During the sessions, Samsung signified the democratization of Bixby, introducing the Bixby Developer Studio: a collection of intuitive tools that allow partners and developers to infuse intelligence into more products and services. To scale services powered by Bixby, developers can now build Bixby Capsules (features or services created for Bixby) and connect them to their existing APIs. The Bixby experience will be further enriched once the Bixby Marketplace officially opens, allowing users to browse through a variety of capsules that developers create and activate them on their devices as they wish.

To learn more about how the company is enriching Bixby by empowering developers to build their own Bixby experiences, Samsung Newsroom spoke to Danny Whang, a Principal Engineer in Samsung Electronics’ AI Strategy Group.

Q. Samsung revealed the “Bixby Developer Studio” at SDC18. How did developers react? What actions are Samsung taking, going forward?

We garnered a lot of attention on the Bixby developer Studio, as seen by the 4,000+ developers who attended SDC18. Ever since, we’ve established a number of ‘Developer Relations’ departments that serve as touchpoints for developers to connect with our specialized Bixby experts and get answers to any questions that they may have. They’re currently up and running in the U.S., China and Korea, and we’re working on expanding to locations around the world. We’re also organizing more events that will allow us to meet and collaborate with talented developers.

Q. What were some of the steps that Samsung took to transform Bixby into a full-fledged AI platform?

We’ve always thought of Bixby as a platform through which people can use various Bixby services across multiple compatible devices. The first iteration of Bixby was revealed as an intelligent interface that interacts with our mobile devices because we wanted to unveil each function at the appropriate moment.

We also thought long and hard about ways to improve the consumer experience, and make it easier for developers to create dynamic Bixby services. Our goals in releasing these new tools are to help third-party developers build services more comfortably and efficiently, and eventually get more developers to participate in the Bixby ecosystem. This will help develop the Bixby Marketplace, to offer consumers a place where they can easily pick and choose the services they want.

Q. What is Samsung doing to encourage more developers to participate?

We are offering developers access to the same tools that we use to build those services, and this comes in the form of the Bixby Developer Studio. We’ve created this so that developers can create Bixby Capsules more efficiently. With it, developers and AI can work together to make programs – when the developer gives Bixby the building blocks, Bixby uses the developers’ models to learn about users, making it a collaborative process with the AI.

In addition to providing developers with the tools they need to take Bixby’s convenience to the next level, we’re continuously enhancing the platform with more devices, more services, and support for more languages.

Other than that, we are investing more in technologies such as Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), Natural Language Understanding (NLU) and other technologies in the Audio Intelligence category so that Bixby can understand the natural language better.

Q. You mentioned the Bixby Marketplace. How many Bixby Capsules will need to be ready before the Marketplace opens, and what types of capsules can users expect to find there?

When it comes to the Bixby Marketplace, what really matters isn’t the sheer number of capsules, but the actual quality of the Bixby Capsule selection. The Marketplace will feature a wide range of capsules spanning categories like transportation, music, lifestyle and more, and we’ll need to have enough high-quality capsules ready to fill out those categories.

The more third-party developers jump on board and contribute innovative capsules, the faster the Marketplace will be up and running. When it officially opens, developers will also be able to upload more capsules to the Marketplace. These capsules will utilize Bixby’s natural language understanding to simplify users’ daily lives. Users will be able to easily access every single one of them through the Marketplace.

Q. Is the new Bixby compatible with Samsung’s TVs and appliances as well? Will developers’ Bixby Capsules need to be customized to work on these devices?

Devices that already support Bixby, from our Family Hub and Smart TVs, will also be made compatible with the New Bixby in the near future.

As far as Bixby Capsules are concerned, just because Bixby functions across a variety of devices doesn’t necessarily mean that developers will have to rebuild their capsules to make them compatible with each. Various departments in Samsung are working closely together to make this aspect of the development process as simple as possible.

Each device’s features might be different – the device may or may not have screens or speakers, for example. But for each device, all the developer will have to do is reorganize the layout of the data. These capsules for various devices will be easy to develop, as the tools Samsung provides will include various UI components and simulators that help developers in their processes.

Q. Compared to other intelligent assistants, what are some key benefits that Bixby offers developers and consumers?

Seamlessness, for one. With Bixby, you’re dealing with a single assistant across all kinds of devices—one that’s constantly being optimized to enhance its convenience.

Samsung sells more than 500 million devices a year, creating millions of opportunities for consumers to engage with dynamic Bixby services. We’re committed to expanding the platform to encompass all Samsung devices in the near future, starting with five more languages in the coming months. And with our industry-leading expertise in mobile, display and home innovations, we understand exactly how to create simple and unified multi-device experiences.

Because the platform invites third-party developers to contribute their own services, and encourages users to utilize the services that work for them, each person’s experience is ultimately unique. That inherent aspect of personalization is part of Bixby’s beauty.

Q. Do you have any final words for developers out there who are interested in growing their services with Bixby? What do you see as the future for Bixby?

Because Bixby is an open platform—a platform that will constantly evolve as more and more developers create and contribute innovative capsules—we can’t even imagine what the future will hold. But we’re excited to find out.

With Bixby, you’re looking at a platform that allows your services to truly shine, and offers a means to deliver them to millions of users around the world. We still have areas where we need to improve, and I encourage interested developers to join us on this journey, provide us with constructive feedback, and help us build a more seamless and connected future.

Featuring over 5,000 attendees, roughly 60 technical sessions, and a total of 35 booths, the fifth edition of Samsung’s showcase of technologies designed to empower developers and creators to build the software and services of tomorrow transformed San Francisco’s Moscone West convention center into a crossroads ‘Where Now Meets Next’.

The exciting AI, IoT and mobile advancements unveiled during the two-day event—encompassing, Bixby, SmartThings, UX/UI design and more—will enable partners and developers to create seamlessly connected, intelligent experiences across software, services and devices. The resulting innovations will have the power to change the lives of consumers around the world—ultimately making connected living a reality for more people.

In case you missed it, here’s a rundown of five factors that made SDC18 unforgettable.

#1 Announcements of Exciting Developer Tools

Day one of SDC18 began with a flurry of exciting announcements revealing advancements that will enable partners and developers to unlock the power of AI in their products and services, and demonstrate the true value of connected living to their customers.

Keynote speakers including DJ Koh, President and CEO and Head of Samsung Electronics’ IT and Mobile Communications Division, explained how new additions such as the Bixby Developer Studio and the new and improved SmartThings Developer Workspace will strengthen the world’s most powerful technology ecosystem, and help the company foster an ecosystem of open innovation that spans every aspect of people’s lives.

The speakers also offered a first look at Samsung’s new One UI, as well as the company’s highly anticipated Infinity Flex Display. The former features an intuitive interface that makes interactions with your device more natural, and makes it easier to focus on tasks at hand. The latter features a revolutionary foldable design that lays the foundation for an entirely new kind of mobile experience.

After introducing the exciting new developer tools and resources, the speakers encouraged attendees to experience them for themselves in the exhibition zone.

#2 Expert Insights

Day two of SDC18 kicked off with a bang as Samsung employees and leading lights of the worlds of gaming, film and mobile technology discussed technologies that could dictate the future of their respective fields.

(From left) Sarah Bond, Head of Xbox/Microsoft; Thomas Ko, VP at Samsung Electronics; Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games; John Hanke, CEO of Niantic.

The conference’s Spotlight Session was led by a presentation on Samsung’s latest gaming and AR innovations and partnerships, followed by a panel discussion on the future of gaming that featured Sarah Bond, Head of Xbox/Microsoft, as well as John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, and Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games.

(Clockwise from top left) Marc Mathieu, Chief Marketing Officer of Samsung Electronics America; Dag Kittlaus, CEO of Viv Labs; Sally Jeong, VP at Samsung Electronics; Nobutaka “Nobu” Ide, CEO of Wacom.

Other keynote speakers headlining day two included Nobutaka “Nobu” Ide, CEO of Wacom, and Spike Jonze, director of the AI-inspired film “Her”. Mr. Ide led a captivating presentation that examined how Samsung’s S Pen is reshaping the ways in which consumers interact with their device to get things done. Mr. Jonze sat down for a fireside chat on the intersection of AI and humanity, and described why he, as an artist, believes that developers should prioritize maintaining the human element when developing AI technology.

#3 A Firsthand Look at Samsung’s Latest Innovations

Samsung packed the conference center with a wide range of exhibits that offered attendees all they needed to know about innovations including SmartThings and Bixby, as well as Samsung’s mobile services, Smart TVs, Tizen, and more.

The interactive exhibits allowed attendees to experience the company’s latest mobile, display and home technologies, and spotlighted innovative ways that partners have utilized them to build dynamic solutions. Featured technologies in the mobile section included devices such as Samsung DeX and the Galaxy Watch, as well as apps and services such as Samsung Pay and Samsung Health.

Other sections of the booth showcased Samsung’s Smart TV services and digital appliances, and highlighted exciting ways to develop IoT, Smart TV and wearable services using the Tizen OS. Visitors to the Tizen section were offered in-depth introductions to TizenRT and the Tizen TV and Tizen .NET SDKs, including rundowns of available APIs, SDK tools and resources.

#4 Fun and Interactive Activities

Each SDC features a full slate of engaging sessions that demonstrate innovative ways for developers to build apps and services utilizing Samsung’s latest technologies. This year’s sessions slate placed Bixby, SmartThings and Samsung’s new foldable UX center stage. Samsung and industry experts answered participants’ every question through fun and informative lectures, panels and discussions.

But the interactive fun didn’t stop there, as SDC18 also included exciting competitions, giveaways and challenges that made the entire experience that much more memorable.

The Bixby Developer Showcase was one such example. In the lead up to SDC18, Samsung challenged developers to come up with first-class Bixby experiences, for the most dynamic submissions. On the second day of SDC18, the competition’s finalists presented their Bixby Capsules, which demonstrate the AI technology’s incredible potential. Competitions like this demonstrate exciting ways that Samsung and developers are making Bixby better.

Each SDC also features a wide array of workshops and activities that allow attendees to get up close and personal with Samsung’s latest innovations.

This year, the interactive workshops were held within the confines of the Code Lab, located at the center of the conference hall. Covering the ins and outs of developing for Bixby, SmartThings, Samsung DeX and more, these in-depth workshops offered attendees the opportunity to hone their coding skills with the aid of Samsung’s experienced instructors. Notable examples included workshops demonstrating how to create a Bixby Capsule for a service, as well as how to build SmartThings apps with TizenRT.

#5 A Peek at Life-changing Projects

Some of the most inspiring exhibits included at this year’s event spotlighted Samsung initiatives that are affecting change in communities that many attendees call home.

The exhibits demonstrated interesting ways that Samsung technologies are being used to create life-changing solutions. One of the most attention-grabbing examples was the booth for Rehago, an innovative training system (created through Samsung Germany’s “Life’s a Pitch” startup competition) that helps hemiplegic stroke patients during recovery.

Other standouts included the exhibits for Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow program, which encourages students to use STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to develop solutions to issues affecting their communities; Project Pontis, which enables Samsung Smart TV users with physical limitations to control their TV via brain waves; and uSound, an app that helps detect the risk of hearing loss and improves quality of life through communication and education for those affected by it.

And thus concludes another successful Samsung Developer Conference. For more information on the topics and innovations that were discussed at the event, be sure to check out Samsung Newsroom’s recap of SDC18’s keynote speeches. And don’t forget to check back here for more updates on Samsung’s latest AI, IoT and developer innovations.

When it was first demoed at last year’s Samsung Developer Conference in San Francisco, Linux on DeX generated significant buzz within the developer community by presenting a simple and convenient way to use Samsung DeX to build apps within a Linux development environment.

The combination of Samsung DeX and the Linux on DeX app adds new levels of flexibility to developers’ work by allowing them to connect their Galaxy device to a monitor using just an HDMI adapter, and instantly enjoy a fuller computing experience when on the go.

Linux on DeX frees developers from their desks by allowing them to access a PC-like Linux development environment anytime, anywhere. The app enables them to work on both Android and Ubuntu-based Linux distributions. Samsung provides a modified version of Ubuntu for Linux on DeX users, and has been working closely with Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, to provide the best experience.

SDC18 attendees observe a Linux on DeX demonstration at its booth.

After testing the app on-site at the event, SDC18 attendee Ericka Jackson said she was impressed by the level of flexibility that Linux on DeX provides.

“I play around with a lot of microcontrollers like Arduino and Raspberry Pi, so being able to have Linux on a more portable platform will be a lot of fun, because then I can take it and access Linux environment outside of my own network,” said Jackson. “It was really impressive. I’m looking forward to playing with it.”

Linux on DeX will be available as a private beta beginning on November 12. Users who are interested in joining the beta program may register here starting on November 7.

For more information on Samsung’s latest developer innovations, including exciting new tools and SDKs, check out Samsung Newsroom’s complete SDC18 coverage, linked here.

*The Linux on DeX beta is currently available to Galaxy Note9 and Galaxy Tab S4 users running Android Oreo and above.

Samsung has been working to expand its gaming ecosystem to make Galaxy devices the go-to platform for gamers. The all-new Galaxy Store, for example, will become the single destination for all digital items related to Galaxy devices, making it easier and more convenient to discover and download everything from new games, to applications, themes, fonts and more.

With developers in mind, the company is enabling high-performance game development through its Galaxy GameDev program, which features exclusive tools and technical support.

• Vulkan API equips developers with the right tools to deliver a high-quality gaming experience. An enhanced iteration of Vulkan announced at Samsung Developer Conference 2018, offers 10 percent improved performance compared to the OpenGL ES, taking user gaming experience to the next level.

• GPUWatch aids developers in their monitoring and measurement of performance between Vulkan and OpenGL ES. It’s now packed with new features, such as overlaid measurement results and real-time information on-screen – all made possible without separate installation or PC connection.

Along with key partnerships with some of the world’s biggest game companies such as Epic Games, Square Enix and Niantic Inc., Samsung has created an unparalleled mobile gaming platform that makes having fun on the go easier than ever. Check out the motion graphic below to see all that’s new with Samsung’s gaming ambitions from Samsung Developer Conference 2018.

Not so long ago, consoles and PCs were the only platforms powerful enough to deliver the best gaming experiences. But as the computing and graphics capability of smartphones continue to improve, the experience of gaming on mobile devices can now rival traditional platforms.

The statistics speak for themselves. There are an estimated 2.1 billion mobile gamers around the world; 56 percent of them play games on their phone more than ten times per week.

As the Galaxy smartphone is the world’s largest platform for Android games, Samsung is in a unique position to shape the future of mobile gaming. Our aim is simple – create immersive and unique experiences for gamers across the globe.

Our commitment to push the boundaries of mobile gaming led to the establishment of Galaxy GameDev in 2016 – a program dedicated to supporting global game developers and partners.

Since the program was announced at SDC 2016, it has helped over 50 partners, including Unity and Epic Games, optimize their offerings. By providing cutting-edge tools to developers, such as 64-bit and Vulkan API, GameDev set a new standard in the quality of mobile gaming. The launch of Fortnite for Android with Galaxy Note9 is just one of many examples of the program’s enormous influence on the gaming landscape.

Building on the progress made to date, we are ready to take mobile gaming on Galaxy to the next level. At the core of our vision are three principles – help game developers to create best games, help users discover great games, and help the game industry to grow its great ecosystem.

To turn this vision into reality, we are taking steps to provide the best support for the game development industry and game developers.

In the coming year, Galaxy GameDev will expand to include even more cutting-edge tools, including GPUWatch and GameSDK with Android P.

To help our gaming partners easily deliver their latest creations to their fans, we are launching the Galaxy Store Seller Program. For users, the brand-new Galaxy Store, the only store in Galaxy, will simplify the steps to find new games on Galaxy phones and more exclusive benefits.

And finally, we are strengthening Samsung IAP by enhancing the fraud detection system, settlement system and the seller dashboard. Our partnership program called Made4Samsung that started in the US will also expand globally, providing more opportunities for developers to commercialize their games.

The future of mobile gaming is limitless and now is the perfect time to join the world of Galaxy. Together with the developer community, let’s become the game changer.

The Samsung Developer Conference (SDC18) has officially begun, and San Francisco’s Moscone West convention center is buzzing with excitement about Samsung’s latest AI, IoT and mobile innovations.

Over the course of the conference’s jam-packed keynote event, Samsung and tech industry leaders revealed exciting enhancements to Bixby, SmartThings, UI/UX design and more, that will foster unified experiences across devices, software and services. By offering developers the tools they need to enrich our lives with more intelligent experiences, the advancements introduced at SDC18 will help make connected living a reality for more people.

In case you missed it, check out the highlights of the keynote event below.

Anticipation builds as SDC18 attendees await the beginning of the conference’s keynote event.

DJ Koh, Samsung Electronics’ President and CEO and of Head of IT and Mobile Communications Division, kicked off the conference by discussing how Samsung’s leadership in AI, IoT, and groundbreaking technologies like 5G has helped bring about “a new era of discovery and invention. A time not just of connected thinking, but of connected living.”

Eui-Suk Chung, Samsung’s EVP and Head of Software and Artificial Intelligence, shed some light on Samsung’s intelligence strategy, and how Bixby’s evolution into a scalable intelligence platform will empower people to do more with their devices. He also described how Samsung is expanding Bixby by incorporating support for more devices and languages, and opening the platform up to third-party services. In addition, Mr. Chung announced the launch of the Bixby Marketplace, which will offer partners and developers a new way to market their services to millions of Samsung device users. As he explained, “This is your opportunity. The largest device ecosystem in the world, at your fingertips, ready for your best ideas.”

Dag Kittlaus, CEO of Viv Labs, announced the release of the Bixby Developer Studio, the most comprehensive and powerful intelligent assistant toolset ever made, and introduced Samsung’s new Dynamic Program Generation technology.

Next, Mr. Kittlaus welcomed the CTO of Viv Labs, Adam Cheyer, to the stage for a demonstration of the Bixby Developer Studio. Before walking attendees through the ins and outs of the Studio’s developer tools, Mr. Cheyer described why he finds this announcement particularly exciting: “What we are introducing today, for the first time, promotes a new developer paradigm where an AI and a human developer work together collaboratively, each doing what they do best.”

Samsung’s VP of Engineering, Dr. Jaeyeon Jung, described how the company is enriching SmartThings with new partnerships and devices, such as SmartThings Wifi and the SmartThings Button, to make staying connected at home simple. As she explained, “This consistent and seamless SmartThings experience across multiple devices takes home automation to the next level.”

Magnus Ekenheim, SmartThings’ VP of Engineering, elaborated on Samsung’s efforts to make IoT less fragmented and less complicated, “to help developers create new IoT devices and services, and bring them to market faster.” He also announced a slew of new developer resources, including Works with SmartThings and the redesigned SmartThings Developer Workspace, which enable partners and developers to deliver world-class IoT experiences to their customers.

Dr. Jung returned to the stage to discuss ways that developers can utilize the latest addition to the Samsung ecosystem, Galaxy Home, to “bring the Intelligence of Things to life” for consumers. She explained how Galaxy Home’s combination of premium sound and Bixby and SmartThings support enables it to serve as a gateway for controlling smart devices, and emphasized the incredible opportunity that this powerful combo offers developers. “Any idea can become part of the Galaxy Home” she said.

Over the course of his jam-packed presentation, Pedro Freitas, Samsung’s Director of Smart TV Service Business, announced the launches of Samsung’s Voice Media Control API, which enables TV partners to leverage Bixby to offer consumers more control over their favorite content, as well as the new TV Plus Channel Management System (TV Plus CMS), an update to the TV Plus service that launched in 2016. He also revealed that Samsung will be opening up Ambient Mode to developers very soon; outlined how Samsung Smart TVs’ SmartThings Dashboard feature allows users to easily monitor and control their connected devices and appliances; and discussed optimizing IoT devices with Tizen RT.

Samsung’s Senior Designer of UX Design, Jee Won Lee, walked the crowd through a very special demonstration of the company’s new One UI, which features a simple yet compelling design that makes interactions with your mobile device more natural, and makes it easier to focus on tasks at hand. She followed that up with the announcement that the One UI will be available to developers in select markets beginning in November via Samsung’s official beta testing program.

Anticipation builds as Samsung’s Director of Product Marketing, Hassan Anjum, recounts some of the groundbreaking innovations that have led to Samsung’s latest breakthrough in mobile screen technology.

Justin Denison, Samsung’s SVP of Mobile Product Marketing, introduced Samsung’s vision for the next generation of mobile displays: the Infinity Flex Display. Its foldable design offers users the best of both worlds: a compact smartphone that unfolds to reveal a large, immersive display for multitasking and viewing content.

Glen Murphy, Director and Head of Android UX at Google, discussed his company’s deep partnership with Samsung before announcing that Android is officially adding support for the Infinity Flex Display’s foldable form factor.

After the event, SDC18 attendees get a closer look at Samsung’s newest developer tools and technologies.

Samsung Electronics today unveiled powerful new developer tools for its Bixby and SmartThings platforms, as well as new, powerful mobile experiences with One UI and Infinity Flex Display. To make connected living a reality, Samsung is making it easier for developers and partners to quickly build, launch and scale new experiences to millions of devices around the world.

“We have achieved significant advancements in AI and IoT, which will be crucial to bringing our connected living vision to life,” said DJ Koh, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics.

“The progress made to Bixby and SmartThings opens a new chapter where third party products and services can be integrated to the AI and IoT platforms at scale.

“The foldable display lays the foundation for a new kind of mobile experience. We are excited to work with developers on this new platform to create new value for our customers. We cannot wait to see where the technology and collaboration takes us.”

Building a Scalable Intelligence Platform

Bixby started as an intelligent interface, a practical way to use your voice to interact with your phone. Now, Samsung is evolving it into a scalable intelligence platform to support the diverse products and services in a consumer’s life. At SDC 2018, Samsung is unveiling new ways for developers to bring a more conversational, personal and useful intelligent assistant experience to more consumers.

To make it easier for developers to scale services powered by Bixby, Samsung is introducing the Bixby Developer Studio. The collection of tools provides an intuitive way for developers and partners to infuse intelligence into more services and devices. Developers will be able to easily create Bixby Capsules – features or services created for Bixby – and make them easily accessible to consumers in the Bixby Marketplace. The Bixby platform will allow developers to easily adapt their capsules from mobile phones and televisions to home appliances and other products across the Samsung ecosystem.

As part of its efforts to scale Bixby services, Samsung is expanding support to five new languages in the coming months, including British English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Delivering a Connected Lifestyle for Everyone

Samsung’s connected living vision is centered around an open IoT ecosystem that unites the growing number of connected devices on a single platform. Available in more than 200 markets around the world, SmartThings delivers a connected experience in a single app, bringing IoT beyond the smart home, into the car, office and everywhere in-between.

Samsung is now making it faster and easier for developers to connect their devices and services to the SmartThings platform with a new suite of tools in the redesigned SmartThings Developer Workspace. These enhanced tools include SmartThings Cloud Connector, SmartThings Device Kit and SmartThings Hub Connector. Developers can build and launch on the platform, as well as easily integrate cloud-connected, Zigbee and Z-Wave devices.

Additionally, the upgraded Works with SmartThings (WWST) certification program gives developers direct access to SmartThings experts and resources. WWST helps ensure devices and services are fully optimized for the platform, so consumers enjoy the best possible experience.

Pioneering User Experience and Display Innovation

Samsung introduces a new and intuitive interface design called One UI. Its clean and minimal design keeps the most relevant content on the bottom half of the screen – making it more natural and comfortable for one-handed use. The experience was reengineered to reduce clutter and distractions, allowing the user to better focus and quickly navigate their phone.

Samsung continues to build on its legacy of category-defining form factor and display innovation that has paved the way for a breakthrough foldable smartphone form factor. The Infinity Flex Display together with One UI delivers a new kind of mobile experience allowing users to do things they couldn’t do with an ordinary smartphone. Users now have the best of both worlds: a compact smartphone that unfolds to reveal a larger immersive display for multitasking and viewing content. The app experience seamlessly transitions from the smaller display to the larger display as the device unfolds. In addition, users can browse, watch, connect and multitask without losing a beat, simultaneously using three active apps on the larger display.

Because the Infinity Flex Display is a next generation platform, Samsung invites developers to participate in this journey from the beginning. Working collaboratively with Google and the Android developer community, Samsung will maximize the potential of this new form factor to create an optimized foldable user experience.

For more information about Samsung Developer Conference 2018, please visit http://sdc.developer.samsung.com/. Further information can also be found on Twitter (@samsung_dev) and using the hashtag #SDC18.

About Samsung Developer Conference

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

At last year’s Samsung Developer Conference, I spoke about connected thinking, and touched on some of the incredible experiences that become possible when we unify connections across devices. Our announcement of SmartThings marked a big step toward creating that seamlessly connected future.

So much has happened since then. During the past year, game-changing technologies like 5G, which were once experimental, have become commercially available; breakthrough AI capabilities that once seemed impossible are now within reach; and SmartThings has evolved into the world’s most comprehensive open IoT platform.

Which brings us to where we stand today—at the cusp of a new era of discovery and invention. A time in which intelligent services connect people to the tools they need and the experiences they desire; a time of incredible economic opportunity, built on new insights about how the world works and what customers want; and a time in which the ubiquity of an IoT platform like SmartThings propels us beyond the era of connected thinking and into the era of connected living.

It is with great pride that I can say that Samsung has been at the forefront of many of the advances that have laid the foundation for this new era. In addition to expanding SmartThings, we’ve delivered AI innovations that are redefining connectivity and automation, we pioneered the development of 5G technologies, and we even launched the world’s first residential 5G service in the U.S.

Our partnerships—and of course, the support of the developer community—have been instrumental to getting us to this point, where the pieces are in place for intelligence that learns and adapts; 5G connectivity that makes smart cities, smart homes and autonomous vehicles a reality; and devices that are secure and powerful enough to transform how we interact with each other and the world around us.

This year’s Samsung Developer Conference (SDC18) marks a gigantic step toward finally delivering these once far-off technologies. Or, as we at Samsung like to think of it, the next step toward transforming what’s next into what’s now.

Here at SDC18, we’re unveiling new SmartThings development tools that will demonstrate the true value of connected living, as well as enhancements to our Bixby intelligence platform that will unlock the power of AI in more products and services, and new hardware and interface concepts that will unfold an exciting new future for mobile services.

Each innovation adds strength to the world’s most powerful technology ecosystem, and will ultimately help us create a new world of experiences that flow with people as they manage their lives and move through their day.

I truly believe that we’re standing at a turning point in our industry. A new generation of technological breakthroughs has opened the door for change at a pace unlike anything we’ve seen before, and created new opportunities on a scale that exceeds imagination. The potential to change people’s lives has never been greater, and the opportunities have never been more exciting.

SDC18 is all about seizing these opportunities. With the help of partners and developers who share our commitment to innovation inspired by people, we’ll foster an ecosystem of open innovation that spans every aspect of people’s lives. I can’t wait to see how the technologies we’re showcasing right now at SDC18 will be used to discover what comes next.

*This editorial is based on DJ Koh’s keynote address at SDC18

by DJ Koh

President and CEO, IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics

Earlier this year, Samsung introduced the new Bixby – a more conversational, more personal and more useful intelligent assistant. Bixby keeps the dialogue moving forward to get things done. It gets to know you and learns from you, to personalize how it helps you. Bixby serves as your personal assistant, making it quick and easy to complete a variety of tasks from start to finish through a growing number of third-party partners. If you say, “Hi, Bixby, give me a restaurant recommendation,” Bixby remembers that you like a certain cuisine, like Italian, and brings those recommendations to the top of the list. Ask Bixby to buy tickets to a concert, and it will ask you follow up questions to find the best seats for you, making the process quicker and easier.*

Now Samsung is bringing that experience to even more devices and services. To evolve Bixby into Samsung’s intelligence platform, we have laid the groundwork to build a scalable AI platform, making it simpler and easier for developers to create user experiences powered by Bixby.

At Samsung Developer Conference 2018, we’re announcing that we’re opening Bixby Developer Studio, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), to developers. It offers access to the same development tools Samsung’s internal developers use to create Bixby Capsules, which is what developers build to add features to Bixby. It’s all part of Samsung’s unique approach to AI, with the goal of building a scalable, open AI platform where developers and service providers can access tools to bring Bixby to more people and devices around the world.

“Our goal is to offer developers a robust, scalable and open AI platform that makes it easy for them to launch and evolve the amazing experiences they create for our users,” said Kyunghak Hyun, Product Manager of the AI Product Management Group at Samsung. “As Samsung’s ecosystem of devices continues to grow, it creates more points of contact not just for Bixby, but for a growing number of third-party services as well. Developers have more ways to reach users, and users get more opportunities to make the most of them.”

Check out the infographic below for all the latest updates to Bixby from Samsung Developer Conference 2018.

Samsung Electronics has unveiled the initial roster of keynote speakers for Samsung Developer Conference 2018 (SDC18), where thousands of the world’s most prominent developers and creators will come together to explore today’s technology and work towards building the software and services of tomorrow.

DJ Koh, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics, will open SDC18 by discussing Samsung’s vision for the future of technology, and how the company is continually innovating to deliver the best customer experience. “At Samsung, we remain committed to enriching our open hardware, software and services ecosystems, empowering partners and developers to create new, intelligent and unimagined experiences for consumers,” said DJ Koh. “As a part of this commitment, we are excited to announce at SDC18 new developments and tools across AI and IoT that will usher in the next generation of connectivity.”

Among the full lineup of speakers, SDC18 will feature special keynotes from Samsung executives at the forefront of software and services innovation:

Eui-Suk Chung is EVP and Head of Software and AI, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung. A passionate technologist, Eui-Suk will talk about how the company’s ecosystem enables developers to create seamless experiences for consumers. He will also reveal how new tools and capabilities will help developers bring their creative ideas to life and scale them across billions of devices.

Dag Kittlaus, CEO of Viv Labs, will be joined on stage by the company’s CTO, Adam Cheyer. Together, they will outline Samsung’s delivery on its strategy to make Bixby more ubiquitous, personal, natural and open. They will share how Bixby has grown to become a next-generation, intelligent assistant platform, built for developers from the ground up. Lastly, they will unveil new Bixby tools that give developers the ability to infuse intelligence across a full spectrum of Samsung devices.

Jaeyeon Jung is VP and Head of Service Security Technologies Group at Samsung, where she oversees the IoT cloud, identity service, and other security-critical services. During the keynote, Jaeyeon will discuss SmartThings’ progress since the ecosystem integration was announced in 2017, including how it has become more secure, scalable and accessible – revealing how it will continue to expand in 2019.

SDC18 will be jam-packed with learning, inspiration and special activities with Samsung experts, partners and thought leaders at the cutting edge of the world’s most innovative technologies and industries, from AI and IoT to health, AR/VR and security solutions. More enthusiastic spokespeople and industry leaders to join in SDC18 will be shared in coming weeks.

Stay tuned for more exciting speaker announcements in the coming weeks. For more information about Samsung Developer Conference 2018, please visit http://sdc.developer.samsung.com/. Further information can also be found on Twitter (@samsung_dev) and using the hashtag #SDC18.

To sign-up for this year’s conference, visit http://sdc.developer.samsung.com/registration/ to register for your place.

About Samsung Developer Conference

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