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

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

Bixby: A Key Piece of Intelligent IoT

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

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

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

Bixby Makes Smart TVs Smarter

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

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

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

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

It’s Making Seamless Connection Routine

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

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

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

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

Looking Forward

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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