Las Vegas: Samsung Electronics underlined the importance of innovation that makes a meaningful difference in people’s everyday lives, and showcased its focus on the internet of Things (IoT) as an open platform, with SmartThings technology.
The Korean giant unveiled its vision for 2016 during its press conference held at Mandalay Bay, before the Consumer Electronics Show, which opens at Las Vegas Convention Centre on Wednesday.
Samsung revealed the new Family Hub Refrigerator, a new category of IoT technology applied home appliance, which helps families to connect, and provides new ways to manage, shop and prepare food.
Its centrepiece is a 21.5-inch Full HD LCD touchscreen, a digital command centre for the connected home, which combines powerful performance with ground-breaking technology never before seen in a refrigerator — the connected Family Hub refrigerator.
Panasonic adds more 4K products to its portfolio
Fitbit looking ahead to market dominance
LG announces 4k TV that's really think
The smart hub technology makes it compatible with more than 200 SmartThings devices, from door locks and lights to entry cameras.
“Samsung has continuously worked to help people live smarter lives, and this year we have taken a huge step forwards with our diverse, IoT-enabled products and services,” said Tim Baxter, President and Chief Operating Officer of Samsung Electronics America.
“We will continue to enhance consumers’ quality of life by listening to their needs and strengthening our ecosystem,” he said.
Samsung also revealed the new bezel-less curved SUHD TVs [49 inches to 88 inches] with Quantum dot displays, its newest smartwatch — the Gear S2 Premium (Rose Gold and Platinum), and a large screen Windows tablet (similar to Microsoft Surface Pro), the Galaxy TabPro S.
Baxter said that in 2015, Samsung kept its focus and listened to its customers. “Today we have a more seamless portfolio of products and services. Today we’re going to hear about three key strategies to put context around the company’s announcements. Of course, IoT is first,” he said.
As all of the many, many IoT ecosystems are promising, Samsung’s partnership with SmartThings “will work with all the other open IoT platforms”.
The touchscreen on the fridge can mirror what users are watching on the TV in the living room, stream music, control other connected gadgets, and let you order groceries directly from the door using a new app from MasterCard.
“How many times have you gone to the grocery store and forgot to buy an important item, or bought something you already have?” asked John Herrington, senior vice-president at Samsung America, as he pitched the high-tech fridge. “Now imagine being at the grocery store and using your smartphone to look inside your fridge.”
Herrington said that the fridge also takes a picture of the shelves every time you close the door. And there’s an app so you can see the photo the next time you’re at the grocery store.
Using the app on the refrigerator’s touchscreen, consumers can easily find and purchase items from multiple retailers, directly from their kitchen, all finished with a single, simple checkout process that accepts US-issued credit and debit cards.
Betty DeVita, MasterCard’s chief commercial officer, called it the first shopping app integrated into a refrigerator. When it launches, the app will be integrated with grocery services FreshDirect and ShopRite.
“A partnership with MyWebGrocer, which services thousands of grocery stores around the world, is coming later. The app allows you to shop from your Samsung phone or tablet, or from the Family Hub fridge, and even pay for orders from multiple places in one transaction,” she said.
Herrington said the Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator enables the family to write notes, post photos, share calendars and artwork, right on the refrigerator’s touchscreen, or using their smartphone if they are away.
As a connected Samsung product, he said the Family Hub Refrigerator is also a truly dynamic and evolving product platform that will leverage the power of Samsung’s IoT services. For example, consumers will be able to check their home’s doors are locked and turn off the lights right from the Family Hub screen.
With the Family Hub Refrigerator’s built-in stereo speakers, people can stream their favourite music service, or TV content from their Samsung Smart TVs directly to the touchscreen, as well as connecting to their own Bluetooth speakers.
All 2016 SUHD TVs feature IoT hub technology, developed by Samsung with SmartThings. The SUHD TV can connect with and control over 200 SmartThings compatible devices — whether it’s to see who is ringing the doorbell, lock the doors or turn off the lights — all from the TV.
Next, Samsung unveiled its spectacular new line-up of SUHD TVs with Quantum dot display, the world’s first bezel-less curved design and makes it easy for consumers to access all their entertainment content in one place.
This year, he said that all of the Samsung SUHD TVs will feature the ability to provide a premium high dynamic range (HDR) experience, with 1,000 nit HDR minimum for a higher level of contrast between light and dark images.
Built on the Tizen operating system (OS), Samsung’s 2016 Smart TVs eliminates the need to juggle multiple remote controls and make it easier for consumers to discover and access all their favourite content and services, from TV and movies to games and program information, all in one place.
