It’s no surprise that many of us spend more time working, studying and relaxing at home these days. But what if there was a way to make that time more comfortable, meaningful and efficient?

In line with the new era of home life that we are experiencing today, Samsung Electronics has launched the 2022 Smart Monitor M8 — an all-in-one screen that combines key advantages of both a monitor and a smart TV. Allowing users to work and study even without a PC, and enjoy OTT services without a TV, the Smart Monitor M8 has emerged as a must-have item for the new era of working from home and streaming content.

The Smart Monitor M8 is enhanced for users’ convenience and features with an even slimmer design than past models. Recently, Samsung Newsroom unboxed the device to see all the new features and details up close. Let’s take a deep dive into the new, all-in-one experience monitor.

Easy To Install

After opening the box, we found that the 32-inch monitor’s neat white color really stands out. The device features a vertical herringbone pattern on its back that creates a sophisticated vibe, as well as an eye-catching attachable camera. The box also includes a simple yet sturdy-looking stand, a USB-C cable, a micro HDMI cable (micro HDMI to HDMI) and a tiny remote control that fits comfortably in your palm — a rare addition for today’s monitors. The monitor comes with a battery-free remote control that conveniently charges via a USB-C port. There are three external ports in all: one micro HDMI port, one upstream USB-C port and one downstream USB-C port. The middle USB-C port also supports 65W charging.

With a simple assortment of items, installation is easy. First, connect the stand’s neck to its base and fasten the bolts at the bottom. Next, connect the assembled stand to the monitor by sliding it into place top edge first and then pushing down until you hear a click. To disassemble the device, simply push the button that disconnects the stand from the monitor.

An Ultra-Slim Design That’s Easy on the Eyes

After assembling the monitor, we immediately noticed just how simple, neat and slim its design really is. Measuring just 11.4mm thin, the device is less than one-third the thickness of the previous version. Its warm white hue gently radiates a soft vibe, complementing any design or space. The organic herringbone pattern on the back adds a sophisticated touch that stands out even more when the monitor is installed in an open room setting.

The monitor’s Height Adjustable Stand (HAS) is particularly convenient. When a monitor is aligned below a user’s eye level, it forces them to constantly look down, which can cause neck pain. The Smart Monitor M8 can not only be tilted at different angles, but also allows users to adjust its height to match their eye level. This means there’s no need to use other items or stands to elevate the screen. The height of the monitor — measured from the surface of the table to the bottom bezel — is 3.6cm at its lowest setting and 15.6cm at its highest setting.

SlimFit Cam Makes Video Calls More Satisfying

The Smart Monitor M8 also comes with a wireless SlimFit Cam (1920×1080, 30p) that makes it perfect for video conferencing and online classes. The camera can be conveniently attached or detached from the monitor at any time. It connects to the device using pogo pins, which means there’s no need for wires. This keeps the monitor’s back uncluttered and streamlined.

Creating the Perfect Home Office Environment, Even Without a PC

In the work-from-anywhere era, it can be quite daunting to manage urgent tasks without access to a PC. The Smart Monitor M8 removes that worry by making it possible to work PC-free as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection. The device’s Workspace feature combines all work-related services into one screen, while the included Microsoft 365 cloud service[1] allows users to manage files using programs such as Word and PowerPoint even without a PC.

The Smart Monitor M8 also supports Samsung DeX, which allows Galaxy smartphones to support a PC-like experience, making it easy to connect to the monitor and start multitasking. Additionally, the monitor is equipped with Eye Saver Mode and Flicker Free technology to minimize eyestrain and prevent flickering.

Enjoy OTT Services to the Fullest

When you feel like sitting back and enjoying a show or movie, the Smart Monitor M8 transforms into a TV thanks to the built-in Smart Hub, which features various OTT services such as Netflix, Disney+, YouTube and more.[2] You can also view a variety of movies, TV series, sports matches and other content on demand — completely free — using Samsung’s proprietary smart OTT service, Samsung TV Plus.[3]

* Remote control shortcuts vary by country.

But that’s not all. The monitor’s included remote control makes finding and managing content a breeze. Other features and enhancements that make the viewing experience even more satisfying include the device’s UHD (3840×2160) resolution, HDR10+ support, 99% sRGB color gamut, 400nit brightness, 2.2 channel stereo speakers and Adaptive Sound+, which automatically analyzes the monitor’s surroundings to optimize sound effects. The result is a rich content experience filled with detailed visuals and sound.

A Home IoT Hub for SmartThings

With built-in support for SmartThings Hub, users can easily connect their IoT devices to their Smart Monitor M8 and monitor their devices at a glance. The SmartThings app’s Map View function allows users to check on the status of devices including Samsung smart home appliances and Bluetooth, IR (infrared spectroscopy) and IoT devices. Plus, with voice recognition technology, users can even control the lights, home appliances and more while in the middle of watching a show or other content.[4]

The monitor’s built-in microphone enables its Far Field Voice feature, which recognizes voices even from afar, enabling you to control voice assistants like Bixby and Amazon Alexa.[5] If users talk to Bixby while the monitor is turned off, the Always On Voice feature springs into action, allowing users to interact with Bixby and displaying the information they want on screen. Users can also use Bixby to switch from one app to another and manage videos or home devices.

With our homes even more central to our lives, Samsung’s Smart Monitor M8 is the all-in-one screen that complements modern consumers’ lifestyles. Combining smart and practical features with a sophisticated design, while offering consumers the ability to use their monitor wherever they want, the Smart Monitor M8 is the perfect choice for consumers who are looking for a new monitor this spring.

※ Some images have been edited to help readers’ understanding of the product.

[1] Requires users to log in to their Microsoft 365 account.

[2] Streaming service availability varies by country. Subscriptions may be required.

[3] Samsung TV Plus availability varies by country

[4] A separate SmartThings Dongle (VG-STDB10A) is required to connect to Zigbee devices (connection to Z-Wave device is not supported). VG-STDB10A can be purchased within April.

[5] Amazon Alexa availability varies by country.

*The content was revised on 4 Mar 2024 to provide more accurate information.

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 low vision 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.

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.