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

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.