Meet Pawel Achtel, a world-renowned professional in underwater cinematography with a career spanning over 35 years and more than 5,000 dives ranging from the equator to Antarctica. The filmmaker’s extensive diving experience informs his cinematographic work — which has captured the attention of industry leaders such as National Geographic, BBC and Discovery — providing a unique perspective on life underwater and highlighting his expertise in designing and producing advanced cinematography equipment. He was also involved in capturing 8K resolution underwater sequences for “Avatar: The Way of Water.”

Samsung Newsroom sat down with Pawel Achtel to dive into the details of underwater cinematography and explore how Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K lineup is reshaping the landscape for filmmakers and viewers at home.

How 8K Technology Transforms Underwater Filmmaking

In fields like underwater cinematography, where visuals matter most, Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K is indispensable. Not only does it help viewers feel immersed in the scene, but it is also vital for filmmakers to assess underwater footage.

Due to variables like ocean currents and light refraction, filming underwater in true 8K quality can be difficult. “But, when all the circumstances line up, the results are breathtaking,” shared Achtel.

While advanced technologies like submersible lenses assist in capturing these shots, Neo QLED 8K — known for its high resolution and clarity — allows filmmakers like Achtel to closely examine even the smallest details of underwater scenes. This close look helps improve sharpness and other aspects of image quality after filming, overcoming the challenges of underwater optics.

▲ Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K helps cinematographers closely examine details and improve picture quality

“The underwater world is elusive — and filmmakers have a rare opportunity to allow people to see it in great detail, in a way people may not see elsewhere,” said Achtel. “It makes these shots interesting and captivating as they reveal an environment completely foreign to us in stunning detail.”

Samsung made waves at CES 2024 by introducing the latest Neo QLED 8K with the new NQ8 AI Gen3 processor, delivering a cinematic experience at home. Impressed by its features, the filmmaker called the TV “a transformative advancement.”

He specifically praised features like 8K AI Upscaling Pro and AI Motion Enhancer Pro,¹ available on select Neo QLED 8K models, highlighting Samsung’s commitment to outstanding visuals. “Having witnessed the advanced features at CES 2024, I can confidently say they enhance realism and immersion,” added Achtel.

However, for this underwater cinematographer, the true power of 8K lies in the seamless integration of production and viewing technologies — charting a new course in content creation and consumption.

Diving Deep Into 8K Home Cinema

As the development and adoption of 8K filming equipment continues to grow, it’s also driving the creation of content that fully embraces the potential of 8K resolution. The unparalleled realism and captivating qualities of 8K make it an essential tool for storytelling, especially for content that demands a powerful visual impact.

Take underwater footage, for example, which is often played at a slower pace — giving audiences the time to absorb unfamiliar environments and take in details that might otherwise go unnoticed.

▲ Various factors including currents and light refraction present challenges for capturing clear, beautiful shots underwater

On the Neo QLED 8K, viewers can appreciate the “impressive color accuracy” and “nuanced portrayal of detailed scenes” of the ocean’s depths. From the calming blue water to the vivid and bright hues of fish and coral reefs, Achtel attributes the appeal of his 8K underwater imagery to the variety of striking colors and patterns. With Neo QLED 8K, the benefits now extend beyond just the content itself.

“On the viewing side, Neo QLED 8K plays a pivotal role in bringing the 8K ecosystem to life,” he explained. “It not only showcases content with remarkable clarity but also upscales lower-resolution footage to nearly 8K quality, ensuring an immersive viewing experience of the highest caliber.”

Given its advanced picture quality powered by increased neural networks and cutting-edge AI upscaling features, Neo QLED 8K elevates the viewing experience — even with content not initially captured in 8K. Combining advanced image quality with larger screen sizes also opens new possibilities for home viewing to offer an experience that rivals that of traditional big-screen setups.

In the ever-evolving landscape of visual storytelling, enhancing a TV’s ability to process non-8K content offers significant benefits and inspires filmmakers to strive for higher quality content.

“At the end of the day, having a device with an enhanced visual experience and immersive capabilities empowers cinematographers to craft and evaluate captivating content that resonates deeply with viewers,” said Achtel.

The role of 8K technology in underwater cinematography and home entertainment underscores its transformative potential to enhance visual storytelling and enrich the viewing experience for audiences around the world.

To learn more about Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K, visit samsung.com.

¹ 8K AI Upscaling Pro and AI Motion Enhancer Pro are exclusive features of the QN900D model.

Centered on the theme “AI for All: Connectivity in the Age of AI,” Samsung’s booth highlighted the company’s unwavering commitment to industry-leading innovation and strategic work in improving lives. With the potential to enhance experiences at home, at work, and everywhere in between, Samsung’s vision for AI encompasses all aspects of daily life.

▲ The Samsung booth at CES 2024 showcased the company’s innovations in the Sustainability Zone, SmartThings Zone, Screen Experience Zone, Home Experience Zone, and Mobile Experience Zone

▲ Visitors gathered at the entrance to view the company’s newly announced AI vision on The Wall, an ultra-large MICRO LED display

Eco-Conscious Insights at the Sustainability Zone

Upon stepping into the booth, attendees were welcomed into the Sustainability Zone that provided insights into Samsung’s environmental strategy, resource circularity efforts, and accessibility enhancements. Featuring a wall built from recycled materials, the zone demonstrated how sustainability shapes the company’s developmental direction. Additionally, attendees learned about partnerships with startups working to tackle environmental issues as well as SmartThings Energy — the company’s home energy service helping users live more eco-consciously.

▲ View of the Sustainability Zone

▲ Attendees viewed details of Samsung’s sustainability efforts at the Circular Workshop

Smarter Living Made Simple at the SmartThings Zone

In the SmartThings Zone, attendees interacted with Samsung’s ever-expanding home ecosystem — which currently includes 196 SmartThings-compatible devices and products from 48 partner companies. The zone featured a variety of scenarios related to different tasks and rooms in the home, allowing users to imagine how SmartThings could improve their daily lives. Topping off the engaging experience, attendees were able to enjoy a live cooking show with British food influencer Oli Paterson.

▲ View of the SmartThings Zone

▲ (From left) Visitors engaged in immersive gaming experiences. Attendees tested out a number of SmartThings-enabled capabilities including Pet Care.

Breaking the Boundaries of Entertainment at the Screen Experience Zone

Samsung welcomed visitors to learn how the company is enhancing its displays with AI technology at the Screen Experience Zone. Presenting its suite of premium TVs including the new Transparent MICRO LED, the zone transformed content viewing from a passive activity into an immersive experience. What’s more, attendees were excited to meet the newly revamped Ballie — Samsung’s AI companion robot that offers more personalized services.

▲ View of the Screen Experience Zone

▲The new Transparent MICRO LED display and Ballie robot attracted the attention of many viewers

An AI-Powered Lifestyle at the Home Experience Zone

The Home Experience Zone invited attendees to learn how AI technology minimizes the hassle of chores and daily tasks through Samsung’s home appliances — including the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo, Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+, and more. In this zone, attendees witnessed how smart cycles like AI OptiWash and AI Optimal Dry enhance the laundry process and how intelligent features such as AI Vision Inside manages food ingredients.

▲ View of the Home Experience Zone

▲ Visitors listened to detailed explanations of Samsung’s suite of Bespoke home appliances

A Hyper-Connected Device Ecosystem at the Mobile Experience Zone

The Mobile Experience Zone at the end of the booth featured Samsung’s portable devices. Attendees tested the new AI capabilities, upgraded processing power, and precise touchscreen of the latest Galaxy Book4 series. Additionally, the zone illustrated the company’s partnerships with industry leaders, such as Microsoft, who are building a more connected Galaxy ecosystem.

▲ View of the Mobile Experience Zone

▲ Attendees tested out the new Galaxy Book4 series and gained insights into the hyper-connected Galaxy ecosystem

Samsung Electronics today shared its vision for how artificial intelligence (AI) technology will enable people to experience their devices more intuitively and conveniently than ever before. Presenting these ideas at a press conference at CES® 2024, Samsung teamed up with key partners to outline the technology behind this vision and how new products and services use AI capabilities to make life easier.

Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) Division, opened the press conference by describing how AI will enable connected technologies to improve people’s daily lives while always remaining nonintrusive and “in the background.” The strategy that he and others outlined focused on the role of AI in enhancing connected experiences that are both simple and useful. Throughout the press conference, Samsung presented a number of products and services that help achieve these aims.

“With the emergence of artificial intelligence, smarter, better experiences will redefine how we live,” Han said. “Samsung’s broad portfolio of powerful devices, along with the pursuit of open collaboration, will help bring AI and hyper-connectivity to all.”

AI-Enabled Visual Display Products and Digital Appliances Bring New Experiences to the Home

During the CES press conference, Jonathan Gabrio, Head of Connected Experience Center at Samsung Electronics America, outlined the ways in which AI technology is transforming how Visual Display products and Digital Appliances are used. For example, Samsung Neo QLED 8K QN900D boasts a built-in AI Processor, NQ8 AI Gen 3, equipped with an 8 times greater AI neural network and a two times faster NPU than its predecessor. Thanks to the NQ8 AI Gen3 processor, Samsung Neo QLED 8K automatically upscales low-resolution content to provide users with up to 8K quality viewing experience and sharpens fast-moving images via AI Motion Enhancer Pro. The Samsung Neo QLED 8K also features Active Voice Amplifier Pro, which analyzes voice and background noise by AI to optimize your TV listening experience so you can enjoy various content as if you are in the front row of a stadium or movie theater. Samsung Neo QLED 8K also features Tizen OS Home, which offers the latest apps, services, personalized content, and service recommendations to upscale your entertainment experience.

As for viewers with different needs, Samsung also provides innovative accessibility features. A sign language feature in Samsung Neo QLED can be easily controlled with gestures for the hearing impaired, and an Audio Subtitle feature turns text subtitles into spoken words in real-time for those with low vision.

Furthermore, Samsung is introducing the new The Premiere 8K, a projector that features not only a 150-inch display, but also the world’s first wireless 8K transmission for a projector. With The Premiere 8K, users will be able to enjoy a full-scale viewing experience like that of the cinema in the comfort of their own homes.

As for sound, Samsung also introduced Music Frame, a speaker with a customizable cover that integrates seamlessly into users’ homes. Via Q-Symphony, the Music Frame syncs with Samsung TVs and soundbars, bringing enriched bass and surround sound of dual built-in woofers to the home with minimal effort.

Samsung has also made major upgrades to Ballie, the rolling AI robot first introduced at CES 2020. Ballie has now evolved into your AI companion capable of interacting with other smart devices to provide customized services such as taking care of bothersome tasks or projecting images and videos on walls so that users can view key information for their daily lives such as weather or other relevant content wherever they are.

To enhance kitchen and food experiences, Samsung is unveiling the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+^1 2. This refrigerator boasts a 32-inch screen that features the new AI Vision Inside³, which uses an internal camera to recognize up to 33 different food items that are put into and taken out of the refrigerator and suggests recipes using those ingredients. Users can also set “use by dates” on the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub screen for food items, which then allows the refrigerator to send a notification when the set date draws near. By conveniently helping to save money by reducing food waste, these AI features enable more environmentally conscious lifestyles. The Anyplace Induction range takes AI connectivity a step further, as recipes saved on Samsung Food can be shared to the cooktop’s 7-inch display so that users can easily follow along while cooking.

Samsung’s AI technology extends to appliances beyond the kitchen, as well. The new Bespoke AI Laundry Combo — an All-in-One washer and dryer — features the AI Hub⁴, which is a 7-inch LCD display that acts as an intuitive control center for managing laundry, allowing users to enjoy a simple washing and drying experience. It personalizes washing and drying by remembering users’ habits and using machine learning to suggest cycles. Meanwhile, Samsung’s upcoming vacuum and mop robot cleaner, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo⁵, utilizes AI technology to provide a more convenient, effective cleaning experience. With AI Object Recognition upgraded from the previous robot cleaner lineup, it will be able to distinguish more objects, as well as detect stains and spaces⁶. The Bespoke Jet Bot Combo also recognizes the type of floor it encounters — along with carpet length — and adjusts its settings accordingly.

Samsung Reveals Galaxy Book4 as Company’s Most AI-Ready Laptop Series Yet

Samsung has been elevating what a PC can do and has been collaborating with Microsoft to create new, seamless connected experiences. Now, these experiences are being advanced further with new connectivity features that make the Galaxy Book4 series smoother, smarter, and more adaptable, reinforcing Samsung and Microsoft’s commitment to providing the best PC experience possible.

Using intelligent, intuitive AI capabilities, Microsoft Copilot⁷ connects the Galaxy Book4 series with Samsung Galaxy smartphone to make them work seamlessly together, so that it feels like just one device. Microsoft Copilot can find, read or summarize text messages from a user’s Galaxy smartphone and even automatically create and send messages on a user’s behalf directly from the PC. Without having to turn on the smartphone and open each individual app, the Galaxy Book4 series can access smartphone functions and information more quickly and intelligently.

The Galaxy Book4 series can now turn Samsung Galaxy smartphones’ powerful camera into a PC webcam⁸, using it for video calls on virtual conferencing apps. Users can switch freely between front and rear cameras with just a click on their PC, and it also offers a variety of features from Galaxy smartphones – including Background Blur and Auto-framing – that help focus on the speaker’s image in any environment.

Through tight, ongoing collaboration between Samsung and Microsoft, more intelligent capabilities will continue to be made possible on the Galaxy Book4 series, with the above connectivity features being available starting from March.

Plus, the Galaxy Book4 series can be paired with other Galaxy devices beyond smartphones. Tab S9 Ultra can be used as an additional PC monitor, and users can enjoy crystal-clear sound quality with reduced latency when the PC is connected with Galaxy Buds2 Pro. With all these capabilities and more, the Galaxy Book4 series is designed to deliver the best PC experience possible.

Better Connecting Users and Devices through Spatial Intelligence

Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings, highlighted the exciting new ways in which AI technology is impacting the relationship between users and their devices, including Samsung’s vision for SmartThings: The more Samsung devices a customer uses, the smarter those devices become and the better they can understand and support daily life.

Spatial AI is the key to enabling this vision, by helping devices understand the living space and routines of the user, thus enabling more a personalized home management experience. SmartThings uses LiDAR⁹ on connected devices like robot vacuums to create digital floor plans so users can easily check the status and location of all their devices.  And in March, SmartThings will roll out the upgraded 3D Map View for a more detailed experience on Samsung smartphones and TVs. Furthermore, a simple QR code will allow users to add family and friends to their SmartThings ecosystem, so that every member of the household can create their own routines.

Using smart sensors and AI, SmartThings will be able to detect unusual circumstances, such as a fall, and send alerts to designated family and caregivers¹⁰.  Also, thanks to the Galaxy SmartTag2, users can track their pets’ activities and digitally store identifying information by attaching the tag to a collar or harness¹¹.

Another point EVP Jung discussed was how the Bixby voice assistant is allowing smart homes to become more dynamic with its enhanced AI capabilities. Bixby can now automatically route commands to the most appropriate devices based on an understanding of the user’s location and activities.  Key technologies like Multi Device Wakeup combined with a shared communication protocol, enable Bixby to listen to commands with all the devices in a room but then only perform the requested action on the most relevant device. So if a user is in the kitchen watching a recipe video on their Family Hub, and they can call out, “Hey, Bixby! Play music!”  At that point, music will play from the user’s smart speaker, but the recipe video will continue to play on the Family Hub, uninterrupted.

The TV, with the Samsung Daily+ service, will increasingly become a central hub for much of this smart home functionality, while also granting access to a variety of additional services. These include video calls through ConnecTime, video veterinary consultation services¹², and Workout Tracker — through which workout data can be transferred to Samsung’s smart watches. Samsung also announced the new Samsung Now+ service, which displays useful information about users’ homes, such as the weather or a live security camera feed from a home security system without the TV even being turned on.  As is the case with SmartThings features, users can also access this information via voice command.

Bringing the Home and Car Closer Together With Home-to-Car Capabilities

Samsung also announced developments in the automotive industry, starting with a partnership with Hyundai Motor Group.  Samsung and Hyundai have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which was announced ahead of CES 2024. Under the agreement, users will have access to Home-to-Car and Car-to-Home services, courtesy of SmartThings connectivity. Haeyoung Kwon, Head of Infotainment Development Center and SDV¹³ Execution Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Group, delivered remarks regarding the partnership.

“Using Hyundai Motor Group’s software-defined vehicle, SmartThings will now work with Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles through the app,” Kwon said. “All of us at Hyundai Motor Group appreciate our partnership with Samsung, and we’re excited about the new features we’re bringing to your vehicles through smarter connectivity.”

Through SmartThings, users will be able to utilize voice commands to remotely perform functions in their car, such as heating it up in advance or opening and closing windows. SmartThings connectivity goes the other way, too, with users able to control home functions from their vehicle. Users will be able to automatically open and close garage doors based on the location of the car, as well as regulate home temperature. All of these actions can be carried out via voice commands.

Additionally, Samsung has further deepened the longstanding partnership with HARMAN to elevate the way users experience driving. Michelle Gattuso, Vice President of Product Management at HARMAN, discussed how the two companies are building new technologies to elevate the driving experience.

“Samsung’s leadership in consumer technology — together with HARMAN’s automotive expertise — has opened the door to game-changing experiences like HARMAN Ready Care, Ready Vision and Ready Display,” Gattuso said. “But now, the work we do with Samsung is getting even more integrated. Samsung and HARMAN are working in lockstep to bring even more impactful experiences to the entire in-cabin ecosystem.”

HARMAN’s Ready Care, which focuses on driver safety, implements deep learning neural networking techniques to monitor the driver’s movement and cognitive alertness, and can provide personalized reminders and alerts. Additionally, Ready Care can now identify whether passengers are adults or children, and adjust airbag deployment settings accordingly.

Furthermore, Ready Vision brings an intuitive display directly to windshields — courtesy of augmented reality — in drivers’ line of sight, right when they need it. For example, drivers have access to a map that updates according to routes in real time, as well as recommendations for the fastest route or where to stop for coffee. Another HARMAN product, Ready Upgrade, allows automakers to frequently update their vehicle’s hardware and software. This keeps vehicles relevant, modern and efficient for longer.

Samsung Focuses on Security and Privacy Across Devices

In this future of AI-enabled, deeply interconnected devices, Samsung recognizes that security and privacy are paramount. Shin Baik from the Mobile eXperience Security Team discussed the company’s security solutions as a foundation for the hyper-connected era.

One such solution is Samsung Knox Matrix, which now provides end-to-end encryption across many Samsung Galaxy smartphones and smart TVs. The technology will allow devices to monitor each other to identify and isolate security threats. Knox Vault, which helps keep user data safe on some of Samsung’s most popular devices, has been expanded to cover more devices connected by SmartThings, such as Samsung Neo QLED 8K TVs. Additionally, Samsung’s partnerships with major tech companies allow users to experience security and privacy in a way that is tailored to their specific needs.

Samsung Makes Strides in Responsible Materials, Energy Management, and Accessibility

Meanwhile, Inhee Chung, Vice President of the Samsung Corporate Sustainability Center, highlighted Samsung’s plans for a more circular economy. As part of these plans, Samsung increasingly incorporates recycled materials into its products — including recycled plastic sourced from discarded fishing nets in Galaxy devices¹⁴, recycled plastic in TVs, and recycled aluminum in Bespoke refrigerators¹⁵. Additionally, the company’s Certified ReNewed program — available in the U.S. and select European countries — offers affordable refurbished phones, while Galaxy Upcycling allows consumers to reuse or repurpose their old phones in creative ways. The company plans to scale up recycling and upcycling, as well.

As for the ways Samsung’s technology contributes to sustainability efforts, the company is utilizing AI to make the use of its products more energy-efficient through features like SmartThings AI Energy Mode, which automatically optimizes energy usage to help users save electricity. These features are yet another example of how AI technology will not only make lives easier, but also allow consumers to live in a way that is more environmentally and economically responsible.

Thanks to a new collaboration with Tesla, SmartThings Energy is becoming even more useful both inside and outside of the home. The collaboration has integrated SmartThings Energy with Tesla products, including electric vehicles (EVs), the Powerwall home battery, Solar Inverter and Wall Connector EV charging solution.  Another benefit is that SmartThings Energy users can take advantage of the Tesla app’s Powerwall “Storm Watch” function, which flags severe weather through SmartThings not only on the Tesla app, but also on users’ connected Samsung TVs and mobile phones. SmartThings can also help users prepare for power outages by activating AI Energy Mode to extend the usage time of backup energy stored in their Tesla Powerwalls.

Samsung is adding new features to increase device accessibility, such as digital appliances responding to hands-free gestures. Additionally, mobile devices provide auto-generated captions during calls, and TVs and displays offer a new, AI-enabled text-to-speech feature that converts subtitles into spoken audio. To further aid those with low vision, Relumino Together is a new viewing mode on Samsung TVs that enables users of all abilities to watch TV together, with or without visual adjustments. Now, everyone can enjoy home entertainment together at the same time.

¹ Product name is for North America only. Product is referred to as “Bespoke 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with Family Hub+” in other regions.
² Does not mean all services available on the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ are AI or generate information or outcomes using AI. The services/features that use deep learning models are limited to 1) AI Vision Inside and 2) Bixby features.
³ As of March 2024, AI Vision Inside can recognize 33 food items like fresh fruits and veggies. If the food is covered by hand and not recognizable, it may be listed as an unknown item. The camera cannot identify or list any food items in the fridge door bins or freezer. Detecting and identifying food items are based on our deep learning model trained using predefined set of data and may yield incomplete or incorrect information. New datasets may be introduced to our learning model from time to time to enhance its accuracy.
⁴ Does not mean all services available on the AI Hub are AI or generate information or outcomes using AI. The services/features that use deep learning models are limited to 1) AI Smart Dial 2) AI Opti Wash & Dry and 3) Bixby features. The learning models may be updated time to time and may yield incomplete or incorrect information.
⁵ Currently in development and subject to change.
⁶ The upgraded AI Object Recognition is expected to be available in the 2^nd half of 2024.
⁷ Users must link their phone to Galaxy Book4 through ‘Link to Windows’ on mobile and the Microsoft Phone Link App on PC and follow the set-up prompts. Galaxy smartphone must be OneUI 1.0 or above. Requires the same MS account to be used both on PC and Phone. Timing of feature and availability may vary by market and device.
⁸ Users must link their phone to Galaxy Book4 through ‘Link to Windows’ on mobile and the Microsoft Phone Link App on PC and follow the set-up prompts. Galaxy smartphone must be OneUI 1.0 or above. Requires the same MS account, Wi-Fi network connection to be used both on PC and Phone. Availability may vary by device.
⁹ Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is an optical technology used for distance sensing.
¹⁰ SmartThings will be able to inform the designated person(s) of a possible emergency if it detects indications of a fall through partners’ presence sensors with fall detection function or the Galaxy watch. Fall detection service expected to be available within this year.
¹¹ Contact information and message shown on Lost Mode must be registered beforehand on the SmartThings application, along with user registration by email.  The SmartTag2 finder’s device must support NFC reading and be connected to the internet.
¹² Samsung Daily+ offers access to 3^rd party veterinary consultation services such as Dr. Tail.
¹³ Software Defined Vehicle
¹⁴ Recycled plastic sourced from discarded fishing nets are incorporated into the Samsung Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Flip4, Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Tab S9 Series, Galaxy Tab S9 FE series, Galaxy Book3 series, Galaxy Book4 series, Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Galaxy Buds FE and more.
¹⁵ Recycled Aluminum is incorporated into BESPOKE refrigerator door panels for models including RQ38B9981APG, RR40B9971APG, RR40B99C5AP/**, RW33B99*****, RW33B99C5TF/**, RZ38B98*****, and RZ38B98C5AP/**

Samsung Electronics introduced a new version of its AI home companion robot Ballie at a press conference at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas on January 8 (local time) — ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024. First introduced at CES 2020, Ballie has been revamped with new advanced features to help users intelligently navigate their lives.

Ballie acts as a personal home assistant, autonomously driving around the home to complete various tasks. By connecting to and managing home appliances, Ballie can provide a helping hand to users in many situations — continually learning from users’ patterns and habits to provide smarter, more personalized services. Ballie provides peace of mind by sending video updates of pets or loved ones to users’ devices when they’re away from home. What’s more, Ballie can set the mood for any home activity whether users are exercising, working or relaxing. From projecting workout videos on the wall or floor in an optimal size to playing music and answering phone calls, Ballie makes life at home more productive and enjoyable.

Learn more about Ballie’s unique AI functionalities in the video below.

The company’s Transparent MICRO LED display was unveiled for the first time at Samsung First Look 2024 on January 7 (local time) — ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, the world’s largest consumer electronics and information technology exhibition held in Las Vegas from January 9-12. Combining superior craftsmanship with six years of tireless research and development, this new modular MICRO LED wowed attendees with its futuristic design. The Transparent MICRO LED’s crystal-clear, glass-like display has revolutionized the viewing experience and attracted the attention of global consumers.

Check out how Transparent MICRO LEDs will make everything from sports to movies more vivid and immersive in the video below.

Samsung Electronics today announced its latest QLED, MICRO LED, OLED and Lifestyle display lineups ahead of CES® 2024. The announcement also served to kick off the AI screen era through the introduction of a next-generation AI processor poised to redefine the perception of smart display capabilities. In addition to bringing improved picture and sound quality, the new lineups provide consumers with AI-powered features secured by Samsung Knox, focusing on inspiring and empowering individual lifestyles.

“Now that we are living through the hyperconnected era, it’s no longer just about delivering quality visual experiences. Displays should enhance our lives both on and off the screen,” said SW Yong, President and Head of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung’s AI screens, powered by on-device AI technology, are designed to be the centerpiece of users’ homes, connecting all compatible devices to offer users a more flexible and diverse lifestyle.”

Double the AI Performance for Enhanced Neo QLED 8K Picture Quality

Samsung’s newest Neo QLED 8K and 4K TVs offer the full package, including lifelike picture quality, premium audio technology and a rich array of apps and services. At its core, the 2024 Neo QLED 8K is Samsung’s latest and most innovative TV processor yet: NQ8 AI Gen3, which has a neural processing unit (NPU) that is twice as fast as that of its predecessor. The amount of neural networks has also increased eightfold from 64 to 512, allowing everything on screen to be displayed in crisp detail. Thanks to this advanced processor, the 2024 lineup is equipped with unprecedented performance upgrades.

The Neo QLED lineup also brings a suite of picture quality and design enhancing features, including:

• 8K AI Upscaling Pro¹: Leverages NQ8 AI Gen3 for enhanced 8K upscaling, sharpening low resolution content so that it is displayed in ultra-high resolution.
• AI Motion Enhancer Pro: Solves common issues in sporting contents — such as ball distortion — by streaming high-resolution sports matches through this feature² powered by NQ8 AI Gen3. The feature automatically detects the sport type and uses deep learning to apply the proper ball detection model.
• Real Depth Enhancer Pro: Adds details to fast-moving scenes using AI to precisely control mini LEDs. By detecting the part of a scene that the human eye would naturally focus on and bringing it to the foreground, images appear more lifelike and three dimensional.
• Infinity Air Design: Complements Neo QLED 8K’s impeccable picture quality with a screen only 12.9mm in depth,³ allowing for an immersive viewing experience that focuses on high resolution and outstanding sound quality. It is also offers a unique mirror effect in which the TV appears to hover in its surroundings.

The performance of the Neo QLED 8K is rounded out by immaculate audio quality, on par with the stunning 8K picture quality on screen.

• 2024 Q-Symphony: Allows users to connect multiple wireless speakers and a soundbar to a TV or projector for perfect audio synchronization across shows, movies, and playlists. It’s a technology that perfectly synchronizes TV with wireless speakers and a soundbar.
• Active Voice Amplifier Pro: A proprietary AI dialogue booster that utilizes exclusive deep-learning technology to significantly enhance dialogue and voices on screen. It separates voices from mixed audio, enhancing voice input so users can easily follow the conversation on screen at any volume.

2024 Tizen OS Streamlines the Home TV Experience

The 2024 Tizen OS brings content front and center on the Neo QLED 8K lineup. It offers a personalized content and service experience based on different accounts set up on smart TVs. Now, different members of each household with a Samsung Smart TV can set up a profile for personalized recommendations and a more customized overall experience.

• Samsung TV Plus: The updated user interface (UI) includes a new home screen with an overview of available content, with added categories for faster content discovery. The service will also connect with Samsung accounts to easily access users’ favorite channels and content while offering tailored content suggestions based on viewing history.
• ‘Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub’ Controller: Samsung has partnered with gaming accessory provider Performance Designed Products (PDP) to develop the first “Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub” controller, set to be launched at CES 2024. PDP’s new wireless controller includes a built-in, rechargeable battery that provides up to 40 hours of playtime per charge, a 30-foot low-latency Bluetooth wireless connection, a Samsung Gaming Hub home button capable of launching Gaming Hub, an easy-to-use TV volume control button and more.

Connected, Inclusive Experiences With the Samsung Ecosystem

With Samsung TVs at the center of the home, users can reap the benefits of the latest innovations and enjoy seamless connectivity between devices in their day-to-day life. In 2024, Samsung will vastly improve its connected experience with Samsung Daily+,⁴ a hub for in-home activity. It provides a wide range of services and features — from personal training and telehealth to video calls and remote PC solutions — in one single interface. New features include the following:

• Workout Tracker: This free service⁵ puts real-time exercise data — such as workout duration and heart rates from wearable devices — on top of users’ content on Samsung screens to keep them both entertained and informed while working out at home.
• TechnoGym: enhances your home workout with high-quality fitness and wellness videos from the world-class instructors at TechnoGym. Discover these curated contents for maximum performance, only on Samsung TV.
• F45: Users can experience F45’s world-renowned dynamic HIIT workouts, now in your living room through high-intensity workout videos and wellness challenges.
• FlexIt: Live one-on-one sessions with top fitness and wellness professionals
• Tail: provides real-time video consultation with a vet in the comfort of users’ homes. From basic care tips to advanced advice, Dr.Tail has a range of questions covered. Users can connect with veterinary experts in real time whenever they need.
• Multi Control: Allows more efficient work from home by giving users control of all their screens — including TVs, smartphones, and monitors — with a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse. Users can experience a different way to work by copying and pasting, reading documents and more across devices.

Samsung’s latest 2024 TVs and screens also come with greater compatibility across various devices within the ecosystem, allowing a more integrated connection between TVs and smartphones or wearable devices for a greater level of customization, accessibility and convenience.

• Mobile Smart Connect: All of the new featured apps and services are easily controlled with the SmartThings Mobile Plugin, which transforms the smartphone into a multi-functional remote that offers users greater control over their screens. With a straightforward pop-up interface and a customizable UI, the app provides convenience and enhanced accessibility.
• 360 Audio: The audio feature, previously offered on Galaxy devices, has also expanded to Samsung TVs and screens. Now, Samsung Galaxy Buds seamlessly connect to TVs to deliver spatial audio for movies, shows and even gaming titles, so users can be truly immersed in visual content and gameplay.
• Vibrary: Enjoy your favorite artist’s high-quality images via the big screen of your TV. With Ambient Mode, you can be welcomed every day by your favorite artist. You can also enjoy photos and music from TV and mobile devices through Casting, providing a seamless viewing experience.

The latest TV and screen lineup also boasts enhanced accessibility offerings, allowing more consumers to enjoy their favorite content on Samsung Neo QLED than ever before.

• Audio Subtitle: The world’s first on-device TV feature that uses AI and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to provide a voice guide for embedded subtitles in real-time.
• Remote for Barrier Free: An app designed for users with visual, auditory or physical disabilities by enabling more thoughtful TV control via smartphones. The highly customizable app incorporates UI enhancements such as intuitive button placement, distinct colors and tactile feedback, while also integrating Samsung’s latest accessibility features such as voice guides for easy access right from the smartphone.
• Relumino Together Mode: Relumino is a feature that enables people with low vision to enjoy their favorite TV shows, movies and games without the need for wearable hardware. With AI technology dynamically outlining the edges of on-screen elements and rebalance colors, the feature enables users with low vision to more clearly see people and objects. Relumino Together Mode provides standard screens and Relumino Mode screens side-by-side, so people with low vision and their families can enjoy TV together.

MICRO LED: Pushing the Boundaries of Display Technology

With the new transparent MICRO LED, Samsung is showing the world that there are infinite possibilities for screens. The screen, which looks like a piece of transparent glass, boasts an extremely small MICRO LED chip and precision manufacturing process that eliminates seams and light refraction. This allows the transparent MICRO LED to create a clear, unobstructed picture for various use cases in both homes and B2B environments.

Touting a modular design that allows users to personalize the shape, size and ratio of screens to fit any space, MICRO LED is a truly innovative screen technology. Samsung’s years of research and development — stemming from its semiconductor expertise — have led to an extremely effective process, allowing LED chip operation circuits to be directly deposited on the glass and thereby mitigating the loss of brightness that users may experience with conventional displays.

Offering Wider OLED Lineups To Meet Consumer Preferences

Samsung’s 2024 OLED TVs build on the legacy of last year’s models, with the S95D offering an ultra-large 77-inch canvas for high-detail, a high-frame rate and intensely vibrant video. The display is 20% brighter than previous models, with deep and rich blacks and AI-enhanced color accuracy so pure that it’s Pantone Validated. Samsung has also introduced the S90D and S85D in various sizes, from 42” to 83’’.⁶

New ‘OLED Glare Free’ technology⁷ — specifically designed for 2024 OLED screens — preserves color accuracy and reduces reflections while maintaining image sharpness to ensure an immersive viewing experience, even in daylight. The OLED-optimized, low-reflection coating overcomes the trade-off between gloss and reflection thanks to a new, specialized hard-coating layer and surface coating pattern.

The S95D’s screen will captivate audiences with advanced, proprietary picture-quality engines that preserve perfect whites, deeper blacks and accurate colors. In addition to being Samsung’s brightest OLED screen yet, it also features high refresh rates of up to 144Hz, so sports fans and gamers can enjoy seamless motion and crystal-clear action on their screens.

New Lifestyle Products Deliver Bespoke Solutions To Enrich Every Lifestyle

In addition to its award-winning lifestyle lineup that includes The Frame, The Serif and The Terrace, Samsung is reaffirming its commitment to “Screens Everywhere, Screens for All” with the various new products in its latest lifestyle lineup. These new additions provide another level of customization and personalization, as seen below:

• The Frame: Already the best-selling lifestyle screen product, The Frame comes with new enhancements to boost the art experience. Now with over 2,500 artworks from world-renowned museums and galleries in the Art Store, users can enjoy an Art Store experience that is even better than before. The Frame’s new art streaming feature gives users a taste of the Art Store’s diverse collection by providing them with free hand-selected artworks monthly. Moreover, the 2024 Frame helps reduce energy costs by up to 10% with the variable refresh rate adjustment available in Art Mode.⁸
• The Premiere 8K Projector: The Premiere 8K is the world’s first projector offering wireless connectivity. Removing the need for cables, this solution allows consumers to keep their living spaces neat and tidy. The ultra-short throw projector comes packed with smart features — such as picture-off premium home audio, cloud gaming, always-on voice with far-field mic and four multi-view screen splits — to extend usability and provide almost increased use cases. The projector incorporates Samsung’s patented “Sound-on-Screen” technology, integrating the top speaker module and software algorithms for an immersive sound experience.
• The Freestyle 2^nd Gen: The second iteration of the portable projector features Smart Edge Blending, which supports seamless merging of projections from two The Freestyle devices to create a large screen for pictures and videos. It allows two devices to project an image as big as 160-inches with a 21:9 screen ratio, with no manual adjustment needed.

New Soundbars for Immersive Audio Experience

To top off a home entertainment set up, the 2024 soundbar lineup offers newly updated models for even more immersive audio experiences, which are particularly bolstered by advanced AI algorithms.

• Music Frame: This customizable speaker is compatible with SmartThings and provides surround sound when paired with Samsung TVs and soundbars. Music Frame can either operate as a standalone wireless speaker or pair with a Samsung TV and soundbar via Q-Symphony to augment bass and surround sound. Seamlessly blending into its environment by camouflaging itself inside modern picture frames, Music Frame provides high-quality sound without being an eyesore.
• HW-Q990D: This soundbar features a 11.1.4-channel configuration, immersive Dolby Atmos sound and supports pass through of content in 4K 120Hz. It analyzes audio and uses AI to optimize sound for the perfect experience across a wide range of content.
• HW-S800D: This ultra-thin, 1.6-inch-deep soundbar is designed to fit seamlessly into any space and provides rich and immersive sound. At only a third of the depth of conventional soundbars, the S800D has 10 drivers, including dedicated overhead speakers and a center channel for crystal-clear vocals. The combination of a deep bass subwoofer and a passive radiator also enhances the listening experience with deep, distortion-free bass in a compact form factor. 

Samsung’s 2024 TV lineup promises a seamless fusion of cutting-edge technology and user-centric design, setting the stage for personalized, immersive experiences that redefine the way people live and engage with their devices.

¹ QN900D only. 8K AI Upscaling for other models.
² Viewing experience may vary according to types of content and format. Upscaling may not apply to PC connection and Game Mode.
³ 12.9mm in depth only applies to 65’’ QN900D.
⁴ Samsung Daily+ will be applied to DU7000↑ and rolled out worldwide.
⁵ Workout Tracker is compatible with Galaxy Watch 4 and up, YouTube and TV program content. It will be compatible with various third-party devices later in 2024.
⁶ Size and model availability of OLEDs may vary by country.
⁷ UL’s verification validates the ‘OLED Glare Free’ claim by assessing the products against Unified Glare Rating (UGR) testing standard set by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) and testing standard set by the International Organization for Standardization.
⁸ This feature applies to the 55’’ display and above.

“We are both proud and excited to be showcasing these upgraded AI and connectivity features, which utilize the latest technology to help everyone take their food and kitchen experiences to the next level,” said Moohyung Lee, EVP and Head of the Customer Experience Team of Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are committed to letting users enjoy the many benefits of our innovative food ecosystem across a wide range of devices and features.”

AI Features That Enable Food Ideas and Intelligence

To enhance the experience in the kitchen, the 2024 Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ has been packed with a variety of innovative technologies. One impressive new feature is AI Vision Inside, which uses a smart internal camera that can recognize items being placed in and out of the refrigerator. Also, it is equipped with “Vision AI” technology, which can identify up to 33 different fresh food items based on a predefined set of training data comprising approximately one million food photographs.² With the food list that is available and editable on the Family Hub+ screen, users can also manually add expiration date information for items that they would like to keep track and the refrigerator sends out alerts through its 32” LCD screen for items before reaching that date.

Image of food list generated by AI Vision Inside on Family Hub+

Also, with the assistance of the Fridge Manager feature, which monitors the status of the water filter in the refrigerator and alerts when a replacement is needed, the Family Hub+ screen offers easy, one-click purchase of new water filters from Amazon.³

Appliance screen functionality does not stop there. Samsung’s new Anyplace Induction Cooktop and Slide-in Range are each equipped with a 7” LCD screen, where users can view the recipes that were selected and saved from the Family Hub+ to assist their meal preparation. The new Anyplace Induction also offers improvements in its basic cooking features such as efficient and borderless heating of pots and pans on any part of the cooktop, thanks to Samsung’s induction sheet coil technology. And with Anti-Scratch Glass applied instead of a typical ceramic glass, users won’t have to worry about scratching their induction surface when moving cookware.

What’s more, the Samsung Food application — which can now be accessed on the Family Hub+, the Anyplace Induction Cooktop and the Slide-in Range — brings several upgraded AI features. The “Personalize” feature⁴ powered by the enhanced Food AI allows users to adapt recipes to reflect their dietary requirements beyond what was previously available — vegan, fusion — to accommodate gluten-free, pescatarian, dairy-free and other diets. Meanwhile, the new “Image-to-Recipe” feature⁴ with the enhanced Vision AI now recognizes meals and multiple food items from photographs and explores dishes that can be made with those ingredients. Lastly, Tailored Meal Plan analyzes users’ information by connecting to their Samsung Health profiles⁵ to create personalized meals based on their health needs.

AI-Powered Connected Appliances and Features for an Enhanced Kitchen Every Day

With the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ as the centerpiece, the food ecosystem is all about how the AI features in these kitchen products and the Samsung Food service connect and support each other, enabling users to have a better relationship with their food throughout the day and delivering a full range of smart, connected kitchen experiences.

Samsung Food also connects with and ties in Samsung Health⁶ to benefit the lives of users. The service uses health information collected from Samsung Health to suggest healthy, appropriate recipes. After that, users can send cooking instructions for these recipes to their various kitchen appliances with just a few key presses.

Then there is Tap View,⁷ which offers enhanced convenience by allowing users to easily mirror the display of their Galaxy smartphones to the Family Hub+ screen. Furthermore, users can also enjoy YouTube application on the refrigerator screen for more information and entertainment.

Image of kitchen with Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+

All these advancements build toward Samsung’s greater goal of expanding its seamlessly connected, AI-based food ecosystem with the key focus of providing users with superior kitchen experiences that require less effort.

Availability

Users can visit the Samsung booth at CES® 2024 to experience the enhanced AI and connectivity of the innovative food ecosystem.

1 Does not mean all services available on the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ are AI or generate information or outcome using AI. The services/features that use deep learning models are limited to 1) AI Vision Inside and 2) Bixby features.
² Detecting and identifying food items are based on our deep learning model trained using predefined set of data and may yield incomplete or incorrect information. New datasets may be introduced to our learning model from time to time to enhance its accuracy.
³ Service provided in U.S. only.
⁴ Part of the services of Samsung Food+ paid subscription that requires a Samsung account.
⁵ Service available with user’s consent.
⁶ Will be available after Q1 2024. Applicable models only.
⁷ Will be available after Q2 2024. Applicable models only.
* Updated on January 4, 2024, to provide more detailed information.

“I am thrilled to introduce our innovative vacuum cleaner lineup for 2024, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo, which leverages our latest AI technology to meaningfully improve its usability,” said Moohyung Lee, EVP and Head of the Customer Experience Team of Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “With powerful cleaning as a baseline, the new robot cleaner moves the consumer cleaning experience forward through innovative features. We firmly believe it will make cleaning more enjoyable for our customers.”

Bespoke Jet Bot Combo¹ Brings a Bevy of Advanced, AI-Based Features² for a Cleaner Home

Bespoke Jet Bot Combo with enhanced AI features

The Bespoke Jet Bot Combo is an AI-applied vacuum and mop robot cleaner that improves the user experience both during and after cleaning. The upgraded AI Object Recognition applied to the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo evolves from the technology previously introduced in the Bespoke Jet Bot AI+. It expands the number of objects it can distinguish, enabling more precise driving thanks to the 3D sensor applied.

The most notable improvement is that AI Object Recognition can also recognize space and stains to provide users with better cleaning experiences. It determines and categorizes mapped areas like a living room and a kitchen, and automatically suggests setting up “no-go zones” such as the bathroom, the veranda or the entrance, to ensure the robot vacuum avoids designated areas. Meanwhile, when the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo detects a stain, it goes back to the clean station to heat the mop pads with high temperature steam and water and then returns to the area. With powerful spinning mops at 170 RPM, it can actively scrub off even hardened stains. These result in highly effective autonomous cleaning that reduces user intervention in a variety of environments.

Additionally, the model can even sense the floor type to provide enhanced cleaning, using a feature called AI Floor Detect. It distinguishes between hard floors and carpeting, and then automatically boosts its suction power which is appropriate even to vacuum up deep-lying dust in carpets. Furthermore, it helps prevent users’ carpets from getting wet and being contaminated by dirty mop pads. When the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo detects a carpet, it determines whether to lift up the mop pads or to detach them at the clean station to provide the improved anti-cross contamination solution.

The Bespoke Jet Bot Combo fully cares about the last minute of the cleaning experience. The clean station supplies a 3-step Total Cleaning System for mop pads, which includes auto wash, steam cleaning and auto dry with hot air. After it washes the mops with hot water heated by high temperature steam, it then sprays steam on them to prevent odors, enabling more hygienic maintenance.

Availability

For firsthand experiences of the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo, attendees of CES® 2024 can visit the Samsung booth. It is currently in development and the features described above are subject to change.

¹ Currently in development and subject to change.
² Based on our deep learning model trained using a predefined set of data and may yield incomplete or incorrect information. New datasets may be introduced to our learning model from time to time to enhance its accuracy.

Samsung Electronics, a global leader in technology, today announced that its latest technologies have received multiple CES® 2024 Innovation Award honors across a variety of product categories.

These awards mean that Samsung has now been further recognized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® for its commitment to developing products and services that reimagine the future. They also serve as a sign of the positive things to come, with the company being eager to build on its vision for a smarter, more sustainable world and unveil even more epic innovations in the coming year.

Samsung received accolades across its various product categories, including Mobile, TV, Audio, Projectors, Monitors and Home Appliances. This recognition exemplifies how — from groundbreaking developments in foldable smartphones, to the ways it helps people live more sustainable lives — Samsung is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and providing more connected, customized and convenient experiences for its customers.

CES® 2024, the world’s largest and most influential technology event, will take place Jan. 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Highlighted Innovation Awards Honorees:

Galaxy Z Fold5 for both Digital Imaging/Photography and Mobile Devices, Accessories & Apps – Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 boasts an unrivaled foldable experience with pro-grade camera capabilities and more powerful and intelligent performance — packed into our thinnest Galaxy Fold design ever, thanks to our redesigned Flex Hinge.

Folded or unfolded, Galaxy Z Fold5 shines as the essential companion to work and play. Simply switch between your presentation, notes and calendar with our streamlined Multi Window experience. Or set up at your desk for a PC-like experience with Taskbar. You can also capture hands-free photos from creative angles with FlexCam.

Galaxy Watch6 series for Fitness & Sports – The new Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Watch6 Classic provide personalized health guidance, a purposeful design and an enhanced mobile experience for a more informed and healthier self — all with easier access right from the wrist.

Delivering on a commitment to democratize advanced health monitoring and fitness tools, Galaxy Watch6 series is packed with holistic health offerings and powerful performance, from sleep and fitness coaching to nutritional insights. It’s part of Samsung’s philosophy to provide new and convenient ways to help users gain a better understanding of their health and fitness — and take action.

Galaxy Buds FE for Headphones & Personal Audio – Samsung Galaxy FE devices incorporate user feedback into their design and performance to provide great features at a great value. Galaxy Buds FE continue that tradition with many of the latest Galaxy innovations for less.

The listening experience with Galaxy Buds FE features excellent sound with powerful bass, as well as advanced Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and clearer calls. With the ergonomic design and different sizes of ear tips and wingtips, Galaxy Buds FE fit comfortably and securely, while pairing seamlessly with other Samsung devices including smartphone, tablet, PC and even TV for everyday use at a great price.

Samsung Health for Mobile Devices, Accessories & Apps – Samsung is devoted to providing users with innovative new tools that enhance their lives. With Samsung Health, users can take advantage of groundbreaking new health features on the Galaxy Watch series offering wellness insights like never before.

Samsung Health delivers a more personalized, intuitive health experience, for a healthier self. That includes a real-time analysis of your running, always-on safety features, and tailored sleep coaching. Regardless of your wellness goals, Samsung Health is designed to help you meet them with detailed and actionable insights.

Samsung Food  – The recently launched Samsung Food utilizes advanced AI technology to optimize the benefits users get from Samsung apps, smart home appliances and devices — and was accordingly honored in the AI category. The app is powered by Samsung’s cutting-edge Food AI and works in conjunction with Samsung SmartThings Cooking and Samsung Family Hub+ refrigerators. Highlight features include personalized recipe recommendations based on the user’s dietary goals and activity levels and access to various cooking communities where users can share recipes and tips.

SmartThings Energy – Recognized in the Smart Home category, SmartThings Energy lets users take more control of their carbon footprints and lower their monthly energy bills. It offers AI Energy Mode, which monitors the energy usage of connected appliances and automatically optimizes their operation to reduce consumption, and the new Carbon Intensity Awareness feature, which provides insight into local energy production and carbon intensity. It can also automatically adjust devices enrolled in Demand Response programs, helping users to earn cash rewards and savings during high energy consumption periods.

Less Microfiber Filter – Earning recognition in the Sustainability category, the Less Microfiber Filter is an external washing machine filter that can reduce the release of microfibers during laundry cycles. Running a washing machine four times per week with the filter can reduce the amount of microfibers equivalent to eight 500ml plastic bottles per year.1 With built-in Wi-Fi, users can check the filter’s status on the SmartThings app and even receive alerts for cleaning or replacement.

Exynos Connect U100 – Recognized in the Embedded Technologies category, Samsung’s Exynos Connect U100 is an ultra-wideband (UWB) solution that provides highly accurate distance and location information for mobile, automotive and IoT devices.

Utilizing both time of arrival (ToA) and 3D angle of arrival (AoA) measurements, the Exynos Connect U100 achieves single-digit centimeter accuracy and under five degree precision. This makes it particularly suitable for tracking locations in challenging indoor environments as well as for AR and VR applications that require precise real-time tracking of moving people.

1 Tested at Ocean Wise Plastics Lab on the WW90T734DWH model (using Synthetic cycle, approximately 2kg load of synthetic textile laundry) comparing the amount of microfiber released with and without the Less Microfiber Filter installed. The amount is calculated by filtering drain water through a 50um filter. One wash cycle’s reduction amount of 0.627g is based on a 5kg load (0.125g/kg x 5kg). Annual reduction amount (132g) is calculated based on 210 cycles (4 times a week, 52 weeks) and 5kg load on each cycle. 500㎖ bottle weight (15.4g) is based on the Korea Ministry of Environment’s guideline on plastic bottle.