Headlining the new laundry lineup is the WW9800T washing machine equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) features that customize the laundry process to achieve the same powerful wash with less time, energy and effort, as well as Samsung’s EcoBubble and QuickDrive technology. The new range will first launch in the European market and will expand globally later this year.

The new RB7300 refrigerator delivers core cooling performance while offering large, flexible capacity to meet all types of food storage needs. The RB7300 will first launch in Europe in August this year, followed by the CIS region, China, the Middle East, Latin America and Korea.

Also making its first appearance in Europe is Samsung’s flexible solution for a customized kitchen, the Bespoke refrigerator range. First launching in the Nordic region this October, Bespoke’s availability will expand across the European market over the next year.

“We strive to develop home appliances that can boost lifestyle values while maximizing performance, keeping in mind the desires and needs of our consumers,” said Hyesoon Yang, Vice President of Samsung Electronics. “Our new product ranges offer solutions that help consumers lead customized eco-friendly lifestyles and we will continue to direct our efforts toward creating products that enrich daily lives.”

Save Energy, Time, and Effort With a Customized Laundry Process

The new WW9800T washer brings together Samsung’s most powerful technologies that cut down on wash times and energy consumption while providing users with a personalized laundry experience.

Samsung’s revolutionary QuickDrive technology allows the WW9800T to cut washing time by up to 50%, and energy usage by 20%.* The independently moving drum and backplate in the WW9800T allows for more dynamic actions, cleaning garments more thoroughly in less time. Samsung’s Digital Inverter Compressor adds to energy efficiency by utilizing strong magnets for quieter and stronger performance, while using less energy compared to a universal motor.

The new washers also come with Samsung’s EcoBubble technology that maximizes the effect of detergent by turning it into soft bubbles – allowing for faster penetration into fabrics, even in cold water. Colder washes save heating energy, while also protecting the fabrics and colors of garments.

Adding to Samsung’s reliable performance is artificial intelligence, which learns users’ behavioral patterns to recommend cycles and offer a truly personalized laundry experience. With AI Control, the new Samsung washer familiarizes itself with user preferences and combines that knowledge with big data to provide the industry’s first automatic suggestion of wash cycles on its display. Paired with a simple user interface, AI Control eliminates the need for users to scroll through cycles to find the right one, or to input their individualized settings each time. The AI Wash feature uses sensors to detect the laundry load’s weight and soilage, to determine the optimal amount of water and detergent to dispense.

The user convenience extends to the drying process with Auto Cycle Link, which pairs compatible washers and dryers directly to automatically set the best dryer cycle for each load.

All of the appliances in Samsung’s new laundry lineup are compatible with SmartThings, offering users control over laundry settings from their smartphone and features like Laundry Planner and Laundry Recipe to customize laundry routines.

Maximized Storage Space With Freshness that Lasts

Thanks to Samsung’s SpaceMax Technology, the new BMF refrigerator maximizes fridge space without needing wider exterior dimensions that may clash with modern kitchen cabinets. SpaceMax allows the interior walls of the fridge to be much thinner due to its high-efficiency insulation that provides a greater internal capacity of 385L – 18 liters larger than the previous model. The new refrigerator therefore matches the standard 600mm cabinet-depth design while offering more space. This feature is especially welcome now, as grocery-shopping habits are changing; people are reducing trips to the shop to purchase large quantities of groceries at a time, shopping online more, and seeking out ready-to-cook meal kit solutions to minimize food preparation. All these trends lead to the need for greater efficiency when it comes to storage space in refrigerators.

The new Samsung refrigerator is also designed to preserve the freshness of food items twice as long.** Featuring a revolutionary Optimal Fresh+ box that serves as an adjustable drawer, users can choose to either split the drawer into two zones with different temperatures or use it as one. The left side is cooler, so it’s optimized for meat and fish storage, while the right side is great for fruit and vegetables.

The new model ensures that all stored food is properly cooled no matter where it’s placed within the refrigerator. Equipped with the most popular Samsung refrigeration technology features, the new fridge is decked out with All Around Cooling and Metal Cooling for maximum freshness.

The new BMF refrigerator also boasts a contemporary built-in look that introduces an added level of sophistication to any modern kitchen interior. The stainless-steel finish and sleek flat front are representative of Samsung appliances’ simple yet refined design. With a Clean Back that comprises of a smooth metal safety cover for vital coils and cables behind the unit, the BMF refrigerator offers a minimalist approach look and feel.

The compressor for the latest BMF refrigerator automatically adjusts its speed based on cooling demand across seven levels. The advanced compressor thus requires less energy, minimizes noise, and even reduces wear and tear for a durable, long-lasting performance from the refrigerator.

The RB7300 refrigerator and new laundry lineup will be featured at Samsung’s ‘Life Unstoppable’ virtual event on September 2.

*Tested on WW8000T compared with Samsung WW6500K. Saves 50% time and saves 20% energy on Cotton (40℃, half load) cycle with washing performance within ±5%. Based on Intertek data.

**Based on internal testing. Applies when set as MAX mode. Results may vary depending on the level of food freshness, usage conditions and various other factors.

Throughout 2018, the washing machine has continued to garner recognition for its powerful washing performance and was recently honored as 2018’s Large Home Appliance of the Year by British evaluator, Trusted Reviews.

Innovative Performance for Long-lasting Efficiency

Clockwise, from top right: Durability, Water Resistance, Quietness, Washing Performance

QuickDrive reduces washing time by half without compromising washing performance, ensuring a thorough yet gentle clean. Unlike conventional washing machines that move clothes from top to bottom, QuickDrive has a main drum and a back plate that rotate independently, moving clothes dynamically around the drum in multiple directions, resulting in a full clean.

The performance of QuickDrive is guaranteed with over 150 durability and functionality tests. This attention to detail can be observed in Samsung’s quality assurance campaign, “From Lab to Life,” which demonstrates how the tests in the laboratory aid product longevity and efficiency in the home. The array of tests includes a “heat test,” which evaluates the components’ abilities to withstand extreme temperatures and a “slam test,” which repeatedly slams the door 20,000 times to ensure it can withstand frequent usage. Consumers have responded positively to the campaign, noting that it offers real information on machine testing, a topic that other campaigns in this category rarely touch upon.

Samsung products are more than just durable—they are designed to operate seamlessly in the home on a day-to-day basis. The tests that Samsung performs on its washing machines are intended to guarantee optimum performance and exceptional quality assurance in the home.

Award-winning Appliances

As Samsung remains committed to innovation and quality assurance, the company has received recognition from several awarding bodies. Earlier this year, Samsung was awarded the title ‘Large Appliance Brand of the Year’ by a leading consumer association in the U.K. In France, QuickDrive won the Best Washing Machine award, presented by tech and electronics magazine, Les Numériques. The washing machine’s leadership in laundry innovation was also noted earlier this year at the CES Innovation Awards. Trusted Reviews said they could barely praise QuickDrive enough, and that QuickDrive was the washing machine to beat thanks to its incredibly low running costs and great cleaning performance.

QuickDrive contributed to Samsung’s achieving the highest growth among the top 10  brands in the European washing machine market in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2017. In addition, since the washing machine’s launch in Southeast Asia earlier in 2018, Samsung’s premium washing machine sales have increased by double-digits compared to the previous year in the Southeast Asian market.

The popularity of the space is indicative of the company’s strength in both the Polish and European premium appliances markets, as Samsung continues to hold significant market shares in the region.

Chef Michel Troisgros demonstrates his culinary expertise at Cook Story’s first anniversary event

Delighting in Discovery

The space brings together modern Samsung solutions and a passion for cooking. At the space, chefs and guests alike can use a range of innovative Samsung appliances. The Dual Cook Flex Oven, for example, allows cooks to partition the oven to bake two dishes simultaneously, in different modes and at different temperatures.

Olaf Krynicki, Head of Communication at Samsung Electronics Poland, explains Samsung’s vision for the kitchen, introducing intelligent home appliances that make life easier, such as the Family Hub refrigerator

Visitors to Cook Story by Samsung also have the opportunity to experience the smart Family Hub refrigerator. The appliance connects to other smart devices in the house, via a touchscreen panel, giving users the ability to manage their home more effectively, as well as providing an ideal environment for storing food, with intuitive tools that make it easy to plan and prepare meals.

A Hub of Innovation

As the largest home appliance market in Eastern Europe, Poland is an apt setting for the experience showroom, Cook Story by Samsung. The country represents one of key markets for Samsung, from which the company also operates a production base, supplying appliances to Europe.

Samsung has operated a production base in Poland since 2010

In particular, Samsung’s QuickDrive washing machine has experienced success in the Polish market. The washing machine dramatically reduces the amount of time it takes to do laundry, without compromising performance. Since 2012, Samsung has also had the largest share of both the Polish and the global refrigerator markets.

As Samsung confirms its commitment to the home appliances market in Europe, the company has also showcased its built-in and premium home appliances at key events this year, such as IFA in Berlin and Eurocucina in Milan.

Reflecting on the overall growth of Samsung’s premium appliances in the European market, Vice President of Samsung’s Digital Appliance Business, Taehwan Hwang said: “Samsung’s experience showroom, Cook Story, highlights our innovative technologies, as well as the way our built-in and premium home appliances reflect the demands of local consumers. We constantly strive to create products with real value for users.”

Troisgros presenting a cooking demonstration at Cook Story by Samsung. He served guests his “Saumon à l’oseille” and “Pana-fritta au cèpe” at the event

Samsung Electronics announced today that it has maintained the number six rank in Interbrand’s “Best Global Brands 2018” list with a brand value of $59.9 billion – achieving a 6.5 percent increase in brand value.

Major factors that played a critical role in Samsung’s success were told as:

• Continued launch of human-driven innovations including the Galaxy Note9 smartphone, Quick Drive washing machine and large screen customizable display The Wall
• Sustainable growth potential based on future innovation technologies including 5G, AI, IoT and the automotive business
• Global number one positioning in the semiconductor market and strengthened brand competitiveness
• Alignment and deployment of the newly established brand strategy to offer a continued brand experience to consumers

Innovative technology that is meaningful to people and enhanced brand competitiveness were assessed as key success factors in this year’s evaluation. Samsung continued its efforts to shift consumers’ perception of Samsung as a more emotive, human centric brand. This was showcased in Samsung’s various marketing activities, including Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, to highlight human-driven innovations and brand purpose.

Samsung’s semiconductor business reinforced its market leadership this year, demonstrating another year of significant growth. The mobile business continued to promote devices inspired by consumers including Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note9 and Galaxy Smartwatches. The digital appliances business has maintained its premium market leadership position in both refrigerators and washing machines and continuously released innovative new products with differentiated consumer benefits such as Quick Drive. The visual display division, as a market leader, also created new viewing experiences for consumers through QLED TV and The Wall.

“We are delighted that our constant efforts to provide meaningful innovations that help make consumers’ lives better have been well received,” said YH Lee, CMO of Samsung Electronics. “To further enhance our brand, we will remain committed to helping people do things that once seemed impossible with our focus on AI and IoT to provide new experiences for consumers going beyond just connecting devices.”

This year’s Interbrand’s Best Global Brands will be announced on October 4 and the Best Global Brands summit will be held in New York City on October 9.

Samsung Electronics’ Growth in Brand Value

Thanks to the development of smart technology, the era of simply pressing a few buttons on a home appliance and having that be that is long gone. Smart personal assistants, powered by AI (artificial intelligence) and IoT (the Internet of Things), have become an integral part of our daily lives – two-thirds of Europeans state that this smart technology would help make their lives easier and more enjoyable*. Recognizing this, Samsung is committed to delivering AI-based solutions at home that can learn from user behavior to provide personalized recommendations. The seamless integration of these intelligent home appliances promises to open consumers’ minds to the full potential of smart innovation in their lives.

Transforming the Home Life: Laundromat Lab with QuickDrive

The tour begins in the Laundromat Lab, which showcases the latest of Samsung’s laundry innovations, the QuickDrive washing machine. Launched here at IFA just last year, the QuickDrive washer is already paving the way and has notably transformed people’s home lives for the better. QuickDrive achieved the highest growth among the top 10 brands in the European washing machine market** in the first half of this year compared to same period of 2017.

QuickDrive can wash clothes in half the time of conventional machines without compromising on washing performance, freeing up consumers’ time. The QuickDrive washer includes the unique Q-Drum, which features a drum and a backplate that rotate independently so that loads are moved dynamically in opposite directions – resulting in a full clean.

In order to best control each and every wash cycle, Samsung has integrated three key smart functions into QuickDrive machines through its AI-powered laundry care solution “Q-rator” for more intelligent and personalized control over laundry cycles. Firstly, the Laundry Recipe function recommends the best cycle to you based on the fabric and color of the specific load you select. Secondly, Laundry Planner allows you to designate a desired wash end time which the machine will automatically work back from, minimizing the time you spend on washing clothes and allowing you to stop and start laundry according to your schedule. Thirdly, HomeCare Wizard monitors the machine itself to provide diagnostic feedback on the machine’s cycle, energy and use pattern data – so that this is one less thing for you to have think about. More intelligent than ever, QuickDrive can even detect when your washing detergent will run out, and will automatically order more on a contract basis.

Home appliances have never been more helpful or easy to navigate, and according to recent surveys, consumer feedback shows that their lives are truly being transformed by the new ‘QuickDrive approach’ to doing laundry. On top of this, it has garnered a slew of recognition from leading industry peers, with the 2018 Which? Awards announcing Samsung as the leading Large Appliance brand and KBIS awarding QuickDrive the ‘Best of KBIS’ award for its leading innovation in Smart Home Technology.

Home Bistro Assistant: Dual Cook Flex Oven

Moving across to the Cooking section of the Cooking zone, visitors are getting to know Samsung’s industry-leading Dual Cook Flex Oven, in which consumers can cook several dishes simultaneously at different temperatures and cooking times. The freedom that this offers users is no small feat – Samsung has created an oven that allows you to take advantage of the dual cook feature with ease, with the specially designed oven door allowing you the flexibility to either cook two different dishes at once or use the entire oven for one dish with a larger cooking space.

Visitors to the Zone are being treated to demonstrations of the SmartThings app. With the Cooking Guide feature, the Dual Cook Flex Oven offers the most appropriate oven settings based on the ingredients of the dish you are preparing. Whether you are baking a cake or cooking a lasagna, Cooking Guide can suggest the best oven mode, temperature and time for optimum results.  The oven’s intelligent features can even go one step beyond this, as well, featuring the capacity to save preferred recipe settings and notes using My Recipe and Scrapbook for even smoother cooking experiences. Perusing the Dual Cook Flex Oven’s handy intelligent settings, you can get a real sense of the convenience these smart features offer – along with providing the ultimate in cooking personalization.

The Center of Home Communication: Family Hub

This part of the tour ends in the Smart Kitchen booth, which is showcasing the latest version of the innovative Family Hub fridge. The kitchen has become the epicenter of a global shift in how people utilize their home spaces. Recent studies show that almost half (46%) of Europeans now spend most of their leisure time in the kitchen*. As a result, Samsung Electronics has broadened the scope of its products for the kitchen, the center of everyday home life, through this year’s more evolved Family Hub.

The Family Hub has been designed with the understanding that convenience and personalization in food preparation is a priority for families, and so the Meal Planner capabilities suggest recipes based on your family’s food preferences, dietary restrictions and even food expiration dates for convenient weekly and monthly tailored meal plans – based on the ingredients already stored in the fridge and users’ taste. Visitors can get a feeling for just how hands-on this smart appliance is by interacting with the Family Hub’s dedicated touch-screen tablet.

With Bixby and Voice ID, the 2018 Family Hub does more than just react intelligently, and IFA attendees are experiencing the tailored responses Family Hub and Bixby can provide. Family Hub can recognize individual voices and match them to each family member’s profile. Users can start off their day just by asking “Hi Bixby, what’s new today?” and full, personalized information relevant to that user will appear instantly.

Family Hub not only offers you a personalized experience with just the one device, but thanks to SmartThings, consumers can also enjoy a connected living experience across Samsung appliances as well as other devices. You can control your robot vacuum cleaner, washing machine, and even your air conditioner, all from the Hub’s screen. With features such as this, Samsung and Family Hub endeavor to build technology geared towards making a real difference in consumers’ everyday home lives.

Stay tuned for further installments in this series exploring more of Samsung’s IFA 2018 booths and find out more about different ways Samsung Electronics is making the everyday more innovative.

* Samsung’s European Kitchen Trends report surveyed 13,185 adults (18+) across 11 European countries in an online study to explore the changing role of the kitchen and how technology is shaping the way we interact with our kitchens. Fieldwork was undertaken in March 2018, and all figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. 

** 22 European markets

But what is it about Samsung’s laundry solutions that have captivated the industry and consumers alike? Demand for premium home appliances has increased in recent years, and Samsung’s success in this burgeoning field is due to its ability to create simple yet innovative laundry solutions, informed by consumer needs and enhanced by the power of IoT and AI. In an industry that has long been dominated by conventional solutions, Samsung’s disruptive technology redefines the laundry process as we know it.

Breakthrough Washing Performance

With convenience that doesn’t compromise performance being the top priority for consumers when choosing home appliances, Samsung has cemented its status within the market thanks to the key features of its two most advanced washers – the speed of QuickDrive and the flexibility of FlexWash. Though washing methods have significantly changed over time and improved throughout the industry, these latest laundry solutions are a testament to Samsung’s history of innovation, and rewrite the very definition of washing performance.

QuickDrive technology provides a full wash cycle in half the time of conventional machines^*, with all the fabric care, performance and durability users value. This unrivaled technology caters to the lifestyles of modern consumers by saving them valuable time to do more of the things they love. Its status as a leading laundry innovation was commended by this year’s CES Innovation Awards.

The FlexWash system offers the award-winning option to wash two loads of laundry at the same time, meeting the needs of consumers who require flexibility in their machine usage. Samsung’s unique dual laundry system and its unprecedented flexibility have transformed how people tackle multiple loads of laundry.

Intuitive Smart Features

Samsung washing machines with QuickDrive technology are also equipped with Q-rator^**, the company’s AI-powered intelligent laundry assistant, to further simplify the laundry process.

Q-rator provides users with intelligent and intuitive assistance through three main features: Laundry Planner enables consumers to specify a laundry finishing time; Laundry Recipe provides recommendations on the best wash cycle for a specific load; and HomeCare Wizard monitors a wash remotely for quick and responsive troubleshooting.

The difference that these ingenious features make in the washing process has been widely acknowledged by the industry. This year’s ‘Best of KBIS’ awards recognized both washers as leading in their fields, with QuickDrive receiving the ‘Smart Home Technology’ award for its best-in-class laundry innovation, and FlexWash receiving the ‘Kitchen Silver’ award for the flexibility that its multi-load and remote smartphone-control features provide.

Prudent Product Design

The innovation found in Samsung’s laundry solutions goes beyond the advanced technology built in to each washer. Both QuickDrive and FlexWash machines have been designed to provide the highest quality of performance and user experience.

At the heart of the QuickDrive offerings is the Q-Drum, consisting of a main drum as well as a back plate that rotate independently, unique in the industry. Unlike conventional washing machines, QuickDrive moves clothes dynamically around the drum in different directions.

The FlexWash washing machine’s dual washer capacity, combining a small upper washer with a bigger lower washer, enables users to run two different load types simultaneously and completely separately. This unique technology has won recognition from the Asian Conference on Ergonomics and Design for its holistic and compact design.

The two award-winning laundry solutions, QuickDrive and FlexWash, represent the fruition of Samsung’s drive to innovate while reflecting consumers’ lifestyles. Consumers, industry leaders and media around the world continue to recognize how these technologies allow people to do laundry more flexibly, so that they can achieve their highest quality wash yet – all while freeing up more time to spend on the important things in life.

^*Based on tests comparing the WW8800M with Samsung’s WW8500K model. Saves 50 percent of time during Cotton (a half load at 40℃ ) and eCotton cycles, with washing performance within ±2 percent. Reduces energy consumption by 20 percent during Cotton (half load at 40℃) and Super Speed cycles (5kg load at 40℃), based on Intertek data. The exact amount of time that QuickDrive saves users varies by region.

^**Compatible with both Android and iOS devices. A Samsung account and Wi-Fi connection are required.

Samsung’s new washing machine with QuickDrive Technology 

In the video below, watch how Galaxy S9’s Super Slow-Mo feature captures the difference QuickDrive^TM technology makes for washing machine performance. The independent yet complemental rotation of the main drum and back plate generates dynamic movement for your most productive wash cycle yet.

*The exact time that the Quickdrive cuts down for users varies by region

Samsung’s QuickDrive technology reduces washing time by half, without compromising washing performance. Caught in Super Slow-mo, viewers can clearly see the washer’s innovative Q-Drum in action, with the main drum and the back plate rotating independently. This independent motion, powered by double forces, ensures the clothes inside the washing machine move dynamically around the drum—back and forth, as well top to bottom.

POWERbot powerfully cleans even the most hard-to-reach areas. Slowing down the robot vacuum cleaner with Super Slow-mo allows viewers to appreciate its powerful suction, which delivers optimal cleaning results with 40x more suction power than the previous model*. In addition, the device’s self-cleaning brush prevents clogging from collected dust and tangled hair, cutting down on regular maintenance and enabling it to run autonomously even longer.

Watching Samsung’s WaterWall dishwasher technology in Super Slow-mo, viewers can see individual jets create a powerful wall of water that cleans everything in the dishwasher. The Top Control Dishwasher with WaterWall also harnesses Zone Booster in the left half of the appliance, which has five nozzles for the industry’s widest targeted cleaning that cleans even the dirtiest dishes in a single wash.

*Tested internally on Samsung POWERbot VR7000 and Samsung conventional VR10F71UCAC

Samsung Electronics today announced that it has won two KBIS 2018 awards, the new and first year category award for Smart Home Technology and Best of Kitchen Silver award, presented by the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS).

The kitchen and bath industry’s premier awards program highlights the best new kitchen and bath products that push the boundaries of design, technology and innovation. Winners are selected based on innovation, design and function.

The Samsung Front Load Washer with QuickDrive is a major step forward in laundry innovation and cuts washing time.  Equipped with faster wash time and enhanced smart capabilities, the new washer with QuickDrive technology and intelligent Q-rator laundry assistant takes the guesswork out of doing laundry from your mobile device. It has smart capabilities that simplify the washing cycle with intuitive features that provide automatic recommendations for optimal wash cycles, manage the time that a wash cycle will finish and adjust cycle settings, and monitors the washer to keep it operating at optimal performance.

The Samsung FlexWash + FlexDry are a versatile new laundry pair that provide ultimate flexibility to wash and dry multiple loads of laundry at the same time.  FlexWash + FlexDry provide an unprecedented amount of flexibility to let you do multiple cycles at the same time, so you can keep a wide variety of clothes in great condition.

This year, KBIS added new categories to recognize and honor brands at the forefront of smart home innovations which are driving the kitchen and bath innovations of tomorrow. A total of six awards were given out including Kitchen Gold and Silver, Bath Gold and Silver, Best in Show and the new Smart Home Technology award.

“We are proud to be the recipient of two KBIS awards this year, as it underscores Samsung’s dedication and commitment to bringing meaningful innovation to the home appliance industry and to consumers,” said Tom Halford, Vice President of Samsung Premium and Builder Brands. “Our combination of technology, performance and design is resonating strongly, and we are looking forward to a game-changing 2018.”

Following KBIS 2018, voting for the Best of KBIS People’s Choice award will take place online, via the KBIS Facebook page. Voting opens January 12, 2018, and show attendees can cast their vote for their favorite products. There will be three People’s Choice Winners (First, Second and Third Place).

Yes, uniting Samsung’s industry-leading ecosystem of Internet of Things (IoT) offerings – which spans the company’s latest Family Hub refrigerators, TVs, and even its new Digital Cockpit vehicle-display interface – is SmartThings, Samsung’s open and powerful IoT platform designed to connect smart devices and simplify daily life.

And offering users a simple, personalized platform to help them fully utilize this expansive IoT device network is Bixby, making it easy to manage these devices in ways that work for you.

Bixby: A Key Piece of Intelligent IoT

Bixby was introduced, in part, to address an issue that has limited IoT technologies’ widespread adoption: the perception that their interfaces are too complicated for users to comfortably take advantage of them.

Bixby adds intelligence to Samsung devices connected to the SmartThings platform. Adding Bixby’s voice support to a wide range of household products will not only make them easier to use, but will also allow users to speak to Bixby on one device and command it to access and control multiple others.

At this year’s CES, Samsung has pledged to integrate Bixby into all of its connected devices by 2020, with select 2018 Samsung Smart TVs and Family Hub refrigerators in 2018. This will ultimately allow more consumers to enjoy harmonized IoT experiences at home.

Bixby Makes Smart TVs Smarter

Samsung has announced that beginning this year, select Samsung Smart TVs will be Bixby-enabled. Bixby’s command-driven interface creates a smarter and simpler approach to controlling your TV and other connected devices, and allows you to streamline how you access the information you need and enjoy your favorite content.

For example, the interface lets you seamlessly transition viewing sessions between your Bixby-enabled smartphone and displays, so you can pick up right where you left off when you finish your commute or move to another room.

And when a new episode of your favorite TV show is about to start, Bixby’s intelligence will allow it to automatically send a notification to your phone that, if tapped, will instantly command your Samsung Smart TV to tune in to the right channel. You can even ask Bixby to dim the lights and pull up one of your favorite films for movie night.

In addition to streamlining entertainment, the TVs’ Bixby support allows users to reduce the number of steps required to carry out everyday tasks like preparing dinner – by commanding their TV to peek inside their Family Hub, for instance.

It’s Making Seamless Connection Routine

Bixby integration has made Samsung’s powerful Family Hub refrigerators even more so.

Unveiled at CES 2018, Samsung’s latest Family Hub refrigerators feature a variety of intelligent ways for users to manage their food, entertainment and IoT devices. Having Bixby in the mix allows for even more ways for families to keep their household connected and organized.

For a start, the new Family Hub’s Bixby support and multiple voice recognition technology allow the refrigerators to provide individual family members with customized information based on their preferences. So, for instance, if a user asked Bixby “What’s new today?”, it would pull up a personalized morning brief that included their schedule for the day as well as news and weather from their preferred sources, and tell them how long it will take to get to the office.

For those times when you can’t quite decide what to cook, Bixby will allow Family Hub to recommend a recipe for a delectable dish based on what you have in your fridge and in accordance with your dietary needs. You’ll also be able to command Family Hub to check on the status of compatible connected devices like your Samsung QuickDrive washing machine, and Bixby will let you know exactly how much time is left in your wash cycle.

Looking Forward

Samsung’s advancements in artificial intelligence and smart technologies are helping the company usher in an era of more open and connected IoT experiences.

Integrating Bixby into more devices, and exploring ways to make more objects intelligent, will eventually allow more households to experience the benefits of a seamlessly connected IoT ecosystem.

IoT interactions will be natural, and our smart devices will be so seamlessly woven into the fabric of our lives that we’ll spend less time managing them and more time enjoying our day.

Samsung Electronics today announced that it will showcase its advanced built-in appliances, including its widely acclaimed Samsung Chef Collection lineup that incorporates Samsung’s most intuitive smart technologies, at the 2018 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Orlando, Florida. The show, on January 9 -11, will be the first time in 7 years that Samsung is attending as an exhibitor, reaffirming its strong commitment to the US as the world’s largest premium built-in home appliances market.

Samsung will be exhibiting in booth W770, displaying its latest innovations in the appliance category to the builder and designers, and demonstrating the strong appeal of Samsung appliances in growing millennials with its advanced appliance designs and technologies.

“Attending KBIS demonstrates our continued commitment to creating innovative products in line with what people want in their home today” said Tom Halford, Vice President of Home Appliances Division at Samsung Electronics America. “Our smart, premium built-in kitchen appliances are also helping us to increase customer satisfaction and build industry leadership.”

The Samsung booth will highlight six different kitchen packages across wide range of prices, including both the black stainless-steel and standard stainless-steel packages from the Chef Collection lineup. Samsung will also highlight the increasing prevalence of the smart home trend with a Connected Living zone that features Samsung’s award-winning Family Hub refrigerator and the FlexWash and QuickDrive washing machines.

Samsung’s premium built-in Chef Collection on display includes many of Samsung’s most advanced technologies such as the Remote View camera incorporated into refrigerators and Virtual Flame of induction cooktops. Also on display will be the chef-inspired features in a premium suite of wall ovens, cooktops, pro ranges, dishwashers, and refrigerators including the fully integrated 42” Built-In 4-Door Flex model. All models have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities for full connected control in a smart home.

Samsung Electronics today announced that it is bringing its next generation laundry innovation to the U.S.:  the WW6850N washing machine featuring revolutionary QuickDrive technology. Responding to consumer demand for speed and cleaning performance, the 24” compact washer cleans laundry up to 35% faster for a thorough clean¹, compared to current Samsung models. The WW6850N will be on display at the upcoming International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas from January 9-12, 2018.

With more Millennials than ever buying homes, this new cohort of digitally savvy homebuyers is demanding home appliances that incorporate meaningful, personalized technology to enhance their lives. The WW6850N with QuickDrive technology is just the latest in a line of differentiated laundry innovations, including the activewash Top Load Washer, AddWash Front Load Washer and FlexWash + FlexDry laundry pair.

“When you’ve got a pile of laundry to do, you just want to get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Shane Higby, Vice President, Home Appliance Marketing, Samsung Electronics America. “The introduction of the WW6850N washing machine with QuickDrive technology underscores our commitment to providing consumers with options for tackling their laundry needs to free up time for what really matters.”

The WW6850N washer’s innovative performance starts with QuickDrive technology, which features a large main drum and a back plate that move independently. This creates a dynamic action that moves clothes in four directions – up and down, and back and forth – to quickly, gently and thoroughly remove dirt for a more powerful and intense wash cycle that takes up to 35% less time than other comparable Samsung machines¹. Additionally, at 24” wide and stackable, the WW6850N washer and its companion dryer are an ideal size for small spaces like first floor laundry rooms or closets just off the master suite, to conveniently tackle loads quickly and effectively.

The WW6850N is IoT-ready and compatible with Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem. Its Q-rator laundry assistant has smart capabilities that simplify the washing cycle with intuitive features:

• Laundry Recipe provides automatic recommendations for optimal wash cycles based on the color, fabric type, and degree of soiling inputted by the user.
• Laundry Planner allows consumers to manage the time that a wash cycle will finish, adjusting cycle settings accordingly.
• HomeCare Wizard monitors the washer to keep it operating at optimal performance and provides easy-to-follow maintenance instructions

A 2018 CES Innovations Award honoree, the WW6850N washing machine with QuickDrive technology will be available in the U.S. this year.

¹ Tested on Samsung WW6850N with WW6800K. Saves up to 35% time on Heavy Duty (hot, 6lb load) with a washing performance within ± 3%, based on internal data tested by AHAM HLW-1-2013.

World-first sees washing machine cycle turned into slow cinema with soundtrack by Michael Nyman

• Britain’s most famous living composer creates a dramatic original score to accompany film of a 66 minute wash cycle
• Composer of Oscar winning film The Piano inspired by ‘mechanical cycles’
• Film set to get fans of slow cinema in a lather with full uncensored, moment-by-moment footage of a full wash cycle majoring on a single, long continuous shot
• Washing Machine to receive premiere at London’s Leicester Square + available online FREE
• Unique project sees art meet technology to launch Samsung’s QuickDrive, a washing machine which cuts laundry time in HALF¹ – without compromising performance

One of Britain’s most innovative and celebrated composers has created a unique original score to accompany a 66-minute family wash cycle.

Michael Nyman whose haunting work has accompanied dozens of hits and arthouse movies, including Oscar-winner The Piano has composed the soundtrack to accompany a new feature film which turns the everyday drudge of the washing machine cycle into art.

In an audacious move, the poetic monotony of the spinning drum and sloshing water are the sole focus of ‘Washing Machine’ – a movie which will receive its world premiere at Leicester Square in London’s West End in early December.

The film chronicles the full cycle, moment by moment, of Samsung’s QuickDrive washing machine, in this big screen addition to the canon of slow cinema treats. The production team captured the action with a single long shot trained on the machine to bring the full glory of the wash, rinse and spin to the screen.  Samsung believes that cinema audiences, who have in recent years become accustomed to unusual experiences such as live relays of theatre, rock concerts and opera, or simulcasts of TV premieres, will be able to break new ground with the release.

Ivor Novello-winner Nyman, who recorded part of his soundtrack live in London surrounded by monitors featuring the wash cycle, commented: “By coincidence, this new work comes exactly 300 years after the 1717 premiere of another celebrated composition inspired by the flow of water – German-British composer George Frideric Handel’s Water Music so in some ways we have come full circle with ‘Washing Machine – The Movie’.”

The movie builds upon the ground-breaking 3 min 20 sec advert featuring a QuickDrive wash cycle which was broadcast during a single-shot complete ad break takeover on Gogglebox on C4 on the 24^th of November. It follows research commissioned by Samsung showing that huge numbers of people are already fascinated by the mesmeric power of watching the wash spinning, with hundreds of thousands of hours clocked up on YouTube.  Indeed, footage of full-length washing machine cycles has achieved more than THREE MILLION views.

The piano-led 66 minute soundtrack features one of Nyman’s signature minimalist compositions, driven by an explorative melody which takes the audience on a passage through the various stages of the wash cycle. The repetitive motion of the spinning drum is melodically represented through Nyman’s masterful playing, with thematic ideas developing as the wash progresses.

Nyman said: “The idea of this intrigued me when I was approached, putting a score to something so visually repetitive and prosaic. As a film composer you are frequently taking a cue from the drama on screen or interpreting it sonically, but here the challenge was to offset the mundanity and also enhance the hypnotic appeal.

“I have written a lot of music to manufacturing processes, but this is the most elaborate mechanical, mechanistic film I’ve been involved with. I’m interested in the mechanical process, the way that I create musical cycles which are based on repetition and variation and the correlation between that music and what happens in a washing machine process. I really want the music to be heard and I want the music to be loud, so I think with this project its man over machine.”

Samsung’s research which inspired the film revealed that on average, British adults will spend an average of 1,481 hours watching the washing go round and round – which adds up to the equivalent of 61 days across a lifetime.  For those who love to get lost in the hypnotic thrill of the washing machine but don’t want to waste too much of their lives, the Samsung QuickDrive is perfect because it cuts laundry time in half², without compromising wash performance.

Mark Seaman, Head of Domestic Appliances, Samsung UK & Ireland, said: “Our film features a virtuoso performance from both man and machine. The Samsung QuickDrive gives a washing performance unlike any other so it was only fitting to turn it into an artwork in its own right. What better way to showcase the fastest washing machine we have ever made than to feature it in one of the slowest movies ever created, complete with a soundtrack from one of Britain’s most celebrated composers.”

Washing Machine – The Movie will receive a world premiere at Leicester Square’s Cineworld Theatre on the 5^th December 2017.  The film will be available to watch free of charge via YouTube from the 6^th December.

Notes to Editors

Film credits

Director – Peter Mountstevens

Producers – Max Gheysens and Sam Corry

¹Samsung QuickDrive WW8800M vs Samsung WW8500K (5kg 40°C Cotton wash)

Source: UK Newsroom

Getting Smart around the Home

One of Samsung’s major smart products is the Family Hub 2.0 refrigerator, which launched earlier this year. It uses voice recognition to provide an intuitive way for users to not just connect with their kitchen, but also the world around them. Say, “Can you purchase cheese?” and the refrigerator asks you, “Which product? Please tell me the number.” as it shows an app screen that lets you order food directly from the screen. You can play music or find out what the weather is like as you communicate with the smart refrigerator. It even gives you ideas if you need recipe inspiration.

Next, there is QuickDrive, an intelligent washing machine that was showcased during IFA 2017. It includes an AI-powered laundry assistant called Q-rator, which suggests the best cycle for your laundry based on information you input. Tell it what type of garments you want to wash, how dirty they are and what color they are and it will do the rest. It also lets you set the time for when the loads will be done, meaning your washing will be ready at a time that’s convenient for you. Plus, the system monitors the machine remotely and alerts you if it’s having any issues.

Last but not least, there is POWERbot, Samsung’s smart robot vacuum cleaner that received a 2017 CES Innovation Award. It uses a full suite of sensors to map your space, remember where it’s cleaned, and detect and work around any obstacles in its way, while automatically adjusting its suction power on different surfaces.

Samsung, the Leading Player in the Smart Appliances Era 

The Family Hub sits at the core, serving as the nerve center of a broader connected ecosystem in the home. Each connected home appliance can be configured to reflect the unique preferences for every household. It is a true smart evolution that brings a meaningful experience to users. What’s more, Samsung’s hardware analyzes user information more effectively than ever, and that is what makes Samsung a company with true innovative competitiveness.

The company recently announced its plan to apply Samsung Connect to its various home appliances at IFA 2017. Samsung Connect is a connectivity platform capable of connecting and controlling IoT devices regardless of their operating system. When the smart functions of Samsung’s home appliances are connected through Samsung Connect, users will be able to enjoy a smart lifestyle.

As more and more intelligence is interwoven into new products and technology, Samsung Smart appliances will evolve IoT and deep learning technology, creating a great deal of synergy. It won’t be long until home appliance products use their IQ to provide users more convenience and more time to do the things they enjoy.

One thing, however, has always remained the same and helped the trade show grow, and that’s this: Each year at IFA, electronics manufacturers present their latest consumer innovations, attracting attention from all over the world.

Samsung has presented its technical innovations in Berlin since 1991, and is one of the most prominent exhibitors at IFA today.

‘The Great German Radio and Phonographic Exhibition’

“Dear present and absent ones. When you listen to the radio, also spare a thought for how humanity obtained this wonderful instrument. The wellspring of all technical achievement is the divine curiosity, the ludic drive of the tinkering and pondering researcher, and no less the constructive imagination of the technical inventor.”¹

These were the words with which one of IFA’s most famous guests, Albert Einstein, opened the “Great German Radio and Phonographic Exhibition” – as IFA was originally known – in Berlin in 1930. The radio – the latest and, arguably, most important technical achievement in mass communications at that time – was the star of the show, and Einstein himself presented the exciting new technology to event attendees.

(Left) Albert Einstein opens the Great German Radio and Phonographic Exhibition in Berlin in 1930; (Right) Einstein explains the potential of the still-young communications medium to attendees. Source: Messe Berlin

Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Stuttgart

The first IFA trade show took place in December of 1924. The inaugural event gathered a total of 242 exhibitors, who fascinated crowds with their latest technological innovations for a total of twelve days.

The trade show was held each year until 1939, when the outbreak of WWII and the subsequent reconstruction forced it into hiatus. IFA made its return in Düsseldorf in 1950 and, on its 20^th anniversary, in 1957, moved to Frankfurt and added “television” to its title. Reconstruction operations in Germany would lead IFA to shift its location from Frankfurt to Stuttgart and then Berlin, only to return to Düsseldorf in the end.

Since 1971, the trade show has taken place exclusively in Berlin, under the official name of “Internationale Funkausstellung” – hence “IFA”. gfu, a corporation that promotes the advancement of consumer electronics, came onboard two years later, and has been organizing IFA² ever since.

The innovation cycles of many products have grown shorter and shorter over the years, and eventually, in 2005, IFA became an annual event.

Queues at the opening of IFA in 1973. Source: Messe Berlin.

Samsung – an Innovation Driver and Major Attraction

Samsung has been a fixture at IFA ever since it first exhibited at the trade show in 1991³. During that IFA, 26 years ago, Samsung presented screens and televisions in a 660-square-meter space.

2003 marked an important juncture in Samsung’s relationship with IFA. A move to Hall 20 meant that a substantially larger exhibition space would be available, turning Samsung into one of the show’s major exhibitors.

With keynote speeches in 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2014, Samsung strengthened its position as a global brand, establishing ground-breaking technologies and setting future trends. In 2008, for example, Park Jong-Woo, the then-President of Samsung Electronics Digital Media, predicted that the entertainment industry would take a gigantic leap forward by seamlessly networking a variety of devices. Nowadays, smartphones and tablets easily hook up to users’ TVs and Bluetooth speakers, and even some fridges and washing machines can be controlled on the go.

(Clockwise from top left) Samsung’s IFA booths in 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Samsung has been one of IFA’s largest exhibitors since 2003.

2014: Samsung Becomes IFA’s Largest Exhibitor

2014 saw the opening of CityCube Berlin, which IFA’s host venue, Messe Berlin, invested over 83 million euros to build. Samsung moved into the three-story cube – which, along with featuring the largest product-exhibition space (approx. 6,000 m²), also houses several rooms (approx. 2,500 m²) for presentations and sales meetings – as soon as it was completed. The location has been used exclusively by Samsung at IFA ever since.

More exhibition space also opens up new possibilities. Samsung’s individual product divisions were previously presented spread across several halls, but the move to CityCube Berlin meant that they could be showcased under one roof. Today, Samsung has become IFA’s largest exhibitor, with 8,700 square meters of hall space.

In 2016, Samsung impressed IFA attendees with this TV installation at the heart of CityCube Berlin.

Picture quality remains one of the most important focuses for TVs, and is one of the hottest attractions for the trade show. Over the last eight years, the TV industry has mastered the leap from HD to Full HD to UHD resolution – each of which has been successfully established in the mass market.

IFA has also served as a popular showcase for introducing new product categories in other areas. In 2010, Samsung presented its first tablet to the world with the Galaxy Tab. One year later, the Galaxy Note marked the beginning of large-screen premium smartphones, or ‘phablets’. Samsung’s first smartwatch, the Galaxy Gear, was introduced in 2013, laying the foundation for Samsung’s smartwatch portfolio. And in 2014, the Galaxy ecosystem was further expanded with the Gear S and Gear VR.

This year, too, visitors to Samsung’s IFA booth are treated to a great many innovations and technical highlights, such as QLED TV, The Frame, the QuickDrive washing machine, Family Hub refrigerator, mobile devices, portable SSDs and more.

For more information on Samsung’s presence at IFA 2017, visit: https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-electronics-shapes-lifes-new-normal-at-ifa-2017

¹Extracted from a recording of Albert Einstein’s opening speech at the Great German Radio and Phonographic Exhibition in Berlin in 1930. Source: http://landesarchiv-berlin.de/

²With the exception of 1985, 1987 and 1989.

³Samsung did not attend IFA in 2004.

Introduced at IFA 2017, Samsung Electronics’ QuickDrive technology was created to provide consumers with the time-saving laundry solution they’ve always wanted but never had, without compromising washing performance*, energy efficiency, fabric care and durability. The result is a laundry solution that finishes cycles in half the time of conventional washers, while providing a thorough yet gentle clean.

Because Samsung firmly believes in glocalization, in which products are optimized for consumers in different countries, the company strives to craft innovations that cater to the unique lifestyles of consumers in markets around the world.

QuickDrive is a result of these efforts, and the latest product of a line of Samsung laundry technologies that have been met with acclaim in areas such as Europe, the birthplace of the drum washing machine. Each of those previous innovations, which include AddWash and EcoBubble, has enhanced consumers’ lifestyles by resolving key pain points.

When the time came to design the technology that would ultimately become QuickDrive, Samsung surveyed consumers in markets across the globe on the factors that matter most to them when buying a washer. The results indicated that washing performance was a leading determinant, and a washer’s ability to reduce the amount of time required to finish a load of laundry was key when assessing this.

QuickDrive was designed to provide entirely new levels of washing performance. The technology boasts several convenient Samsung innovations that not only drastically speed up laundry cycles, but also make the process much simpler and more energy efficient.

In addition to a convenient form, QuickDrive boasts an array of smart features designed to enhance modern consumers’ IoT-connected lives by taking considerable hassle out of managing laundry. These functions, which are provided by an AI-powered laundry assistant called Q-rator, include Laundry Recipe, which recommends optimal wash cycles based on factors like fabric type, color and degree of dirtiness; Laundry Planner, which allows you to schedule when you’d like your wash to finish; and HomeCare Wizard, which proactively alerts you of potential issues with your washer and provides you quick and simple maintenance tips to keep your washer at optimal condition.

Samsung’s WW8800M washing machine with QuickDrive technology will debut first in Europe before expanding to markets across the globe. To learn more about the innovative washer, check out the video below.

*Based on tests comparing the WW8800M with Samsung’s WW8500K model. Saves 50 percent of time during Cotton (a half load at 40℃ ) and eCotton cycles, with washing performance within ±2 percent. Reduces energy consumption by 20 percent during Cotton (half load at 40℃) and Super Speed cycles (5kg load at 40℃), based on Intertek data.

“QuickDrive is the industry’s game changer, dramatically cutting the amount of time it takes for users to do laundry and giving them more time to enjoy life,” said B.S. Suh, Executive Vice President of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “The new WW8800M washing machine uses QuickDrive technology to provide fast and powerful washing performance, with a range of technologies and smart functionality that make doing laundry so much easier.”

Improved Washing Performance with Samsung’s Unique Technology

Samsung’s QuickDrive technology cuts washing time by 50% and energy use by 20%¹ without compromising the cleaning performance. Its unique Q-Drum consists of a large main drum and a plate in the back that rotates independently. Unlike conventional washers that move clothes repeatedly up and down over the course of the cycle, the WW8800M moves clothes from top to bottom in the drum, and the plate in the back of the drum introduces a back and forth movement. It creates a revolutionary dynamic action powered by double forces that quickly, gently and thoroughly remove dirt to deliver an intense and complete wash cycle.

In addition, Samsung’s unrivalled QuickDrive technology was independently tested by Intertek, the world’s largest testing and inspection organization. Intertek confirmed that QuickDrive technology provides the same level of cleaning performance and fabric care as existing products, while reducing washing times.

The new WW8800M also has many of Samsung’s outstanding laundry technologies, like EcoBubble, which provides powerful washing performance by mixing air and water to generate fine detergent bubbles that penetrate fabrics faster and maximize the detergent’s effects even at low temperatures.

Smarter, IoT-enabled Washing Machine for User Convenience

Throughout the washing cycle, QuickDrive offers a range of smart and convenient features. The IoT-ready WW8800M boasts an AI-powered laundry assistant called Q-rator, which provides three key smart features that help manage laundry more conveniently.

• Laundry Planner enables consumers to manage a laundry finishing time, freeing consumers to control their schedule on their own terms.
• Laundry Recipe gives automatic recommendations for optimal wash cycles based on the information such as color, fabric type, and degree of soiling inputted by the user, eliminating the need for guessing about which cycle is best.
• HomeCare Wizard monitors the washer by remote, proactively alerting users about potential problems and providing quick troubleshooting support.

The WW8800M also comes with Samsung’s innovative AddWash, a feature that gives users the ability to add items at any time during the cycle². From a forgotten sock to a delicate item³ that needs to go in later in the cycle, AddWash even allows users to add detergent or fabric softener at a later time. The combination of the Q-rator and AddWash creates a synergistic effect that further enhances the user convenience, simplifying the laundry process.

Designed for Higher Durability and Cost-efficiency

Finally, the WW8800M is designed for long-lasting performance. Equipped with Samsung’s Digital Inverter Technology, the WW8800M reduces noise and helps reduce energy consumption while providing exceptional durability⁴, enabling the washer to maintain its outstanding washing performance and fabric care. Additionally, the WW8800M offers various energy-saving features, including the ability to save up to 50% more on energy than the highest A+++ energy-efficiency standard for a wash cycle.⁵ It also uses a Ceramic Heater+ with a new type of anti-adhesion coating, which ensures up to 55 percent less scale buildup than conventional ceramic heaters⁶, helping the heater maintain its performance longer with more durability.

Samsung Electronics’ booth will be open at Level 2, City Cube Berlin from September 1 through 6 for IFA 2017.

1 Tested on WW8800M compared with Samsung WW8500K. Saves 50% time on Cotton (40℃, half load) and eCotton cycle with washing performance within ±2%. Saves 20% energy on Cotton (40℃, half load) and Super Speed cycle (40℃, 5kg load), based on Intertek data.

2 The Add Wash door only opens only when the drum temperature is below 50°C.

3 Only fabric items, clothing, detergent and softener can be added.

4 Awarded a 20-year durability certification by the Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies in Germany (Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker – VDE).

5 e-Cotton course energy rating based on EU Energy Label standard.

6 Tested on Ceramic Heater+ compared with Samsung’s original conventional heater of WF60F4E0N0W/ET, based on independent testing of weight variation in hard water.