advanced features, and latest SmartThings updates

Samsung Electronics has unveiled its 2023 lineup of Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED, Samsung OLED and sound devices and monitors at its Unbox & Discover 2023 event, showcasing the latest innovations in premium viewing, gaming experiences, smart connectivity and sustainability initiatives. Under the tagline “More Wow than Ever,” Samsung’s 2023 lineup is set to impress consumers.

So far, Samsung has launched the flagship TV line-up in a couple of countries across the globe. Now, Samsung is ready to launch these TVs in the South African market as the company has just opened up early orders in the country. Consumers can early order the Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED and OLED TVs and get up to R15 000 in store vouchers, plus The Freestyle smart projector package which includes a carry case and a battery base, as well as Signature Service. This offer is redeemable in-store, may vary by participating models and is valid from 21 April to 04 June 2023 (T’s & C’s apply) [1].

This year’s lineup focuses on enhancing the user experience by making complex technologies more intuitive and seamlessly integrated into people’s lives, while delivering impeccable picture and sound quality consumers expect from Samsung screens.

“At Samsung, we understand that technology should empower and enhance people’s lives, not complicate them,” said Mike van Lier, Vice President of Consumer Electronics at Samsung Electronics. “By choosing Samsung, consumers can expect to experience an unparalleled level of wow factors, all while participating in eco-conscious practices for a sustainable future.”

1 – More Choice with Premium Screens: Neo QLED 8K and Samsung OLED

At Unbox & Discover 2023, Samsung unveiled products and features designed to deliver innovative 8K experiences. The QN900C sits at the top of Samsung’s premium Neo QLED 8K lineup and is a standout model in the premium TV category. With groundbreaking technologies like Auto HDR Remastering and 8K AI upscaling, the QN900C is impressing industry experts and reviewers alike.

From true-to-life picture quality to immersive audio, Samsung has once again set the bar high with its Neo QLED 8K. Samsung offers 85” & 75” QN900C Model on its Neo QLED 8K lineup, providing immaculate colour reproduction and life-like level of details in a scale that offers true cinematic experience. It offers upgraded sound with Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony 3.0 to further envelope viewers in every single scene.

Additionally, Samsung spoke to its efforts in expanding the 8K ecosystem by working closely with various partners, including the 8K Association. Together, Samsung is introducing more ways to enjoy native 8K content than ever before.

Samsung also highlighted its 2023 Samsung OLED lineup, which offers immaculate color accuracy through Neural Quantum Processor 4K’s perceptional color mapping – making Samsung OLED the “World’s First Pantone-Validated HDR OLED.”  [2]

In fact, Samsung OLED boasts true blacks and stunningly natural pictures with perfect contrast and color expression. The S95C features Samsung’s signature Infinity One design, and the LaserSlim design of the S90C model adds a touch of sophisticated metal finish.

2 – Putting Gaming at the Forefront with Gaming TVs

Premium screens, from Neo QLED 8K to OLED and beyond, not only bring video and photo content to life in ultra-high resolution but can also bring screen experiences like gaming to a whole new level. Gaming on a Neo QLED 8K provides a unique level of immersive gameplay, from the large screen to high-performance graphic cards that support 8K resolution at fast pace.

3 – Solutions for Your Tailor-made Life: Five Foundations of SmartThings

Samsung underscores its commitment to calm tech and innovation, providing consumers with the latest technologies that make life better. In particular, the company has introduced five core foundations of SmartThings, which aims to provide increased convenience when setting up their smart homes.

• Instant Connection: SmartThings enables users to easily connect their devices in just one step, allowing them to enjoy the synergy created by Samsung devices more easily.
• Automated Connection: SmartThings automatically connects devices, like TVs or smartphones, with other Samsung devices such as the air conditioner, dryer, refrigerator, and washer, eliminating the need for manual setup.
• Hub Everywhere: The IoT hub is built into various Samsung products, including Samsung Smart TVs, making IoT setup a breeze.
• Expansive Compatibility: SmartThings goes beyond just the Samsung ecosystem, enabling devices from any brand to work seamlessly together thanks to the Home Connectivity Alliance and the international IoT communication standard, MATTER.
• Security: With CC EAL 6+ certification, the new Samsung Knox Vault hardware chip encrypts all information from connected devices, ensuring the highest level of security and offering peace of mind for users.

Understanding consumers have diverse technology ecosystems in their homes, Samsung helped form the Home Connectivity Alliance so all users’ favorite devices can work together regardless of brand. And in the name of true connectivity, Samsung is also paving the way for smarter homes with support for MATTER, an international IoT communication standard with more than 220 global companies involved.

Thanks to this collaborative mindset and these five foundations, users can build a network of connected devices that makes their home smarter and their lives easier.

4 – Putting People and Planet at the Center: Everyday Sustainability and Relumino

Samsung is committed to delivering innovative calm tech and eco-conscious practices that make life easier and better for its users. At every stage of the product lifecycle, from product sourcing to production, distribution, use and recycling, Samsung puts sustainability first, utilizing various technologies to create sustainable products that contribute to building a healthier planet for future generations. 

• Samsung is leading the way with three innovative approaches to sustainability: Turning CO2 into recycled materials, using fewer materials, and upcycling products and packaging. Samsung’s 2023 TVs, monitors, and remote controls use recycled resin made of at least 50% recycled materials.[2] In addition, Samsung has made significant efforts to ensure it is offering sustainable packaging from the box to all the wrapping inside.
• Samsung has also developed AI Energy Mode that helps users monitor energy consumption and usage patterns, putting them in control of themselves. AI Energy Mode feature even analyzes the content playing on the screen to reduce power consumption without distracting from the content.
• Samsung’s third generations SolarCell Remote uses fewer materials and is more compact. It is also free of licensing, allowing any manufacturer to join Samsung on the journey in making the world a more eco-conscious place.

Samsung also underscores its commitment to creating a better, more inclusive viewing experience for all with its latest Relumino mode. Relumino mode is designed to help people with visual impairments watch content more easily and has been awarded with the 2023 CES Innovation Award.[3]

By choosing Samsung, users can enjoy cutting-edge technology while taking part in sustainable and inclusive practices that align with core values of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance).

To learn more about this year’s TV and monitor lineup, please visit https://www.samsung.com/za 

Samsung proudly supports Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030.

1 Terms & Conditions:  Offer may vary by participating models.

2 Pantone is a global authority in color, providing a standardized system relied on by over 10 million designers and producers worldwide.

3 Resin contains a minimum of 50% recycled content. (Environmental Claim Validation Procedure, UL 2809 5th Edition)

⁴ Relumino Mode is applied for TV models QN80C, QN90C, QN800C, QN900C and works on sources provided through DTV and HDMI only.

]]> https://news.samsung.com/za/samsung-tv-receives-accreditation-from-royal-national-institute-of-blind-people-rnib-in-the-uk?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=direct Fri, 02 Oct 2020 21:44:11 +0000 https://bit.ly/33kXBIb  

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa –  02 October 2020 – Samsung has announced that the company has received ‘Tried and Tested Accreditation’ for its 2020 Smart TVs from the United Kingdom’s Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) which is the first time this accreditation has been given in the TV industry. This recognition comes as South Africa celebrates Eye Care Awareness Month from 21 September to 18 October, to raise awareness about the importance of eye health.

RNIB awards its “Tried and Tested” accreditation to products, websites, apps, or services which meet RNIB criteria for accessibility for consumers with impaired vision. This distinction enables the users to make easier purchase decisions and underscores Samsung’s commitment to improving accessibility features on its TVs.

Samsung has worked with RNIB since 2013 to ensure that Samsung products are suited with the proper features to offer accessibility for all consumers. Since 2014, Samsung has focused on enhancing accessibility features for users who are visually impaired, providing features such as ‘Voice Guide’ that enables the TV to read aloud program information and ‘High Contrast’ mode that displays graphic information with opaque black backgrounds and white font for enhanced visibility. In recognition of these features, RNIB presented its ‘Inclusive Society Award’ to Samsung Electronics in 2016.

Since then, Samsung has continued to improve and expand the accessibility features on its TVs to better achieve digital inclusivity for deaf and hearing-impaired people as well as blind and partially sighted people. Features include:

• With the upgraded Voice Guide feature, users can listen to key information on programs as well as for instructions for the remote control and accessibility features. Users also can adjust the pitch and speed of the Voice Guide to suit their preferences.

• The Digital Magnifier which enhances and expands text and images on large screens while mirroring the Samsung Galaxy smartphone to a TV.¹

• The Focus Enlarge feature magnifies specific fonts related to TV control, volume, and menus.

• Automatic recognition and enlargement of the sign language area for the hearing-impaired as well as the ability to adjust and move the subtitle positions.

“With the evolving needs of consumers Samsung is focused on technology that empowers more people in new ways,” said Mncane Mthunzi, Director of Consumer Electronics at Samsung South Africa “Samsung is fully committed to providing comprehensive accessibility features on its TVs so that every user can enjoy their favourite content much more easily,” he added.

David Clarke, Director of Services at RNIB, said, “RNIB is delighted to award our Tried and Tested certification to Samsung in recognition of the accessibility features within their TV. RNIB and Samsung have worked together since 2013, and each year the accessibility features on their televisions have been improved and expanded.”

1 Digital Magnifier may not be available on some Samsung mobile devices.

2 The images shown are for illustration purposes only, and may differ from the actual product. Product specifications may vary by country, region, model, and carrier.

With its TVs, Samsung provides a range of accessibility features so that every user can enjoy their favourite content without issue. From the Voice Guide feature, which provides an audio guide for TV settings, to the Audio Multi-Output functionality, which lets multiple users establish personalised volume settings, to a feature that automatically zooms in on the sign language interpreter screen, Samsung TV’s accessibility features have been developed through the consistent incorporation of user feedback into the development process.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – June 19, 2020 – With Samsung’s QLED range, you can now turn the ordinary into the extraordinary with immersive sound, endless detail, minimalist design and unrivalled technology. Better still, you now have access to all you need in one space – from home learning, a home office to the convenience of home fitness.

“The way we use our TV has evolved dramatically. Samsung is leading this revolution with smart features that amplify the options you have access to. This is human-centred technology designed for a time when many of us are focussed on staying home and staying healthy. Of course, the range also continues to offer unrivalled entertainment at its best, “said Nivash Ramsern, Head: Visual Display at Samsung South Africa.

Work, Play and Study from Home

Samsung TV creates an incredible home entertainment experience with streaming apps and even game enhancers. It includes a Video On Demand App, Multi-View that merges your smartphone and TV onto one screen as well as Real Game Enhancer+ for a more realistic way to enjoy your favourite game. Here are a few additional ways to maximise your Samsung TV Experience:

Create a Home Office

With Remote Access, you can work efficiently from home so you never far away from the office. This includes the tools you need to ensure your colleagues and clients are effortlessly connected, such as Mirroring with video conference on your TV. You can also turn your TV into a big, impressive work monitor through the TV’s HDMI connection.

Learn From Home

Many parents and students have recently experienced the need for schooling at home. The Samsung TV is effortlessly set up for this. Home learning is made easier with access to online classes on TV, educational videos on YouTube as well as Remote Access to keep that all-important connection between the classroom and the home.

Experience Entertainment At Its Very Best

With Samsung TV you have access to Video On Demand with easy access to various content from around the world. QLED Smart TVs, powered by Tizen, makes it easier to find the content you love with personalised recommendations. Want to watch what’s on your TV and your smartphone on the same screen? With MultiView, you can. Whether it’s live stats for sports or cheat videos for games, simply connect your phone and dual-screen like never before. To make sure you’re always in control, the TV is powerfully integrated and simple to use.

Samsung TV is also designed to enhance your fitness with a bigger screen and the convenience of mirroring your smartphone so you can explore, select and choose the right fitness routines for you and check your progress. In fact, Samsung TV is a complete lifestyle experience with Ambient Mode that brings a designer look to your space – whether it’s now an office, school, gym or even a gaming room.

Samsung QLED TV offers an unparalleled visual and auditory adventure from the comfort of your living room. It’s the first TV in South Africa to introduce 8K, with sizes from 43″ to 98″, and the range also includes 4K. So essentially the QLED series was designed with options to fit various spaces and budgets. And with Smart Hub you can find your favourite content together in one easy-to-navigate menu – all with the Samsung OneRemote that gives you effortless access and control. It’s now simply a matter of choosing your viewing pleasure or type of task – and have every reason to enjoy being at home.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 08 January 2019 – Samsung today announced how the company’s investment and leadership in AI, IoT, and 5G technologies will serve as the building blocks for its vision for Connected Living. The company also unveiled its future AI-powered robotics platforms, which can be used to manage activities of daily living, such as helping an aging population independently manage their health routine.

“2019 is Samsung Electronics 50th anniversary, and for the last five decades, we’ve been committed to bringing meaningful innovations to consumers everywhere,” said Cambridge Mokanyane, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung South Africa. “In 2019, we’re taking things to the next level, and leveraging our industry leadership to make our vision of Connected Living a reality.

Accelerating the Intelligence of Things with IoT, 5G, and AI

Driving Samsung’s Connected Living philosophy is the Intelligence of Things – IoT, 5G, and AI working together across devices, to create seamless experiences. At its CES press conference in Las Vegas today, the company explained how its work in these core technologies is enabling innovation throughout its product portfolio.

Since unifying the SmartThings app and introducing the SmartThings Cloud, the SmartThings ecosystem has grown significantly. The number of registered SmartThings users has grown 220 percent and app installs have increased 61 percent. The number of partners participating in this ecosystem has also grown by 44 percent. Today, consumers can enjoy SmartThings experiences with devices from top global brands like Amazon, Google, Bose, Sylvania, and Plume.

Samsung leveraged its telecommunications leadership to make major strides in bringing 5G connectivity to consumers. Samsung is the number one patent holder with ETSI , having registered more than 2,000 5G essential patents as of November 2018. And it is the world’s first company to receive FCC approval on its commercial 5G equipment. The company powered the commercialisation of home and mobile 5G networks with major U.S. carriers and all three mobile carriers in Korea, with additional trials running in Europe and Asia. Samsung is also committed to putting the power of 5G in consumers’ hands, with a 5G smartphone coming in the first half of 2019.

Samsung believes that AI is most useful when it helps to simplify a complex world. To that end, the company established seven Global AI Centres, and is adopting unique technologies into its products and services. And to ensure that Samsung works with the best and the brightest in the field, Samsung NEXT and the Samsung Strategy and Innovation Centre (SSIC) have invested in more than 20 AI-related start-ups over the last five years.

Bixby, Samsung’s Intelligence Platform, Expands

Bixby started as a smarter way to use your Galaxy phone. Today, it is evolving to become a scalable, open AI platform that will support more and more devices. The company announced that Bixby intelligence will be infused into its 2019 QLED and premium TVs, and smart appliances like refrigerators, washers, as well as air conditioners, mobile devices, AI speakers and more. What’s more, Bixby is expanding to a new Digital Cockpit and robotics platforms. Uber, Ticketmaster and others are using Bixby to make their services more intelligent. Today, Samsung announced that iHeartRadio joined as a new partner. And, Bixby will continue to grow as more partners, such as Google, join the ecosystem.

Samsung also announced its core AI philosophy: Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency. As it works to advance AI technology, Samsung is committed to ensuring the algorithms it builds are inclusive, the protection of user information and privacy are top priorities, and it’s easy for consumers to understand what the company does with their data and how it is handled.

Next Level Experience of Samsung’s 2019 Portfolio

Samsung also introduced a line-up of new innovations, all of which streamline and simplify day-to-day tasks, and offer a more personalised and unique experience for each user, in a way that only Samsung can.

Entertainment:
Samsung unveiled its 98” QLED 8K – it’s largest yet – adding to its 2019 line-up that features 65”, 75”, 82”, and 85” models. Embedded with the Quantum Processor 8K chip, the 2019 8K line delivers the best in QLED picture quality, design, smart features in more sizes than ever in stunning 8K resolution. Whether a viewer is watching content through a streaming service, set-top box, HDMI, USB or even mobile screen mirroring, Samsung’s proprietary AI-based technology can recognise and upscale any content, regardless of the native resolution, to near pristine 8K quality. This is Samsung’s smartest and most powerful TV yet.

In 2019, Samsung Smart TVs offer more ways to search for content and more compatibility with connected devices than ever before. With an improved AI algorithm that leverages a user’s subscription services, favourite content, and TV viewing habits, the Universal Guide makes it easier for users to find the perfect show for them to watch. Users also have more options than ever to quickly and easily find and control their favourite content with just their voice by using new Bixby and the AI Remote as well as even more ways to control their Samsung TVs through Amazon Echo and Google Home.

In a move to deliver more entertainment options, value and open platform functionality to Samsung Smart TV users, Samsung announced it will offer iTunes Movies and TV Shows and Apple AirPlay 2 support on 2019 Samsung Smart TV models beginning this spring. Support on 2018 Samsung Smart TVs will be made available via a firmware update. In an industry first, a new iTunes Movies and TV Shows app will debut only on Samsung Smart TVs in more than 100 countries. AirPlay 2 support will be available on Samsung Smart TVs in 190 countries worldwide.

Home:
Family Hub 2019 is more intuitive and intelligent than ever before. The new Family Board offers a completely redesigned screen experience, letting family members communicate and share memories in a creative space on the front of the fridge. Honoured with a CES 2019 Innovation Award, Family Hub 2019 with the new Bixby lets users interact in natural language to get answers to complicated questions, pre-set the oven, search for recipes, and even call an Uber. In addition, Bixby visually shows you information on the screen for a richer experience and displays an array of visual information. These new features will also be available via automatic update for most earlier Family Hub models.

The new front load washer, also a 2019 CES Innovation Award winner, can finish a full load in just 30 minutes with the SuperSpeed feature. With Bixby, users can also control its smart features like getting recommendations for the best wash cycle, scheduling a cycle to be completed at a users’ preferred time, automatically connecting the dryer cycle when the washer is done, or monitoring usage to efficiently manage their laundry appliances.

Work:
Samsung revealed a line of new, innovative products that combine productivity and flexibility to help consumers get things done more conveniently. The redesigned Notebook 9 Pro is engineered for on-the-go modern professionals to help them reach their true creative potential, while the Notebook Odyssey gaming laptop, powered by the new high-end NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 20-series GPU, is ready for both work and play. Samsung Space Monitor leverages its sleek design and functionality to allow users to focus on what’s on the screen and not what’s around it. Its unique built-in space saving solution, a minimalist, fully-integrated clamp stand that grips to the desk, tilting back and forth to free up space for optimal user productivity. Beyond aesthetics, Samsung’s Space Monitor is a feature-rich, high-performance monitor. The 27-inch model offers QHD resolution for incredibly detailed, sharp images, while the 32-inch model presents content in 4K UHD.

Connected Driving:
Samsung also presented its latest development with HARMAN, showcasing its innovation in automotive technology. The Digital Cockpit 2019 offers an enhanced connected car experience focused on connectivity, personalisation, and safety.

With the integration of Bixby’s connected car experience, drivers can remotely check how much gas they have before going on a long road trip or set the car temperature before heading out for the day. Using on-board cameras, the new Digital Cockpit recognises specific drivers and passengers and sets up the car’s personal space accordingly – adjusting the display preferences, seat height, lighting, and queuing up favourite playlists. Passengers can even enjoy personalised screens on the rear seats and connect to In-vehicle Samsung DeX to get work done on-the-go. The Digital Cockpit 2019 also provides a safer driving experience with the mirror replacement vision system and camera-based safety solutions.

All of this is possible thanks to Cellular-V2X technology that incorporates Samsung’s expertise in mobile network solutions with automotive technologies. With Samsung’s C-V2X, cars will be able to receive and analyse information that will make the driving experience safer and more enjoyable.

Device Solutions:
In order to power tomorrow’s AI technologies, Samsung emphasised that today’s AI infrastructure must evolve to handle intelligence at the edge. For this reason, the company is working to launch a comprehensive portfolio of solutions that will shape the future of intelligent devices.

Samsung’s mobile memory and AI-enabled processors, including the recently-announced Exynos Auto line, will allow for faster and more efficient on-device processing. At the same time, its advanced memory solutions will meet the rigorous demands of tomorrow’s datacentres and enterprises as they look to complete more complex AI tasks.

Robotics Platforms for the Future of AI

Samsung offered a peek into the future of Connected Living by demonstrating its latest developments in robotics platforms including the Samsung Bot Care, Samsung Bot Air, Samsung Bot Retail, and Samsung GEMS. Among the robotics platforms, Samsung gave a first public demonstration of Samsung Bot Care, which helps consumers manage their daily health routines. With its advances in AI and robotics, the company is harnessing its best assets to make a positive impact on society and shape a better world.

For more information including photos and videos, please stay tuned to Samsung Newsroom for updates.

For example, in the home, when a user wakes up in the morning on a rainy day, the home lights will gradually brighten, while music fit for a rainy day is selected and played in the background. A cup of coffee will be prepared as soon as the user says “coffee” while stepping into the kitchen and the refrigerator will also recommend meal ideas for the day, asking the user whether he or she would like to buy ingredients online.

In the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, Samsung Electronics is uniquely positioned to bring this world of connected AI services to life, based on the almost half a billion connected devices the company sells every year. In fact, given the typical lifecycle of a device, there are more than a billion Samsung devices actively used around the world at any given time.

Samsung’s device portfolio also is the industry’s broadest, and includes mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and wearable devices, office devices such as PCs, signages and Samsung Flip, devices for the home such as Samsung Smart TVs, Family Hub and FlexWash and FlexDry, and much more.

At this year’s CES, Samsung highlighted its latest innovations in its vision to drive the Internet of Things (IoT) supported by AI. Samsung Smart TVs now integrated with Bixby, are able to play music and shows personalized for users, as well as show who is at the front door or what is inside the refrigerator. The Family Hub refrigerator, also integrated with AI, recognizes the voices of different family members and provides each of them with a personalized daily schedule.

Moving forward, Samsung will continue to remain focused on holistically integrating AI into a connected setting, such as the home or the office, in contrast to other players primarily pursuing implementation of AI on a few devices and services. In the following months, Samsung will integrate not only Samsung devices, but also IoT devices and sensors developed by external partners into the SmartThings eco-system, allowing a single SmartThings app to control everything. Furthermore, Samsung also plans to integrate AI into all its connected devices by 2020.

In the coming years, many IoT devices with AI support will generate a vast array of usage patterns and scenarios. How AI-enabled devices learn and analyze complex usage patterns and provide consumers with the most optimized options will be critical to the success of AI technology for the near future. In other words, the success of AI will boil down to how well the devices understand the users.

Therefore, Samsung’s perspective on AI is to build an eco-system that is user-centric rather than device-centric. To pursue that goal, we will start by building an AI platform under a common architecture that will not only scale quickly, but also provide the deepest understanding of usage context and behaviors, making AI more relevant and useful.

For the past decades, Samsung successfully introduced products and innovations by researching the lifestyle and behavior of global consumers. Paying respect to our heritage of user-centric product development, Samsung will begin an exciting journey open to boundless possibilities in new user experiences by integrating AI into the open IoT ecosystem it is currently developing. This journey will certainly be fascinating for us here at Samsung, but even more so for consumers, as Samsung takes major steps forward to bring consumers’ hopes and expectations to life.