Can you even imagine your life without your smart phone? It hasn’t taken long for these must-have devices to become an essential and integral part of daily life. It’s estimated that as much as 58.7% of the world use smartphones.[i] But how have they changed the way we do things?

Well, just 10 years ago, most people couldn’t conceive having an actual conversation with a mobile device. Now it’s common to have an intricate chat with your very own built-in personal assistant, like Bixby. From getting directions and restaurant recommendations to dictating e-mails or ordering flowers online for your mom, smartphones and their assistants can do just about anything.

Today most people simply can’t imagine life without one – smartphones have evolved to such an extent that they’ve moved way beyond mere communication to being a constant companion that’s geared to learn your unique needs and make your life easier to navigate. The millions of apps that can be downloaded and used can help you track your health, control your connected appliances, give you directions, remind you of appointment and even edit videos or build websites.

Doing business on a mobile device has gone beyond sitting in a coffee shop making endless phone calls. E-mails, internet research, design and invoicing are all now possible. Capturing images and videos on the go has never been easier and in-built security features like Knox make it entirely safe to conduct business wherever you are. When it comes to education, learners not only have access to the internet, but also to the world’s best teachers and experts, through their devices.

According to a survey almost half of Smartphone users use their phone for access health related services.^[ii] Whether its to use an app to monitor glucose levels or verify a prescription, a fitness tracker or healthy recipe finder, smartphones have impacted the way people interact with their own health and wellness.

Social media accounts for almost two hours each day, with the top apps being YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter.[iii]

In 2012, editor of the website The Next Web, catalogued devices that were made obsolete by smartphone. His list included MP3 players, point-and-shoot digital cameras, GPS, alarm clocks, flashlights, handheld gaming systems, e-readers, voice recorders, dictionaries, infrared remotes and web-conferencing devices. This is a lot longer now.

A recent British poll indicated that using a smartphone to make phone calls doesn’t even reach the top 10 reasons for owning one. The majority of people cited the following regarding their smartphone use: texting – 88%; e-mail – 70%, Facebook – 62%, camera – 61%, reading news – 58%, online shopping – 56 per cent, checking the weather – 54%, WhatsApp – 51%, Banking – 45%, watching videos on YouTube – 42%.[iv]

Craige Fleischer, Vice President of Integrated Mobility say, “Most people don’t realise that as early as 2001, Samsung was already building smartphones – the SPH-1300 came out in October that year. And that was just the beginning of the smartphone rise. From the BlackJack line to the Instinct, which were before Android, to the Omnia with TouchWiz and then the current star of the smartphone show – the Galaxy S line.”

Even with all the incredible tech now in the palm of your hand, the evolution of the smartphone is still in its infancy – technological innovation is consistently moving ahead of the curve, with giants like Samsung leading the race to intuitively address user’s future needs and desires.

[i] https://deviceatlas.com/blog/17-mobile-market-statistics-you-should-know-2017

[ii] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2c28/0b6a690442a97a571e09b2404e2d21720db4.pdf

[iii] http://mediakix.com/2016/12/how-much-time-is-spent-on-social-media-lifetime/#gs.C5SGcjM

[iv] https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/778572/Smartphone-phone-common-reason-use-call

Samsung Electronics South Africa’s latest flagship smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, have been making waves in South Africa since its arrival in the country in March this year. The new, subtly gleaming Pink Gold colourway Galaxy S7 and S7edge is creating another stir. Created to take smartphones beyond advanced technology and into the realms of next generation art, the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge integrate leading edge mobile computing with uncompromising, refined design that now also feature sophisticated colour options.

The Pink Gold colourway is intended to soothe and incorporate a touch of gentleness, radiance and excellence to the smartphone. The Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, including the Pink Gold colourway, are now available in a choice of five colours. These consist of Black Onyx, Gold Platinum, White Pearl and Silver Titanium.

“Samsung developed dust and water-resistant bodies without impacting on style and sophistication. Everything about the 5.1-inch Galaxy S7 and 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 edge speaks to premium design, comfort and streamlined ergonomic usability,” says Craige Fleischer, Director of Integrated Mobility at Samsung Electronics South Africa.

In Samsung’s quest to introduce more human-centred devices to the market, both in form and user experience, the company’s designers accredited their inspiration to pebbles washed by waves to seamless, solid perfection, always bearing in mind the ‘feel & touch user experience (UX)’ motto.

“Using 3D Forming glass technology shaped under immensely high temperatures, Samsung has moulded the curved glass and metal of the S7 edge to form a seamless, cohesive whole that feels uniquely smooth and natural in the hand,” Fleischer says. “Even the buttons have become thinner and the rear camera is slimmer, so as not to disrupt the contours of the device.”

Samsung’s innovations extend to the user interface, which is more intuitive, with a softened colour palette of app icons making it easier to view over an extended period of time. An Always On Display (AOD) function that shows the time, date and simple alerts even when the device is not in use. Edge UX, the advanced edge available on Galaxy S7 edge, provides convenience and increased efficiency by creating easy shortcuts to users’ most loved functions such as email, selfie mode, panorama mode or third party applications.

“When it comes to the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, Samsung has ensured that aesthetics are not compromised and thanks to this, fashion loving consumers have the opportunity to express their unique style through a device that epitomises flair,” concludes Fleischer.

Consumers who purchase the new Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 edge smartphones are in for a big surprise. As the owner of a New Galaxy S7 and a loyal Samsung customer they will also receive a six months Google Play Music subscription with access to unlimited music.
 
This exclusive partnership between Samsung and Google brings together two things that fit perfectly together – Premium Technology and Music – the most emotive proposition around.
 
Samsung’s mobile technology is designed to be meaningful; in other words it brings new possibilities to how people live, work, explore, share and create. “Music is one of the only things in the world that can either make a person laugh or cry within 30 seconds,” says Craige Fleischer, Director of Integrated Mobility Samsung Electronics South Africa.
 
Google Play Music is one of the leading music subscription streaming services in the world and through this partnership, Samsung yet again demonstrates its leadership in providing best in class mobile services with its cutting edge devices that amplify the senses and allow users to express their personality.
 
“We are excited to announce this amazing offer to customers and we are certain that those who purchase our latest innovative flagship smartphone will not only be related to have free music for six months, but will also be thrilled to experience that music on the premium S7 or S7 edge device. We want to enrich people’s lives not only through intuitive mobile devices, enabling truly connected living for everyone, everywhere, but also with exclusive promotions and partnerships like these. Similar market promotions only offer one to two months access, but we’ve taken it a few steps further with six months service,” adds Fleischer.
 
Music adds emotion to moments and experiences in our daily lives and through this partnership Samsung is adding emotion and magic to technology. South African customers will get on-demand access to more than 35 million songs, ad-free. Users can enjoy expertly curated radio stations, add up to 50,000 songs from a personal music collection and stream these anywhere.
 
Those who subscribe to this offer, says Fleischer: “are entitled to listen to unlimited music, from a selection of all the songs ever recorded. Every subscriber will be able to pick and choose the music they like, catering to their taste. How magical is that?”
 
This offer is only open to residents in South Africa who have purchased and activated an S7 or S7 edge device between 13 April 2016 and 13 June 2016. These qualifying customers need to redeem this offer and subscribe to Google Play Music before 13 July 2016 to qualify for the six months promotion. Credit card details are needed to subscribe for the service, however monthly deductions will only commence after the six month promotion has ended.
 
With Samsung, customers can always expect something good. In order to show its appreciation, Samsung is also giving all loyal customers a three months free subscription to the Google Play Music service – irrespective of having purchased a brand new or older model Samsung Android smartphone or tablet.
 
“Samsung enhances consumers’ everyday lives by bringing them meaningful technologies and services that provide practical value. The Galaxy S7 or S7 edge with the six months free Google Pay Music offer and three month free Google Play Music subscription offer with any other Samsung Android smartphone along with tablet devices, are simply part of the value we add,” Fleischer concludes.

Samsung Electronics South Africa is excited to announce its participation in the first edition of the Samsung Galaxy Cup South Africa, a national five-a-side football tournament for retail mobile sales people from the organisation’s various channel partners. This is a global tournament featuring some 28 countries with over 5000 salespeople participating. The South African leg of the Galaxy Cup (2016) consists of teams entered by partners such as Vodacom, Cell C, MTN and Smollan.
 

The regional tournaments included teams from Durban, Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg. The winners of these teams contested in the national finals that were held on the 7th of May at St. Stithians College, Johannesburg. The overall winning team, MTN Johannesburg, will have the opportunity to represent South Africa in an international leg of the tournament hosted in Dubai at the end of May. Kevin Mabele, captain of the MTN Johannesburg team, voiced the team’s appreciation of participating in the Samsung Galaxy Cup. “Our hearts are warmed by the honour and opportunity that Samsung has bestowed upon us. In this incredible journey we have discovered the true meaning of teamwork and our ability to achieve our goals. As Captain I wish to express our gratitude to Samsung for making our dreams come true and for making it possible for Team MTN to excel beyond our borders.”
 

“The Samsung Galaxy Cup is a concept that has proven successful over the past two years as a means of using sport to bring partners together, showcase Samsung’s edutainment ideas and uplift our communities through donations to nominated charities,” says Craige Fleischer, Director of Integrated Mobility at Samsung Electronics South Africa. Elabourating on the idea of edutainment, Fleischer points out that on arrival, each retail channel team received a Samsung Galaxy S7 and a Gear S2. Team members were given missions which they had to fulfil and work towards, over the course of the day.
 

Spectators also had the opportunity to enjoy the Samsung virtual reality experience, eco-system offerings including S-Health and Google Play Music as well as additional entertainment which included jumping castles, face-painting and live music from Sketchy Bongo.
 

The Samsung Galaxy Cup is further enriching the lives of those served by a number of charities through a R100 000 donation. Each team selected a charity on registration, with the overall winner as well as the winners of each regional final able to make a donation to their nominated charity. An additional amount was made available for the partners to donate to their nominated channels through support mechanisms. Cheques for these charities were handed over to the teams at the prize-giving event on Saturday.
 

“Sport and South Africa are intricately intertwined and at Samsung, we believe in the unifying power of sport to promote harmony in societies, be it in a personal capacity or at work. Bringing our technology into the sporting arena and people’s lives we serve to enhance their social wellbeing,” Fleischer concludes.