Samsung Newsroom is taking a closer look to explore the stories behind Samsung Core Tech in this second instalment. To unlock the full potential of every home, consumers require reliable, advanced appliances that boost convenience and eliminate hassle. Samsung has identified and answered this need with Core Tech, a philosophy comprised of four key themes — Outstanding, AI-Powered, Flexible Use and Durable & Sustainable. By introducing innovative technologies across its wide range of home appliances that follow these key principles, Samsung ensures that users optimize their living spaces and enrich their homes with unparalleled efficiency and ease.

WindFree: Cooling Redefined by Tradition

A prevalent pet peeve for air conditioner users is feeling a chilly breeze that is too strong when their units are running. To solve this issue, Samsung has developed a brand-new feature inspired by the traditional Korean practice of stone ice storage, known as seokbinggo. Essentially an ancient form of refrigeration, seokbinggo managed to keep items cool without cold drafts — making it an ideal source of inspiration for this new feature.

The WindFree air conditioner was successfully launched in 2015 after four years of extensive research and development. This ‘Outstanding’ piece of technology helps cool rooms gently and evenly by dispersing air through more than 23,000 micro air holes[1], so users feel as if they’re floating inside a cool, comfortable cloud.

Why do refrigerator doors sometimes refuse to open? The internal pressure of a fridge drops as it chills, generating a suction effect that resists users’ efforts to open the door. To make opening fridge doors a breeze, Samsung designed the convenient Auto Open Door[2] feature.

Boasting 27 patents from seven countries, this innovation is a game-changer for those who find opening fridge doors to be a challenge. Designed to be used with one simple touch this thoughtful feature helps make the refrigerator more accessible to a wider range of users. Created to enhance the ‘Flexible Use’ of home appliances, Auto Open Door also comes in handy when users have their hands full of groceries.

Samsung Newsroom sat down with Wonki Kim from Lifestyle Team, Seongwon Seo from Picture Quality Solution Lab and TJ Kim from Future Planning Group of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics to hear about the characteristics and development of The Freestyle 2^nd Gen.

No Compromise for ‘Smart Edge Blending’

Smart Edge Blending is one of the biggest upgrades in The Freestyle 2^nd Gen. The feature seamlessly merges projections from two The Freestyle devices to create a large screen for pictures and videos. By connecting the two devices to the SmartThings app and synchronizing the video output with a photo of the projected screens, users can enjoy a full-screen experience from anywhere.

“Edge-blending is a sophisticated technology that usually requires dedicated hardware and software to manually control each pixel,” said Seongwon Seo. “In line with the easy-to-use concept of The Freestyle, we engineered Smart Edge Blending to help first-time users easily blend screens wirelessly, without a dedicated device or help from an expert.”

▲ Smart Edge Blending can be used through the SmartThings app.

When Smart Edge Blending is activated, the connected smartphone will engage with The Freestyle portable projectors in real time. Content sync and adjustment processes take place automatically via communication between the devices. “Screen alignment can easily be done using the SmartThings guide when a user captures a picture of the projected screen. The analytic algorithm will analyze the span and overlap of the patterns at eight main points on the setup screen and then adjust the projection on each device,” he explained.

▲ The Freestyle 2nd Gen with Smart Edge Blending on display at IFA 2023

Smart Edge Blending was born out of user pattern analysis. “We found that consumers tend to use The Freestyle as a highly portable personal screen in whatever space they are in — whereas the living room TV would be for fixed, communal use. In fact, there were many cases where single households would purchase several projectors,” said TJ Kim. “When you have more than one device, why not combine them?”

By connecting The Freestyle devices, users can enlarge their screen by up to 160 inches and enjoy a 21:9 screen ratio with no further manual adjusting. Speaker capacity is doubled and intensified with the choice of dedicating the left and right stereo sound output to each device to create a more immersive audio experience.

▲ (From left) TJ Kim from Future Planning Group and Seongwon Seo from Picture Quality Solution Lab

“What’s charming about Smart Edge Blending is that it can be expanded not just horizontally but vertically as well,” said Seo. “This feature is even more useful with the rise of vertical content such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Most consumers are used to viewing ultra-large horizontal content at movie theaters but are not quite familiar with ultra-large vertical content. But it’s actually quite nice once you try it.”

Nonetheless, there were challenges during development. The original plan was to only support still images, since video requires extensive computing power and real-time alignment. In early stages, the setup also required a high-resolution picture of the projection as well.

▲ Seongwon Seo from Picture Quality Solution Lab explains how the complex Smart Edge Blending technology was built for anyone.

“It is an extremely difficult task to get two wireless devices to continuously be in sync. While The Freestyle development first started with still images, we couldn’t give up on videos because that’s what more consumers prefer watching with our device. Using a wire to hook up the devices was unthinkable given the highly mobile concept of The Freestyle. We supported the engineers until, one day, they managed to achieve the unthinkable,” said TJ Kim.

“Writing an algorithm that can analyze low-resolution images is a very demanding task — but we felt a sense of relief when we finally succeeded,” he added. “At first, it seemed impossible to minimize the margin of error between the two projections. The strict internal standard doesn’t even allow a single-pixel margin of error. Our breakthrough ultimately resulted from an assumption model that could accurately determine the state of projected setup patterns from low-resolution pictures.”

Staying True to Concept While Adding Fun

Through Samsung Gaming Hub, The Freestyle 2^nd Gen supports gaming — a content form that was once unimaginable to enjoy on a portable projector. The addition of Samsung’s cloud gaming platform frees users from the limitations of consoles, wires and fixed screens such as smart TVs and monitors. “Gaming is one of the entertainment types that really highlights the portability of The Freestyle,” shared TJ Kim. “Users can now enjoy games through Samsung Gaming Hub anytime and anywhere, without a console.”

▲ Visitors at Samsung’s IFA 2023 booth test cloud games available on Samsung Gaming Hub with The Freestyle 2nd Gen.

Updates were made for added sustainability. “The light source life has been extended from 20,000 to 30,000 hours,” said Wonki Kim. “With 30,000 hours, The Freestyle can support a demanding eight hours of use per day for 10 years.” The Freestyle’s remote control was also upgraded to a SolarCell Remote that can be charged with sunlight or indoor lighting, eliminating the need for disposable batteries.

Processing speed was revamped too. Compared to the first model, The Freestyle 2^nd Gen’s memory has been expanded to speed up signal processing and remote control response. By testing usage scenarios during development, the device’s UI and UX were improved immensely to make the projector accessible to anyone.

▲ Wonki Kim from Lifestyle Team underscores compactness, portability and usability as the reasons behind the popularity of The Freestyle among young people.

Screens Everywhere as a Strategy

With the vision of “Screens Everywhere, Screens for All,” The Freestyle 2^nd Gen prioritizes portability and mobility to enable users to experience the benefits of a movable screen.

“Although it’s clearly a hassle to set up, the tripod has become such a natural part projectors — so much that no one thought twice about it,” said TJ Kim. “We envision a projector without a tripod or other accessories. That’s how The Freestyle 2^nd Gen came to life.”

▲ The Freestyle 2nd Gen on display in a caravan at IFA 2023

The creators behind The Freestyle continue to dream. “As we work to achieve ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All,’ we’re constantly planning innovations around Samsung’s projector lineup — The Freestyle and The Premiere. Our goal is to move beyond simply targeting the existing market and present a new screen experience for everyone,” shared Wonki Kim.

“We plan to continue addressing the limitations of space and strengthen connections among various Samsung devices to generate meaningful synergy,” added TJ Kim.

Get The Freestyle 2nd Gen worth RM4,999 as the exclusive gift when you purchase selected Samsung TV. For more information, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/my/offer/tv-season-of-gifting-2023/freestyle/

To learn more about the product, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/my/projectors/the-freestyle/lff3c-the-freestyle-2nd-gen-sp-lff3claxxxm/

– Moohyung Lee, EVP and Head of R&D Team of Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics

The Bespoke AI Washer & Dryer Combo, featuring Digital Inverter Heat Pump technology, was a showstopper at Samsung Electronics’ booth at IFA 2023. This innovative product attracted the attention of many visitors for its ability to seamlessly handle both washing and drying functions within a single machine — all while improving space efficiency in compact laundry rooms. Powering this appliance’s capabilities is none other than “Core Tech,” a philosophy that underscores Samsung’s home appliances.

▲ The Bespoke AI Washer & Dryer Combo, built from Samsung’s Core Tech philosophy, stole the spotlight at IFA 2023 with its cutting-edge innovation.

Introduced at this year’s IFA, the Core Tech concept reveals the vision behind Samsung’s home appliances as well as what drives the company to consistently push the boundaries of innovation. Through this three-part series, Samsung Newsroom will dive into the essence of Core Tech, showcasing its diverse applications in Samsung’s home appliances.

Inside Samsung Home Appliances: Core Tech

“When we first kicked off with developing the Bespoke AI Washer & Dryer Combo, we weren’t seeking opportunities for moderate changes. We were aiming to create something completely different,” said Moohyung Lee, EVP and Head of R&D Team of Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “I focused on securing enough time and freedom for our engineers to explore. Driven by the Core Tech philosophy, they ultimately developed a product that exceeded expectations.”

Core Tech is comprised of four key themes — “Outstanding,” indicating Samsung’s unique or first-introduced features; “AI-Powered,” representing the use of artificial intelligence and the pursuit of automation to reduce the need for user action; “Flexible Use,” enabling customization for diverse lifestyles; and “Durable & Sustainable,” emphasizing both product and environmental sustainability. The Bespoke AI Washer & Dryer Combo exemplifies these ideas, incorporating proprietary technologies such as AI Ecobubble and custom AI-driven washing and drying capabilities that optimize efficiency and performance. Moreover, it helps users save energy by connecting to AI Energy Mode in SmartThings Energy.

▲ Through the four themes – Outstanding, AI-Powered, Flexible Use and Durable & Sustainable – Samsung Core Tech embodies the key values driving the company’s technologies.

“The paradigm of home appliances has changed completely. A refrigerator is no longer merely a cold box with doors, and a washer is far beyond a water-spewing, tub-spinning machine. We have entered an era where the focus is on evolving lifestyles and tailored experiences,” said Lee. “In this sense, Core Tech stands as both a testament to Samsung Electronics’ past innovations and a guiding beacon for the future, encompassing our social responsibility moving forward.”

 “The four themes of Core Tech are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary. Ultimately, the goal is to provide unique solutions — even for problems consumers may not yet recognize.”

– Moohyung Lee, EVP and Head of R&D Team of Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics

Breaking Down Core Tech Themes: Innovations in Home Appliances

Outstanding signifies the technologies unique to Samsung’s home appliances branded with patents and the company’s commitment to enhancing consumer lifestyles. Notable technologies in this category include AI Ecobubble which optimizes laundry performance with bubbles to help detergents better penetrate fabrics; WindFree Cooling which creates a comfortable environment without cold drafts; and Beverage Center inside the fridge which provides quick and easy access to cold drinks.

AI-Powered represents the evolving home appliance products, emphasizing how artificial intelligence and automation can reduce user intervention. This advancement can be especially beneficial for those who have become too familiar with conventional appliances and are unfamiliar with ways to better use them. Samsung’s AI-powered appliances learn usage patterns, provide tailored recommendations and optimize settings automatically — ultimately redefining user convenience.

Flexible Use allows customization of home appliances to meet diverse user preferences, such as region, generation or physical environment. For instance, the FlexZone in the refrigerator allows users to store food, wine and other items properly by adjusting the mode in the designated zone. The Dual Cook Flex Oven expands culinary possibilities by dividing its cavity and door into two, allowing users to prepare multiple dishes at different temperatures.

Lastly, Durable & Sustainable embodies Samsung’s commitment to extend product lifespan and enable users to make eco-conscious decisions. It is crucial for home appliances since they are used for extended periods and continuously plugged in. This category contains technologies such as the Digital Inverter Compressor and Motor that help save energy and the Less Microfiber Cycle, which is a result from working together with Patagonia, to reduce microplastic emissions during wash cycles.

In essence, the four pillars of Core Tech — Outstanding, AI-Powered, Flexible Use and Durable & Sustainable — collectively address overarching concerns in the world of home appliances. Executive Vice President Lee emphasized the interconnectedness of these themes: “These four themes are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary.” For instance, the Less Microfiber Filter for washers can be installed in a choice of ways[2] flexibly (Flexible Use), but considers the product’s environmental impact (Durable & Sustainable). “Ultimately, the goal is to provide unique solutions — even for problems consumers may not yet recognize — by digging deeper and observing the demands of our users,” he added.

Core Tech not only embodies the cutting-edge technologies in the home appliances market but also looks forward to the future. Samsung has consistently offered distinctive solutions through careful evaluation of the value its products bring to consumers. In the second part of this series, we will dive into the different stories of Core Tech and explore key technologies through an array of videos.

[1] Tested in accordance with IEC 60456-2010 / 4kg Wash Load / Super Eco Wash cold (WF80F5E5U4W) vs. Cotton 40°C without Ecobubble (WF0702WKU). Individual results may vary.
[2] Must be installed higher than the washing machine drain.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced that it will host the Samsung Developer Conference 2023 (SDC23) at the Moscone Center in San Francisco on October 5.

The annual conference will mark the ninth SDC since being first held in 2013. Unlike last year, when it was only possible for invited participants to attend, anyone can attend SDC23 with prior registration.

At SDC23, Samsung will highlight platform innovation including SmartThings, Bixby, Knox and Tizen. This focus will illustrate ways Samsung’s various business areas and devices are expanding seamless customer experiences. In addition, the company will share its cooperation plan and open innovation strategies with developers and partners to build next generation connected experiences for millions around the world.

JH Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics, will open SDC23 with a keynote that outlines the company’s vision based on tech innovation and expansion of customer experience. This technology enables a more personalized and secure customer experience with the help of platform innovation and a strengthened ecosystem. He will be joined by other Samsung executives who will share the company’s strategies in areas relating to future technologies. The list of speakers includes:

• Jaeyeon Jung, EVP, SmartThings Team
• Hobum Kwon, VP, Platform Team, Samsung Research
• Bongjun Ko, EVP, Application S/W R&D Group, Visual Display Business
• Sally Hyesoon Jung, VP, Framework R&D Group, Mobile eXperience Business
• Hon Pak, VP, Digital Health Team, Mobile eXperience Business, and more

Beyond the keynote address, SDC23 will feature breakout sessions open for attendees to have opportunities to collaborate and learn more about Samsung’s latest developer-focused platforms and tools, including One UI 6, SmartThings, Matter, Bixby, Tizen, Samsung Health and more.

In addition, some sessions will be held in the ‘Open Theater’ where participants can talk about various topics on the spot, while participants who are interested in coding can participate in actual coding through ‘Code Lab’ and receive mentoring from Samsung developers on various topics.

The keynote and major sessions will be livestreamed through Samsung YouTube and Samsung Developer sites at the time of the event.

For more information about the Samsung Developer Conference 2023, please visit http://developer.samsung.com/sdc. Further information can also be found on Twitter (@samsung_dev) and Facebook (@samsungdev) with the hashtag #SDC23.

Samsung Electronics today announced new software updates to Galaxy Buds2 Pro and Samsung Smart TVs,[1] reshaping the audio experiences across even more connected devices. The new updates extend LE Audio capabilities to Samsung TVs with Auracast broadcast audio technology, enabling rich and complex audio transmission to nearby Bluetooth devices.

LE Audio, an advanced Bluetooth audio standard, broadens the spectrum of audio experiences to deliver more complex and richer sound that goes beyond providing better-sounding music, but also allows users to share sound with others as they personally experience it. As a pioneer of innovative technologies, Samsung has been leveraging new LE Audio-based features that further elevate sound experiences, including 360 Audio Recording, enabling Galaxy smartphone users to capture sound on video precisely as they hear it without the need for professional equipment. Additionally, the select Galaxy Book3 devices[2]offer a crystal clear listening experience with improved latency — perfect for immersive gaming and multimedia consumption.

And now, with Auracast broadcast audio technology for Galaxy Buds2 Pro and Samsung 2023 Neo QLED 8K and 2023 MICRO LED, rolling out via software updates starting this September,[3] Samsung is again upleveling and expanding connected experiences beyond mobile devices to home appliances. With Auracast, users can turn their device into a shared radio station able to broadcast across connected devices. Leveraging the new LE Audio, it allows users to connect multiple sets of Buds to a TV[4] while users could only connect a maximum of two devices previously. Auracast opens a variety of potential use cases and possibilities for further device applications — from augmented or assistive listening in a theater or lecture hall for those who want hear better, to sharing a playlist from your smartphone while on a run with friends, to even multi-language support without translation devices by sending different language interpretations via different channels.

“As an innovator across a wide range of electronic devices — from smartphones to wearables, and from TVs to home appliances — we at Samsung are in a unique position to capitalize on delivering more seamless and extended experiences,” said Junho Park, VP and Head of Galaxy Ecosystem Product Planning Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “LE Audio is a perfect example that shows our commitment to connected experiences across our entire library of devices, and how Samsung is introducing new capabilities and technologies that bring them all together.”

The new Auracast feature is just one example of how Samsung is connecting devices and services and offering novel experiences to users. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements of Samsung’s connected experiences to be shared at this year’s IFA event, held this September 1-5 in Berlin.

[1]  Available on 2023 Neo QLED 8K and 2023 MICRO LED launched in 2023.

[2]  Supported on Galaxy Book3 Ultra, Book3 Pro, Book3 Pro 360 and Book3 360.

[3]  Requires software updates on both Galaxy Buds2 Pro and a paired Samsung TV. Availability may vary by market and model.

[4]  The number of Galaxy Buds2 Pro users can connect to may vary depending on the surrounding circumstances such as distance and obstruction.

Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of Samsung Food, a personalized, AI-powered food and recipe platform.

Releasing in eight languages[1] in 104 countries around the world, Samsung Food will offer comprehensive food experiences through more than 160,000 available recipes, acting as a personalized assistant that helps users discover new dishes, create tailored meal plans and order ingredients online. The service will also help users control their cooking appliances, while giving step-by-step guided cooking and allowing users to share their favorite recipes on social media.

Building on the foundation of Samsung’s wide range of cooking appliances and food services, Samsung Food uses AI technology to go beyond existing capabilities and deliver a food platform that truly adapts to the needs and lifestyles of its users. To accomplish this, Samsung Food draws from the extensive database of Whisk, a smart food platform acquired by Samsung Next in 2019 that leverages advanced technology called Food AI, which suggests meals based on user preferences and food seasonality.

“The food we enjoy and the way we prepare it are central to our daily lives, and we all love to cook and eat together,” said Chanwoo Park, Executive Vice President and Head of the Service Biz Group of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “By connecting digital appliances and mobile devices across the Samsung ecosystem and assisting users from shopping list to dinner plate, Samsung Food is using advanced AI capabilities to deliver a highly personalized, all-in-one food experience that users can control straight from their palms.”

Food Your Way: Recipe Exploration and Personalization, AI-enhanced Meal Planning, Kitchen Connectivity and Social Sharing

Samsung Food’s wide range of features support users every step of the way during the meal planning and cooking process, spanning four key areas: recipe discovery and personalization, tailored meal planning, connected cooking and social sharing functions.

For recipe discovery, Samsung Food lets users save recipes to their personal digital recipe box anytime and from anywhere. The app analyzes recipes, standardizes their format and organizes them to create shopping lists based on their ingredients. In addition to mobile devices, users can also access the Samsung Food service with their Bespoke Family Hub refrigerators[2]. Opened from the Family Hub touchscreen, Samsung Food provides recipe recommendations based on a list of available food items managed by the user.[3]

Samsung Food also comes with a Personalize Recipe function, enabling the app’s Food AI to directly change a saved recipe to better reflect users’ dietary requirements. For example, users can convert a recipe into a vegan or vegetarian version or make other changes to create a recipe that is more nutritionally balanced or incorporates in-stock ingredients. Users will even be able to create fusion recipes, such as Korean versions of Italian dishes, and adjust cook time or skill level of recipes.

To create individualized daily meal plans for users, the app makes AI-created recommendations based on user data[4], dietary preferences and favorite cuisine types and lets users add them to their meal planner. Nutritional breakdowns of ingredients are available at any time, and users can add items to their Samsung Food shopping list then send it straight to a retailer’s e-commerce checkout[5].

With connected cooking, seamless Samsung Food connectivity lets users set timers, preheat ovens[6] and send recipes’ cook settings straight to appliances[7] through step-by-step guided cooking modes, all from their portable devices. Starting with the Bespoke Oven, Samsung plans to connect numerous appliances – including Bespoke induction ranges and Bespoke microwaves – to Samsung Food by the end of the year to expand convenience for users in the kitchen.

It’s easy for users to get social with Samsung Food by sharing their favorite dishes with the community, creating and publishing their own recipes and following their favorite food content creators.

From Samsung Health Incorporation to Vision AI: Upcoming Features for Samsung Food

Beyond Samsung Food capabilities available at launch, Samsung will continue adding new features and services to the app for an even more seamless and comprehensive personal food experience.

By the end of the year, Samsung plans to offer Samsung Health integration with Samsung Food so that users will be able to receive suggestions for diet management. The seamless syncing of information such as BMI, body composition and calorie consumption with Samsung Food will help users to hit health goals and maintain a balanced diet.

Planned for implementation in 2024, Vision AI technology will enable Samsung Food to recognize food items and meals photographed through the camera and provide details about them, including nutrition information. By analyzing food items, the app can recommend the best recipes to use them with, save these recipes to the user’s collection and add the required ingredients to a shopping list, all in a few taps.

As a part of Samsung’s ever-growing family of services, Samsung Food represents the next step in the comprehensive yet highly bespoke experience Samsung customers can enjoy in their own home. Samsung Food strives to further extend the ease that is possible with a smart, connected kitchen of Samsung home appliances, and will continue to be updated with new features following its official launch.

To download Samsung Food on any smartphone platform, please visit https://get.samsungfood.com/download.

[1] The app supports English (US), English (UK), German, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Mexico), French, Italian, and Korean. Supporting languages can be added in few years.

[2] All models of Bespoke Family Hub refrigerators support Samsung Food service with Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account connection.

[3] A Personalized recipe feature for Family Hub will arrive later this year via updates.

[4] Your personal details, including your age, height, weight, gender and activity level, can be entered into Samsung Food.

[5] As of now, the service is available in some countries/regions. The available retailers will vary depending on your country/region, which is automatically detected based on your IP address.

[6] This function is only available for the Bespoke Oven connected to SmartThings. The function may not work in some ovens.

[7] Connected cooking feature on Samsung Food is only available with Samsung kitchen appliances connected to SmartThings.