time. Third, it will be a ‘Tell Me’ home that proactively adjusts to your needs, and provides suggestions without being asked. Imagine a home that tells you there are leftover ingredients, and suggests a recipe to use them up… Ultimately, it will care for me and you.”

Samsung believes that the Home of the Future will be woven into the fabric of our lives just as quickly as smartphones and tablets were in recent years. Having partnered with industry leaders, such as the Open Interconnect Consortium, and acquired SmartThings, a leading open IoT platform, to create interconnected solutions and industry standards, Yoon identified that Samsung was aiming to take the leading role in the area.

A Giant Leap in the History of Innovation

Having laid the foundation, Yoon noted that the opportunities ahead are even more enormous, with approximately 45 million smart homes expected to be installed by 2018, worth $100 billion. He explained that he anticipates that, as services take off, a ripple effect will be created across society, allowing it to be more social and more connected.

As the Samsung Keynote at IFA 2014 wrapped up, BK Yoon reiterated that he doesn’t want the public to think of Samsung as a technology company. Instead, he hopes that people will think of Samsung as a service provider of unique, tailored experiences.

To conclude, Yoon encouraged the public to embrace the vision of the Home of the Future, and to step up together to bring about what will most certainly be the biggest technological leap in the history of innovation. In doing so, Samsung set the mood for what would be one of the biggest and best weeks in the history of IFA.

Stay tuned to see what this year’s keynote address will unveil about Samsung’s plans and visions, and watch the 2014 opening keynote in its entirety below.

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Samsung Electronics announced three additions to its Wireless Audio 360 speaker range – the R5, R3 and R1 models which will be displayed at IFA 2015. The omni-directional speakers feature a new built-in tap-and-swipe user interface and an improved Multiroom app for customers’ smartphones, tablets and smartwatches.

The R5, R3 and R1 models follow the widely praised R7 and R6 speakers in Samsung’s Wireless Audio 360 line-up, and offer the same high-quality, balanced sound, and premium table-top design that enables them to fit seamlessly into any home.

“With these additional models we are bringing a new kind of high quality sound to the market, with design that is simple, yet premium, and offers a more intuitive user interface,” said Jurack Chae, Senior Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “The R5, R3 and R1 will help cement Samsung’s position as a world leader in home audio.”

Sound that fills the room

Both consumers and media throughout the world praised the R7 and R6 models, emphasizing how crisp and clear the sound is, and how the detailed mid-range can fill any room, thanks to the proprietary ring-radiator technology that is also featured in the R5, R3 and R1 models.

A more intuitive interface

The R5, R3 and R1 models also exclusively feature new physical control options for a hassle-free and intuitive user experience. Consumers can now change the volume, play, pause, or select a different music source all with a gentle touch, tap or swipe on top of the speaker.

Sound that follows you seamlessly

The R5, R3 and R1 models connect with the updated Multiroom App for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, making it possible to seamlessly share music across Wi-Fi connected devices throughout the home. The app also allows users to easily find and select music, and create playlists all from a single screen.

Samsung’s updated Multiroom app also now works with the Samsung Gear S and will be operated with Samsung’s upcoming smartwatch thanks to a simple user interface that does not depend on a smartphone to operate.

Smartwatch functionality includes immediate control of music playback and volume control, as well as playlist and queue searching. Users can also view the “now playing” screen and access a list of available speakers, all with a simple swipe of their smartwatch.

High resolution streaming on all devices with Qobuz

Samsung has partnered with Qobuz, an online, high-fidelity music service, to make its high resolution streaming services available on Samsung’s audio devices. This gives users access to their favorite audio content at the quality the artists intended. The partnership further demonstrates Samsung’s commitment to giving consumers everywhere, the best possible listening experience.

The new models will be available in the U.S. and European markets in the last quarter of 2015, with prices ranging from US $199 to US $399. More news on regional availability will be announced during the coming months.

IFA, the world’s leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances, is just around the corner, slated to be held from September 4 to 9, 2015, in Berlin, Germany. Samsung has plenty of exciting products and events on the way, but while the world waits in anticipation, let’s take a look at some of the highlights of last year’s event.

The Booth

Samsung displayed its new gadgets at CityCube Berlin for the first time. In addition to the usual layout of sections dedicated to kitchen appliances, TVs, printing solutions, mobile and wearable devices, the booth also featured two new sections, which were spread out over the building’s two floors.

The Smart Home booth was located directly in the center of Samsung’s setup, a symbolic hub of all the other segments, and the B2B Solutions section was hands-down the biggest ever in IFA history. Take a walk through the Samsung booth via the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pm0IsTgdVA

Events

No tech trade show would be complete without a few high-profile events, and Samsung hosted several before IFA 2014 even kicked off.

Highlights of the Samsung Press Conference that followed also included loads of product announcements. Samsung Unpacked 2014 Episode 2 revealed the Galaxy Note 4, the Galaxy Note Edge, the Gear S, and the Gear VR, much to the excitement of the event’s attendees. Additionally, B2B was a big area of focus, and the press conference touched on printing solutions, digital signage and SSSP.

Finally, the IFA 2014 Keynote Address conveyed Samsung’s vision for the home of the future, and BK Yoon, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics, captured the attention of the audience when he noted that, “The biggest change, the biggest transformation, it will happen in our homes, at a speed we can barely imagine.”

Watch the highlights of the Samsung Press Conference at IFA 2014:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rQYcCrTMxE

Products

Gadget lovers went gaga over the numerous products announced at IFA 2014. Spanning all divisions, Samsung’s new appliances and devices included curved TVs, bendable TVs, the Galaxy Tab Active, wireless Multi-room speakers, a new POWERbot and the Chef Collection lineup of cooking appliances, in addition to those previously mentioned.

The Samsung Smart Lounge was the perfect place for journalists and bloggers to introduce the new products, like the Gear S, to the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hcm2gzW8fPc

Samsung’s achievements at IFA 2014 garnered a great deal of attention all the world over, and this year’s event promises to be just as impressive. Stay tuned!

Samsung has transformed the world of mobile devices with its curved screen technology, with the dual curves of the Galaxy S6 edge smartphones and flexible displays of the Samsung Gear S and Gear Fit wearables.

But with the debut of the Samsung Gear S2 fast approaching, “curved” is going all-out “circular.”

As anticipation for the newest version of the Gear series builds, a just-released video for the Gear S2 showcases a very different form for the cutting-edge device. The Samsung Gear S2 boasts a very different interface that’s “ready to turn.”

As Alanna Cotton, VP of Mobile Computing Marketing at Samsung Electronics America, promised at the Unpacked event in New York in August 13, its new form “is the shape of things to come.”

One thing that remains the same, though, is the dedication to design and style that has made the entire Gear lineup so popular all over the world.

Fortunately, you don’t have long to wait. The Samsung Gear S2 is set to make its debut on September 3 at IFA in Berlin. You can check out the video for the Gear S2 below and get a sense of the latest in “What’s Next”.