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 theatre 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 capitalise 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.

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

Making Technology More Accessible and Inclusive

Previously available at three levels of customisation, the updated Ambient Sound feature—which gives users the ability to listen to and stay aware of their surroundings—now adds two additional levels, offering five levels of amplification^[1] and providing the benefit of improved hearing to even more users.

To assess the feature’s efficacy^[2], a clinical trial was undertaken by the University of Iowa’s Hearing Aid and Aging Research Laboratory. Their research concluded that Galaxy Buds2 Pro significantly improved speech perception in those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. A similar trial conducted by Samsung Medical Center also found that the Galaxy Buds2 Pro could be an effective tool to help those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss to better communicate in a quiet place.

Bringing New Levels to Audio Customisation

With this improved feature, Galaxy Buds2 Pro users can also fine tune their Ambient Sound settings across a variety of needs. Users can adjust the volumes on the left and the right respectively, as well as customise their Ambient Sound tone range from soft to clear across five different stages. Additionally, Ambient Sound can tune to users’ ears through the Adapt Ambient Sound feature, allowing for even more clarity in helping users hear the world around them better.

“We are excited to be introducing the new enhanced accessibility feature of the Galaxy Buds2 Pro to users on Global Accessibility Awareness Day,” said Han-gil Moon, Master and Head of Advanced Audio Lab, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung will continue to work to help each and every user experience the best possible audio anytime, anywhere with their Galaxy Buds2 Pro.”

Availability

The enhanced Ambient Sound feature will be progressively released on Galaxy Buds2 Pro via software updates in coming weeks^[3].

[1] Accessed in the Laboratory menu under Earbuds settings in the Galaxy Wearable app.

[2] Clinical trials by the University of Iowa and Samsung Medical Center were conducted with the Ambient Sound feature at its maximum level (Level 5).

[3] Galaxy Wearable app required – compatible with Android smartphones & tablets running Android 5.0 & above with at least 1.5GB RAM”

360 Audio Recording: Capture the World as You Hear it

The new 360 Audio Recording feature^[1] empowers users to capture sound on video, precisely as they hear it. Pairing Galaxy Buds2 Pro with a Galaxy smartphone, everyone can film like a pro and capture high-quality, realistic audio for video without the need for bulky professional equipment, anytime, anywhere. The feature picks up 360-degree sound using a microphone in each earbud, placing viewers at the centre of a roaring festival crowd or beside a bubbling brook in the middle of a forest. Users can pop in connected headphones and playback the video on their device or social media channel to hear lifelike and immersive sounds that emulate an in-person experience.

360 Audio Recording is the first feature in the Galaxy line leveraging LE Audio, an advanced new Bluetooth audio standard. This new technology brings better audio quality as well as improved latency and battery life. Beyond providing better-sounding music, LE Audio also broadens the spectrum of audio experiences to deliver more complex and rich sound that can be shared with others. Now, LE Audio brings binaural recording to Galaxy Buds2 Pro – taking advantage of both the left and right mics at the same time. When pairing the Buds2 Pro with a Galaxy Z Flip4 or Fold4, users are drawn into the moment, benefitting from high-quality stereo audio as well as high-quality video.

Camera Controller: Frame the Perfect Shot Right from Your Wrist

Photography and videography with Galaxy smartphones are about maintaining creative control in any situation. One example is the Galaxy Watch’s Camera Controller app, which enables users to control their phone camera right from their wrist. A new update – soon to be available on the Galaxy Watch5 and Watch4 series – adds zoom capabilities to Camera Controller^[2], further expanding the Galaxy camera experience with Galaxy smartphone and Galaxy Watch connectivity. Now users can remotely control their phone’s camera zoom with a simple pinch of the watch face or a turn of the rotating bezel – perfect for taking group shots or solo selfies from a distance and eliminating the need to run back and forth to the camera to frame the perfect picture.

Availability^[3]

The new 360 Audio Recording feature will be progressively released on Galaxy Buds2 Pro and Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 via software updates starting today1. The updated Camera Controller feature will be available on the Galaxy Watch5, Watch5 Pro, Watch4 and Watch4 Classic beginning from February2. These new wearable features are expected to provide more powerful synergies with the new Galaxy camera capabilities – offering new and never-before seen experiences.

Tune in on 1 February for more details of Samsung’s advanced Galaxy smartphone that will be announced at Galaxy Unpacked.

To learn more about the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro please visit:

Galaxy Buds2 Pro: www.samsung.com/galaxy-buds2-pro

Galaxy Watch5: www.samsung.com/galaxy-watch5

Galaxy Watch5 Pro: www.samsung.com/galaxy-watch5-pro

[1] The feature will be available on Galaxy Buds2 Pro paired with a Galaxy smartphone running One UI 5.0 or above with LE Audio support, including Galaxy Z Flip4, Z Fold4 and the upcoming Galaxy smartphones. Requires installation of the latest software versions of the Galaxy smartphone and Galaxy Buds devices. To activate the feature, go to Samsung Camera app > tap Camera settings after selecting Video mode > tap Advanced video options > turn on 360 Audio Recording.

[2] The feature will be available on Galaxy Watch5, Watch5 Pro, Watch4 and Watch4 Classic when paired with a Galaxy smartphone running One UI 5.1 or above with the Camera Controller app support. Requires installation of the latest software version via the Galaxy Wearable app.

[3] Availability may vary by market, carrier, model and the paired smartphone. The update will initially be available on Bluetooth versions and will roll out to LTE versions later.

• TikTok creators can interpret, sing, remix and upload their unique versions of a brand-new single from one of the greatest song writing teams in history, led by Max Martin.

• Make it with Samsung using the power of the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Buds2 Pro

• Creative direction from Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment, Universal Music Group, the world-leader in music-based entertainment and its Republic Records label

LONDON, United Kingdom – October 19, 2022 – Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd. has partnered with TikTok to launch StemDrop, a new international music discovery format that will revolutionise global music collaboration, democratise music production and give all music creators a never-before-seen platform to showcase their talent to the world.

Officially launching Thursday 26th October on TikTok, with creative direction from Syco Entertainment, Universal Music Group – the world-leader in music-based entertainment – and its Republic Records label, StemDrop gives music creators an unprecedented opportunity to collaborate with the world’s finest songwriters. Starting with 5x Grammy award winner Max Martin and his prolific hit-making team of Savan Kotecha and Ali Payami, who will release 60 seconds of an original new single exclusively on TikTok for the world to mix.

Samsung has a rich history of developing transformative technology ideal for those who want to create. From emerging to established artists, you can make your StemDrop look and sound amazing with the creativity and innovation of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. When you’re all done, connect and listen back, with the Galaxy Buds2 Pro.

Creators can film their music video hands-free and at any angle they want by partially folding the Z Flip4 to activate FlexCam – granting budding artists unlimited freedom and self-expression when shooting content. The upgraded Z Flip4 camera also comes equipped with a 65% brighter sensor*, resulting in better images in low light, so you can make great content, day or night. In addition, multi-window lets you see two apps at once, so you can check out the lyrics while practising your performance.

Once you’ve finished recording your StemDrop, seamlessly connect your Galaxy Buds2 Pro to your Z Flip4 and listen back in Hi-Fi quality sound, giving you an in-studio experience from home or on-the-go.

As soon as the song drops, the TikTok community will have access to the ‘stems’ – the individual components of the song such as drums, bass guitar and vocals – through the TikTok Sounds page. The StemDrop Player, powered by Samsung but open to all, gives creators the ability to produce their own unique spin of the track. Slow parts of the track down, speed it up, make it acapella – creators can make it their own in the very palm of their hand. TikTok stars Ari Elkins, Astrid S and Your Boy Moyo will act as global ambassadors for StemDrop and host daily content on the @StemDrop channel on TikTok.

As the global leader in the smartphone industry, Samsung has a deep understanding of how people express themselves through their devices. More than ever, that means creating short-form content.

Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Europe comments: “From movies, games and music – Samsung understands that entertainment is the most exciting when it evolves. This partnership with TikTok, Syco Entertainment and Universal Music Group is a ground-breaking new chapter that will redefine music creation.

As leaders in innovation, we feel a responsibility to constantly find ways to champion creativity – the openness of StemDrop does just that. This mission has been longstanding: from the launch of Samsung Spotlight, an initiative to support performing artists in the wake of the pandemic, to our partnership with UMG on Music Galaxy Thursdays, allowing music lovers free access to never-seen-before artist interviews, performances, and behind-the-scenes footage in the lead-up to New Music Friday. Now, our advancements in the foldables market are changing the way we use mobile devices as the ultimate tool for both productivity and self-expression.

We’re extremely excited to build on our evolving role in the music industry, to continue leading the way in technological innovation, and to inspire the world to #MakeItWithSamsung”. 

Speaking on the launch of StemDrop, Simon Cowell said: “Hit songs are like diamonds and they can change an artist’s career overnight. With tens of thousands of songs uploaded every day this idea will give aspiring artists the opportunity to collaborate with some of the most successful songwriters in the world. The premise was always very straightforward… ‘What would happen if the best songwriters in the world wrote a song for the world…….?’

We have no idea what’s going to happen. I do know there are so many incredibly talented people who are trying to stand out and I hope and believe this could make a big difference to their careers. It says everything about Max Martin, Savan and Ali that they have decided to give this song to the TikTok community to record and collaborate with them. And I want to thank them so much for believing in this idea. In addition, I want to thank TikTok, Samsung and Universal for their support and enthusiasm. Again, their passionate support of talented people is amazing.”

More information on StemDrop and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and the Galaxy Buds2 Pro can be found on Samsung.com, here.

The official StemDrop channel (@StemDrop) has posted videos today to celebrate the launch of StemDrop and spark excitement among the TikTok community.

Ole Obermann, Global Head of Music at TikTok said: “We are thrilled to finally announce StemDrop to the world. Some of the biggest names in entertainment, music and technology are coming together to supercharge music discovery in a way never seen before, using the power of TikTok to unearth new talent. Every day, brilliant, undiscovered artists and songwriters turn to TikTok to share their music and find a global audience; StemDrop will put a spotlight on this talent and act as a springboard to help them build their careers.”

Paul Hourican, Global Head of Music Operations at TikTok said: “TikTok’s mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy, and with StemDrop our aim is to provide our creative community, wherever they are, an opportunity to collaborate and create with the world’s most iconic songwriters and their work in a new and original way. The breadth and diversity of musical talent emerging on TikTok every day is breathtaking and we’re committed to opening doors for artists and propelling new talent to find sustained success both on and off the platform. We can’t wait to see what this collaboration brings so thank you to Max, Simon and the teams at Syco, UMG and Republic who have helped bring this to life.”