Samsung Electronics today announced that the Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN) feature¹ on the Samsung Health Monitor app² will soon be available in 13 markets starting this summer. Combined with the app’s Blood Pressure³ and Electrocardiogram (ECG)⁴ monitoring, the IHRN feature detects heart rhythms suggestive of atrial fibrillation (AFib), helping Galaxy Watch users understand their heart health more comprehensively.

The IHRN feature has been approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) last week, following recent clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It will also be introduced in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Georgia, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Panama, UAE, as well as Korea and the U.S., taking the total to 13 markets.

Alongside the on-demand ECG tracking, the IHRN feature checks for irregular heart rhythms in the background and warns the user of potential AFib activity. Together with the existing Blood Pressure and Heart Rate⁵ monitoring, users can gain even deeper insights into their cardiovascular health.

Since the launch in 2020, the Samsung Health Monitor app has expanded to 74 markets⁶ across the globe. Over 15 million Galaxy Watch users have kept track of their blood pressure and ECG right from their wrist, gaining a better picture of their heart health by continuously monitoring and recording their blood pressure and heart rhythms.

“Cardiovascular disease remains one of the main causes of death around the world, and we’re committed to empowering our users to stay informed about their heart health by providing monitoring tools, including blood pressure measurement and irregular heart rhythm notification,” said Hon Pak, Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re constantly exploring new ways to help Galaxy Watch users obtain deeper insights on their health and wellness effortlessly, day and night.”

The Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification feature will first be available on the upcoming Galaxy Watch devices later this year, as part of the new One UI 5 Watch and later expanded to previous editions.⁷

¹ The IHRN feature is not intended to provide a notification on every episode of irregular rhythm suggestive of AFib and the absence of a notification is not intended to indicate no disease process is present. It is not intended for users with other known arrhythmias.
² Availability may vary by market or device. Due to market restrictions in obtaining approval/registration as a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), it only works on watches and smartphones purchased in the markets where service is currently available (however, service may be restricted when users travel to non-service markets). This app can only be used for measuring in ages 22 and over.
³ The Blood Pressure feature is only available in select markets. To ensure accuracy, users should calibrate their device every four weeks with a traditional blood pressure cuff. The BP feature cannot diagnose hypertension, other conditions or check for signs of a heart attack. It is not meant to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.
⁴ The ECG feature is only available in select markets. It is not intended to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment. The feature is not intended for users with known arrhythmias other than AFib. Users should not interpret or take clinical action based on the device output without consultation of a qualified healthcare professional.
⁵ Supported via Samsung Health app. The feature is intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition or disease. Availability may vary by market or device.
⁶ Available in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mayotte, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norfolk Island, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines,  Poland, Portugal, Réunion, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, U.K., Ukraine, UAE, U.S., Venezuela and Vietnam.
⁷ Availability may vary by market, carrier, model or a paired smartphone. Available on Galaxy Watch4 series and later models.

Samsung Electronics today announced that the Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN) feature¹ of the Samsung Health Monitor app² has received FDA clearance. Together with the app’s existing on-demand Electrocardiogram (ECG) function,³ the IHRN feature proactively monitors heart rhythms suggestive of atrial fibrillation (AFib), right from their wrist.

“We’re excited to announce that Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification, designed to help millions of people around the world who may not be aware of a potential heart risk, has been cleared by the FDA,” said Hon Pak, Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “This is yet another example of how Samsung prioritizes proactive safety solutions and enables users to receive a more holistic understanding of their cardiovascular and overall health.”

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the world’s leading causes of death and AFib — a type of arrhythmia — is widely considered a warning sign for major cardiovascular issues that can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure and other cardiovascular complications. Moreover, some of AFib cases are asymptomatic or even silent, leaving people unaware of their risk.

That’s why Galaxy Watch offers tools to help users better understand their heart health using the Samsung BioActive Sensor, including on-demand ECG recording and HR Alert function⁴ that detects abnormally high or low heart rates. The addition of the new IHRN feature enables Galaxy Watch users to monitor another aspect of their health.

Once activated in the Samsung Health Monitor app, the feature will check for irregular heart rhythms in the background via Galaxy Watch’s BioActive Sensor. If a certain number of consecutive measurements are irregular, Galaxy Watch warns the user of potential AFib activity, prompting them to take an ECG using their watch for a more accurate measurement.

The Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification feature will be available as part of the newly announced One UI 5 Watch, coming first to the upcoming Galaxy Watch devices later this year and later expanding to previous editions.⁵

¹ The IHRN feature is not intended to provide a notification on every episode of irregular rhythm suggestive of AFib and the absence of a notification is not intended to indicate no disease process is present. It is not intended for users with other known arrhythmias or users under 22 years old.
² Due to market restrictions in obtaining approval/registration as a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), it only works on watches and smartphones purchased in the markets where service is currently available (however, service may be restricted when users travel to non-service countries).
³ The ECG app is only available in select markets. The ECG app is not intended to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment. The ECG app is not intended for users with known arrhythmias other than AFib or users under 22 years old. Users should not interpret or take clinical action based on the device output without consultation of a qualified healthcare professional.
⁴ The HR Alert function is for general health and wellness purposes and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease.
⁵ Availability may vary by market, carrier, model or a paired smartphone. Available on Galaxy Watch4 series and later models.

“Samsung is dedicated to delivering a comprehensive health experience and empowering users to reach their wellness goals. Now more than ever, we believe this starts with getting a good night’s sleep,” said Hon Pak, Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “The new One UI 5 Watch continues our ongoing commitment to help people improve the quality of their sleep, so they can start each day fully recharged and ready for the day.”

Better Sleep: Essential to Better Health

Samsung has focused its efforts on three key elements for better sleep: understanding personal sleep patterns, building healthy habits and establishing a sleep-friendly environment. One UI 5 Watch delivers on these elements with an even more complete sleep experience.

The new Sleep Insights UI prominently displays the user’s sleep score to provide a clearer snapshot of the prior night’s rest, followed by related metrics like sleep phases, snoring hours and blood oxygen levels. In addition, Sleep Coaching — tailored around eight different sleep types² — also becomes fully accessible directly on Galaxy Watch as well as a paired phone, making for a more convenient and motivational way for users to track their habits anytime, anywhere.

Creating a comfortable environment can make all the difference in sleep quality, and even small distractions can have outsized impacts. That’s why Samsung has made it easier to connect Galaxy Watch to a wide range of devices. Once the user’s Galaxy Watch detects that they have fallen asleep, SmartThings lets the user switch off their connected devices to create a more conducive environment for rest. Sleep Mode swiftly mutes notifications and dims the user’s phone and watch screens, and One UI 5 Watch builds on this feature by now utilizing an infrared sensor rather than a green LED light to further minimize distractions. 

A Smarter Fitness Partner

Personalized Heart Rate Zone has been added to Galaxy Watch’s various tailored running tools — including real-time running analysis and a customized interval training program. This new feature analyzes individual physical capabilities³ and sets five optimal workout intensity levels (warm-up, fat burn, cardio, hard-training and max. effort). This enables users to set their own goals based on their ability, from burning fat to high-impact cardio.

Outdoor activity enthusiasts with Galaxy Watch Pro can look forward to additional benefits, starting with an expanded Route Workout — which now supports running and walking alongside previously available hiking and cycling route options. Galaxy Watch Pro users can also search and access the GPX File Database directly via Samsung Health app, and receive recommendations on new routes based on inputs like location, time, rating or popularity.⁴

Safety First, Always On

Safety is a must when it comes to health and wellness, and One UI 5 Watch also offers improved tools for greater peace of mind. Updates to the SOS feature enable direct communication to an emergency service number to relay information on the wearer’s location,⁵ and also allow immediate access to the wearer’s Medical Information once an SOS is activated. In addition, Fall Detection is now activated by default for users of advanced ages⁶ to help lower the risk of emergencies. These are just some of the examples of Samsung’s ongoing efforts to enhance user safety.

One UI 5 Watch will be available first on the upcoming Galaxy Watch series later this year with further updates to be announced soon. Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch4 series users in the U.S. and Korea can register for the beta program starting in May via Samsung Members app. 

¹ Availability of the features may vary by market, carrier, model and the paired smartphone. The features are not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease.
² For sleep pattern results, user must wear watch while they sleep for at least 7 nights and complete a survey.
³ After 10 minutes of running, Galaxy Watch calculates Personalized Heart Rate Zone based on VO2max and aerobic/anoxic thresholds.
⁴ Available on a paired smartphone. The selected route can be viewed on their watch.
⁵ To notify an emergency contact, a network connection is required. GPS accuracy may be affected by obstructions to the satellite signal, such as buildings.
⁶ Aged 55 or older. Based on the age registered in Samsung Account.

In line with this, Samsung Galaxy users can decide who sees their data and how it gets used. As part of the latest update to One UI 5, the Security and Privacy Dashboard on Galaxy devices has been upgraded to make data safety even easier to manage.

Security and personal information protection menus have been merged, giving users a view of information that may be at risk. In one convenient place, the Dashboard can show the safety status of security items, let users quickly change settings and help them manage risks more seamlessly. The items that can make the biggest impact on digital safety — including Lock Screen, Accounts, SmartThings Find, App Safety and Updates — are now instantly accessible at the top of the dashboard, and intuitive red, yellow or green alerts show issues at a glance and provide clear indicators if there are security issues. The upgraded hub includes instant action prompts, such as permissions, that make data decisions more transparent.

When it comes to protecting personal information, keeping tabs on app permissions is one of the simplest ways to ensure your data is not unknowingly being shared. Here are four important permissions that help users reclaim their data sharing with just few quick clicks on their Galaxy devices.

Managing Ads With Ease

Online shopping is more popular than ever, and with so many platforms and apps, ads and recommendations can quickly become overwhelming. For avid shoppers who prefer not to be inundated by targeted advertisements, they can go to the Security and Privacy Dashboard, click the Privacy tab, then go to the Ads menu and select “Delete AD ID.” This means users can avoid unwanted recommendations as they continue shopping in and using their favorite apps.

Control Microphone and Camera Permissions

Galaxy users can choose exactly how much of their data can be accessed by a specific app. Users may require different app permissions depending on the situation. Gamers, for example, often need to communicate with others while playing. However, if a user discovers a gaming app can access their device’s microphone at all times, they can navigate to the Privacy menu within the Security and Privacy Dashboard to adjust their preferences — including revoking microphone access when an app isn’t in use or opting for no microphone access at all. The same options are available for camera access.

Manage Location-Based Services Easily

Location is one of the biggest data points users want control over as more and more apps use location-based services. As countless apps continue to keep tabs on users’ whereabouts, the Privacy menu within the Security and Privacy Dashboard lets people see what apps have tracked their location in the past 24 hours. This gives them the ability to quickly choose a new setting, such as sharing only while using an app for things like ride shares or not at all. By toggling the settings based on individual preferences, user can disable precise location tracking, allowing only approximate tracking.

Keep Your App Preferences Up to Date

Many apps are downloaded for specific occasions and then left installed and unused for long periods of time. Often times, people don’t realize that these apps might continue tracking their data and activity months after installing them, whether or not they are in use. To prevent apps from accessing more data than necessary, Galaxy devices will proactively protect users’ privacy by removing permissions from apps that haven’t been used for a while. If users want to reinstate the permissions, the Security and Privacy Dashboard makes it easy to do so at any time.

To keep up with the evolving world as our lives become more centered around data use, Samsung will continue prioritizing users’ security and privacy. Samsung will ensure Galaxy users can manage their data according to their preferences, empowering them to easily navigate an increasingly data-driven world.

¹ Global Data & Marketing Alliance: “Global Data Privacy: What the Consumer Really Thinks” 2022

Capture the Galaxy With Astrophoto in Expert RAW

The Expert RAW elevates the S22’s already robust night photography capabilities with a powerful Astrophoto feature. This brand-new feature lets star gazers and outdoor enthusiasts take clear and beautiful photos of constellations and dark sky activity.

Simply turn on the Sky guide to pinpoint the location of constellations, groups of stars, nebula and other celestial objects in our solar system. Your camera will use advanced AI segmentation technology and multi-frame processing based on the movements of a celestial body to snap photos over a set time period. As a result, you’ll capture stunning shots of stars that look like they were taken with top-grade professional equipment.

If you love to explore your artistic side, you can take advantage of the Multiple exposures feature to shoot several images at once and then use Overlay modes to combine them into one standout shot. You can also unleash your creativity and experiment by superimposing several images on top of each other to create incredible abstract shots.

To access the beta version of Astrophoto and Multiple exposures, go to the Special Photo options in the Settings menu of Expert RAW.

Camera Assistant App Lets You Take Photos on Your Own Terms

Every avid photographer has their own shooting style, so it’s vital to have a camera that gives you the creative reins. With the new Camera Assistant app, you can pick and choose which automated features you want to use for a fully customized shooting experience.

You can download the app from either Galaxy Store or the Good Lock app. Once the app is installed, you can launch the feature by clicking the app icon, navigating to the Good Lock app or accessing the Camera Assistant menu under Camera Settings in your native camera app.

The Camera Assistant app gives you the option to turn certain features on or off, including Auto lens switching, Auto HDR and Faster shutter. You also have more options when, for example, selecting the number of pictures you want to take after the timer goes off.

The Camera Assistant app allows you to enjoy the following key features:²

• Auto HDR: If you want to get atmospheric pictures without HDR effect, you can now simply turn it off.

• Soften pictures: You can turn on this feature to smooth out the sharp edges and textures of your photos.

• Auto lens switching: Now you can turn off the Auto lens switching feature, which automatically switches camera lenses in dark environments or as you move closer to the object you are shooting. For instance, if you want to keep using the telephoto lens instead of the wide lens to take a picture of the object closer to you, you can simply turn it off in the menu.
• Video recording in Photo mode: You can now turn off this feature, which allows you to take a video clip by long-pressing the button in Photo mode, preventing you from accidentally recording a video.
• Number of pictures after timer: You could already automatically snap several photos in quick succession after the timer count. Now, you can also choose how many photos are taken (1, 3, 5 or 7 photos).
• Faster shutter: This mode allows you to take up to seven pictures in a second. This is very useful when taking pictures of moving objects.

• Camera timeout: You can select how long the Camera app (preview screen) is turned on continuously for 1, 2, 5 or 10 minutes.
• Clean preview on HDMI displays: Show the camera preview without any menus and buttons on HDMI-connected displays.

¹ Upgraded Expert RAW and Camera Assistant apps are currently available on the Galaxy S22 series running One UI 5 or later versions. Timing of availability may vary by market, model and network provider.

² Some features will be available on selected modes or lenses.

“Our whole lives are on our phones, from credit card information to family photos. With Maintenance Mode, we are giving extra reassurance that Galaxy users can keep their privacy, even if they hand their phone to someone,” said Seungwon Shin, VP and Head of Security Team at Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics. “This is just the latest example of our constant efforts to introduce new ways to make people feel safe and in control, so they can explore new mobile experiences with peace of mind, knowing we have their back.”

Maintenance Mode is a way of creating a separate user account when you hand in your device to be repaired so they can operate core functions without being able to access to any of your private information. All the user needs to do is select Maintenance Mode in the “Battery and device care” menu within “Settings” and reboot their smartphone. As soon as it’s rebooted, all their personal information including their photos, documents and messages will be restricted.²

Once Maintenance Mode is switched on, the person who was entrusted with the device won’t be able to retrieve user-installed apps either. Data or accounts generated when using Maintenance Mode are automatically deleted as soon as the owner exits Maintenance Mode. They will be able to download apps on Galaxy Store, but those will be automatically deleted along with any data or accounts created as soon as the owner exits Maintenance Mode.

Samsung Galaxy devices are protected by Knox, Samsung’s defence-grade security platform, which offers a multi-layered approach to protection. Through open collaboration with trusted industry partners, any potential threats can be discovered and neutralized more quickly. Integrated hardware and software security safeguards in all areas of the device, from the chips inside to the apps users download. Real-time protection ensures security is constantly enforced, day and night. With this industry-leading security in place, users can be assured of their privacy. Samsung Galaxy devices enable control and transparency, with features such as Security and Privacy Dashboard and Permission Manager, so users can easily determine what happens to their data.

Samsung is constantly evaluating and pushing for new ways to keep users safe. In 2021, Samsung introduced Knox Vault, which isolates the most critical information from the rest of the device. This month, the company revealed Knox Matrix, its vision for the next level of security across multiple devices. By continuously innovating to provide the most secure and private experiences that customers can trust, Samsung is committed to leading the industry in mobile security.

Availability

Maintenance Mode was successfully trialed on the Galaxy S21 series in Korea in July and then launched in China in September 2022. It launches globally today, gradually rolling out over the next few months on select models running One UI 5. The rollout will continue throughout 2023, with availability expanding to more Galaxy devices. Stay tuned for more information on local availability.

For more information, please visit news.samsung.com/galaxy and www.samsungmobilepress.com.

¹ Availability may vary by market and model. Maintenance Mode is available on selected Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 5 or later versions, including Galaxy S21 and S22 series. Timing of availability may vary by market, model and network provider.
² As a precautionary measure, users are encouraged to back up any personal data before activating Maintenance Mode.

In upcoming weeks, Samsung is excited to be bringing their latest One UI offering, One UI 5, to the millions of Galaxy users around the world with new features that offer everyone the freedom to choose their own mobile experience.

Read on for a closer look at what to expect from One UI 5.

Use Your Phone Your Way

One UI 5 represents Samsung’s most personalized mobile experience yet, designed to give people greater options for tailoring their devices exactly how they’d like — and this begins with communication.

The new Bixby Text Call¹ feature allows users to communicate in the manner that is most convenient to them. With Bixby Text Call, you can answer phone calls simply by typing a message. Samsung’s intelligent platform Bixby converts the text to audio and shares it directly with the caller on the line on your behalf, and shows you what the caller is saying by converting their voice to text. This feature is perfect for those moments when you need to communicate but can’t necessarily be heard, such as when on a busy train or at a noisy concert. With this feature, you can take your calls in any environment without being disruptive or missing a beat.

Match Your Phone to Your Lifestyle

What you need from your device can change throughout the day. The features you utilize for your morning routine to get you up and active might not be the same as what keeps you focused during the working day. With the Routines, you can trigger a sequence of actions on your device based on your activities, and with One UI 5’s Modes, you can create customized settings for different parts of your life from sleeping and relaxing to exercising and driving.

For example, while you’re exercising, your priority might be to mute notifications in order to stay in the zone and play music. Alternatively, when it’s time for bed, turning off sounds and turning on Dark mode can help you wind down.

One UI 5 also offers a fresh, new look and feel that makes the user experience more welcoming and seamless. From bolder, simpler app icons to a streamlined color scheme, Samsung has paid attention to the intricate details for a more engaging mobile experience.

Samsung also refined the notifications in One UI 5 to be more intuitive, making them effortless to read at a glance as well as offering more defined answer and decline buttons when receiving a call through the redesigned pop-up call display.

Beyond overall design aspects, personalization and the ability to express oneself is also a key part of everyone’s mobile experience. In order to take this to the next level, One UI 5 now supports easy and diverse customization directly within the lock screen. With just a few taps, you can trim a video to transform your most memorable moments into a moving tribute on your phone. You can make this lock screen feel even more customized by changing the wallpaper, clock style, and notification pop-ups all from one screen.

A Mobile Experience Built Around You

In addition to providing you with options to curate a customized look and feel for your device, One UI 5 also offers new features that help you get things done more efficiently. For example, widgets in One UI 5 come with exciting new options and the ability to keep your Home screen neat and tidy with new Stacked widgets. This new feature lets you drag and drop widgets on top of each other and swipe left or right to quickly and easily scroll through each one, to free up space on your Home screen and use it more efficiently.

In order to help further streamline mobile tasks and activities, One UI 5 also comes with new Smart suggestions for widgets. Based on your usage patterns and the context of your mobile activity, Smart suggestions automatically suggest apps and actions that make the mobile experience even more deeply personalized.

You can easily extract text from images and paste it into a note. Whether it’s quickly capturing event details from a poster you want to send to a friend, or easily saving a phone number from a business card, One UI 5 makes it easier than ever to be productive with smart text extraction.

Furthermore, you can also control all the devices connected to your smartphone in the new Connected devices menu, where you’ll be able to access all features that work with other devices such as Quick Share, Smart View and Samsung DeX. You also now get easy access to the Auto switch Buds menu, which lets you automatically switch your Buds from one device to another for more seamless inter-device operation.

Convenient Security and Peace of Mind

Samsung understands that there is no privacy without security, so in One UI 5, these two settings have been brought together in one clear, easy-to-navigate dashboard, making it easier than ever for you to keep your device protected and your sensitive information private.

This new Security and privacy dashboard has been designed to be as simple as possible to make quick and easy to understand your device’s status. With one quick glance, you can get a quick overview of your device’s security and find suggestions and warnings depending on the status.

To make sure your private information stays private, One UI 5 also features a new notification on the Share Panel² that warns you if you’re about to unwittingly share a photo that contains potentially sensitive information such as an image of your credit or debit card, driver’s license, Social Security card or passport.

Built for Galaxy Users, by Galaxy Users

Samsung has worked hard over the last few months to make sure One UI 5 provides our best mobile experience yet, and in order to make sure these changes resonated with real users, Samsung received feedback from the thousands of Galaxy users participating in our One UI Beta program.

The One UI Beta Program ensures that Samsung delivers mobile experiences that truly meet the needs of Galaxy users. Through this program, participants can get early access to the interface and share their feedback to help create the best experience possible. This year saw Samsung open up its Open Beta program for One UI 5 earlier than ever before to ensure everyone had access to the exciting new user interface as soon as possible.

Subsequently, the feedback received during this process has shaped the upcoming One UI 5 experience in more ways than one. From small details, such as smoother gestures for refined look and feel, to whole features, users informed the development journey. Users noted that the Security Dashboard was a much-valued feature, setting the stage for additional updates that give people greater control over their privacy, and feedback also showed that the new Bixby Text Call feature was seen as incredibly useful for answering calls in challenging environments. As a result, this feature is set to support English early next year.

Stay tuned to learn more about One UI 5 and how you can make your mobile experience exactly the way it should be — uniquely yours.

¹ Bixby Text Call is now available in Korean with One UI 4.1.1, and English version is planned for early 2023 via a One UI software update.

² Enhanced photo share feature is available only when system language is set in English (US) or Korean. In the case of ID, availability may vary depending on language.

With opening remarks from Jong-Hee Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Device Experience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics, the presentations revealed how Samsung is crafting systems that help make lives smarter, safer, more convenient and more connected than ever before.

▲ Attendees take their seats at SDC 2022 in anticipation of the day’s wide-ranging Keynote

Read on to see Samsung Newsroom’s recap of the innovation and inspiration revolutionizing how we live and work both now and in the future.

Opening: A Seamless, Frictionless Experience

Jong-Hee Han opened up the day’s talks by underscoring the importance of convenience in an age of brilliant yet complex technologies. “At Samsung, our goal has always been to make our lives easier through technology innovation,” said Han. “But innovation can also be burdensome for users if convenience is not at the forefront. Our teams are determined to deliver devices that are as smooth and accessible as they are advanced.”

▲ Jong-Hee Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of DX Division at Samsung Electronics, welcomes attendees to SDC 2022.

Covering everything from Calm Technology to Knox Matrix to holistic household platforms like Bixby Home Studio and SmartThings, Han outlined a device and systems ecosystem that puts the user experience at the center. “The goal of all this is to give you an easier, seamless and more frictionless experience,” Han emphasized. “So you can focus on what matters most.”

A Home That Learns and Adapts Through SmartThings

Following Jong-Hee Han, Jaeyeon Jung, Vice President and Head of SmartThings, Mobile eXperience Business, discussed how Covid-19 galvanized teams at Samsung to prioritize the important things in life, particularly in the home. “If you’re like me, the past few years have been a time to prioritize what matters, to find moments to pause and refresh,” said Jung.

▲ Jaeyeon Jung, Vice President and Head of SmartThings, Mobile eXperience Business, outlines how the platform is helping realize a truly seamless, intuitive household device ecosystem.

Samsung’s SmartThings platform, Jung explained, is the perfect way to do this in your home. Thanks to a wide range of improvements to the household ecosystem platform, finding, setting up, onboarding and synchronizing new devices into your household will be easier and more efficient than ever. This includes Galaxy Quick Pair, Matter Hub connectivity, SmartThings Energy and SmartThings Music Sync, as well as boosted integration with partner systems and an expanded SmartThings website.

Matter: A Truly Harmonious Household Experience

At the end of her talk, Jung introduced Matthew McCullough from Google, who provided an overview of Matter, a system that lays the groundwork for true interoperability between devices in the home. Samsung is committed to Matter integration, and confident it will make the dream of a fully integrated household a reality.

▲ Google’s Matthew McCullough explains how the Matter interoperability system works, reinforcing Samsung and Google’s collaborative efforts to expand its integration.

By working closely together, Samsung and Google aim to make life for both users and device makers simpler and smoother, with multi-admin features that cut down on manual management and make Google Home and Nest Hub more accessible. “This ease of use across Samsung and Google is just the start, and we’re looking forward to delivering a more seamless, delightful home experience,” said McCullough.

Industry Collaboration Making Device Ecosystems More Open

▲ Mark Benson, Head of SmartThings U.S. at Samsung, expands on the company’s enthusiasm for Matter adoption and introduces the SmartThings Matter Early Access Program.

Continuing with the theme of interoperability, Mark Benson, Head of SmartThings U.S., emphasized Samsung’s commitment to supporting Matter. “To accelerate Matter adoption, we created the SmartThings Matter Early Access Program, where we work with major device manufacturers to ensure their Matter-enabled devices work seamlessly with SmartThings,” said Benson.

The SmartThings app, SmartThings Hub Core and SmartThings Cloud, Benson pointed out, are already prepared to support Matter. “It’s all about delivering interoperability right out of the box,” he said.

The Expanding Role of Bixby

Anil Yadav, Head of Bixby Lab at Samsung Research¹ America, took to the stage to discuss SmartThings’ bespoke speech platform and de facto voice in the home, including its exciting new feature: Bixby Home Studio. “With Bixby Home Studio, you can create experiences that span multiple devices and respond more intuitively to user commands,” said Yadav. “For example, if you ask Bixby to turn on your air conditioner, Bixby can check if you have any windows open and let you know to close them, saving energy.”

▲ Voice system expert and Head of Bixby Lab Anil Yadav lays out the platform’s evolving role in the home and celebrates the launch of Bixby Home Studio.

Ready to do everything from queuing up your next action movie on your Samsung Smart TV to boosting your mobile security with On-Device AI, Bixby is smarter and more powerful than ever.

Premium Security and Privacy for an Integrated Household

▲ Shin Baik, Principal Engineer of Security Team, Mobile eXperience Business, underscores the significance of strong security and personalized privacy, as exemplified by systems like Samsung Knox and Knox Matrix.

Samsung envisions more than just a convenient and integrated home experience. Its teams are also creating an experience that is as safe as it is smooth, as private as it is proactive. After Yadav’s Bixby talk, Shin Baik, Principal Engineer of Security Team, Mobile eXperience Business, discussed with the audience how top-notch innovations need top-notch security to go with them. Unwavering in its three security and privacy principles — transparency, choice and protection — Samsung has worked hard to develop platforms like Samsung Knox. This will keep everything from your phone to your refrigerator safe and secure, said Baik.

A new platform called Knox Matrix, in particular, is now on the frontline of multi-device protection. “Knox Matrix is your own private blockchain,” Baik explained. “Multiple devices share credentials, turning the ecosystem of devices into a shield that protects everyone.”

In step with these developments, of course, is Samsung’s insistence on a customizable privacy experience, which is provided by Samsung’s comprehensive Security and privacy dashboard. “We believe that you — and only you — should be making decisions about how your information is managed and stored,” said Baik.

A More Vibrant Content Ecosystem Than Ever

Sang Kim, Senior Vice President and Head of Product & Marketing at Samsung Electronics America, shared important insights on Samsung’s extensive media network, covering a range of recent successes.

▲ Sang Kim, Senior Vice President and Head of Product & Marketing at Samsung Electronics America, provides a roundup of Samsung’s diverse — and rapidly expanding — media network.

Samsung Gaming Hub, launched in June, is an all-in-one gaming solution that, thanks to partnerships with industry leaders like Xbox, lets players connect their controllers to Samsung TVs and access all the games they love without even needing a console or PC.

Samsung TV Plus, the FAST streaming TV and video platform that relaunched this summer, now reaches 24 countries and 465 million devices globally. It is projected to clock in an impressive three billion hours streamed by users by the end of 2022.

Thanks to broad reach, smooth monetization integration and an advertising environment optimized for both clients and users, Samsung streaming also offers an ideal platform for premium advertising.

“Today, Fortune 500 companies from around the world have leveraged Samsung TV Plus and our other advanced TV advertising solutions to reach valuable consumers,” Kim said.

Tizen’s Global Conquest

▲ Yongjae Kim, Executive Vice President and Deputy Head of R&D Team, Visual Display Business discusses all things Tizen, from the operating system’s global reach to its growing spectrum of applications.

Following Sang Kim, Yongjae Kim, Executive Vice President and Deputy Head of R&D Team, Visual Display Business, took to the stage to talk about Tizen, Samsung’s open source, Linux-backed operating system. Kim took the audience through a huge variety of developments in the Tizen journey, which is growing its capabilities to an ever-wider spectrum of uses and applications.

Leveraging partnerships with gaming leaders like Xbox, NVIDIA and Utomik, Tizen is helping bring a truly consolidated, uninterrupted gaming experience to users with Samsung Gaming Hub, with fantastic performance and image quality, Kim explained. It delivers stunning visual displays and blockchain wallet integration to Samsung TVs for better at-home art experiences, while also helping Smart Hub deliver the best in content searches and recommendations. Tizen Enterprise, meanwhile, is boosting B2B partners’ display and signage options, while Tizen Everywhere aims to expand licensing and bring the system to more countries.

“Since its launch ten years ago, Tizen now powers more than 330 million TVs, refrigerators and other smart devices,” said Kim. “At Samsung, we will continue to create Tizen experiences that transform and go beyond what many thought possible.”

One UI 5 and the “Your Galaxy, Your Way” Philosophy

Next up was Sally Hyesoon Jeong, Vice President of Framework R&D Group, Mobile eXperience Business, whose theme for the day was the company’s latest leap forward in the UI experience: One UI 5.

▲ Sally Hyesoon Jeong, Vice President of Framework R&D Group, Mobile eXperience Business, introduces One UI 5, the next stage of Samsung’s UI evolution and a distillation of the “Your Galaxy, Your Way” philosophy.

“On this stage three years ago, I shared our vision for One UI, the essence of the Galaxy experience,” Jeong began. “One UI truly captures the ‘Your Galaxy, Your Way’ philosophy by bringing users an intuitive, connected experience that is uniquely yours.”

Splitting the new UI update’s advancements into three areas — Personalization, Productivity and Possibility — Jeong shared a host of new and improved features. Personalization included deep customization enhancements, like Dynamic Lockscreen for smartphones, Watch Face Studio for Galaxy Watches and custom-built Modes and Routines, while health and security functions are also more adaptable than ever. The Productivity section included Bixby Text Call, improved phone-to-PC connectivity and multitasking upgrades like Taskbar improvements. Possibilities covered One UI 5’s integration with innovative Samsung Foldable devices and related functions like Flex Mode.

A Look Over the Horizon: Robotics and Health in Tomorrow’s Homes

The final talk before the wrap-up was from Sebastian Seung, President and Head of Samsung Research. While many of the day’s talks focused on recent improvements, Seung has his eye on the innovations of tomorrow, aiming for no less than the merging of the physical and digital worlds.

“I’d like to invite you to look over the horizon, to a future dreamed of but not yet realized,” said Seung, who divided his presentation between the future of robotics in the home and Samsung’s ambitions to contribute to health & wellness research.

In the home robotics field, Seung discussed the company’s continued success with a household supported by advanced, AI-enhanced devices, including the object-detecting JetBot AI+ vacuum, the Bot Handy chore assistant prototype and even future plans for Samsung’s latest robot arm manipulation code, which will soon be available on GitHub.

▲ Sebastian Seung, President and Head of Samsung Research, discusses the company’s plans for a future where advanced robotics technologies support households and outlines Samsung’s ambitions in health & wellness research.

Moving on to the subject of health, Seung introduced Samsung Health Stack, an open source project from Samsung that aims to actively advance health & wellness research. “This is a full stack SDK, a mobile app for patients, a portal for researchers and a backend database,” said Seung. “A complete package of open-source tools designed for the easy creation of digital systems for the research of health and wellness.”

Closing: Building a More Sustainable Future With Samsung

To round off the talks, Jong-Hee Han returned to the stage to offer a final word, summarizing the technologies showcased at SDC and the course of the company’s future of innovation.

▲ Jong-Hee Han returns to the stage to conclude the day’s talks, ending on a proactive vision of a future driven by sustainable, eco-conscious technologies.

“I would like to talk about the future one more time,” he added. “The future of something very dear to my heart: our planet. I believe we have a responsibility to help create a sustainable future. We do that through Everyday Sustainability, a belief that every stage of the product lifecycle can be more sustainable.”

Han presented a range of Samsung sustainability commitments and environmental research directions, including responsible material sourcing, recycling, disposal, renewable energy and billions in investments toward meeting carbon emissions reductions.

“By 2027, we will run all DX operations on renewable energy,” Han said, ending the day on an optimistic note and a glimpse of a future for customers that is easier, more seamless, more frictionless and — crucially — more eco-conscious.

Watch the video below to see the complete recording of the SDC22 Keynote.

▲ Attendees explore the latest Samsung products at SDC22 booths.

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

Samsung Electronics held its annual Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) today in San Francisco, bringing together developers, creators and designers to explore seamless, connected experiences powered by Samsung.

During the event, Samsung shared more about its commitment to creating simplified, game-changing customer experiences, including the company’s updated vision for SmartThings as it evolves from a connectivity platform to an enabler of smarter lifestyles. From deeper integration with Bixby to seamless connectivity with Matter-compatible devices, SmartThings is creating a richer, more open world that empowers all users to streamline their connections and their daily lives.

“At Samsung, we continuously innovate our devices, platforms and services to be simpler and more convenient. I am proud to share the next generation of our work, like SmartThings, to further our collaboration with partners and developers,” said Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “As technologies become more complex, we will always search for ways to make life easier, more connected, and more flexible, so our consumers can focus on what matters most.”

Connecting Platforms and Devices With Calm Technology

Samsung’s vision of seamless connectivity is inspired by the philosophy of Calm Technology — where devices instantly work together, so consumers can save time on setup and get right into the experience. To realize this vision, Samsung reimagined SmartThings and its connected services and partnerships, including Samsung’s Hub Everywhere, extending its capabilities to the entire smart home with audio and visual data as well as SmartThings Energy, SmartThings Pet and SmartThings Cooking. Samsung also partnered with Philips Hue to integrate Philips Hue Sync right into Galaxy devices so smart home lighting can match with music.

The seamless experience will extend beyond Samsung’s ecosystem through SmartThings’ integration with Matter and Samsung’s membership in the Home Connectivity Alliance. Google and Samsung have worked together to enable users to find and link their devices across platforms by building multi-admin feature on Matter devices. The collaboration will bring more devices and users into the connected home in the future.

Bixby has been integrated more deeply with SmartThings, a tool for developers to build more intelligent voice user interface experiences. As Samsung’s representative voice assistant platform, Bixby has evolved to become the on-device AI solution able to control individual Galaxy devices, as well as the cross-device experience throughout the Samsung ecosystem. With the new Bixby Home Studio, developers can now build differentiated, customized experiences for the SmartThings platform. In addition, Bixby will be even more widely available to users with support for Latin American Spanish, starting in November.

As the smart home is becoming more advanced, Samsung is introducing a new security paradigm, enabling Samsung devices to protect each other. Samsung Knox Matrix¹ is a private blockchain based platform that turns eligible Samsung devices into a shield to protect users’ entire device ecosystem — from Galaxy devices to TVs and home appliances. Plus, users can customize personal privacy settings with the new Security and privacy dashboard, which scans for vulnerabilities, recommends security updates and gives users data management options to keep privacy and security top of mind.

Personalized Services for Better Experiences

In the past year, Samsung TV Plus — Samsung’s free, ad-supported streaming TV and video (FAST) platform available on Samsung Smart TVs² and mobile devices — reached 100% growth in viewership,³ and projects three billion hours streamed by the end of the year. To build on this momentum, Samsung TV Plus has expanded its offering by adding partnerships with Lionsgate and Vice Media, providing 8K video on demand. Samsung TV Plus has also gone through a redesign, to reflect its extraordinary variety of content with more than 1,600 channels across 24 countries. Samsung TV Plus is the premium choice for a seamless ad experience, where stream stitching makes ad playback simpler than ever.

After 10 years of service, Samsung’s Tizen operating system (OS) continues to offer best-in-class user experiences. The Samsung Gaming Hub brings better, faster and more convenient access to gaming on Samsung Smart TVs, provided by industry-leading partners, such as Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Utomik and Amazon Luna. Samsung Gaming Hub bridges expertise in hardware and software to integrate features like AI Upscaling and multitask functions to make gaming on Samsung Smart TVs an immersive, optimized experience.

Tizen OS is also expanding to offer NFTs support with partners like Art Token, laCollection and Nifty Gateway. For B2B customers and developers, Samsung is providing B2B APIs specific to industries and use cases like Syncplay, which allows content to be synchronized and played in multiple signages. Tizen is also introducing SALT, a new content conversion solution to display the highest-quality HDR10+ content on supported TVs.

Your Galaxy, Your Way With One UI 5

By introducing the new One UI 5, Samsung has empowered users to easily customize their device’s look and feel, while enhancing productivity and providing amazing experiences across devices and platforms. One UI 5 brings more personalized experiences with custom-built Modes and Routines, and a Dynamic Lock screen that displays multiple visuals on your phone, your Galaxy Watch and other One UI 5 devices. With the new Bixby Text Call feature, Bixby Voice will answer calls on your behalf and share typed messages with the caller, speaking aloud as if you had answered. One UI 5 also introduces new daily health solutions to help track health and wellness in one place. This includes the Samsung Privileged Health SDK, which enables developers to build apps that leverage the BioActive Sensor on the Galaxy Watch.⁴

Future-Forward Investment and Research

Samsung Research is looking beyond today’s horizon to innovate for a better tomorrow, full of relentless innovation and open collaboration. Samsung Research is making its robot arm manipulation code available on GitHub, enabling academics, researchers and developers to examine new ideas in robotic manipulation.

The team at Samsung Research was also inspired by the new wellness features Samsung has introduced, particularly on the Galaxy Watch5. To find new use-cases leveraging these features, Samsung Research is working with universities and healthcare institutions that will explore areas like heart health, stress, blood pressure, lung health and neuroscience. As a result, Samsung is offering a full stack SDK — the Samsung Health Stack — which will jumpstart research into important health fields and spark new development.

Samsung invites developers, creators, partners and more to join in on its commitment to open collaboration and seamless experiences. For more information about the Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) 2022, please visit developer.samsung.com.

¹ Starting as early as late 2023, Samsung Knox Matrix will be initially available on selected Samsung devices. Support for other manufacturers’ products will follow later.

² Samsung TV Plus is available for selected Samsung Smart TVs only.

³  Viewership from September 2021 to August 2022 compared to viewership from September 2020 to August 2021

⁴ Available on Galaxy Watch4 series and Galaxy Watch5 series.

Samsung Electronics today announced it will host the Samsung Developer Conference 2022 (SDC22) at the Moscone North in San Francisco on October 12. The annual conference, which will be held both in-person and virtually, will highlight Samsung’s plans to evolve the SmartThings platform and collaborate with developers and creators to build next generation connected experiences for millions around the world.

At SDC22, Samsung is expected to share updates for its software, services and platforms, including SmartThings, to enable a better, more connected world for all. The company will showcase its vision for Calm Technology, where devices connect seamlessly for a more intelligent consumer experience that takes place instantly.

Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics, will open SDC22’s keynote address by sharing more about the company’s vision. He will be joined by other Samsung executives, who will share the company’s strategies in areas like future technologies. Other speakers include:

• Sebastian Seung, President & Head of Samsung Research
• Yongjae Kim, EVP, Deputy Head of R&D Team, Visual Display Business
• Sang Kim, SVP & Head of Product & Marketing, Samsung Electronics America
• Jaeyeon Jung, VP & Head of SmartThings, Mobile eXperience Business
• Hyesoon Jung, VP & Head of Framework R&D Group, Mobile eXperience Business
• Mark Benson, Head of SmartThings
• Anil Yadav, Head of Bixby Lab, Samsung Research America

Beyond the keynote address, SDC22 will feature breakout sessions open to both in-person and virtual participants. These breakout sessions provide opportunities to collaborate and learn more about Samsung’s latest developer-focused platforms and tools, including Bixby, One UI 5, SmartThings and Matter, Samsung Wallet, Tizen and more, along with opportunities to explore partner ecosystems.

The onsite event will feature hands-on experiences in Samsung’s Tech Square, including opportunities to explore new SmartThings scenarios and Samsung’s latest innovations. The event will also feature networking opportunities and various onsite activities.

SDC22 will host additional activations for those joining online, including the Code Lab, where developers can collaborate and sharpen their coding skills.

For more information about the Samsung Developer Conference 2022, please visit http://developer.samsung.com/sdc. Further information can also be found on Twitter (@samsung_dev) and Facebook (@samsungdev) with the hashtag #SDC22.