As a movable media device, the Galaxy View is a new and unique mobile product in the market. At 18.4 inches, the Galaxy View is very convenient for enjoying content at arm’s length wherever someone wants, from any room in the house, with a big, immersive screen.

So it is not surprising the Galaxy View is also getting its own range of apps, to better take advantage of its full range of functions and features. Two apps that have recently debuted use Galaxy smartphones to make the Galaxy View even more fun and convenient, both for watching media content and gaming. Together with a third app, Family Square, the Galaxy View is quickly gaining a special ecosystem of programs that express its full functionality and versatility.

Remote Control

Rather than always stretching and reaching for the Galaxy View every time they want to change the volume or what they are watching, now people can use the Galaxy View Remote. The Galaxy View Remote connects any smartphone running on Android (versions 4.4 and up) to the Galaxy View via Bluetooth, turning the phone into a remote control. Users can turn the screen on and off, adjust the volume, select content and more, easily and directly their phone.

Once the Remote app is installed, it changes the phone’s screen into a familiar-looking remote control device, with volume up and down buttons, and four-way directional buttons, as well as a full keyboard when needed. With the Remote app, enjoying movies, TV shows and other content on the Galaxy View is easier than ever.

S Console Gamepad

Another major feature of the Galaxy View is its ability to be a platform for video games. The large screen and stereo speakers make it immersive and engaging. However, many games require complicated gamepads, with a great number of buttons and direction controllers, in order to be used properly.

The S Console Gamepad app can turn a Samsung smartphone into a gamepad, allowing users to enjoy console games in the mobile environment. S Console works for the Galaxy Note4, Note Edge and Note5 phones, as well as the Galaxy S6 series, connecting the smartphone to the Galaxy View by Bluetooth.

Optimized for more than 100 games, S Console supports six different types of gamepads, allowing users to pick the one that is best for each game. In addition to the Basic style default controller, some of the preset S Console options include Racing style for driving games, RPG style for first-person games and Console style for a maximum number of buttons and options. While most of those options are dark colored consoles, users can also choose white options, Casual style and Arcade style. Or, if someone prefers, there is an edit feature so they can create their own individualized gamepad.

Family Square

Another unique app for the Galaxy View, one that comes pre-installed, is Family Square. Family Square is like a dashboard for sharing photos and messages between family members on the Galaxy View—like a digital version of how families leave notes and drawings for each other on the refrigerator or counter.

But Family Square also has the ability to be paired to smartphones and mobile devices (any that use Android 4.4 and up), for added usefulness. Each member of the household registers their device for the Galaxy View, and then photos and other content can be sent directly from their devices for sharing on the View.

Those three apps, Family Square, Galaxy View Remote and S Console are making the Galaxy View even more useful for all members of the family, offering new ways to enjoy content around the home or while on the move.

As the world wraps up 2015, one renowned toy expert remains exceptionally occupied. Santa Claus is working around the clock to ensure a joyful and Merry Christmas. One his favorite new products – the Galaxy View – has made his preparations not only more convenient but downright enjoyable!

A New Addition to the Ho, Ho, Home Office

Boasting a large, 18.4-inch screen and captivating display, the Galaxy View was designed for entertainment. While Santa does enjoy binge-watching his favorite television series from time to time, he specifically likes the gadget for its productivity features and uses it to complete important tasks, such as checking the latest toy trends or shopping for bulk supplies of coal.

“The device’s ultra-large touch screen makes multitasking a cinch, which comes in handy when I need to update the naughty and nice list while checking my email,” Santa notes. “Things sure are easier now that I get Christmas lists sent directly to my inbox. I haven’t had to make a single trip to the post office so far this year.”

The Galaxy View, which is equipped with a stand, also comes in handy when Santa conducts meetings at his home office. “The head elves must be constantly educated on the latest in toy manufacturing, and the large screen, sharp graphics and crisp, clear audio of the device ensure that the presentations are engaging and delivered effectively.”

And for those moments when he needs to keep a closer eye on his workshop, the device’s front-facing camera allows for video chatting in real time so he can ensure that the toy production line and gift wrapping department are running smoothly.

Entertainment for Every Room of the House

When Santa needs a break from his hectic workload, he lets off steam by releasing his inner gamer. A long-time fan of console games, Santa especially loves S Console, a feature developed to bring mobile games to the big screen of the Galaxy View. Though the service, users can connect their smartphones to play mobile games in a more traditional way, without the need for a console.
His favorite game genre? Vehicle simulation. The flight simulators in particular, he claims, help him prepare for his annual trip around the world.

The attached handle and light weight, at only 2.65 kg, makes it easy to transfer the Galaxy View from the home office to the living room to the kitchen, where the Santa family uses the Galaxy View for browsing holiday recipes and watching instructional videos when cooking together.

A Device for the Whole Family

As things have become quite chaotic over the past couple weeks, Family Square—a specialized app inspired by the notes that busy family members leave for one another on refrigerators and countertops—allows the happy couple to communicate more easily.

“The missus loves Family Square because it lets her send me reminders to give Rudolph a bath or to not eat too many cookies in one sitting. I’ve started getting those reminders on a daily basis,” he jokes.

The Santa residence also uses Family Square to share photos and doodles on the device, which can be interconnected with one another’s smartphones. In this way, it brings them all a little closer, which is the one thing the man of the house is hoping to do more of when his holiday obligations for the year have been fulfilled.

In fact, Santa and his family have already planned a holiday movie marathon for the evening of Santa’s return from his big trip around the world—an evening where the long battery life of the Galaxy View will most certainly come in handy.

The first thing you will notice about the Galaxy View, the latest smart device from Samsung Electronics, is the large screen. Larger than most laptops, the Galaxy View practically disappears behind its impressive display. At first it may seem like a large tablet running Google Android, but then you notice the handle on top that lets you pick it up as easily as a shopping bag. You’ll see the tilting stand that lets you position the Galaxy View standing up right or laying at an angle. The Galaxy View is a smart device that cannot be judged by its first impression; it demands a closer look. So let’s explore what defines the Galaxy View.

The Changing Viewing Experience Needs a New Kind of Mobile Device

The Galaxy View stands on its own, resembling a large tablet or an all-in-one PC, with an 18.4-inch screen. We like to call it a movable display device, or “movable.” It’s a device that clearly excels at watching videos and other media, but weighing only 2.65 kilograms, viewers can easily move and transport the Galaxy View to wherever they would like to watch their favorite content.

“As mobile device technologies develop, the line between watching video content comfortably at home or conveniently on the move has faded away. With screen resolutions that match or beat high quality televisions, as well as apps that can play a huge selection of video content, users can easily enjoy watching video through mobile devices, but TVs still have comparative advantages. We wanted to create a device with a large, captivating screen, and with all the versatility and connectivity of a mobile device. If TVs are fixed, and tablet PCs are portable, then the Galaxy View lies in between: a movable,” said Hogon Kim, Manager of Product Strategy Team, Mobile & IT Communications Business.

The Galaxy View gives users a window to their content anywhere in the home, whether from a bedside table, on a kitchen island or in the living room. Its 18.4-inch display screen is a perfect size for viewers to enjoy bright, clear video at an arm’s length.

“Smartphones or tablets are meant to be used in the hand, but the Galaxy View is designed to be used from arm’s reach. This length is critical to the Galaxy View experience. We focused on this distance when we created the new user experience design. We eliminated many design features that require customers to micro-operate them with fine touch. We made sure the Galaxy View uses big icons that are more intuitive and readable,” explained Hyun Kim, Senior Designer at Mobile & IT Communications Business.

The Convenience of Media Home

“Media Home is the signature feature of the Galaxy View, differentiating the experience from other mobile devices,” continued Senior Designer Kim. “The point is to enable users to quickly find their preferred video services and watch their favorite content with a simple touch of the screen.”

People these days are no longer passive about how they watch TV. Rather than watching programs when they are broadcast, now people proactively look for the content they want at the time that’s best for them. For some people, that means rewatching their favorite drama series, while for others, maybe they want to share a favorite video they first found on their smartphone, now on the larger TV screen at home.

In addition, when they do watch livestreamed TV shows, people don’t want to stay in front of a fixed location. With a Galaxy View, they can clean the room, cook or wash dishes as they enjoy their favorite livestreamed broadcasts, using a screen significantly larger than a smartphone.

That is the focus of the Galaxy View product planners. The Galaxy View allows people to focus on the content they enjoy by providing the most versatile and engaging display, wherever they want to watch.

Groundbreaking Design with a Unique, 2-Way Stand and Diverse Content Partnership

With the Galaxy View, users can enjoy their favorite TV programs and video anywhere in the house. This is why Samsung introduced the two-way stand, to maximize the Galaxy View’s comfort and convenience. The handle makes the Galaxy View easy to hold and to move, while the two-way stand means it can be set vertically or at a comfortable angle, depending on how a user wants to use it. In addition, the dual speakers fire sideways, not downward, so sound quality is not be affected by the viewing angle.

Considering the Galaxy View is first of all a media content device, partnerships with content providers from around the world were a key to its success. There are different content preferences and regulations in each country, so the agreements and licenses all had to work according to local laws. For example, it is rare for UX designers to meet content providers or mobile service providers, but because the Galaxy View had to be customized depending on the country’s mobile service providers and TV service providers, it was vital that the UX designers directly communicate with the content partners.

“When people first saw a large display device with a handle and tilting capability, they said, ‘What on earth is this?’ The design concept for the Galaxy View was unlike any other device before. So we spent time with our partners, our friends in the world media, to explain and offer the real life experience of the Galaxy View,” said Frederick Shin, Assistant Manager of Product Strategy Team, Mobile & IT Communications Business.

Perfect Devices for Family

Beyond offering one of the best viewing experiences for watching videos, the Galaxy View also supports users with specialized apps like Family Square, to take full advantage of its role as a movable device for the home and family.

“The idea for Family Square clearly comes from the notes that busy families leave for each other on refrigerators and countertops. This application is a tool for households to communicate better. Simple messages can be left for each other, like, ‘Heat up the soup in the fridge when you get home from school’ or ‘Remember to reserve tickets for the show on Sunday at 2 o’clock.’ In addition, photographs and videos can be shared with comments, and people can doodle and share their drawings,” said YoungPil Sun, Senior Designer at Mobile & IT Communications Business.

If users download the Family Square application for their smartphones, the phones can be interconnected with the Galaxy View. For example, grandparents who live far away can use their Galaxy View to receive photographs of their grandchildren in real time and chat with their family through the device. In short, Family Square can enable closer communications and relationships.

The Galaxy View is also a perfect device for using Skype’s video call service. With video calls, friends and family never need to miss an important event again. Grandparents can see their grandchildren’s earliest steps and listen to their first words. The full-HD front camera can enhance image quality so that conversations are as vivid and real as if they were face to face.

Do You Enjoy Console Games?

“With the ‘S Console’ game app, the Galaxy View becomes an amazing device for playing console games, just like you’d play on your TV. The mobile game market is an exciting space these days as Android games become more advanced and sophisticated. S Console brings mobile games to the big screen of the Galaxy View, where they look fantastic, fit perfectly to the large display. Users can also connect game pads or use their smartphones to play mobile games in a more exciting game environment,” said Hyunjung Kwon, Senior Designer at Mobile & IT Communications Business.

By downloading the S Console Gamepad application, players can use their smartphones as game controllers. They can navigate through the game menus and play games using a smartphone display as if it were a multi-button controller. Among the many games that offer a Bluetooth option, S Console highlights 100 select titles.

Who Is the Galaxy View For?

The Galaxy View was envisioned by its designers as a fun and useful tool for everyone in the home, everywhere they live.

“It excels at showing off content and its apps are custom made to fit a variety of lifestyles. A cook might use it for recipes or keeping up with shows in the kitchen; children can play games in the living room; the sports fan can take the tablet from room to room and outside to the grill, keeping tabs on the action without sacrificing the large screen experience.” said DaYoung Park, Manager of Product Strategy Team, Mobile & IT Communications Business.

In addition, there are many innovative uses for the Galaxy View outside home. It can be a great educational tool for schools and other institutes. It’s a welcome companion on camping trips or tailgating, with a battery that can support eight hours of video playback. Or use it to play music videos at parties, with speakers capable of providing some serious sound.

The Galaxy View has already been released in several markets, including the U.S., Canada, Singapore and the Netherlands, and it will gradually roll out around the globe. Samsung’s new movable display device, the Galaxy View offers new levels of fun, communication and media enjoyment for all.