The Samsung Mobile Design Competition attracted entries from up-and-coming designers and creators from around the world, and featured $40,000 in prize money. The top three finalists in both the Next Mobile + Product Design and the Next Mobile Wallpaper Paradigm Graphic Design categories were invited to attend SDC19 in San Jose, California, where mock-ups of their designs are currently on display and, yesterday, grand-prize winners were announced.

Out of a pool of finalists that included several entries inspired by the beauty of nature, the grand prize in the Next Mobile Wallpaper Paradigm category went to Kalle Järvenpää of Finland’s eye-catching Garden of Galaxy design. The grand prize in the Next Mobile + category was awarded to André Gouveia, Nuno Pires and João Pereira of Portugal’s Star of Galaxy – it is designed for a robotic stand that turns any Samsung Galaxy device into a collaborative countertop smart assistant with Bixby.

The winners were selected by a panel of jurors that included renowned designers Stefan Scholten and Paul Austin, Samsung executives, and Dezeen editor-at-large Amy Frearson. Dontae Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ Corporate Design Center, and Yun-je Kang, Senior Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ Design Team, summed up what hosting this inventive competition means to Samsung.

“At Samsung, whether it’s through hardware or software, we’re constantly exploring ways to take users’ experiences with their Galaxy devices to the next level,” said Lee. “Hosting this competition, and attracting the talents of gifted designers, allows us to do just that. We look forward to creating more opportunities for creators to shape the next wave of Galaxy experiences.”

Read on for a closer look at each category’s shortlisted and winning entries.

Next Mobile Wallpaper Paradigm

[WINNER] Garden of Galaxy by Kalle Järvenpää (Finland)

The idea behind Kalle Järvenpää’s wallpaper design is that each Galaxy device comes with a seed from which a unique flower sprouts. Each flower’s appearance is based on a combination of randomly generated “genes” and the user’s environment. They grow bigger with time – no tending necessary – and users can even share clippings with friends to create beautiful and unique gardens.

Approachability of Galaxy by Andre Cardoso (Portugal)

Andre Cardoso designed his wallpaper concept around the idea of bringing people closer at a time when face-to-face interactions are becoming increasingly scarce. Each device essentially has its own color, and when users come together, their wallpapers begin to blend until they eventually show the same hue.

Blossom of Galaxy by Guan Hong Yeoh (Malaysia)

Guan Hong Yeoh’s wallpaper design is a visual representation of energy in motion. Inspired by nature, his design features colorful organic forms that create beautiful geometric patterns based on ambient sounds and the time of day. As he explains, the design “manifests new experiences of being engaged with natural elements, and brings the invisible nature into the magic of Galaxy.”

Next Mobile +

[WINNER] Star of Galaxy by André Gouveia, Nuno Pires and João Pereira (Portugal)

Star is a robotic stand with an articulated structure that’s designed to charge and hold Bixby-enabled mobile devices. Capable of tilting and rotating 360 degrees, the stand allows the devices to follow and assist the user via face and voice recognition – adding new levels of comfort and flexibility to things like video conferencing, cooking, recording video and more.

Fellas of Galaxy by Cagatay Demirpence and Ece Demirpence (Turkey)

Fellas of Galaxy transforms Samsung’s Galaxy Watch into an interactive toy that can sing songs, tell stories and more to entertain the user’s child. The adorable dock – resembling a pig, bear, deer or crocodile – protects and charges the smartwatch, and allows its display to act as an expressive mouth for each Bixby-powered character.

BELT of Galaxy by Alexander Rehn and Tobias Saller (Germany)

Alexander Rehn and Tobias Saller’s accessory, which they call BELT, was designed to help users of all ages maintain a comfortable grip of Galaxy mobile devices. The loop, which locks easily into place with a clip, can help prevent young and old users, who may not have the muscle endurance or strength to maintain a constant hold of their smartphone or tablet, from accidentally dropping their devices.

Let’s Hear from the Winners

After accepting their respective awards, Kalle and André shared their thoughts on what taking part in the Samsung Mobile Design Competition meant to them.

“It’s a great opportunity to work with a company the size of Samsung,” said Kalle. “If by some chance you managed to get something that would be on, let’s say even one tenth of the Galaxy devices out there, it would be awesome!”

André described the prospect of working with a company like Samsung as a key motivator to bring Star to life. He hopes his team’s creation will be produced and put on the market soon. “We are here to make that dream come true,” says André.

At Samsung, we work to create meaningful innovation in the world, and business drives progress. We build advanced tools and technology solutions to guide digital transformation within companies, industries and the world. We’re able to do this because of our extensive suite of mobile devices and solutions and collaborative partnerships.

“In fact, we believe our open and collaborative approach will set new standards and accelerate innovations that prioritize productivity, security and mobility.” said Edward Choi, Corporate VP Global Strategic Alliances, Samsung Electronics. It is crucial to break down technology barriers, create opportunities and enhance mobility for the new mobile workforce.

This led us to create a streamlined mobile work experience through Samsung DeX, the ultimate mobile productivity solution ushering the future of work for business and consumers alike. Samsung DeX and our global partner networking are ushering a bold new future and enriching the enterprise ecosystem.

At the 2019 Samsung Developer Conference, we featured key partners who we’re working with to provide optimal productivity experience by unlocking new capabilities and use cases for our enterprise customers. With these partnerships, Samsung is leading a new era of connectivity and collaboration for businesses.

Microsoft

Microsoft and Samsung strive to provide professionals with leading technology to work from anywhere, and at any time, by integrating the best of the companies’ hardware, software, solutions and services. Together, Microsoft 365 on Windows Virtual Desktop and Samsung innovative mobile technologies enable users to have a great virtual desktop experience wherever they are.

Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop and Samsung DeX enable a full screen Microsoft 365 experience from Samsung DeX-enabled mobile devices through Windows Virtual Desktop on an Android endpoint – enabling workers to be even more productive, no matter where they go.

Samsung DeX provides a desktop-like experience entirely powered by a Samsung Galaxy device¹. Using a mobile device and connected screen, Samsung DeX allows users to seamlessly switch from one application to another. You can use Android applications on the mobile device while working on Windows apps delivered from Azure on a connected monitor.

Additionally, the new Galaxy Book was designed on the Microsoft Windows 10 platform with the mobile enterprise customer in mind.

“Samsung and Microsoft share a commitment to open collaboration and are continually looking for new ways to deliver the best productivity experiences across devices, applications and services,” said Rob Howard, Senior Director, Microsoft. “Samsung DeX and Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop allow for innovative smartphone and PC capabilities and experiences across the Galaxy and Windows ecosystems, unlocking new scenarios for enterprises and end users.”

Cisco

Samsung and Cisco are working together to enable an intelligent and unified experience of Webex solutions across Samsung mobile devices.

This alliance was founded with the goal to make it easier for personal and business users to collaborate with each other. Together, Cisco and Samsung created the best Wi-Fi 6 experience. Through joint engineering efforts and field trials, we developed technology optimized for app developers and mobile users. Earlier this year, we launched the Samsung Galaxy S10 as the first Wi-Fi 6 enabled mobile device. Wi-Fi 6, the next -generation of Wi-Fi network technology, not only provides faster network speeds, its increased network capabilities combined with 5G will create a seamless and hyper-connected experience for the future of business.

Cisco Webex is leveraging Samsung DeX and our Wi-Fi 6 partnership to enable customers, whether they are on the go or in the office, to intelligently collaborate, all from within one single app.

“Our unified and integrated Webex Platform are making it easy for customers to collaborate, regardless of device or location,” said Abhay Kulkarni, VP and General Manager, Webex Meetings. “We’re excited to provide a secure, unified and cognitive experience across calling, messaging and meeting on Samsung mobile devices; enabling the best experiences for our joint customers across the globe.”

Thanks to our partnerships with Microsoft and Cisco, enterprises can create new and unexpected ways of working with Samsung. We’re excited about these and other exciting ways we’re shaping the future of work through collaboration and mobile innovations.

¹ Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, S10 series, and Note 8, Note 9, Note 10, Fold and Tab S4, Tab S5e, Tab S6, A90 5G (https://developer.samsung.com/samsung-dex/how-it-works)

To help you catch up with these and other exciting updates from San Jose, here’s a handy list of the top themes on display at SDC19.

Held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in sunny California, this year’s Samsung Developer Conference is a showcase of the hottest topics in tech.

Expanding the Bixby and SmartThings Ecosystems

This year at SDC, Samsung is showcasing strides it’s made to integrate Bixby into a wide range of devices. The company is also introducing enhancements that will make it easier for developers to enrich Bixby and the SmartThings IoT platform with useful services, and in doing so, create more ways for users to infuse intelligence into everything they do.

Outlining Samsung’s efforts to offer developers more ways to work with Bixby, Eui-Suk Chung, EVP, Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics, discusses the AI platform’s expansion. “In 2019, we made it even easier to use Bixby,” Chung explains. “We added new capabilities not only on our flagship devices, but also on most of our A-series devices, on more Galaxy tablets and watches, TVs and home appliances. Just to give you countless new ways to integrate intelligence into everything you do.”

Samsung demonstrates how enhancements to the Bixby Developer Studio, including new Bixby Templates and Bixby Views, will streamline the development of capsules that work across Bixby’s ever-growing ecosystem of devices.

In addition to unveiling a new Rules API that will spur the creation of more automated smart home experiences, Samsung introduced a SmartThings Device SDK beta program – set to launch early next year – that will help third-party manufacturers build SmartThings-supported devices.

New Devices and Experiences

Those visiting SDC19 are treated to first looks at some of the latest and greatest products of Samsung’s innovation. Spanning categories like mobile devices, UX design and more, the devices and experiences showcased at the conference hold the power to transform the way people live, work and connect.

The launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Fold established a brand-new product category – one that opens the door to a new era of mobile experiences. To help realize its vision of a foldable future, Samsung is demonstrating its commitment to developing a variety of foldable form factors at SDC19. Enriching the category with more options will help Samsung and developers explore new use cases and user experiences.

Also on display at SDC is the new, Bixby-enabled Galaxy Home Mini, which fosters continuous IoT experiences when managing connected devices, and offers powerful pound-for-pound audio quality.

Seeing is believing: An SDC attendee examines how Samsung’s AI ScaleNet technology makes it possible to stream high-quality 8K videos on networks with lower bandwidth capabilities.

Peeks at Cutting-edge Blockchain and Enterprise Solutions

SDC19 offers partners and developers a chance to learn more about one of the hottest trends in technology today: blockchain. Speakers and sessions discuss how enterprises and developers can utilize Samsung’s latest blockchain-powered services to capitalize on the technology’s incredible potential.

The conference also offers attendees an opportunity to see how Samsung is leveraging its years of experience leading innovation in a variety of industries – ranging from retail and manufacturing to transportation and healthcare – to provide enterprises with customized services tailored to their needs.

Seungyun Lee, Principal Engineer, Knox Platform for Enterprise, Samsung Electronics, discusses Samsung’s commitment to advancing blockchain technology – a commitment that’s seen the company produce one of the first smartphones with blockchain technology built-in, and streamline data and cryptocurrency management with the launches of the Samsung Blockchain Keystore and the new Samsung Blockchain Platform SDK. “Together,” Lee explains, “all of these innovations mark a new beginning for the blockchain ecosystem – with Samsung at the forefront.”

SDC attendees eagerly explore the various blockchain innovations being displayed at SDC19. Included among these is the new Samsung Blockchain Platform SDK, which opens up exciting opportunities for developers by 1) offering them more options for securely storing private keys, 2) supporting cryptocurrency transactions, and 3) enabling apps to be smoothly integrated into a mobile space.

Samsung’s SDC19 booth also includes exhibits that illustrate why enterprises in a variety of fields – including industries known to employ the strictest security standards – trust Samsung to help them customize solutions.

But Wait, There’s More!

At the end of the day, SDC is about inspiring people to pursue meaningful innovation. Which is why those visiting the conference are also exposed to projects and initiatives that are making a tangible difference in the world, like the Samsung Global Goals app.

Created to support the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the educational and donation-based mobile app offers a simple way for the Galaxy community to support the causes they care about. To help maximize the app’s impact, Samsung has announced that it will match proceeds generated through the app and donate the same amount.¹

That’s all for now, but there’s plenty more to come as SDC19 enters its second day. For more information on the topics and innovations being discussed at the event, be sure to check out Samsung Newsroom’s ongoing coverage. And don’t forget to check back here for more updates on Samsung’s latest AI, IoT and developer innovations.

¹Samsung has pledged to match donations with ad proceeds generated through the Global Goals app; up to $5 million annually.

The Best of Galaxy Store awards launched in 2018 when the company recognized five winners for the best App, Game, Theme, Galaxy Watch App and Galaxy Watch Face.

Samsung expanded the awards this year, recognizing 25 developers and designers of games, apps, watch faces, and smartphone themes. The award celebrates both the top performing apps of the year and those who best embrace the Samsung spirit of innovation, quality, and creativity.

Best of Galaxy Store Awards winners were invited to SDC to participate in the Best of Galaxy Store Awards Ceremony, where they received their Best of Galaxy Store 2019 Award.  Winners also receive a Best of Galaxy Store Award 2019 banner, featuring on the Galaxy Store as well as other benefits.

This year saw the Galaxy Store get a makeover, bringing with it a new look and a rebrand along with a number of improvements and new features. Better personalized recommendations, enhanced search capability, and integration with Samsung Rewards give users a much better experience. But perhaps the most exciting new feature are the editorial pages to more effectively promote the content and apps available in the Galaxy Store to more than 400 million monthly active users around the world.

“We believe the hardworking and dedicated community of developers are the heart of the Galaxy Store,” said Chris Jo, VP & GM, Head of Store Mgmt., Biz Dev & Biz Operations. “Over the last few years the store has made some incredible strides forward and our developers have contributed to this success. Therefore, we wanted to both recognize and reward the best work that this community has to offer.”

Here are some of the winners from the Best of Galaxy Store 2019.

Best Racing Game 2019: Asphalt 9: Legends

Put the pedal to the metal and race the streets in the latest edition of Gameloft’s blockbuster racing game, Asphalt 9: Legends. Gamers can pick their dream car from a roster of cars based on real vehicles from the world’s top race car manufacturers.

The immersive graphics bring a console-like experience to the palm of your hands, taking full advantage of Samsung’s best-in-class display technology to deliver a premium mobile gaming experience. The game also features social elements, such as the racing club, to allow players to connect and collaborate.

Download from the Galaxy Store here.

Best Social App 2019: TikTok

Celebrating the internet’s most authentic moments, TikTok is a popular short video app for creating and sharing bite-sized content. From videos showcasing creative entertainment, dances and sketches, to DIY skills, TikTok has taken the world by storm.

The app allows users to create short videos, often including music, which can be enhanced with a variety of filters and in-app editing tools. Videos are typically 15 seconds long and can be shared directly on TikTok or on other social media apps.

“Millions of creators use TikTok to showcase their creativity and skills in short videos that are exciting, spontaneous, and authentic,” said Edward Chou, Head of Marketing, TikTok US. “We’re honored to be recognized by Samsung’s Galaxy Store Editorial Team and excited to continue delivering creative opportunities and a joyful experience to our global community of users.”

Download from the Galaxy Store here.

Best Themes Brand Collaboration 2019: Cogul Planet MLB Theme

Partnering with US Major League Baseball, Korean digital content provider, Cogul Planet, launched MLB smartphone and watch themes on the Galaxy Store in April 2019. The themes celebrate the World Series winning teams, featuring ringtones of broadcaster commentaries from major game moments to recreate the excitement of the championship games.

“We are expanding MLB’s brand power in the US with over 100,000 downloads since the release of the MLB theme in the Galaxy Store last April,” said a CEO Bo-mook Choi. “In the future, we are planning to release more diverse MLB themes so that we can get closer to fans around the world.

Download from the Galaxy Store here.

Best Watch Designer 2019: Matteo Dini

Featuring a range of digital and analog watch faces for Tizen smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch, Matteo Dini is celebrated by users for his mix of modern and classic designs.

“Working with Samsung is something exceptional,” said Matteo Dini, Designer and CEO. “Every day I am in contact with people from all over the world who appreciate my watch faces and use them daily. It’s very exciting!”

Download from the Galaxy Store here. http://galaxy.store/matteodini, http://apps.samsung.com/gear/

As part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring that its technologies are accessible to all users, on October 29 at SDC19, Samsung Electronics unveiled One UI 2. The latest version of Samsung’s signature UI includes an array of advanced audiovisual functions that make it easy for any user to get the most out of their Galaxy device.

Improving Visibility for Everyone

When it comes to core accessibility functions like high-contrast features, user demand is resoundingly clear.

Samsung’s high-contrast theme, which helps people with low vision see their smartphone more clearly, has so far recorded more than 15 million downloads. To make users’ displays more accommodating to their eyes, Samsung has introduced, among other features, options to 1) adjust the screen’s color settings, which enhances visibility for users who have difficulty seeing certain hues, and 2) utilize a high-contrast keyboard featuring colors that make keys really stand out.

Another way that One UI 2 offers users with low vision a helping hand is by visualizing Bixby’s dictation function. This convenient feature allows users to, for instance, easily send messages to friends by simply telling Bixby what they’d like to type. Users can also use their voice to make notes and save ideas in the Samsung Notes app.

Having visual impairment can also make it difficult to sense when lights have been turned on around you. Galaxy devices’ unique Light Sensing feature addresses this difficulty by detecting the status of nearby lights and informing the user through vibration. Users may then decide whether they’d like to turn the lights on or leave them off.

Enhancements to Help All Users Communicate Better

Samsung believes that a smartphone cannot truly be called a smartphone if it doesn’t allow users to make the most of its call function. In One UI 2, users will now be able to enjoy an improved experience when engaging in phone conversations, even in places with lots of background noise.

One UI 2 also comes with the Live Transcribe feature. This feature will automatically put spoken words into a text form on the screen that live updates so users can follow along with a conversation straight from the palm of their hand.

Furthermore, users of Galaxy Note devices can harness the convenience of Screen Off memo and other S Pen features to quickly and easily write down what they wish to communicate in situations where the need arises.

Where Accessibility Meets AI

Since the launch of its artificial intelligence (AI) platform Bixby, Samsung has been working to provide wider accessibility to its products and services for all users. As these AI technologies develop, so too will the range of accessibility capabilities offered across all Samsung devices and services.

When it was first introduced, Bixby was envisaged as an assistant for general smartphone users to enhance their experiences. As the service developed, it became of use particularly to the elderly, and to children who did not have a strong understanding of how Samsung’s products and services operated.

Samsung is committed to bringing more AI features to its technologies and devices in the future. Thanks to users’ continuous usage of these accessibility features, Samsung has developed a better understanding of how they should be enhanced. This means that more advanced customization options will soon become available.

“When developing One UI 2, we considered accessibility to be the most important element in the development process,” noted Eui-Suk Chung, Executive Vice President and Head of Software and Artificial Intelligence at Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business. “This is our philosophy regarding accessibility here at Samsung.”

Chung is determined of the value accessible products and services will have in the future. “If we take care to implement accessibility into our products thoroughly, many more people will be able to use our products and services comfortably,” Chung explained. “Better accessibility will improve the user experience not only for those with impairments, but also for the youngest and eldest members of our society. It can also benefit users in general when they are driving, cooking, or simply want more comfort.”

“I hope that the enhancements we have made to our accessibility features in One UI 2 are valuable to those whom they can help,” Chung continued. “It may not seem like a lot to people would require assistance in this way, but we know these functions can be essential for those who need them. Accessibility should no longer be considered as something extra – it should be at the core of all development, technological and otherwise.”

For more information about the Samsung Mobile Accessibility, please visit here.

DJ Koh, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics today announced, at the Samsung Developer Conference 2019 (SDC19), new ways its platforms will enable developers to introduce simpler, more powerful experiences to consumers around the world. Samsung shared its vision for the next era of mobile and connected living, offering inspiration to developers, enterprise leaders, and consumers through innovative experiences with the devices they rely on every day.

“We are fortunate to work with the world’s best developers and designers. Together, we have built an extensive and secure ecosystem of devices and services,” said DJ Koh, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics. “We continue to make progress toward our vision to be the innovator of new mobile experiences that flow seamlessly and continuously wherever we go.”

Creating Opportunities for Developers through Open, Scalable AI and IoT Platforms

ES Chung, EVP and Head of Software and AI, Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics, outlines plans to enrich Bixby to offer users “countless new ways to integrate intelligence into everything you do.”

To help consumers discover new ways Bixby can work with them to get things done more quickly and easily, Samsung launched Bixby Marketplace earlier this year, creating a way for developers to introduce their Bixby capsules to millions of Bixby users. In the past six months, the size of the Bixby developer community has doubled. And starting in 2020, the Bixby Marketplace will expand gradually, enabling developers to offer their services across more Samsung devices.

To make it easier for developers to create new experiences on its AI platform and ensure consumers have more intuitive experience, Samsung announced enhanced capabilities in the Bixby Developer Studio at SDC19.

• New Bixby Templates makes it easy for developers to create capsules using pre-existing forms so that they don’t have to start from scratch.
• Enhanced Bixby Views enable developers to build capsules with a consistent design even beyond smartphones—to televisions, tablets, smart watches and refrigerators.
• Developers can now register their capsules under Natural Language Categories. When users ask Bixby for help related to a category—such as radio, news, or navigation—Bixby suggests a capsule that can help them get what they need more quickly and easily, even without having to call out exact name of the capsule.

Larry Heck, CEO of Viv Labs, Samsung Electronics, introduces new Natural Language Categories, which simplify how users engage with and discover Bixby capsules.

More consumers than ever are seeing how seamlessly connected devices and services can make everyday life easier. Developers can scale their device and service offerings through Samsung’s IoT platform, SmartThings. Already, developers and partners have brought connected experiences to more than 45 million monthly active users and thousands of compatible devices, and the platform is expected to grow further with the Work as a SmartThings Hub (WASH) program, which allows partners like network operators to embed SmartThings Hub software into their devices.

To help developers build on and integrate existing devices with the SmartThings platform, Samsung announced new capabilities for developers:

• The new Rules API brings to life more automated smart home experiences to reflect individual daily routines across a broad range of SmartThings devices.
• Samsung is launching the SmartThings Device SDK Beta program in early 2020 to enable more third-party manufacturers to create SmartThings-compatible devices.

Samsung continues to invite developers to actively participate in its ecosystem and supports the developer community with several incentive programs—including the Best of Galaxy Store Award, the Samsung Mobile Design Competition, Bixby DevJam and the Samsung Mobile Security Reward program.

Inspiring Developers with New Experiences Across Devices

Samsung continued to refine the mobile experience to allow users to focus on what matters most to them. One UI 2 includes new features that declutter the user interface—making it easier for people to interact naturally, while also making it easier on their eyes. And now, to make both the developer and the user experiences consistent across devices, Samsung is expanding the use of One UI 2 beyond smartphones to tablets, wearables, and new form factors, including foldables.

Sally Hyesoon Jeong, VP and Head of Framework R&D Group, Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics, introduces an all-new, compact form factor for foldable devices.

With the launch of Galaxy Fold, Samsung designed a first-of-its kind mobile experience that is much more than a foldable device. Samsung, alongside hundreds of developers and partners, created an entire foldable ecosystem that continues grow and opens up new possibilities to the mobile experience. As promised at SDC last year, Samsung will continue to explore a range of new form factors in the foldable category. And at SDC19, Samsung invited developers and users alike to join the exploration of exciting new use cases and user experiences.

To deliver the best possible TV viewing experience, Samsung is also investing in 8K technologies. With AI ScaleNet, Samsung has made it possible to stream high-quality 8K videos on networks with lower bandwidth capabilities. Samsung has also announced new tools that make it easier for developers to bring new experiences across the nearly 100 million Smart TVs that are powered by Tizen.

• Wits automatically uploads a code edit to the TV, so developers can see their update almost immediately, significantly trimming development time.
• EasyST makes testing content playback much easier because developers don’t need to build their own test app to make sure their content is streaming as intended.
• TIFA (Tizen Identifier for Advertising) gives consumers the option to limit ad tracking or opt-out of targeted advertising
• Samsung is making Tizen TV OS available to third-party TV makers for the first time.

End-to-End Security Built in Every Solution and Experience

Terry Halvorsen, CIO and EVP, IT of Mobile Communications B2G Business, Samsung Electronics, discusses the importance of stout security solutions like Samsung Knox – particularly in today’s hyperconnected world.

Emerging technologies, such as IoT, AI and 5G, are bringing new capabilities and opportunities to the developer landscape. For Samsung, it means providing the community with the tools and programs necessary to deliver secure and reliable solutions.

Secure Development Lifecycle delivers systematic reviews at every phase of the development, supply chain, and manufacturing process. To give both developers and users peace of mind, Samsung offers the Knox SDK, allowing partners and app developers to integrate advanced security solutions to their apps and services. In addition, Samsung has been working with German government agencies, especially BSI, and industry partners on developing a mobile-enabled eID for digital services to support customers and governments by developing a solid foundation for trusted identity services.

Seungyun Lee, Principal Engineer, Knox Platform for Enterprise, Samsung Electronics, discusses features that make Samsung Knox attractive to developers. “Knox is software that is built around hardware root of trust, not just implemented after the device is built” Lee explains, “giving it a foundation like no other security system in the market.”

Samsung invites developers and partners on its journey to bring new and secure experiences to life. For more information about working with Samsung and the Samsung Developer Conference 2019, please visit sdc.developer.samsung.com. Further information can also be found on Twitter (@samsung_dev) and using the hashtag #SDC19.

SDC19’s keynote event was packed with people eager to learn more about Samsung’s latest innovations

About Samsung Developer Conference
SDC brings together thousands of developers and creators to explore today’s tech and visualize what’s possible in the future. The two-day conference will feature exciting keynote announcements, technical sessions and valuable networking time. Plus, Samsung product teams and technology partners will showcase the latest tech advances and tools.

* All services and programs mentioned above may vary by region.

Since that announcement, Bixby has expanded to a variety of products, including smartphones, wearables, tablets, smart TVs, Family Hub refrigerators and more, as well as SmartThings-connected devices. Over the last year, Samsung has opened the door for developers to create their own Bixby capsules with the introduction of the Bixby Developer Studio, and made it easy for users to download those services with the launch of the Bixby Marketplace in June.

The tools and enhancements introduced at SDC19 will make developing capsules easier, and offer developers opportunities to reach an expansive user base across Samsung’s device portfolio. For example, with the Bixby Developer Studio’s new Bixby Templates, rather than building a capsule’s code and model manually from scratch, developers can simply choose from a variety of templates designed to handle many situations – including offering a fact of the day or quiz, telling jokes, or playing a podcast.

Not only are capsules easier to create, they’re also quick and easy to find thanks to new Natural Language Categories. This means that now, when developers register their capsules under specific categories, if a user makes a request, Bixby will be able to search and suggest related capsules that fall under that category. It also means that users can call up capsules using natural language, rather than invoking the capsule’s specific name. This not only offers users a more convenient experience, it also makes it easier for developers’ capsules to be discovered and used.

To kickstart the creation of more capsules, the Bixby Developer Studio includes a new Bixby Views function, which enables developers to create capsules that feature consistent user interface designs across Bixby-enabled smartphones, TVs, tablets, smartwatches, refrigerators and more. Samsung has also announced that beginning in 2020, the Bixby Marketplace will expand to devices beyond smartphones. Interested developers can get a head start on developing for upcoming Bixby-enabled devices by using Bixby Views to start building seamless multi-device experiences.

In addition to hosting SDC, throughout the year, Samsung organizes workshops and sessions at locations around the world that offer developers valuable opportunities to hone their skills, gain exposure, and win prizes. Included among these are the Bixby DevJam competition and the Bixby Premier Developer Program. The former offers developers prizes for exceptionally innovative capsule creations, while the latter offers them first-class technical support, devices for testing and iterating capsules, and Bixby Marketplace exposure.

Check out the infographic below to trace Bixby’s incredible journey, and discover how the platform is helping developers add useful and personalized intelligence to more services and devices.

Samsung is always working to find ways to make your smart home even more personalized, automated and fine-tuned to the way you live your life. Our Internet of Things (IoT) vision for SmartThings is to create an open, intelligent and global platform that can improve the way users manage their lives, and so we are constantly working to expand on SmartThings’ tools and capabilities so that we, together with a global community of developers, can expand the capabilities of IoT for your smart home – and beyond.

In order to improve your SmartThings experience, at SDC 2018 we introduced Works With SmartThings (WWST) to deliver a better connected living experience across more devices. At this year’s SDC, we are introducing the new Rules API to bring the full power of SmartThings to developers, making the process of device automation that much easier for users to enjoy the most seamless smart home experience yet.

Making Your Smart Home Work for You

Setting up your smart home with SmartThings and enjoying all the conveniences Samsung and partner devices have to offer is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Simply create a SmartThings profile after downloading the app, let the app automatically connect all your supported devices, and configure custom automation for your daily routines.

The portfolio of devices that can help you control your smart home is ever growing. Thanks to Works As a SmartThings Hub (WASH) program, which lets you transform your existing hub device into a SmartThings Hub, and WWST, which lets you integrate a growing number of devices into your Samsung SmartThings ecosystem, your smart home can do more for you than ever before. Today, SmartThings brings together more than 5,000 different smart home products, including those from over 100 different partners for over 45 million monthly active users.

We also understand that, when managing your household, security is always key, which is why we have introduced a new range of smart home products and services, such as the SmartThings Cam, SmartThings Vision, SmartThings Video, and SmartThings Home Monitor to provide real-time data and monitoring straight to your SmartThings app for 24/7 control.

SmartThings Automation

Samsung is constantly working to bring more power to SmartThings users’ fingertips through collaboration with partners and developers. At last year’s SDC, we introduced a new suite of tools for the redesigned SmartThings Developer Workplace, and this year, we are bringing even more SmartThings tools to developers, such as the Rules API. With Rules API, developers are able to create and manage complex automations within the SmartThings Cloud, meaning that the number of services and products available to users with automation built into their capabilities is set to expand.

Automation with SmartThings not only allows you to control individual devices, but also to create a variety of personalized smart home sequences that will automate complicated processes for you.

For more information on how to get started with SmartThings and which devices are compatible with it, visit the SmartThings website.

“Consumers often have to choose between mobility and high-performance hardware when choosing a laptop,” said YoungGyoo Choi, Senior Vice President of, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy Book Flex and Galaxy Book Ion eliminate the need to compromise by offering powerful performance with unparalleled portability and display innovation.”

New Laptops with New Innovations 

Galaxy Book Flex and Galaxy Book Ion feature the world’s first QLED Display on a laptop, offering a vivid, true-to-life viewing experience. Outdoor Mode, enabled by a maximum 600-nit display capability, ensures every detail is clear even under bright sunlight. Both devices make it easy to go cordless thanks to long-lasting batteries and power-conserving displays. Samsung’s industry-leading Wireless PowerShare feature can also charge any of your Qi-compatible smartphones, Galaxy Buds or wearables with the laptop’s touchpad. Galaxy Book Flex and Galaxy Book Ion both exemplify Samsung’s design legacy for an ultra-thin and light device that easily slips into bags and backpacks without the added bulk.

Co-engineered with Intel as part of the Project Athena innovation program, Galaxy Book Flex and Galaxy Book Ion passed rigorous testing to meet the program’s targets for advanced computing experiences and specifications to enable exceptional responsiveness, high efficiency battery life and instant action. Galaxy Book Flex and Galaxy Book Ion also boast 10th Gen Intel^® Core processors for intelligent performance and stunning entertainment, and Intel^® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) and Thunderbolt 3, industry-leading wireless and wired standards for fast, flexible and easy connectivity.

“We are building on our long history with Samsung to drive innovation and bring new mobile computing experiences to market,” said Gregory Bryant, Intel executive vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group. “The introduction of Galaxy Book Flex and Galaxy Book Ion, the first Project Athena-verified laptops from Samsung and both based on 10th Gen Intel Core, showcase what can be achieved when we bring great engineering talent together to work towards a united vision of a new computing experiences of the future.”

Galaxy Book Flex: A Powerful, Portable, Premium 2-in-1

Galaxy Book Flex is designed for people who need the latest and greatest technology to help them push the envelope and achieve more. Galaxy Book Flex can handle every demanding task thrown at it, from perfecting the latest line of code to sketching the latest artistic creation. Galaxy Book Flex’s 360-degree hinge lets the user experience the device both as a tablet and a PC. Designed for the road, Galaxy Book Flex sports an aluminum body for added protection with a “Royal Blue” finish that will turn heads. With the enhanced S Pen’s new gesture controls, you can quickly switch slides in PowerPoint during a presentation, or rewind a video you’re showing to friends using just your hand. Optimized S Pen apps provide a powerful writing and drawing experience across the device. Access to the expansive PENUP community is also available for the first time ever on a laptop, allowing users to easily create and share their favorite sketches. And built-in biometric credentialing, powered by Windows Hello, provides peace of mind even in the most unfamiliar places.

Galaxy Book Ion: An Advanced, Agile, Ultra-Lightweight PC

Galaxy Book Ion was built for the on-the-go professional who isn’t bound to a desk. Made with ultralight magnesium, its clamshell frame and ultrathin design were engineered specifically with portability in mind, measuring just 12.9/14.9mm thick and weighing less than a kilogram¹. Galaxy Book Ion’s 15.6-inch version comes with an additional SSD and DDDR4 RAM slot, boosting PC performance without adding any bulk. Featuring a luxurious “Aura Silver” color, Galaxy Book Ion offers a spectrum of hues at every angle, giving it a premium look to complement its portable design.

Both Galaxy Book Flex and Galaxy Book Ion will be available in two sizes, 13.3-inch and 15.6-inch, starting from December in select market. For more information about Galaxy Book Flex and Galaxy Book Ion, visit news.samsung.com/galaxy, www.samsungmobilepress.com.

Product Specifications

	Galaxy Book Flex 13	Galaxy Book Flex 15
Dimensions	302.6 x 202.9 x 12.9 mm	355.0 x 227.2 x 14.9 mm
Weight	1.16kg	1.52kg / 1.57kg (Discrete graphics model)
Display	13.3″ QLED FHD Display (1920 x 1080)	15.6″ QLED FHD Display (1920 x 1080)
CPU	10th Generation Intel® Core Processor (Ice Lake)	10th Generation Intel® Core Processor (Ice Lake)
Graphics	Intel® Iris Plus Graphics or Intel®UHD Graphics	NVIDIA® GeForce® MX250 Graphics with GDDR5 2 GB Graphic Memory / Intel® Iris Plus Graphics / Intel® UHD Graphics
Memory	Up to 16GB (LPDDR4x)	Up to 16GB (LPDDR4x)
Storage	Up to 1TB SSD (NVMe)	Up to 1TB SSD (NVMe)
WLAN	Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), 802.11 ax 2×2	Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), 802.11 ax 2×2
Camera / Mic	720p HD / Dual Array Mic	720p HD / Dual Array Mic
Audio	AKG Stereo Speakers with Smart Amp	AKG Stereo Speakers with Smart Amp
Security	Fingerprint	Fingerprint
S Pen	Built-in S Pen	Built-in S Pen
Keyboard	Backlit	Backlit
Battery	69.7Wh (Typical)	69.7Wh (Typical)
Ports	Thunderbolt 3 (2) | USB-C | UFS/MicroSD Combo | HP/Mic	Thunderbolt 3 (2) | USB-C | UFS/MicroSD Combo | HP/Mic

	Galaxy Book Ion 13	Galaxy Book Ion 15
Dimensions	305.7 x 199.8 x 12.9 mm	356.1 x 228.0 x 14.9 mm
Weight	0.97 kg	1.19kg / 1.26kg (Discrete graphics model)
Display	13.3″QLED FHD Display (1920 x 1080)	15.6″QLED FHD Display (1920 x 1080)
CPU	10th Generation Intel® Core Processor (Comet Lake)	10th Generation Intel® Core Processor (Comet Lake)
Graphics	Intel® UHD Graphics	NVIDIA® GeForce® MX250 Graphics with GDDR5 2 GB Graphic Memory / Intel® UHD Graphics
Memory	Up to 16GB (DDR4)	Up to 16GB (DDR4) + 1 Sodimm
Storage	Up to 1TB SSD (NVMe)	Up to 1TB SSD (NVMe) + 1 SSD expandable slot
WLAN	Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), 802.11 ax 2×2	Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), 802.11 ax 2×2
Camera / Mic	720p HD / Dual Array Mic	720p HD / Dual Array Mic
Audio	AKG Stereo Speakers with Smart Amp	AKG Stereo Speakers with Smart Amp
Security	Fingerprint	Fingerprint
Keyboard	Backlit	Backlit
Battery	69.7Wh (Typical)	69.7Wh (Typical)
Ports	Thunderbolt 3 | USB 3.0 (2) | HDMI | UFS/MicroSD Combo | HP/Mic	Thunderbolt 3 | USB 3.0 (2) | HDMI | UFS/MicroSD Combo | HP/Mic

¹Available on Galaxy Book Ion 13 only