Samsung Electronics held its press conference at IFA yesterday (Thursday) showcasing its “AI for All” vision and demonstrating its bold commitment to democratise Artificial Intelligence, enabling more people to benefit from its uses.
“Since our presentation at IFA last year, discussions around AI and its role in our lives have grown significantly,” said Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Europe. “We are proud to make AI more accessible and understandable, showing how it can simplify life rather than complicate it. Our AI-enabled products allow people more time to focus on the things they care about.”
Samsung’s AI for All spans a wide range of products across mobile devices, home appliances and home entertainment systems. By the end of this year, Samsung expects there will be 200 million Galaxy AI-enabled devices in users’ hands.
Deborah Honig, Chief Customer Officer and VP of One Samsung, speaking about SmartThings
Central to this is the expanding SmartThings ecosystem, which connects over 500 million devices, offering remote control of all Samsung AI-enabled products, from adjusting the heating, managing home appliances and navigating Samsung TVs.
Product announcements
Announced at the IFA press conference, the latest Samsung TVs will receive Tizen OS upgrades this year, while the latest developments in The Frame and Art Store were also celebrated with the announcement of several new partnerships, including with Finnish design house Marimekko and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Belgian surrealist René Magritte.
Samsung also announced the launch of the new Samsung Music Frame in partnership with Universal Picture’s Wicked. With built-in woofers and intelligent Dolby Atmos technology, the limited-edition Wicked Music Frame comes with two movie art images – and one exclusive image of the beloved Glinda and Elphaba, along with character autographs.
The manufacturer told visitors about greater accessibility of its appliances, including the Auto Open Door feature on some washing machine and refrigerator models, and the recent update to allow people to open the door by simply saying “open the refrigerator door”, even without wake-up commands like “Hi Bixby”.
As well as this, updates were announced to the Samsung Food platform – a personalised, AI-powered food and recipe platform – to celebrate its first anniversary.
A more sustainable future
At the press conference, Samsung product experts explained how the company continues to prioritise energy efficiency and is passionate about using AI to make this possible – whether that’s AI inside appliances or unlocking the potential of its SmartThings Eco System to save more energy.
The brand’s AI Hybrid refrigerators have been built with energy saving front of mind. By combining two power sources, a compressor and Peltier cooling technology, the fridge intelligently responds when more energy than usual is being used. For example, if the fridge door is left open, the Peltier technology works as an extra cooling source to improve overall efficiency.
On stage at IFA, Samsung also revealed that the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo is now rolling out across Europe.
The SmartThings Ecosystem remains at the core of Samsung’s ability to pioneer energy efficiency. The AI Energy Mode in SmartThings Energy can save up to 70 per cent of energy consumption for washing machines. Also, with SmartThings Away Mode, users never have to worry about forgetting to turn off a light or the TV when they go out; sensors in various appliances sense when there is no-one in the room and then shut down systems to save energy.
A modernised experience
Taking this one step further, Samsung announced at IFA new features provided via Smart Forward, the manufacturer’s over-the-network updates for home appliances. These are designed to breathe new life into existing appliances through new functionality, future proofing and enhanced safety and energy savings.
For example, the Family Hub, a touch screen panel installed on the 4-Door French Door Refrigerator for food management, entertainment and communication, will now come with new features said to “significantly improve” connectivity and usability…
- Quick Share: Sharing memories and recipes to the Family Hub screen directly from your mobile device;
- Buds Auto Switch: While using your Galaxy Buds you can switch between music and videos on the Family Hub to take a call on your mobile, and switch back again;
- Fridge Call: Receive phone calls directly on the Family Hub using its microphone and speaker.
Interestingly, these new features will be available on refrigerator models with Family Hub produced from 2017 onwards rather than new models only.
In addition, upgrades to Bixby – Samsung’s own IoT voice assistant – will also future-proof existing appliances. Bixby will understand commands with multiple intentions and remember the most recent conversation. This will only be available on certain products launched in 2024: the Bespoke 4-Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub; Bespoke AI Laundry Combo; Bespoke Slide-in Range; Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI, as well as all new models.
