Samsung Newsroom

Samsung Electronics is helping consumers fully rest and recharge by pairing its advanced display technology with Samsung SmartThings, the company’s integrated and expansive multi-device ecosystem. From streaming content with new levels of immersion to creating the perfect ambiance at home, the platform offers a wide range of innovative capabilities within its ultra-connected device network. Football star Son Heung-min shares some of the ways users can amplify at-home entertainment through SmartThings. Immersive Entertainment With Phillips Hue Sync Adjusting the lighting of a room can deliver more immersive experiences — especially when playing games or watching TV shows and movies. With the Phillips Hue Sync TV app, users can seamlessly pair their Phillips Hue lighting to their Samsung Smart TVs and sync lighting to the colors of the content on screen. Son demonstrates how Phillips Hue Sync changes the color, brightness and intensity of the lighting as he plays a video game on his Samsung Smart TV, putting him right in the center of the action. ※ Compatible lighting must be purchased separately; paid subscription of the Hue Sync app is required through Samsung TV app. Smarter Workouts With SmartThings For fitness enthusiasts who want to take their workouts to the next level, SmartThings is helping users exercise more effectively from home. By connecting Galaxy wearables to compatible Samsung Smart TVs, users can view their workout progress and health status in real time or participate in guided fitness or mindfulness programs. Son watches a football match on his Samsung Smart TV while exercising as he views his progress on screen — recorded with his Galaxy wearable. ※ Available from 2024; availability and the timing of support may vary by country and region. ConnecTime & Chat Together: TV alone can make interaction more convenient and efficient Abruptly asked to join a meeting with coaches, Son Heung-min turned on TV. ConnecTime, no matter where you are, enables users to take video calls from the Galaxy to a large TV screen. Chat Together allows Son to enjoy a soccer match together with their friends without meeting in person. 3D Map View: Smarter management for all connected devices Samsung SmartThings helps Son maintain his lifestyle as a homebody. Based on home structure, 3D Map View lets him conveniently see the status and location of the devices registered in SmartThings as well as check and monitor temperature, air quality, and energy usage. This is the perfect feature for people like Son who are busy even at home during holidays. Check out the video below to view how Samsung’s Smart TVs and SmartThings help Son enhance entertainment at home.  View the full article

Released on August 28, Samsung Electronics’ “Everyday SmartThings with Son” campaign video has garnered attention from Galaxy and football fans alike for showcasing the innovative SmartThings home system. To hear more about his filming experience, Samsung Newsroom sat down with world-renowned football star Son Heung-min and learned more about his favorite SmartThings features. Q. What motivated you to participate in the Samsung SmartThings campaign? When the Galaxy Z Flip was first released, I remember being impressed by its design — which led me to buy a Galaxy smartphone right away and switch both my tablet and watch to Galaxy devices. As a Galaxy fan, I love how my Galaxy products are all connected, allowing me to do things like check workout progress or calories burned on my phone or tablet while I’m exercising. Naturally, I was excited when Samsung approached me to participate in this campaign. Q. What is the best thing about using SmartThings? SmartThings has become a feature I really need. Once set up, the platform manages everything and gives me time and energy to focus on other stuff. The ability to find compatible products nearby and automatically pair them is so easy to do. It allows me to be much more efficient and productive. Q. Have you been using SmartThings since the shoot? Absolutely! I actually recently switched my TV and vacuum cleaner to Samsung’s latest appliances. Since my family is quite serious when it comes to cleaning, I can easily keep track of the areas I last cleaned with SmartThings — helping me keep my place tidy on my days off. Q. What was your favorite scene in this shoot? If I had to choose just one feature, my favorite would be the gaming scene since I love playing video games. In the video, once I place my phone on the wireless charger and SmartThings automatically creates the perfect gaming environment. And there’s even lighting synced to the gaming screen via Hue Sync, so I really like to play games. That’s when you will discover SmartThings takes gaming to another level. If you like playing video games, I strongly recommend using Gaming Mode on SmartThings for an all-new gaming experience. Q. What are some specific SmartThings features you would like to highlight? SmartThings helps me reduce energy consumption and control energy usage across all my products in real time. I’m able to view energy usage and maximize energy efficiency with AI Energy Mode to be more conscious about energy saving. In addition, I like how SmartThings allows me to expand the ways I use my TV. Before the shoot, I only played video games and watched football on my TV. Now, after learning about SmartThings and its functions, I use my TV to control home appliances, chat with friends while watching football and keep track of my workout progress while exercising. I hope more people are able to make use of these innovative features. Q. Is there anything you want to share about your experience on this campaign? Through this campaign, I was able to experience how SmartThings can program my home appliances based on my daily routine. SmartThings goes beyond convenience — it delivers a whole new experience. For those who haven’t experienced SmartThings yet, I encourage you to try it out! I look forward to getting involved with other Samsung campaigns and seeing the future of SmartThings! Find out more about Son’s smart life by watching the full video below. View the full article

Small enough to be held in one hand while boasting a sensational design, The Freestyle has gained attention in the portable projector market since its launch in 2022. Samsung recently released The Freestyle 2nd Gen, an upgraded portable projector that is making imagination a reality. Samsung Newsroom sat down with Wonki Kim from Lifestyle Team, Seongwon Seo from Picture Quality Solution Lab and TJ Kim from Future Planning Group of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics to hear about the characteristics and development of The Freestyle 2nd Gen.  ▲ Smart Edge Blending demonstration video No Compromise for ‘Smart Edge Blending’ Smart Edge Blending is one of the biggest upgrades in The Freestyle 2nd Gen. The feature seamlessly merges projections from two The Freestyle devices to create a large screen for pictures and videos. By connecting the two devices to the SmartThings app and synchronizing the video output with a photo of the projected screens, users can enjoy a full-screen experience from anywhere. “Edge-blending is a sophisticated technology that usually requires dedicated hardware and software to manually control each pixel,” said Seongwon Seo. “In line with the easy-to-use concept of The Freestyle, we engineered Smart Edge Blending to help first-time users easily blend screens wirelessly, without a dedicated device or help from an expert.” ▲ Smart Edge Blending can be used through the SmartThings app. When Smart Edge Blending is activated, the connected smartphone will engage with The Freestyle portable projectors in real time. Content sync and adjustment processes take place automatically via communication between the devices. “Screen alignment can easily be done using the SmartThings guide when a user captures a picture of the projected screen. The analytic algorithm will analyze the span and overlap of the patterns at eight main points on the setup screen and then adjust the projection on each device,” he explained. ▲ The Freestyle 2nd Gen with Smart Edge Blending on display at IFA 2023 Smart Edge Blending was born out of user pattern analysis. “We found that consumers tend to use The Freestyle as a highly portable personal screen in whatever space they are in — whereas the living room TV would be for fixed, communal use. In fact, there were many cases where single households would purchase several projectors,” said TJ Kim. “When you have more than one device, why not combine them?” By connecting The Freestyle devices, users can enlarge their screen by up to 160 inches and enjoy a 21:9 screen ratio with no further manual adjusting. Speaker capacity is doubled and intensified with the choice of dedicating the left and right stereo sound output to each device to create a more immersive audio experience. ▲ (From left) TJ Kim from Future Planning Group and Seongwon Seo from Picture Quality Solution Lab “What’s charming about Smart Edge Blending is that it can be expanded not just horizontally but vertically as well,” said Seo. “This feature is even more useful with the rise of vertical content such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Most consumers are used to viewing ultra-large horizontal content at movie theaters but are not quite familiar with ultra-large vertical content. But it’s actually quite nice once you try it.” Nonetheless, there were challenges during development. The original plan was to only support still images, since video requires extensive computing power and real-time alignment. In early stages, the setup also required a high-resolution picture of the projection as well. ▲ Seongwon Seo from Picture Quality Solution Lab explains how the complex Smart Edge Blending technology was built for anyone. “It is an extremely difficult task to get two wireless devices to continuously be in sync. While The Freestyle development first started with still images, we couldn’t give up on videos because that’s what more consumers prefer watching with our device. Using a wire to hook up the devices was unthinkable given the highly mobile concept of The Freestyle. We supported the engineers until, one day, they managed to achieve the unthinkable,” said TJ Kim. “Writing an algorithm that can analyze low-resolution images is a very demanding task — but we felt a sense of relief when we finally succeeded,” he added. “At first, it seemed impossible to minimize the margin of error between the two projections. The strict internal standard doesn’t even allow a single-pixel margin of error. Our breakthrough ultimately resulted from an assumption model that could accurately determine the state of projected setup patterns from low-resolution pictures.” Staying True to Concept While Adding Fun Through Samsung Gaming Hub, The Freestyle 2nd Gen supports gaming — a content form that was once unimaginable to enjoy on a portable projector. The addition of Samsung’s cloud gaming platform frees users from the limitations of consoles, wires and fixed screens such as smart TVs and monitors. “Gaming is one of the entertainment types that really highlights the portability of The Freestyle,” shared TJ Kim. “Users can now enjoy games through Samsung Gaming Hub anytime and anywhere, without a console.” ▲ Visitors at Samsung’s IFA 2023 booth test cloud games available on Samsung Gaming Hub with The Freestyle 2nd Gen. Updates were made for added sustainability. “The light source life has been extended from 20,000 to 30,000 hours,” said Wonki Kim. “With 30,000 hours, The Freestyle can support a demanding eight hours of use per day for 10 years.” The Freestyle’s remote control was also upgraded to a SolarCell Remote that can be charged with sunlight or indoor lighting, eliminating the need for disposable batteries. Processing speed was revamped too. Compared to the first model, The Freestyle 2nd Gen’s memory has been expanded to speed up signal processing and remote control response. By testing usage scenarios during development, the device’s UI and UX were improved immensely to make the projector accessible to anyone. ▲ Wonki Kim from Lifestyle Team underscores compactness, portability and usability as the reasons behind the popularity of The Freestyle among young people. Screens Everywhere as a Strategy With the vision of “Screens Everywhere, Screens for All,” The Freestyle 2nd Gen prioritizes portability and mobility to enable users to experience the benefits of a movable screen. “Although it’s clearly a hassle to set up, the tripod has become such a natural part projectors — so much that no one thought twice about it,” said TJ Kim. “We envision a projector without a tripod or other accessories. That’s how The Freestyle 2nd Gen came to life.” ▲ The Freestyle 2nd Gen on display in a caravan at IFA 2023 The creators behind The Freestyle continue to dream. “As we work to achieve ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All,’ we’re constantly planning innovations around Samsung’s projector lineup — The Freestyle and The Premiere. Our goal is to move beyond simply targeting the existing market and present a new screen experience for everyone,” shared Wonki Kim. “We plan to continue addressing the limitations of space and strengthen connections among various Samsung devices to generate meaningful synergy,” added TJ Kim. View the full article

Under the theme “Connection That Matters,” Samsung Electronics highlighted its latest devices, innovations, platforms and sustainability efforts at this year’s IFA — Europe’s largest consumer trade show held in Berlin, Germany. From September 1 to 5, visitors to Samsung’s booth can discover brand-new connected experiences powered by SmartThings and explore how the company combines innovation with eco-conscious initiatives to build a brighter future for all. Samsung Newsroom invites those who can’t attend in person to take a virtual tour of the company’s booth through the photos below. ▲ Using the 787-inch The Wall as a media facade, Samsung unveiled innovative products and sustainable smart home solutions. 1. Sustainability Today for a Brighter Tomorrow At the Sustainability Zone, visitors can discover Net Zero Home, an eco-conscious future residence, and learn about Samsung’s environmental efforts and technologies for future generations — including company-developed recyclable materials such as “r-ABS” and the environmental impact of energy usage at home through Carbon Intensity Insight. In September 2022, Samsung announced its new environmental strategy and committed to achieving company-wide carbon neutrality by 2050 and joining efforts to tackle climate change. To that end, the company has reduced carbon emissions by more than 900,000 tons and increased the use of renewable plastics by threefold compared to 2021. ▲ Following the announcement of Samsung’s new environmental strategy, the Circular Economy Lab was established to foster a resource circulation ecosystem and develop recyclable materials, such as “r-ABS.” Samsung introduces a roadmap for its plans to use recycled materials in its products. ▲ Visitors immerse themselves in Samsung’s sustainability initiatives, such as the use of discarded fishing nets and eco-conscious packaging. 2. Streamline Your Daily Routine With SmartThings Samsung showcases SmartThings, the company’s expansive and fully integrated home ecosystem. In particular, this section of the booth highlights how third-party devices with Matter or HCA support can be seamlessly connected to the advanced multi-device connectivity platform. ▲ SmartThings continues to expand service and usability for third-party devices that support the Matter protocol and HCA standards. Samsung has recently collaborated with 26 European companies to deliver better connected experiences to users. 3. Enriching Your Daily Life With Bespoke Home At the Bespoke Life booth, Samsung showcases sustainable and intelligent home appliances with unique personalization options. What’s more, visitors can get hands-on experience with Samsung’s latest home appliances such as the BESPOKE AI Washer & Dryer, Bespoke Jet AI and Bespoke Oven. ▲ Visitors learn about Samsung Food at Samsung’s booth. ▲ Booth visitors experience Samsung’s latest All-in-One Washer & Dryer. ▲ Visitors test Bespoke Jet AI, the world’s first UL-verified AI cordless stick vacuum cleaner. 4. Vivid and Bright Experiences on Display Samsung’s booth features the Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor and 98-inch ultra-large TV lineup — highlighting cutting-edge MICRO LED technology that offers lifelike picture quality. In addition, Samsung Gaming Hub opens the door to cloud gaming while the Freestyle 2nd Gen portable projector demonstrates new ways to entertain with a 21:9 screen ratio for a full cinematic experience. ▲ (From left) The 98″ Big Screen Zone showcases three 98-inch TV models that deliver high-quality resolution through ultra-large screens. Visitors try out Samsung’s latest gaming monitor, the Odyssey Neo G9. ▲ Visitors explore The Frame-Disney100 Edition which includes 100 pieces of Disney artwork. ▲ (From left) The Freestyle 2nd Gen portable projector supports Smart Edge Blending where two devices can be paired to offer users a 160” panoramic viewing experience and now also enables access to Samsung Gaming Hub. 5. Unfold the Latest Mobile Innovations With the Galaxy Z Series Visitors at Samsung’s booth can experience the flip side with the latest mobile device lineup unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked this past July — the Galaxy Z Flip5, Z Fold5, Watch6 series and Tab S9 series. ▲ The recently released Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 on display Beyond leading technological innovation, Samsung aims to connect people with each other and the world around them through its products. The company looks forward to the future — eager to reduce its environmental impact, enhance the lives of consumers and discover new possibilities for a better world. View the full article

At IFA 2023, Europe’s largest consumer trade show held in Berlin, Germany, Samsung Electronics underscored its vision for the future of home living — powered by the company’s cutting-edge devices and leading Bespoke products. Notable figures from Samsung and partner companies outlined Samsung’s plans to drive positive change through exceptional innovation, impacting the individual lives of users as well as the world around them. Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Europe, began by looking back at some of the company’s instrumental innovations that changed the status quo and shaped technological development. Samsung reiterated its commitment to fearlessly pioneering new endeavors, demonstrating its position as a leader within the industry. “We are proud to be first and we will continue to innovate, however strange it seems to begin with,” Braun stated. ▲ “We have over 200 amazing products on show for you,” shared Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Europe. Amidst an ever-changing world, Braun emphasized how Samsung has been actively listening to consumers throughout the years — producing leading products that meet their needs and add value to their lives. Continuing this pursuit, Samsung has shifted its focus to developing devices and appliances that both empower users on a global scale and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable future. Enhancing Lives and Bettering the Planet With climate change at the forefront of people’s minds, Samsung highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental impact and prioritizing climate-positive solutions, touching on the targets outlined in its new environmental strategy announced in September 2022. Understanding the urgency of the climate crisis, the company set ambitious goals to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for its Device eXperience (DX) Division by 2030 and company-wide by 2050. To meet these goals, Samsung noted the progress in transitioning to renewable energy sources, with 31% of its operations currently running on clean energy — up from 11% in 2021. Additionally, Aimee Holloran, Business Development Manager at Samsung Climate Solutions U.K., discussed how Samsung’s environmental commitment is embedded into its products, allowing users around the world to live more sustainably through the company’s devices and appliances. ▲ “We strive to embed sustainability in every aspect of our business and product strategies,” stated Aimee Holloran, Business Development Manager at Samsung Climate Solutions U.K. To create innovative solutions based on scientific data, Samsung has joined hands with a variety of industry leaders such as Ocean Wise and Patagonia to tackle environmental issues gripping the planet. In September 2022, the companies partnered to develop the Less Microfiber Cycle for Bespoke washing machines, a remarkable step in addressing microplastics emissions. Taking this further, Samsung leveraged its partnership with the companies to develop another groundbreaking innovation in June 2023. Charlie Cox, Manager of Microplastic Solutions at Ocean Wise, highlighted the development of the revolutionary new Less Microfiber Filter for Samsung washers to reduce up to 98% of microplastic emissions from laundry cycles. “In just a year, Ocean Wise and Samsung have demonstrated the opportunity that exists for industry leaders — to empower their communities to take positive action and create impact at scale,” added Cox. ▲ “Ocean Wise’s collaboration with Samsung and Patagonia shows there are simple ways we can all be part of the solution to microfiber shedding,” said Charlie Cox, Manager of Microplastic Solutions at Ocean Wise (left). Samsung’s Less Microfiber Filter (right) helps reduce microplastic emissions from laundry. The Less Microfiber Filter is a prime example of Samsung’s overall approach to sustainable product development – providing consumers with solutions that help them live eco-consciously using minimal effort. In line with this vision, Samsung continues to outfit its Galaxy devices with internal and external components made from recycled materials, in addition to creating product packaging that uses 100% recycled paper. As climate change creates new challenges for people around the world, forward-thinking solutions are becoming increasingly necessary. To respond to global energy shortages and advance the transition to clean energy, Samsung emphasized its efforts in building out heat pump technology and leading the rapidly growing market in Europe. Likewise, the company highlighted how its SmartThings home ecosystem is utilizing the latest technologies to help more than 280 million registered users save energy. By harnessing the power of AI across its line of Bespoke home appliances, Samsung’s AI Energy Mode optimizes appliance energy usage, reducing unnecessary energy waste and lowering energy bills simultaneously. Transforming Homes Through Powerful Solutions Aside from helping the planet, Samsung showcased its newest products that add value to consumers’ lives. Zeena Hill, Marketing Director at Samsung U.K., announced the launch of Samsung Food — a new AI-based application that gives users access to thousands of recipes. Samsung plans to link Samsung Food to Samsung Health by the end of this year, allowing users to better keep track of their health and dietary goals. ▲ “We’re excited to be bringing our complete lineup of Micro LED screens to Europe,” shared Zeena Hill, Marketing Director at Samsung U.K. Samsung is revamping home entertainment and putting users in the center of the action through its new releases, such as the new 98-inch Neo QLED 8K TV. Samsung TVs feature unmatched image quality in sleek forms, and the company continues to release unique patterns and designs to meet the style needs of every user. As such, Samsung has partnered with Disney to launch The Frame-Disney100 Edition — a special, limited-edition version of The Frame TV for Disney lovers. In addition, the company showcased its recently launched Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor and The Freestyle 2nd Gen portable projector — devices perfect for gamers who want to expand their field of vision to ensure they never miss a moment of gameplay. Users can experience games like Starfield, Bethesda Game Studios’ new action-packed role-playing game, in stunning detail on Samsung TVs and displays. Florian Liewer, Senior Director of International Gaming Marketing at Microsoft, discussed the two companies’ partnership on expanding Samsung Gaming Hub, highlighting how Samsung’s technology offers the ultimate gaming experience. “Together with Samsung, we’re forging a path that aligns with Xbox’s vision for the future of gaming — reaching more players with breathtaking content,” said Liewer. ▲“We are inviting more players to embark on a journey with us,” said Florian Liewer, Senior Director of International Gaming Marketing at Microsoft Aside from enhancing entertainment, Samsung detailed the ways it is helping users stay connected to the world around them. The company reemphasized its commitment to ensuring its devices and products meet the diverse needs of consumers and touched on how its latest accessibility features help as many users as possible. This includes TalkBack for Home Appliances and Services, which reads home appliance and service content on SmartThings, and Relumino Mode, which optimizes content on Samsung TVs, for those with visual impairments. Future Possibilities Enabled by Technology Partnerships have helped make some of Samsung’s technologies possible and, more broadly, brought the company closer to realizing its vision for a brighter future. In line with its goal to upgrade at-home living, Samsung partnered with electric vehicle charger manufacturer ABB and residential inverter brand SMA to collaborate on changing the ways houses are constructed. “By integrating Samsung’s products with those of ABB and SMA, we can help make our homes even safer, smarter and more sustainable,” stated Lu Han, EVP of Building and Home Automation Solutions at ABB. ▲“With hundreds of new technologies and innovations each year, a joined up approach to home energy systems is vital,” said Lu Han, EVP of Building and Home Automation Solutions at ABB Looking forward, Samsung sees the value in future technologies and the limitless applications they can have on the lives of consumers. With new ventures such as 6G deployment, AI capability expansion and more, the company remains excited and optimistic as it explores the remarkable potential of technology. Braun concluded the conference by stating Samsung will continue to improve users’ lives by listening to their needs. ▲ At its Press Conference at IFA 2023, Samsung Electronics emphasized how the company works to connect customers to “what matters most” to the media members and business partners in attendance “With the help of 6G, AI and XR, augmented reality and mixed reality and artificial intelligence, we will make great advances in everything from healthcare to entertainment and remote work,” he stated. For more information, please visit Samsung.com. More pictures from the Samsung Electronics Press Conference at IFA 2023: ▲ SmartThings Energy puts users in control of how much power they use and when. ▲ The annual sales of Samsung’s foldable devices have exceeded the Note Series in Europe. ▲ Samsung’s Less Microfiber cycle and Less Microfiber Filter help reduce microplastic emissions from laundry. ▲ ABB and SMA have partnered with Samsung to work towards Zero Emission homes. ▲ Samsung’s vision for Samsung Food is for it to become the ultimate app for the entire food journey. ▲ Samsung’s state-of-the-art technology, combined with the limitless universe of Starfield, signals a thrilling new chapter in gaming. ▲ The Samsung Gaming Hub has over three thousand games to choose from, from leading games streaming partners Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Amazon Luna and Utomik. ▲ An attendee takes a picture as Samsung shares that it has been recognized as No.1 in soundbars by global sales and market share for the ninth year in a row. ▲ The Frame-Disney100 Edition is “magical!” View the full article

Samsung Electronics today showcased its latest innovations for the connected home. During its IFA 2023 press conference, the company highlighted its vision for SmartThings is to enable consumers across Europe to prioritise the topics they care about — from saving energy, increasing security and access to great entertainment to making their everyday lives more efficient. The ever-growing SmartThings ecosystem allows its 285 million users to adapt and personalise their homes to suit their needs, seamlessly connecting and controlling multiple appliances and devices via one app. Samsung’s presence at IFA 2023 comes as the company shares new consumer research, conducted across Europe to understand evolving needs for technology in the home.1 “Samsung is passionate about connecting our users to the people, places and pastimes that matter most to them,” said Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Europe. “We will continue to take advantage of the possibilities offered by the latest innovations in technology to make sure the SmartThings ecosystem grows and develops in a way that allows people to make even more of the connections that matter.” Enhancing the At-Home Experience The SmartThings app allows users to control their homes from anywhere, helping them to enjoy seamless entertainment as well as keeping them safe. Across Europe, our homes continue to be more important than ever as they play multiple roles each day — from offices to places for relaxation and entertainment. Seven in ten consumers (71%) agree that technology has a positive impact on their everyday living, including how they interact with their friends and family, how they conduct their chores and how they enjoy their hobbies.¹ Now, those with a passion for food can fully connect themselves to the joy of cooking and eating with Samsung Food, the new all-in-one app for recipe searching, saving and sharing, meal planning, cooking and grocery shopping. Announced at the press conference, Samsung Food is available in 104 countries and eight languages and puts the world’s food knowledge at users’ fingertips, empowering them to make the food, health and cooking decisions that are right for them. It also connects to users’ kitchens, instantly sending the right time and temperature to their compatible Samsung oven. With more than 160,000 recipes, there will always be something new to cook. By the end of the year, using Food AI, Samsung Food will provide personalised recipes reflecting users’ dietary requirements, such as converting recipes into a vegan version in just a few taps. In a further enhancement due later this year, it will link with Samsung Health so tailored meal plans can be adapted to suit preferences and dietary requirements, as well as support users in reaching their health goals. In 2024, using Vision AI technology, Samsung Food will use photos taken of meals to check nutritional information, recognise ingredients and recommend the best recipes to use them in. As the number one TV brand for 17 years in a row,2 Samsung has an unrivalled commitment to entertainment. It has completed its super screen line up with the launch of the 98” Neo QLED 8K and 4K Q80C and plans to bring its full range of Micro LED screens to Europe by the end of the year, offering incredible contrast and jaw-dropping detail that places viewers in the middle of the action whether gaming or watching films. To celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary, Samsung has announced the launch of The Frame — Disney100 Edition. Featuring an exclusive bezel in the Disney 100 signature platinum silver metal and a unique Mickey Mouse inspired Disney remote. It also comes with 100 pieces of iconic art from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel, Lucasfilm and National Geographic, as well as classic images of Mickey, Minnie, Woody, Cinderella and many others. Users can also display their family photos for a magical home environment. Also announced at the press conference was the global launch of The Freestyle 2nd Gen. This versatile, portable projector delivers a big screen experience wherever the user chooses — even on the ceiling. The Smart Edge Blending feature offers landscape and portrait screen experiences, meaning two Freestyle 2nd Gen projectors can be paired to give a 160” panoramic and 120” vertical viewing experience. What is more, with complete access to the Samsung Gaming Hub, users of the Freestyle 2nd Gen can enjoy the biggest games from Samsung’s streaming partners. In partnership with Xbox and Bethesda Softworks, this now includes Starfield, the stunning, next-generation role-playing game set amongst the stars. Playable through the Samsung Gaming Hub with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, without the need for a console. Taking Small Steps for Our Planet Samsung is committed to developing products and services that help people save money and take steps towards a better planet. These topics are high on the agenda for consumers too, over three quarters (77%) say they seek out tech products that save energy — not only to save money, but for the benefit of the environment too.4 Two-thirds (67%) also consider it important that their next appliance can connect to an app that allows them to monitor and reduce their energy consumption.4 With energy prices increasing across Europe,3 72% of those asked are concerned about the cost of running appliances in their home.4 To help combat this, SmartThings Energy can help users optimise the energy used across their appliances to suit their needs and lower usage. For example, AI Energy Mode in SmartThings Energy allows you to monitor and reduce your washing machine’s energy use by up to 70%5 by using Ecobubble to wash with cool water instead of warm. Samsung has also partnered with global ocean conservation organisation Ocean Wise and apparel maker Patagonia to find solutions to the issue of microfiber shedding. The Less Microfiber Filter is an external washing machine filter that cuts up to 98% of microplastic emissions from laundry cycles.6 Speaking at IFA, Charlie Cox, Manager of Microplastic Solutions at Ocean Wise said, “Through our collaboration with Samsung and Patagonia, Ocean Wise is proud to have shown a way for industry to play its part in stemming the flow of microfibers into the ocean. Through innovations like the Less Microfiber Filter, we can empower individuals to reduce their microfiber footprint at home. It is a simple, everyday solution that our oceans will thank us for.” Heating technologies like heat pumps represent a rapidly growing market, and Samsung is at the forefront of this growth. Its innovative smart air source heat pumps have seen an unprecedented 97% growth in sales since 2022.7 These work with domestic hot water tanks or with Samsung’s ClimateHub, to make your home comfortable all year round, whatever the weather. They can also connect to the SmartThings ecosystem, so their energy use can be monitored and tailored to the user’s preferred environment.8 The latest addition to its range of high temperature monobloc heat pump solutions, the EHS Mono R290, launches in September. Samsung’s journey is constantly evolving as it aims to design technology that helps people make the most of their day while taking small steps to reduce our environmental impact. The Galaxy Z Flip59 and Z Fold510 and the Galaxy Tab S9 series11 feature a variety of recycled materials, including recycled aluminium, glass and plastics sourced from ocean-bound discarded fishing nets, water barrels and PET bottles. Even the Galaxy Watch6 series incorporate post-consumer recycled plastics. All of these Galaxy innovations come in packaging boxes made using recycled paper material.12 Keeping Your Home Secure Samsung understands the reassurance that smart technology can provide across the generations. Security was an emerging theme from the research conducted. Watching their home while they aren’t there (54%), feeling safer when home alone (39%) and keeping their family safe when they are out of the house (39%) are seen as the key safety benefits of smart technology.13 The SmartThings ecosystem includes a range of partners who are committed to helping people keep their homes and loved ones safe. This now includes Yale, a leading brand in home security. The Yale Linus® Smart Lock and the new Smart Opener for Gate & Garage enable doors and gates to be locked remotely via the app to ensure peace of mind for all family members. Unlocking the Future Through Smart Technology Samsung is invested in a future built around the possibilities that technology can unlock. One area it aims to make a difference is in making the technology for smart homes more easily available. The research shows a quarter of Europeans consider the inclusion of smart technology to be a key factor in the desirability of their next home and over three quarters of respondents said fully functional smart homes are appealing (77%).12 Understanding this, Samsung is working to make these possibilities a reality and it believes in the power of collaboration when it comes to driving this vision forward. By partnering with ABB Smart Buildings and SMA, one of the world’s leading providers of photovoltaic and storage system technology, it hopes to connect people more closely to their homes by embedding the possibilities of smart technology into houses before they are bought. By integrating ABB and SMA products into SmartThings Energy, homes can become even safer, smarter and more sustainable. For example, the ability to run appliances at the optimum time, tracking energy use to adjust consumption based on energy prices and usage patterns and optimising energy use based on solar production. 1 Conducted in conjunction with Opinium amongst 2,500 adults from the U.K., France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Polled between the 28th of July and the 1st of August 2023. 2 Samsung TV has been ranked No.1 selling TV Brand for 17 consecutive years by Omdia. 3 GreenMatch. https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/energy-prices-europe. 4 Conducted in conjunction with Opinium amongst 2,500 adults from the U.K., France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Polled between the 28th of July and the 1st of August 2023. 5 Based on internal testing on the WW11BB944AGB model on a Cotton 40 degrees wash with the AI Energy Mode turned on (reducing the temperature) compared to not using AI Energy Mode. AI Energy Mode can only be operated at 40 degrees or lower. 6 Captures approximately 89-98%; laboratory tested using 2kg synthetic fabric load in the WW90T734DWH, WF24A9500KW, washing machine. 7 Compared to 2022 Jan – Aug sales. 8 SmartThings is available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required. Some models require a separate Wi-Fi kit to connect SmartThings. 9 Galaxy Z Flip5: 15 device components that feature a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled material plastic, a minimum of 28% pre-consumer recycled aluminium, or Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 with an average of 22% pre-consumer recycled content. These components include Volume Key Bracket, Speaker Module (Upper & Lower), Rear Top, Display Connector Cap, FPCB RF Cable Bracket, Rear Mid, Case Front (Main), Case Front (Sub), Volume Key, Finger Key Bracket, Receiver Deco, Connector to Connector Holder, SIM Tray, Sub Window, Back Glass. 10 Galaxy Z Fold5: 15 device components that feature a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled material plastic, a minimum of 28% pre-consumer recycled aluminium, or Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 with an average of 22% pre-consumer recycled glass. These components include Volume Key FPCB Bracket, Top Speaker Module (Upper & Lower), Bottom Speaker Module (Upper & Lower), Cover Display Connector, Case Front (Main), Case Front (Sub), Antenna (Sub), Antenna (Main), Volume Key, Finger Key Bracket, SIM Tray, Connector to Connector Holder, Camera Deco (Top & Bottom), Sub Window, Back Glass. 11 Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: 17 device components that feature a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled material plastic, a minimum of 30% pre-consumer recycled aluminium, or pre-consumer recycled aluminium and Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 with a minimum of 10% pre-consumer recycled content. These components include Cable Holder Mid, Deco Pen Charger, Top-left Speaker Module, Top-right Speaker Module, Bottom-left Speaker Module, Bottom-right Speaker Module, Case Rear, Case Bracket, Key Bracket, PCB Support Top, PCB Support Mid, Cable Holder Bottom, SIM Tray, Volume Key, Side Key, Camera Deco, Main Window. 12 100% recycled paper is used in the following packaging components: the Product Packaging Unit Box, Cover Protector, Manual Box, Manual Pad and DLC Band. 13 Conducted in conjunction with Opinium amongst 2,500 adults from the U.K., France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Polled between the 28th of July and the 1st of August 2023. View the full article

Gamescom 2023 celebrated its 15th anniversary this year, from August 23 to 27 in Cologne, Germany. The world’s largest gaming event brought together more than 1,320 game, hardware, and software companies from 63 countries, filling an exhibition space of 230,000㎡ and uniting gaming fans from all over the world. Samsung Electronics welcomed gamers to its largest Gamescom booth ever, measuring 752 square meters. ▲ The Samsung Booth at Gamescom 2023 was filled with visitors throughout the entire show At the booth, Samsung showed off its vision for the future of gaming, which includes the upgraded Odyssey gaming monitor lineup. From gaming monitors to gaming TVs with Samsung Gaming Hub, as well as mobile and storage technologies on display, Samsung demonstrated its commitment to the gaming community.  Unveiling the World’s First Dual UHD monitor, the Odyssey Neo G9 On the first day of Gamescom 2023, Samsung hosted a keynote presentation, with key partners including AMD and Pearl Abyss, to introduce the remarkable capabilities of the new 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC), which was fully unveiled at Gamescom. ▲ Director of Europe Display Marketing for Samsung Electronics Ben Holmes gives the Samsung keynote speech In the keynote, Ben Holmes, Director of Europe Display Marketing for Samsung Electronics showcased the ambition of the Odyssey Neo G9, which is to bring gamers together through immersive gaming experiences. “It’s our most immersive monitor ever, for the gamers who want to get lost in the ultimate experience,” he said. ▲ (From left) AMD Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions and Gaming Marketing Frank Azor and Pearl Abyss Head of Marketing & PR Rick van Beem during the Samsung Electronics keynote Frank Azor, Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions and Gaming Marketing, AMD, shared what it means to collaborate with Samsung, saying, “With the Odyssey Neo G9, Samsung came to us with a challenge of powering this incredible-looking display with the graphics horsepower and the bandwidth necessary to be able to let it do what it was designed to do: deliver the most immersive graphics and gaming experiences possible.” Next up was Rick van Beem, Head of Marketing & PR at Pearl Abyss. With their globally successful MMORPG, Black Desert Online, he explained how Samsung monitors make the most out of the game. “We partnered with Samsung because we believe that the 32:9 display format offered by Samsung’s displays is an ideal way to play Black Desert Online.” The newest entry in the Odyssey lineup, the Odyssey Neo G9 was designed to look spectacular and to support the connectivity needs of gamers. In addition to HDMI 2.1, the Odyssey Neo G9 supports the VESA-certified DP (Display Port) 2.1 connectivity. The Dual UHD and a high refresh rate of 240Hz will provide gamers with an optimal gaming experience for high-performance games.1 Bringing the Excitement to Samsung’s Largest-Ever Gamescom Presence At Samsung’s booth, fans could experience this year’s new products hands-on, including the brand new 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC), the upgraded Odyssey Ark (G97NC), and the 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SC), all in one place. ▲ Gamers from all over the world visited the Odyssey Gaming Zone. Through a collaboration with Pearl Abyss, Samsung Electronics provided a unique play experience of Black Desert Online on the Odyssey Neo G9. The booth was packed with gamers from all over the world, who flocked to experience the incredibly large screen and image quality of the 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9, which was fully unveiled for the first time in person at Gamescom. “The screen is so big that I have no problem streaming and gaming at the same time,” said one streamer who tried out the Odyssey Neo G9. Another visitor to the booth said, “It wraps around me and makes me feel like I’m inside the game.” ▲ (Left) The screen Odyssey Ark allows for 4 inputs on screen at once with the new Multi View. (Right) A group of visitors test out the Odyssey OLED G9. The upgraded Odyssey Ark debuted at Gamescom with significant enhancements to connectivity and convenience. The new Multi View lets users see input from up to 4 devices at once,2 and make the most out of the Odyssey Ark’s large screen. A visitor who experienced the Odyssey Ark commented, “It’s nice to be able to see a variety of things on one screen while working. I can use this instead of multiple screens.” In addition, the Odyssey OLED G9 impressed visitors at the booth. “The colors were amazing and vibrant,” commented one gamer. “It looked really good!” Seamless Gaming Across Multiple Amazing Displays ▲ (Left) A group enjoys playing Xbox games on the Samsung Neo QLED 4K. (Right) A visitor in the Mobile Gaming Zone plays “Warcraft Rumble” on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Driven by partnerships with gaming companies, the Samsung booth was full of gaming monitors with industry-leading specifications, gaming TVs, Samsung Gaming Hub, and mobile devices to allow visitors to experience a wide range of games on their preferred gaming screen. As part of this partnership, in the keynote’s last session, Mike Lucero, Head of North America Gaming Service for Samsung Electronics announced that Bethesda Game Studios’ much-anticipated open-world space adventure “Starfield” will be available through the Samsung Gaming Hub, with an Xbox Game Pass subscription from September. ▲ (Left) A family enjoys playing Xbox games on the Neo QLED 8K. (Right) Samsung Gaming Hub zone offered an arcade-like concept where you could play games Samsung Gaming Hub3 is also highly popular among console gamers, as it allows them to enjoy a variety of game titles from partners like Xbox and NVIDIA GeForce NOW without connecting consoles. Families with children could be seen having fun in the Samsung Gaming Hub zone, which is organized to play games on the TV like an arcade. A gamer who visited with his children said that the Samsung Gaming Hub “looks just as good as if I was playing directly on [a gaming console].” On the main stage, Samsung continuously hosted events and programs with popular streamers and eSports teams. Fun competitions with today’s most popular games and exciting conversations kept the attention of booth visitors through the entire show. The world’s first 240Hz 4K gaming monitor, the Odyssey Neo G8 32” was able to fully express the colorful graphics and fast pace of games like Overwatch 2. ▲ A thrilling racing challenge unfolded from the racing zone. A “Racing Challenge” was held in the Gaming TV zone with 98-inch QLED Q80C. Fans could race using a steering gear and a high-definition Gaming TV, for life-like high-octane, thrilling matches. Bringing the Hottest Games to Life With New Technology ▲ Gamers in costume take photos at the Samsung Electronics booth. At Gamescom 2023, Samsung Electronics announced a partnership with NEXON to adopt HDR10+ GAMING technology, a high-definition video standard for gaming. The world’s first HDR10+ GAMING title, “The First Descendant” developed by NEXON will provide gamers with the ultimate HDR game experience through deeper color, contrast and brightness. And Samsung was proud to show how a premiere gaming screen can bring games like Black Desert Online from Pearl Abyss studio. ▲ Visitors filled the Samsung Electronics booth. There has been a lot of interest every day to experience various gaming monitors in Samsung’s largest Gamescom booth ever. At Gamescom 2023, Samsung Electronics showcased gaming solutions optimized for the increasingly diverse game genres and tastes of global gamers, and a connected gaming experience that brings the gaming community together with leading technology. Samsung Electronics is envisioning a different future for the gaming ecosystem and bringing that vision to life at Gamescom. 1 Dual UHD 240Hz is supported only by graphics cards that support Display Port 2.1 (UHBR 13.5) or HDMI 2.1 (FRL 6). Support and actual refresh rate may vary by graphics card. 2 Up to 3 inputs and 3 screens in vertical Cockpit Mode. 3 Samsung Gaming Hub availability and support vary by region and monitor and TV lineup. Service and content availability may vary by region and partners. View the full article

Samsung TV Plus, Samsung’s free ad-supported TV (FAST) service, has grown into an industry-leading platform — operating 2,000 channels in 24 countries — since its launch in 2015. The platform’s success continues to skyrocket, with consumers in these countries using Samsung TV Plus across 500 million devices as of June 2023 and recording three billion hours of accumulated viewing time worldwide in 2022. With its competitive service structure, Samsung TV Plus benefits consumers as well as content and ad partners — providing new, enriching viewing experiences thanks to its extensive network. The second article in this series looks at how the platform is setting the standard for at-home TV viewing experiences and its vision for the future. The previous article in this series introduced the FAST market and the history behind Samsung TV Plus. This week, Samsung Newsroom sat down with Yujung Kang, Junga Park and Sejin Woo of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics to discuss the current status of the industry-leading platform and its future. ▲ (From left) Sejin Woo, Yujung Kang and Junga Park of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics Get the Most Out of Your TV: Content for Every User ▲ Since its launch in 2015, Samsung TV Plus has grown to become an industry-leading platform, offering 2,000 channels in 24 countries. Samsung TV Plus, Samsung Electronics’ FAST platform, provides viewers with high-quality entertainment. By simply turning on their smart TVs, Samsung TV Plus users have access to thousands of ad-supported channels with no subscription necessary. “Focusing on the fundamental value of TVs, Samsung TV Plus was designed to resemble broadcast TV, allowing viewers to enjoy content without the hassle of a complicated set-up process,“ said Sejin Woo. The biggest advantage of Samsung TV Plus is its competitive content offerings that enable users to conveniently access a variety of popular programs from a single platform. Users can binge-watch their favorite TV series and discover new programs through tailored content recommendations. Samsung TV Plus’ Secret to Success: A Carefully Calibrated Operation ▲ Yujung Kang explains the content adjustment process of partner channels on Samsung TV Plus. In addition to offering diverse content, Samsung optimizes the viewing experience for users through its content partnerships. Partners must undergo an onboarding process for nine to 13 weeks to adjust screen aspect ratio, resolution and device compatibility — building an enriching viewing experience fit for any streaming environment. “Since unexpected problems can occur even when you follow the rules, human intervention is necessary when tailoring content to devices,” said Yujung Kang. The operation team monitors streaming specifications when a channel launch is set, so users can comfortably stream content across different devices such as smartphones, tablets and TVs. A variety of factors must be checked including the audio-to-video synchronization, program guide, logos and thumbnails — against more than 10 categories and subcategories. This rigorous procedure is designed to detect and identify any potential issues that may arise when content is continuously played for more than 24 hours. Once completed, Samsung adjusts the subtitle readability and ensures stable streaming with engineers. These processes serve as the foundation for seamlessly hosting and operating over 2,000 global channels in real-time, all day every day. “We carefully listen and communicate with viewers while directly monitoring each channel during launch, operation and termination — treating our partner channels like our own company products,“ said Yujung. Customized Content for Every Occasion While stable service is crucial during viewing, content quality makes all the difference. To reduce content clutter and guarantee content quality meets the highest standards, Samsung focuses on providing high-quality content rather than merely expanding the number of channels. In line with this approach, Samsung TV Plus considers objective viewer data analytics and conducts internal discussions to curate a selection of content that users will enjoy watching. Samsung TV Plus’ goal is to make every hour “prime time.” To this end, Samsung updates content and adjusts channels every other week so that viewers have access to only the best content they are bound to enjoy. Upon analyzing data and trends, the company removes content from the platform that has low viewership. In addition to this, Samsung regularly organizes channels around certain events, holidays and seasons to promote content users may not want to miss out on. ▲ Sejin Woo explains how strategy is necessary when organizing channels on Samsung TV Plus. “Before adding a new season of a TV series, we create a channel where viewers can watch previous seasons and adjust the order of channels to make the content stand out,” said Sejin. “There’s a strategy behind every channel.” Targeting Global Viewers Through Curated Content Understanding the unique content preferences of users around the world is essential when determining channel offerings as users’ preferences differ by location, culture and more. As such, Samsung TV Plus works with content partnership experts in each region to understand and source content. ▲ Junga states how she prioritizes understanding global cultures when selecting content. “We’re able to identify the true value of content only when we combine data with the opinions of experts who fully understand a target country,” Junga Park said. While data is crucial when analyzing a TV program’s relative popularity, content experts provide valuable insight into the preferences of local viewers, ensuring that selected content will be well received. “It is a delicate balance of art and science,” she added. ▲ Different titles and genres are popular in different countries These differences in content preferences are particularly noticeable between viewers in Korea and the United States. While Korean viewers tend to select trending shows, American viewers prefer to watch shows based on individual preferences. “In Korea, people will ask each other if they have seen the latest episode of a TV show since trending content is a conversation starter. However, in the United States, the popularity of over 200 channels is pretty evenly spread — reflecting the diversity of viewers’ content preferences,” said Yujung. Local content is especially well received in multilingual nations such as India and European countries. Yet, preferences for subtitles differ by region — viewers in Korea are not disturbed by subtitles, but viewers in Spain prefer dubbed content. “When it comes to sourcing content, our top priority is language. For example, we provide not only English and Hindi, but also Marathi, Tamil, Punjabi, Gujrati, Bengali, Telegu, and Bhojpuri content in India,” she added. Samsung TV Plus Aims To Become a Next Generation Media Platform Samsung TV Plus is celebrating its ninth anniversary by expanding its service to more devices and continuing to enhance its content library through stronger partnerships. Looking ahead, Yujung highlighted how Samsung is seeking to use the latest technological tools to increase efficiency. “Many factors, such as resolution, subtitles and content format, still need to be managed by someone,” she said. “We are planning to adopt automation processes across our operations to make them more efficient. Since ‘operation never sleeps,’ we will enable our service to be automatically set if data is entered. More efficient service operation is one of our top priorities.” Another goal for the platform is to expand market presence and brand awareness. “There are some users who use Samsung TV Plus frequently but don’t necessarily know it’s a Samsung product,” said Sejin. “This year, we will carry out customized marketing activities tailored to each country and drive more global users to the platform through stronger brand awareness.” Junga is confident that the FAST market will continue to grow as global streaming services such as Samsung TV Plus strive to become the next generation of TV. “Samsung will continue to enhance the platform to become the world’s largest TV service provider, one that will present users with unparalleled viewing experiences while ensuring content and ad partners benefit,” said Junga. As a new era of TV emerges, Samsung remains steadfast in its commitment to providing the best viewing experiences for users around the world. View the full article

Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic is an award-winning, multidisciplinary artist whose work has been recognized and displayed in prestigious institutions and venues such as The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Art Basel Miami Beach and even the White House. His inspiration stems from a diverse cross-section of cultures — embracing a wide variety of mediums from fashion and film to live art performances and beyond. His unique artistry exists at the junction where art and technology meet, and he considers the history and evolution of the two as inseparable. He sees technology as a transformative force — one that has expanded and will continue to broaden the art world — opening new opportunities and encouraging artists to reimagine and refine their work. Samsung Newsroom sat down with Aerosyn-Lex to discuss his journey as an artist and how technology has become interwoven into his work. ▲ Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic Early Encounters With Multicultural Inspirations Q: Can you provide a brief overview of your artistic journey? I’ve been a life-long artist and creative. Art and design are core elements of my self-identity. I studied art from an early age and never stopped using creativity as my primary means of communication. I’m thankful that my artwork and designs have been recognized by some of the biggest institutions and brands in the world, and I’m excited for what’s to come! Q: Your early influences present a fascinating blend of various cultures, including Japanese calligraphy, Latin script, graffiti and Slavic mysticism. How did you encounter and choose to incorporate these distinctive elements into your artwork? Early on in life, I was exposed to calligraphy through a course I took during a summer vacation. For some reason, the act of writing and all its cultural variations stuck with me. Be it Japanese calligraphy or Western scripts, writing really became a huge influence on all my works. I think there is great power in the written word, and those words can take on any shape. Q: How do you incorporate diverse cultural perspectives into your art? How does that resonate with audiences across the world? Growing up as an immigrant in the United States in a culturally diverse area helped shape my identity. I’ve been fortunate to travel the world through my work, and I strive to translate those experiences through my artwork. My goal is to connect with people on a subconscious level, regardless of their background. Q: What inspires you to keep pushing your artistic boundaries? I’m thoroughly inspired by evolving technologies and their ability to reach larger scales and audiences globally. Having worked across various global markets and diverse industries, my goal is to share my work with the world, aiming to leave a lasting legacy. Exploring the Entire Range of Artistic Mediums and Projects Q: Can you recount a project that pushed you beyond your comfort zone? I was commissioned to direct my first short film “SCRIPTURA VITAE” many years ago for the BBC and Channel 4 in the U.K. This began as a simple concept, but it turned into one of the most life-changing projects I’ve ever worked on. I had to teach myself filmmaking whilst making the actual film! This single work really set the stage for many of my major projects that followed. Q: Your extensive portfolio spans across pop culture, fashion, technology and more. What inspires your choice of medium for different projects? My process varies greatly depending on the project. From designing fashion collections to crafting live art performances for Carnegie Hall, the medium follows the concept. There’s no single approach that works for all those varied applications of creativity. I look at each project individually and try to figure out the best way to craft a memorable and emotionally moving work or performance. I always begin by thinking of a concept for a piece before attempting to work out the best way to represent that. Q: You’ve collaborated with cultural icons and brands such as Jeff Koons, Nike and Mr. Children, and your art has been exhibited at renowned venues around the world. How have these experiences shaped you? Those are definitely some of my “greatest hits” and they certainly have instilled confidence and motivation to push the limits of my work. However, the art industry can be a fickle and fast-changing landscape to navigate. Nothing is guaranteed in the career of an artist — to sustain artistic relevance, one must constantly push forward to redefine oneself.  ▲ An interview with Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic Connecting Artists and Audiences Through The Frame and Samsung Art Store Q: How has your experience been partnering with Samsung Art Store? It has been truly amazing. I was thrilled to have so many acquaintances and new supporters reach out and mention that they’d seen my work on the Art Store. It’s such a wonderful platform, and I’m excited to continue crafting and creating work for it! I truly appreciate brands that understand the value of art and genuinely seek to support artists and their artwork. The art market has seen a seismic shift in the past few years, and I believe it takes large players to come up with innovative ideas for new platforms and ways of interacting with broad audiences. I think Samsung is doing just that in a unique way. Q: Can you tell us about the technique behind your signature ethereal ink paintings? How do they appear on The Frame? My work is created in a fully practical, non-digital technique that I developed over years of experimentation. These works began with my film “SCRIPTURA VITAE” and were then exhibited at The MoMA. I love how my work is presented on The Frame — having them live inside people’s homes now is a great feeling. The Frame’s aesthetic and calibration just make everything pop! Q: Can you recommend three of your favorite pieces available on the Art Store? The beauty of the Art Store is that you can change the artwork based on your mood. Some of my favorites are below, but check them all out! There will be more coming soon, so please keep an eye out! ▲ CHROMIS IOMELAS MMXXI (2021) CHROMIS IOMELAS MMXXI (2021) is from my “Living Paintings” series, which embodies the fluidity and movement in my process. ▲ VERSALIS DRIP MMXXII (2022) VERSALIS DRIP MMXXII (2022) is a playful use of paint as a painting. This work is taken from a newer series of work which was initially created as 60FT (20 meter) Murals for the Wynwood Arts District in Miami, Florida. The concept was to create a dynamic representation of fluid paint but play with the scale of the artwork which would be represented in the context of Trompe L’oeil. ▲ VERSAEL BRUSH MMXXI (2021) VERSAEL BRUSH MMXXI (2021) introduces meticulous calligraphy which looks incredible in the crisp 4k of The Frame. This piece speaks to my long standing passion from calligraphy and the written word. These large paintings are steeped in multicultural symbology and seek to find beauty in the pattern and rhythm of the calligraphic strokes and lettering used within the artwork. Pushing the Boundaries of Art With Technology Q: Your work often blends art with various forms of technology. How do you see this intersection shaping the future of art? The history of art cannot be separated from the progression of technology. Their stories are intertwined infinitely. As a huge tech nerd, technology is a space that I find endlessly fascinating and inspiring. We’re certainly moving into a radically new age with the proliferation of artificial intelligence, and I’m excited to participate in pushing creative methods forward with technology. I am truly looking forward to working on projects in this space, and I’m thrilled to combine them with the practices I’ve developed over my career. Q: Can you give us a sneak peek at some of the projects you are working on? I’m excited to be working on major projects across various metropolitan cities including Tokyo, New York City, Los Angeles, Riyadh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These projects range from large-scale installations for major hotels to huge digital art installations in completely new city centers. I’m working on some new projects in the gaming space as well, which I’m thrilled about since I’m an avid gamer. I am also launching my own collection of luxury Japanese whisky, sake, shochu and wine this year with the award-winning Japanese distillery, Nishi Shuzo. Lastly, I’m looking to establish a large art studio in Los Angeles. I have a lot going on at the moment, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Visit Samsung Art Store in The Frame to see more of Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic’s collection. View the full article

Samsung Electronics announced the release of two new display models for the healthcare industry, engineered to enhance viewer experiences. The HCU7030, available for hospital or healthcare environments, and the HCF8000, designed for both healthcare and hotel settings, bring an integrated pillow speaker interface, superior visuals with 4K resolution and peak HDR (High Dynamic Range) performance for a more comfortable and enjoyable user experience. These models are Web RTC (Real Time Communication)1 ready to allow quick addition of video conferencing.2 ▲ The HCU7030 provides a number of patient room-friendly features including a pillow speaker interface and Multi-Code Remote “With these new models, Samsung will quickly advance the commitments we have made to the hospitality industry,” says Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “The new models are packed with unique and premium features to enhance the user experience, driving both patient and healthcare leadership across diverse environments.” With a growing shift towards premium digital display solutions, the HCU7030 series transforms in-room engagement, giving patients an experience that makes them feel right at home. The HCU7030 series integrates the pillow speaker interface, allowing patients to enjoy clear audio and control of the TV right at their bedsides. It is also equipped with a business management suite for easy enrollment of devices and configurations that allow multiple configurations with the same profile and welcoming messages for new patients. The HCU7030 series, available in sizes from 43 to 75 inches,3 showcases Samsung’s commitment to safety through its UL certification (UL 62368-1 incl. Annex DVB) and the use of three-pin plugs, upholding one of the highest safety standards in healthcare facilities. These displays are designed to be versatile and adaptable for various spaces and applications. The HCF8000 is a sleek, 32” QLED model with a 29.9mm slim design suitable for hotels and hospitality settings. It offers users an immersive experience, drawing them in with its optimal picture performance and design. ▲ The HCF8000 is designed for both healthcare and hotel settings. Both series include a Multi-Code Remote that minimizes potential interference from neighboring devices and Web RTC for enhanced virtual healthcare assistance. These displays also come equipped with LYNK Cloud,4 a comprehensive cloud solution allowing customizable content, remote device management and access to OTT (over-the-top) entertainment. LYNK Cloud also helps decision-makers uncover insights that enable the delivery of optimized content to better serve end-users’ interests. Managers can leverage this guestroom management solution to review what content guests engage with, which promotions are entered or exited and review OTT and TV content viewership — enabling the ultimate guestroom content experience. ▲ (from left) The HCF8000 and HCU7030 The HCU7030 will be available in the U.S. starting on August 25, while the HCF8000 will be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning Q4 2023. For additional information about Samsung’s hospitality displays, visit www.samsung.com/business. 1 Web RTC will be available in Q4 2023. 2 Additional hardware required for video conferencing. 3 HCU7030 is available in 43, 50, 55, 65 and 75-inch models. 4 Samsung LYNK Cloud is available for purchase separately. View the full article

Samsung Electronics, a global leader in the TV industry for 17 consecutive years, has been propelling its commitment towards sustainable tech through a series of new features. The latest AI Energy mode on SmartThings is a prime example of Samsung’s commitment to Everyday Sustainability. It works by leveraging the TV’s built-in processor and sensors to analyze the viewing environments and automatically adjusts relevant settings to save energy. View the full article

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Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of The Frame-Disney100 Edition to commemorate Disney’s 100th anniversary. Available in 55, 65 and 75-inch class models, this limited edition of The Frame features a sleek branded bezel, 100 special pieces of art from the Disney collection and a Mickey Mouse-inspired remote, designed to delight Disney fans all over the world.1 “We are thrilled to offer this one-of-a-kind edition of The Frame to celebrate Disney’s landmark 100th anniversary,” said Cheolgi Kim, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “These collaborations serve as an exciting way to spotlight The Frame’s distinct features, which revolutionized how we use our screens and consume content. We hope this unique edition of The Frame allows more people to experience the wonderful viewing experience the TV has to offer.” The Frame-Disney100 Edition exemplifies a delightful blend of Samsung technology and Disney creativity. Upon powering on the TV, viewers are greeted by a Samsung x Disney100 onscreen logo. The TV also features exclusive bezels in the Disney100 signature color — platinum silver metal — paired with a special Disney edition remote as a nod to Disney’s most beloved character, Mickey Mouse. ▲ The Frame-Disney100 Edition with a Mickey Mouse-inspired SolarCell remote The Frame-Disney100 Edition also comes with 100 pieces of dedicated art from Disney that you can access directly on the Samsung Art Store. With content from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel, Lucasfilm and National Geographic, Disney fans can curate and showcase a gallery of their most beloved characters and content right on their TV. With Samsung Art Store, you can also enjoy beautifully curated collections from leading international museums such as the Louvre, Tate and more, as well as artists from Monet to Van Gogh. Samsung Art Store makes it easier than ever to bring the art gallery experience directly into your home, and this new curated Disney collection offers even more captivating pieces to choose from. ▲ 100 pieces of Disney artwork included with The Frame-Disney100 Edition. © Disney/Pixar. © 2023 MARVEL Since its launch, The Frame has redefined content consumption by turning traditional displays into stunning works of art. The TV’s slim design and matte display has been noted by fans around the world as an excellent addition to match home and interior design preferences, while its premium 4K QLED picture quality breathes new life into art and media consumption. For more information on The Frame and to purchase The Frame Disney100 Edition while supplies last, please visit samsung.com. 1 The Frame-Disney100 Edition is available in the United States, Europe, Korea and Latin America. View the full article

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC) was awarded the CES 2023 Best of Innovation Award and has continued gaining attention from the gaming world ever since. Samsung Electronics announced the global availability of the product at Gamescom 2023, Europe’s leading trade fair for digital games culture. The 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 is the world’s first monitor to support dual UHD resolution (7,680 x 2,160) and is as large as two 32-inch UHD monitors side-by-side. It also features a VESA-certified DP (Display Port) 2.1 which facilitates smooth gaming and efficient video with fast, vivid gameplay. Take a look at the Odyssey Neo G9’s key specifications — including the VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification, high refresh rate and fast response speed — in the graphic below. View the full article

Samsung Electronics, a global leader in the visual display industry, today announced the future of gaming monitors with the newest entries in its Odyssey monitor series: the Odyssey Neo G9 57″ (G95NC model) and the Odyssey Ark 55″ (G97NC model). The gaming monitors are on display at Gamescom 2023 — the world’s largest event for computer and video games, held from August 23 to 27 in Cologne, Germany — and the Odyssey Neo G9 57″ can now be pre-ordered globally. “The world of gaming is constantly evolving, and our latest monitor technology is crucial for gamers to open new doors to adventure and perform their best. Samsung’s monitor leadership is further boosted by our newest Odyssey monitors, which unlock the ultimate level of immersion and create new experiences for gamers worldwide,” said Hoon Chung, EVP of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Gamescom is where the future of gaming is built. We can’t imagine a better place to showcase the future of monitors.” Odyssey Neo G9 57” Offers Gamers Next-Level Immersion and Specifications The Odyssey Neo G9 57″ (G95NC model) is designed to deliver groundbreaking visual experiences for gamers looking to enhance performance and sharpen their competitive edge. With the world’s first Dual Ultra-High-Definition (DUHD) screen and a suite of high-speed connectivity options, the Odyssey Neo G9 57″ already earned a Best of Innovation Award at CES 2023. The 1000R curvature in the 57″ 32:9 screen is as wide as two 32” UHD monitors, wrapping around users with pin-sharp images and a wide field of view, immersing them in their games like never before. Quantum Matrix Technology powers Samsung’s Quantum Mini LED lighting in the screen, which offers smaller, more discrete dimming zones. The result is a better distinction between light and dark areas of the screen, with sharp contrast and less blooming. The Odyssey Neo G9 57” makes the most out of its Quantum Mini LED lighting by combining it with VESA DisplayHDR1000. With 1,000 nit peak brightness, HDR content appears vivid and life-like, with accurate color and contrast reproduction, as well as enhanced color expression and depth. The gaming performance matches the level of visual quality to help gamers meet their full potential. The 240 hertz (Hz) refresh rate and 1ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time1 deliver less blur and minimized ghosting, allowing gamers to react instantly and seal victory while enjoying a smooth gaming experience and exhilarating gameplay. Plus, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro syncs the screen for a stable, lag-free picture. The Odyssey Neo G9 57” offers VESA-certified DisplayPort (DP) 2.1 connectivity, which facilitates smooth gaming, efficient video playback and the Neo G9’s DUHD resolution up to 240Hz.2 In addition to DP2.1, the Odyssey Neo G9 57” also offers HDMI 2.1 and a USB hub, so gamers can hook up all their devices and elevate their game with less mess. “By bringing DisplayPort 2.1 connectivity to their premium gaming monitor, Samsung is opening new doors for gamers,” said Scott Herkelman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Graphics Business Unit at AMD. “More bandwidth, higher speeds and faster refresh rates provide new levels of performance and visual fidelity in games, and together the new Samsung displays and Radeon RX 7000 Series graphics cards will deliver the most vivid and immersive gaming experiences yet.” With such a wide, high-definition screen and a generation-defining new input, gamers can use the Odyssey Neo G9 57” in place of multiple monitors, keeping their desk clean from clutter, while creating a comfortable multitasking single-screen environment. Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture modes offer multiple inputs at a single glance, and the monitor utilizes Auto Source Switch+ to instantly connect to new devices without flipping through input sources. An ergonomic stand, Core Lighting+ and CoreSync make the monitor fit in any environment and match the mood of the game with ambient lighting. In August and September, the Samsung Odyssey Twitch channel is also celebrating the launch of the Odyssey Neo G9 57” with a special event named Odyssey Evolves. During the event, some of the biggest streamers will be playing the hottest games on the Odyssey Neo G9 57” while also giving away prizes for channel followers — including a $10,000 gaming setup featuring the Odyssey Neo G9 57”. Explore a New Frontier With the Upgraded Odyssey Ark The Odyssey Ark, the world’s first 55-inch 1000R curved gaming screen, has been meaningfully upgraded. Building on the success of the original Odyssey Ark, Samsung has taken the new Ark to the next level based on gamers’ feedback. In addition to the stunning picture quality, form factor and professional-level gaming performance, new features designed for connectivity, convenience, performance will satisfy gamers looking for ultimate entertainment. The monitor’s 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms GTG response time3 give gamers the edge to win, and Cockpit Mode gives them whole new perspectives to explore with a vertical orientation. Added features to the Odyssey Ark (G97NC model) include the new Samsung Multi View, which lets users see up to 4 inputs on the screen at once.4 It also significantly enhances split-screen capabilities, letting gamers get full command and convenience in one screen, even when using external devices. One screen with multiple inputs keeps desks streamlined and clutter-free, so gamers can focus on the game at hand. In the new Multi View, users can see input from three HDMI ports and the DP1.4 connection simultaneously. This new DP input can also support 4K UHD streams for high quality entertainment. The Odyssey Ark is now also more than a personal gaming theater — it is a single source for all computer needs. The added Keyboard, Video, Mouse (KVM) switch feature5 makes the Ark a single command station for a smooth multitasking experience across multiple devices. Users can now control all the devices connected to the monitor with a single mouse and keyboard setup. The Odyssey Neo G9 will be available for pre-order beginning at Gamescom 2023, and the 2023 Odyssey Ark will be available for pre-order in September.6 Experience the Future of Gaming With Bethesda Game Studios’ ‘Starfield’ on Samsung Gaming Hub Bethesda Game Studios’ much-anticipated open-world space adventure “Starfield” will be available through the Samsung Gaming Hub, with an Xbox Game Pass subscription, on September 6.7 Samsung Gaming Hub gives gamers a whole new way to discover and instantly stream cloud games from industry-leading gaming partners on supported 2023 TVs and monitors8 with no console required, including the Samsung Neo QLED 8K. “Starfield introduces players to a massive new universe, one that will look amazing on Samsung’s TVs & gaming monitors,” said Pete Hines, Senior Vice President and Head of Publishing at Bethesda Softworks. “The opportunity to stream the game directly through Samsung products allows us to reach even more players. Our team is beyond excited to get Starfield into the hands of gamers across the globe. See you in the stars!” To see these globally available monitors in person, visit Samsung at Gamescom in Hall 9. To learn more about our visual display products, please visit samsung.com. 1 The actual response time may vary based on content and monitor settings. 2 Dual UHD 240Hz is supported only by graphics cards that support Display Port 2.1 (UHBR 13.5) or HDMI 2.1 (FRL 6). Support and actual refresh rate may vary by graphics card. 3 The actual response time may vary by content and monitor settings. 4 In Cockpit Mode, Multi View can show up to 3 screens on one display. 5 Each computer must be connected via USB Upstream cable, sold separately. Requires the Easy Setting Box program on each PC. 6 Product launch schedules and availability vary by region. 7 Availability of Gaming Hub and Xbox Game Pass support may vary by region. 8 Gaming Hub availability and support vary by monitor and TV lineup. 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The Samsung Odyssey Ark, the world’s first 55-inch 1000R curved gaming screen, elevates the gaming experience with improved connectivity. The Odyssey Ark (G97NB) was first unveiled in 2022, capturing attention with its innovative interface. The vertical Cockpit Mode makes users feel like they’re in the cockpit of a spaceship, with the Flex Move Screen letting users adjust the display size and location of windows on the screen. Samsung has upgraded the new Odyssey Ark (G97NC) with enhanced connectivity. The Multi View feature, which lets users split the screen up into 4 windows (3 in Cockpit Mode), has been further improved. In addition, the new Odyssey Ark supports input and output of up to 4 external devices (3 in Cockpit Mode) at once, enabling users to enjoy unparalleled multitasking. A DP (DisplayPort) 1.4 has been added to the Ark’s 3 HDMI ports to increase compatibility and connectivity options. The KVM Switch,1 which controls various devices connected to the monitor with a single mouse and keyboard, enables convenience and better space utilization. Check out more details about the new immersive screen in the graphic below. 1 Each computer must be connected via USB Upstream cable, sold separately. Requires the Easy Setting Box program on each PC. View the full article

Samsung Electronics, a global leader in the visual display industry, today announced the launch of the world’s first gaming title featuring the High Dynamic Range (HDR) 10+ GAMING standard created by HDR10+ Technologies LLC. The new title, “The First Descendant” was developed by NEXON and will be unveiled at Gamescom 2023. “We’re thrilled to join forces with NEXON, a true pioneer in video games, to introduce the world’s first HDR10+ GAMING title, ‘The First Descendant,’” said Seokwoo Jason Yong, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “This is a gaming milestone that goes beyond mere technological advancement; it represents Samsung’s continued commitment to enhance the gaming experience as technology evolves.” HDR10+ GAMING Technology Ushers in a New Era of Gaming HDR10+ GAMING provides gamers with the ultimate HDR game experience through deeper color, contrast and brightness. It also enables more accurate depiction of details in dark shadows and bright highlights, which allows users to fully engage in their gaming adventure. HDR10+ GAMING supports an optimized experience that eliminates the hassle of adjusting numerous manual settings. And it enables enhanced gameplay with near-instant responses through low latency and variable refresh rate support. Furthermore, the standard provides developers with tools that allow consistent and reliable HDR gaming experiences across all HDR10+ GAMING displays. “The First Descendant” is the first gaming title that will fully leverage the HDR10+ GAMING standard. It is set to provide gamers with one of the most responsive, accurate and frictionless HDR gaming experiences to date. With Global Adoption and Innovation, HDR10+ Continues To Expand Samsung co-established HDR10+ Technologies LLC in 2018 to provide a royalty-free, open dynamic metadata standard in the industry. The HDR10+ ecosystem has now grown to comprise 155 partners and over 7,000 certified devices including TVs, monitors, projectors, smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes and more. This collaboration with NEXON reinforces Samsung’s unwavering commitment to providing superior visual experiences that go beyond entertainment and media consumption. Samsung’s latest gaming monitors and TV lineups1 also support the HDR10+ GAMING standard, further reinforcing the company’s leadership in the gaming industry. “By adopting HDR10+ GAMING, we are bringing the game to life in a way that was previously not possible,” said Hyun Kim, Executive Vice President and Deputy Head of Business Development at NEXON. “This partnership with Samsung is also raising the bar in HDR gaming, and we are excited to usher in this new standard of picture quality in video games.” The open beta test of “The First Descendant” will begin on September 19, allowing gamers around the world2 to experience the more realistic HDR gameplay firsthand. For more information on HDR10+ technology, please visit https://hdr10plus.org/ 1 HDR10+ GAMING is supported on Samsung monitors (Odyssey 7 series and above) and TV models (Q70 series and 120Hz above) since its release in 2022. 2 Not available in China. View the full article

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Eunhye Park, Head of Content Distribution Strategy at CJ ENM,1 had a choice to make. Park was tasked with finding new business opportunities to leverage the company’s broad portfolio of content. CJ ENM, well known for producing and distributing popular content across various genres, was already viewed as a leader in the K-culture industry. With their running businesses stable and Korean pop music, TV shows, and films increasingly gaining popularity around the globe, CJ ENM’s business leaders sought to further expand their global market. While CJ ENM’s content distribution businesses — including several cable channels and “TVING,” a proprietary streaming service — were already well-established, the media landscape continues to evolve and one miss could lead to a spiraling downfall. The company is known for keeping its antennae out for new opportunities and Park’s job was to find the next big thing. As searches for new business opportunities always accompany uncertainty, Park’s priorities were twofold — first, to explore fields where CJ ENM’s strengths seem likely to mitigate threats, and second, to find partners that can share the risk and work to expand the field. Enter free ad-supported TV streaming TV (often shortened as “FAST”) and Samsung TV Plus — a global FAST service operated by the leader in the global TV market. Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s free add-supported TV (FAST) service that delivers thousands of TV shows, movies and sporting events to millions of Samsung Smart TVs, Galaxy devices, and in several markets select Family Hub refrigerators and the web. This service is the result of many partnerships across content and media partners. Samsung Newsroom sat down with Yujung Kang, Junga Park and Sejin Woo of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics and Eunhye Park, Jipyeong Cheon and Jiyeong Kim of the Content Distribution Strategy team at CJ ENM to learn about the creation, growth and future of Samsung TV Plus. ▲ (From left) Jipyeong Cheon, Jiyeong Kim and Eunhye Park from the Content Distribution Strategy team at CJ ENM and Junga Park, Sejin Woo, Yujung Kang from the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics Samsung TV Plus: Samsung Enters the Content Market Samsung has continuously strived to enhance users’ lives through ceaseless innovation. While much of the efforts are often highlighted on the product side, the company saw the potential of leveraging TVs already installed in homes to provide further services. “With the vast number of existing Samsung TV users globally, we wanted to take advantage of this opportunity with TV Plus,” said Junga Park. ▲ Junga Park of Samsung Electronics When Samsung TV Plus was first introduced in 2015, Samsung had maintained its leadership in global TV sales for nine consecutive years — now 17 consecutive years — demonstrating its dominant market position ideal for entering the content service sector. By securing a place within both the TV device and content sides, Samsung sought to provide a new viewing experience for existing users as well as earn ad revenue through its owned platform. With the right partnerships, this would grow into an ecosystem where all parties involved — platform, content and ad partners, and, of course, the viewers — are happy. Recognizing this space, Samsung put forth TV Plus. ▲ Global TV market share for the last nine years. Samsung has maintained leadership in this market for 17 years running (source: Omdia) For many decades, Samsung has developed several strategic partnerships across different industries­ ­— helping build out its robust portfolio of products and services. Managing content and advertisements became more efficient through Samsung TV Plus, with the availability of valuable data beyond viewer ratings such as when and where consumers watch content, how long they watch for and more. Equipped with these useful insights, Samsung began developing a platform that benefits consumers, content providers and advertisers alike. Upon its release, the platform initially garnered considerable attention from international users as cord-cutting became more commonplace and streaming platforms surged in popularity. The prevalence of smart TVs helped boost the growth of Samsung TV Plus, with smart TVs accounting for 92% of total TV shipments in the first quarter of 2023 according to market research firm Omdia. ▲ Samsung TV Plus offers more than 2,000 channels in 24 countries Over the course of eight years, Samsung TV Plus has grown into a massive platform with an extensive content library ­— offering more than 2,000 channels in 24 countries and recording three billion hours of accumulated viewing time worldwide in 2022. After establishing its presence within the market, Samsung expanded Samsung TV Plus to mobile devices starting in April 2021 and to smart monitors and the Family Hub refrigerator in 2022, allowing users to enjoy more connected experiences. While all this was happening, one key factor in keeping the platform attractive was to diversify content offerings in each of the operating markets. In Korea, partnered with CJ ENM to strengthen its competitive edge. FAST Market Growth Through Mutual Cooperation While seeking new ways to expand its global market presence, CJ ENM had been monitoring the growth of FAST, acknowledging it as a potential tool for reaching new audiences. “When I was working in Japan, a senior colleague turned on the TV and introduced me to a platform,” recalled Eunhye Park, Head of Content Distribution Strategy at CJ ENM. “Content was playing but this was not an ordinary broadcast television station nor an over-the-top (OTT) streaming service. Only the power and internet were connected — no additional cables. This was a free ad-supported streaming platform — FAST.” ▲ Eunhye Park, Head of Content Distribution Strategy at CJ ENM Unlike many OTT streaming platforms, FAST offers free access to ad-supported content on digital channels via smart TVs connected to the Internet. It is a popular option for consumers in North America and Europe who want a more affordable TV plan. In recent years, the global FAST industry thrived as total revenue jumped 20-fold between 2019 and 2022, according to the research from Omdia. The popularity is expected to continue, with revenue predicted to triple to 12 billion USD between 2022 and 2027. ▲ The FAST market is experiencing remarkable growth in North America and Europe (sources: nScreenMedia, Omdia) After viewing growth trends and market indicators, Eunhye recognized the enormous growth potential in the FAST market. “After seeing the growth of FAST in North America, we knew it had the potential to be even more successful in Korea,” said Eunhye. Despite its global growth, the FAST market in Korea was still in its infancy — especially as traditional cable TV and OTT streaming services dominated the content industry while other digital platforms were becoming prominent in the advertising space. CJ ENM could have entered the FAST market early to become a leader, but it required a considerable investment of resources and strategic partnerships. The company also needed data related to the digital industry which was difficult to obtain. While Eunhye’s Content Distribution Strategy team consisted of a group of experts, each bringing considerable experience to the table, the media landscape was becoming more and more complex. With cable TV, OTT streaming services, digital platforms and more, collecting cross-platform data and analyzing user preferences proved to be a challenge. “A program can be popular on one platform yet fail on another. Short-form and long-form content also perform differently depending on the platform. Clearly identifying users’ preferences is a must when organizing a channel — and a massive amount of data is required,” explained Eunhye. CJ ENM needed a partner that could shoulder some of the investments and also one to stably provide reliable viewing data. CJ ENM found both in Samsung TV Plus. Making Everyone Happy — Especially the Viewers In May 2023, CJ ENM’s brand channel was added to Samsung TV Plus, helping the platform rise to become a top FAST service in Korea. ▲ CJ ENM’s brand channel launched on Samsung TV Plus in May 2023 Since partnering with CJ ENM, Samsung is now targeting existing smart TV users through Samsung TV Plus. “We are focusing on how to improve the viewing experience for users who are already using our products, going beyond selling new TVs,“ said Junga. To continue providing users with the best content available, Samsung TV Plus is curating a variety of older, fan-favorite content and repackaging them on the platform, in addition to newer more trendy shows. This encourages users to rewatch their favorite programs — even ones they may have forgotten. This, in turn, helps content providers. “Over time, people easily and naturally forget content they enjoyed watching in the past,” said Jipyeong Cheon of CJ ENM. “Samsung TV Plus is helping people rediscover this nostalgia by offering older titles on the platform, helping them become popular again.” ▲ (From left) Jipyeong Cheon and Jiyeong Kim of Content Distribution Strategy at CJ ENM While platform and content partners benefit from Samsung TV Plus, consumers enjoy the greatest benefits. Users can watch a wide assortment of content for free, and Samsung TV Plus curates a personalized list of content based on unique user preferences, helping viewers find new titles to enjoy. To provide the best and most optimal service, Samsung is constantly working to enhance its offerings. “We are continuing to further diversify content and improve profitability for partners to deliver better experiences for our consumers,“ said Junga. Mutual Benefits for Continued Business Growth FAST has experienced incredible growth since its inception, but it is still unfamiliar to many consumers. To continue developing the FAST market, it is important to continue with long-term investments as well as garner relationships with viewers and partners. Samsung is reaching out to content providers to both enrich the user experience and further expand the market in Korea and beyond. In Korea, Samsung is also helping establish FAST as a major digital ad market. Boasting a variety of advanced features, including optimized content and advertising based on unique user preferences, Samsung TV Plus enables partners to directly reach and connect with consumers. In addition, as the platform is available in 24 countries, companies can utilize Samsung’s expansive international network to target new markets. Recognizing these benefits, CJ ENM chose to work with Samsung to break into the North American market. “During negotiations, we learn about our partners’ strengths first and suggest various channel strategies. Through our successes, we learned how to strengthen and benefit our partners as well,” said Junga. Media Outlook for the FAST Market The future of Samsung TV Plus is bright. Reports from Omdia and Blue Ant suggest that the number of monthly active users of Samsung TV Plus will increase to 58 million in 2027, driven by the rise in the popularity of smart TVs. To meet this demand and showcase diverse content on the platform, Samsung continues to add more content to give audience members something they’ll love watching. Recently, Samsung globally added FIFA+ on Samsung TV Plus to celebrate the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. ▲ To celebrate FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, Samsung globally added FIFA+ on Samsung TV Plus and expanded sports content. In line with constantly changing content consumption patterns and streaming environments, Samsung and CJ ENM are working to spearhead the FAST market not only in Korea but also in North America and beyond. And with more partners and projects in the works, Samsung TV Plus continues to grow as a platform. 1 CJ ENM is a leading entertainment company based in Korea. Since 1995, the company has engaged in a wide array of businesses across the industry spectrum including media content, music, film, performing arts, and animation, providing its top-notch original content to various media platforms. CJ ENM has created, produced and distributed globally acclaimed content including Oscar-winning film Parasite, Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots, record-breaking Korean box office hits Roaring Currents, Extreme Job, Ode to My Father, along with sought-after television series such as Mr. Sunshine, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Grandpas over Flowers, I Can See Your Voice and more. To offer the best K-Culture experiences worldwide, CJ ENM presents KCON, the world’s largest K-culture convention & festival celebrating Hallyu and Mnet ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS (MAMA), the world’s No.1 K-pop music awards. With regional offices in Asia, Europe and the U.S., CJ ENM currently employs over 3,600 people. For more information, please visit: http://www.cjenm.com. View the full article

Robin Spinks, Head of Inclusive Design at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), has dedicated his career to creating an inclusive environment. In this role, he not only represents the two million blind or partially sighted people in the U.K., but also advocates for the development of inclusive technology around the world. There are many nuances around technological inclusivity, from widespread misconceptions about disabilities to the unique needs of every individual. Through the partnership between Samsung and RNIB, Robin lends his perspective and expertise to help the two organizations navigate these complexities with the ultimate goal of creating “Screens for All.” Samsung Newsroom sat down with Robin to shed light on what today’s inclusive technology looks like, discuss his work with Samsung and get his perspective on what the future holds in the world of accessibility. ▲ Robin Spinks, Head of Inclusive Design at the Royal National Institute of Blind People Robin Spinks is Head of Inclusive Design at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), spearheading efforts in global digital service and product accessibility. Before joining RNIB, Robin spent five years in Africa working collaboratively with NGOs, overseas governments and a leading assistive technology company in the U.K. to create a bespoke affordable screen reading and magnification solution for low resource environments. Now at RNIB for nearly 15 years, he continues to advocate for inclusive technology. Assessing the Need for Accessible Technology Spinks and his team work to improve the design and usability of products and services to ensure they are accessible to all individuals, while reinforcing the organization’s commitment to improving usability and accessibility in every aspect of daily life. ▲ Robin Spinks, Head of Inclusive Design at RNIB (right) speaks with Richard Moreton, Samsung (left) Advocating for accessibility across such a diverse portfolio of products and services comes with unique difficulties, Spinks pointed out. “Some people will benefit from magnification, so enabling a zoom functionality on a portion of the screen, for example, will help optimize their viewing experience. Some may need assistance with edge detection or making the edges more discernible so they can follow the action on the screen,” says Spinks. Today’s technology is more integrated into our daily lives than ever before and there are countless possibilities to innovate around the user experience. Samsung and RNIB have embarked on this partnership together to shape the future of accessible viewing by creating uniquely powerful and accessible features that will innovate the viewing experience for all. ▲ “We’ve worked on everything from showers to bank machines, smart TVs to smartwatches, mobile phones to apps, digital services, eLearning and much more,” said Spinks Power of Partnership: Samsung and RNIB’s Joint Mission for Better Accessibility Traditional televisions can present challenges for those living with visual disabilities. Samsung and RNIB, however, have worked collaboratively to address this for nearly a decade, leveraging the power of technology to create a more inclusive viewing experience. RNIB is heavily involved in testing user accessibility features, leveraging community insights and pain points to drive innovation. Combined with Samsung’s technological prowess and leadership in the television industry, Samsung Smart TVs and screens continue to incorporate groundbreaking improvements in their accessibility features and functions. Born out of this partnership are some popular features like Relumino Mode.1 Relumino Mode is designed to help improve the viewing experience for those with low vision, making it possible for more people to engage with and enjoy their favorite content. By enhancing specific parts of videos — such as highlighting outlines and improving contrast, color and sharpness — it is easier to discern content on the screen and follow all the actions. This important feature is designed to be powerful and customizable, so that it can work as a solution for all. The collaborative efforts between Samsung and RNIB are making a real impact, and among the many companies RNIB works with, the partnership with Samsung stands out, according to Spinks. “Samsung is leading the pack when it comes to accessible television, not just here in the U.K. but around the world,” he said. “It’s been a brilliant thing to be part of that story and to continue to see it developing and evolving professionally and personally. It’s been genuinely gratifying to be a part of something so powerful.” ▲ Robin Spinks explores Relumino Mode on a Neo QLED TV Through the partnership, Samsung’s Smart TVs have earned RNIB’s “Tried and Tested” Certification, which is awarded to products based on their suitability for people who are blind or partially sighted. Not only does this certification help guide consumer purchasing decisions, but it also holds manufacturers accountable to design products with all users in mind. ▲ Samsung’s Relumino mode offers customization of intensity appropriate to various viewing conditions A Glimpse Into the Future of Accessible Tech Samsung’s cutting-edge Relumino Mode is transforming home entertainment, making it more inclusive and accessible for all. And in Spinks’ experience, reception to Relumino mode has been positive. So why not expand its reach? Spinks highlighted that there are two million people in the U.K. today with significant sight loss, and by 2050, that number is expected to double to four million — a considerable number of people who would benefit from an increase in accessible technology. “Think about all the devices that have a digital interface or screen. I think it would be interesting to look at those other devices, and other applications, where Relumino Mode could be useful.” ▲ A blurry vision goggle simulation of what Relumino Mode may look like to people with visual impairment Spinks suggested that this type of technology should be expanded to a range of products that consumers encounter on a daily basis. Using public kiosks to order food, purchasing a train ticket, signing in digitally at the doctor’s office, and everything in between should be an equitable and accessible experience for all. “Our quest really is to achieve a culture where there are no barriers for people with sight loss when they’re accessing the digital world,” he said. ▲ Samsung Relumino Mode’s technology highlights outline while improving contrast and color for enhanced clarity As we look to the future of accessible technology, he envisions a “dynamic mix of increased inbuilt mainstream technology” and more specialist support for specific use cases. He sees the need for accessibility to grow alongside operating systems. When asked what advice he would give to companies or designers looking to develop accessibility features, he said, “Above all, talk to users and listen to their stories. Actively listen and understand the barriers that they’re facing and if you can, use a bit of simulation that enables you to learn and understand that.” He went on to say, “One of the best things about investing in accessibility is that everybody benefits from the fruits of your labors.” ▲ “It’s not just about providing solutions. Make accessibility features interesting,” said Spinks. At the center of it all is a great user experience for everyone. “That’s the critical element and ultimately, that’s what it will be judged by — how easy and pleasing it is to use,” Spinks adds. “It’s about creating and co-creating thoughtful experiences that people don’t just find easy to use, but want to go back and use time and time again because they enjoy the experience.” Spinks noted that designers, manufacturers, and engineers alike must adopt a forward-thinking attitude towards improving the user experience, offering a roadmap for the future of inclusive technology. “People talk about technological progress, but from our point of view, it’s only progress if it’s equitable,” he said. “If technology is inherently visual, that’s then exclusive and people with a visual impairment find it harder to participate in to enjoy those technologies.” Samsung and RNIB understand that, particularly when it comes to televisions as accessibility features are designed to create more equitable and enjoyable experiences for all. “What’s especially impressive about Relumino Mode is it doesn’t visually disturb the picture to the point where non-visually impaired people would dislike watching,” Spinks said. “I can sit down with my family and for the first time actually enjoy watching the TV together.” The journey toward a completely accessible technological landscape is far from over, but with the combined efforts of committed advocates like Robin Spinks and innovators like Samsung, progress will be made. Samsung and RNIB share the perspective that advancements in accessible technology underline the essential truth: technology should, and must, be for everyone. To learn more about Samsung’s accessible technology, visit https://www.samsung.com/. For more information on the Royal National Institute of Blind People, visit https://www.rnib.org.uk/. 1 Relumino Mode targets those who suffer from severe visual acuity loss (Source: WHO, World report on vision, 2019) and symptoms of blurry vision. This feature is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease or medical problem. Any information found, acquired, or accessed through this feature is made available for your convenience and should not be treated as medical advice. Some features may be supported at a different time, and service availability may not be available at the time of purchase of this product. Relumino Mode is applied for TV models QN80C, QN90C, QN800C, QN900C and works on sources provided through DTV and HDMI only. The Mode does not work on other sources, OTTs, etc. View the full article

Samsung Electronics today announced it is welcoming 12 of Salvador Dalí’s most striking masterpieces to Samsung Art Store1 in partnership with the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, the private cultural institution founded by the painter himself with the mission of promoting his artistic, cultural and intellectual works in Spain and abroad. Salvador Dalí is globally recognized for his surrealist style characterized by dreamlike imagery, mind-bending illusions and meticulous attention to detail, which made him one of the most enduring and enigmatic artists of the last 100 years. With paintings that invite the viewer to step closer and examine unexpected interplay between the bizarre and mundane, Dalí has been captivating audiences since his first work was displayed in Barcelona, Spain in 1925. “This partnership with Samsung gives the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí a global stage for sharing Dalí’s dynamic masterpieces and legacy with an entirely new, digitally native generation,” said Andrea Fisher-Scherer, Managing Director of Merchandise Licensing at Artists Rights Society, the organization that helped secure an agreement between Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí and Samsung. “These pieces, selected especially in partnership with Samsung Art Store, allow us to show off Dalí’s most striking masterpieces and the stunning display The Frame is capable of.” The featured works — including some of the artist’s most notable pieces like “The Persistence of Memory” (1931), “The Temptation of St. Anthony” (1946) and “Swans Reflecting Elephants” (1937) — have been curated by Samsung and sourced from the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí as well as other leading global institutions and private collections. Dalí, born in the Catalonian town of Figueres in northeast Spain spent much of his life in that region, creating groundbreaking artworks which would go on to inspire artists and viewers alike for generations. But Dalí always aspired to share his artistic vision with a much wider audience, bringing his striking, surrealist paintings to exhibitions in Paris, London and New York — and simultaneously seeking creative inspiration and collaboration with world-renowned artists and intellectuals of his time including Coco Chanel, Sigmund Freud and Pablo Picasso, among others. In honor of Dalí’s international legacy and the high demand for Dalí artworks on the Samsung Art Store, Samsung recognized the importance of securing this all-important partnership for lovers of art across the globe. Similarly, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí is expanding how they can provide instant, digital access to some of Dalí’s most artistically significant artworks to millions with this special partnership. “Samsung Art Store connects millions of The Frame owners with world-renowned art from hundreds of museums, institutions and private collections across the world, and we’re thrilled to partner with Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí to bring the platform’s most searched-for and requested artist to Samsung Art Store,” said Daria Greene, Global Curator at Samsung Art Store. “These artworks from Dalí’s incredible catalog are as unique and visually arresting today as they were the day they were painted, and we’re so delighted to be giving them a digital platform for new audiences who can enjoy them outside of a museum and right from a home.” “One of his greatest desires was to be known and that his art arrived to a wider audience,” said Clàudia Galli, Art Historian at Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí. “Dalí would be really impressed to be in people’s homes.” Alongside these new pieces from Dalí, viewers can explore thousands of additional artworks from masters such as Claude Monet, Johannes Vermeer and Julia Contacessi in the Samsung Art Store, available for instant display on The Frame. Additionally, Samsung Art Store features art from major global institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the National Gallery Singapore, the Belvedere Museum in Vienna, the Prado Museum in Madrid and the Berlin State Museums. To honor Dalí’s arrival on the Art Store, a short documentary celebrating his life and work will be launched on August 8 as part of Samsung’s “Meet the Artist” video series. Watch the full “Meet the Artist: Salvador Dalí” documentary here. 1 A single user subscription for Art Store costs $4.99/month or $49.99/year. View the full article

Samsung Electronics today announced that FIFA+ is the latest global addition to the list of channels on Samsung TV Plus,1 its free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service. This new addition forms part of the continued growth of Samsung’s sports offerings available to its users. The free FIFA+ channel on Samsung TV Plus2 will feature FIFA+’s rich collection of Originals, the Archive and highlights from the Men’s and Women’s game. Additionally, users in Brazil and Italy can access full live matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Samsung TV Plus. The tech tie-up builds upon the existing sports content available on Samsung TVs, which includes the DAZN Tizen app, DAZN FAST+ (Austria and Germany), the DAZN Women’s Football Channel (Australia and New Zealand), the Tennis Channel (Austria, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the U.K.), DraftKings Network (the U.S.), CBS Sports HQ (the U.S.) and other channels on Samsung TV Plus. Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s free, go-to source for entertainment and sports that delivers thousands of TV shows, movies and sporting events to millions of Samsung Smart TVs, Galaxy devices, and in several markets select Family Hub refrigerators and the web. “Samsung is delighted to be adding the FIFA+ channel to Samsung TV Plus, thereby expanding the roster of sports content available on Samsung TVs and Galaxy devices,” commented Richard Jakeman, Head of Business Development at Samsung Electronics Europe. “Launching globally with a rich lineup of curated FIFA+ content will add incredible value to our customers, and with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 continuing, they’ll also be able to experience content that marks the next exciting chapter in the Women’s game.” The announcement comes as the highly anticipated Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand continues apace. FIFA+ will offer customers access to thousands of hours of content about football’s greatest stories. The channel’s Originals are full-length documentaries, docuseries and shorts, delivering global storytelling around the Men’s and Women’s game. They include “The Happiest Man in the World” (the genius, maverick, mentor and rebel that is Ronaldinho), “Croatia: Defining a Nation” (the story of how a group of footballers defined a new nation through football) and “Bravas de Juárez” (the inspiring sacrifices behind the dream of a Latin American women’s football team), among countless others — in both long- and short-form. The Archive, meanwhile, will become home to every FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup match ever recorded on camera. In addition to full match replays, editorial style programming will also be available, including tournament match highlights, goal packages, team-focused programming and dedicated player profiles. “Collaborations like this are helping us transform the face of FAST,” said Alex Hole, VP & GM of Samsung Electronics Europe. “With the inclusion of live content from major sporting events, our TVs are turning into hubs of premium sports content, redefining our understanding of what FAST can offer.” About Samsung TV Plus Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) and video-on-demand service which offers nearly 2,000 channels globally as well as thousands of shows and movies on-demand spanning news, sports, entertainment, auto, design and more. One of the first FAST platforms from a device manufacturer, Samsung TV Plus is directly integrated into all 2016-2023 Samsung TVs, available on Samsung Galaxy mobile devices and completely free without any subscription or login required on the web. It is also available on Samsung Family Hub refrigerators in the United States. 1 Samsung TV Plus is a free, go-to source for entertainment and sports, available to Samsung Smart TV, Mobile and Tablet customers. Samsung TV models manufactured after 2016 and mobile devices with access to Android 8.0 or higher will have Samsung TV Plus already built in. If your device is compatible, you will be able to download it directly from the Galaxy and Google Play stores. Samsung TV Plus is available on select Samsung refrigerators and the web only in the U.S. 2 Samsung TV Plus is only available in South Korea, the U.K., Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Brazil and Mexico. The mobile app is only available in South Korea, the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria and India. View the full article

Samsung Art Store continues to draw the attention of art enthusiasts worldwide, offering an expansive collection of impressive artwork and photos directly to their homes. Among the many distinguished artists featured on the platform, Wolf Ademeit has earned a special place in the hearts of Art Store visitors for his renowned black-and-white animal photos. Since partnering with Samsung Art Store in 2017, Ademeit has quickly become one of the platform’s most beloved photographers. Samsung Newsroom sat down with Ademeit to discuss the photographer’s distinct approach to animal photography, his commitment to authenticity and creativity and his collaboration with Samsung Art Store. ▲ Wolf Ademeit Behind the Lens: An Exploration of Wolf Ademeit’s Approach to Animal Photography Q: What attracted you to photography? Give us a brief overview of your journey as an artist. I came across photography as a child. I started by capturing my friends with my dad’s 6×6 camera. During lithography training, I worked with professional photographers and discovered monochrome photography – perhaps, this experience inspired me to pursue black-and-white photography. My artistic style hasn’t changed much throughout my career. The biggest evolution has been that I have started to take color photos for my “Art of Animals” series since I realized color is fundamental to fully capturing some animals. Q: What influenced your interest in animal photography? What messages or emotions do you look to convey? While my background is in portraits, I decided to visit a zoo when I was testing my 500mm lens. As I walked in, I saw a calendar that didn’t photograph the animals in the most favorable way. That’s when the concept for my “Art of Animals” series was born – frankly, to publish a calendar of my own to do justice for those animals! My goal was to photograph zoo animals in an artistic way to highlight their elegance and beauty. Q: How do you determine which animals to photograph? That’s more by chance. My pictures are not meant to be a documentary of these creatures. Instead, they demonstrate the animals artistically as individual creatures or species. It’s important for me to capture their beauty, elegance and emotions. I mostly look for dynamic animals before deciding whether the photo could be compelling, considering lighting, perspective and background. For example, when I photograph predatory cats such as cheetahs, I pay close attention to the setting because a chaotic background may camouflage the subject. ▲ Splash Q: Are there any memorable experiences from your photography sessions? I had a near-death experience with “Splash” when I attempted to photograph a polar bear shaking his fur dry when he got out of the water in his enclosure. Without thinking twice, I climbed a small wall behind me to get a better view. Unfortunately, the safety glass was slippery, so I lost balance because of my heavy backpack and fell about five meters down a staircase that led to the basin where the polar bears were. Thankfully, I was able to hold onto some branches just in time, and the photo turned out as I had hoped. Photography in the Digital Age: Wolf Ademeit’s Collaboration With Samsung Art Store Q: As a long-term partner of Samsung Art Store, can you please tell us how this partnership has influenced or expanded your work and exposure? The collaboration with Samsung Art Store was very professional from the beginning. I was pleased to see my photos from the “Art of Animals” series showcased on The Frame – which boosted my visibility and led to a considerable increase in the number of Art Store users. As a photographer, I naturally want to present my work to a wider audience. With The Frame and Samsung Art Store, viewers can easily access high-quality art at home. There is a big difference between viewing a photo on a giant TV screen instead of on a desk monitor. The Frame’s matte display reduces reflections, delivering a more immersive experience for viewers just like real paper prints in a gallery. Furthermore, most printing services only offer color options, resulting in black-and-white prints with color cast or gray-white prints with too little contrast. That’s why I produce my own photos exclusively on real, chemically-developed Ilford photo paper – or use The Frame, which is just as reliable. ▲ Cheetah Q: Among your artwork, “Cheetah” is particularly popular in the Art Store. Could you explain the inspiration behind this photo and why you think it resonates with viewers? Animals cannot be directed. You can only hope that a situation unfolds as desired. In this picture, something nearby caught the cheetah’s attention. He jumped on the tree trunk and immediately went into hunting mode. “Cheetah” portrays both the tension and desire as well as the beauty and grace of predatory cat species. The cheetah’s expression is authentic and wonderfully visible. Q: Out of all your photos in the Art Store, which three pieces best convey the characteristics of the subjects on The Frame? Please provide a brief explanation for each piece. For artists, each piece of artwork is meaningful. “Bow,” “Three Wolves” and “True Love” are my favorite photos because high-quality monochrome images are difficult to find these days. ▲ Bow “Bow” is one of my most beautiful photos. I like the graphic layout and the portrayal of the giraffe’s distinctive long neck. I saw the piece displayed on The Frame at a friend’s house a while ago, and it blew me away. An Ilford photo print the size of The Frame would probably be more expensive than the Frame itself. ▲ Three Wolves “Three Wolves” is an action shot of three wolves. Only the wolf in front paused for me, but with a little luck, I caught all three at just the right moment. On The Frame, grayscale tones are displayed optimally and appear color neutral. Most reproductions on color printers fail to depict these hues as accurately. ▲ True Love For “True Love,” I had to push my camera to its limit. While the elephants in motion made the shot difficult to capture, the intimate scene and playful touch between the two elephants convinced me to include it on the Art Store. Exploring Creativity and Authenticity in Ademeit’s Photography Q: Your portraits of animals offer a glimpse into the emotions and personalities of these creatures. How do you capture their subtle characteristics and emotions? Photographing animals requires patience and concentration while the animals work their way into the positions I’m envisioning. Unlike human models, you cannot move or instruct the creatures. I have to be ready to capture them at a moment’s notice since they won’t stay in the same location. For “Vortex,” I visited the zoo repeatedly for many months until the zebra laid down in the exact position I wanted. ▲ Vortex Time and perseverance allow me to capture each creature’s raw emotions. Animals show their feelings just like humans – but often, their expressions are much more unfiltered than ours. In some ways, I photograph animal portraits as I would human portraits. Q: How have technological developments altered the way people engage with art? Technology is rapidly changing how we view artwork. Photographers are constantly challenged to upgrade equipment, which may improve the technical quality but not the artistry of photos. Many of my Art Store pieces were taken with cameras that are rather outdated compared to current models. Today’s technological advancements allow anyone to take an aesthetic photo using a camera or mobile phone. Q: Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for aspiring photographers who admire your work? Personally, I look for a background in which the animal in the foreground will stand out. Then, I imagine what will happen next. For example, when the animal is lying down, I try to guess what direction it will move. I have conducted several workshops on zoo photography – some of them for beginners using simple equipment. With a little guidance, these photographers took very good shots. In the end, it’s not the technique, but the creativity that makes the difference. Wolf Ademeit’s photography will be featured in the August collection, “Top Ten Photographers,” on Samsung Art Store in celebration of Photography month. Visit Samsung Art Store in The Frame to see more of Ademeit’s stunning pieces. View the full article

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Samsung Electronics is proud to share that its Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SC) has been recognized as a leading gaming monitor in the market by top industry media outlets. Since launching in June of this year, the Odyssey OLED G9 has received a multitude of accolades — Editors’ Choice, Recommended and Top Pick 2023 — for its distinguished features and immersive gaming experiences. ▲ Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 has been recognized by a number of top industry media outlets The Odyssey OLED G9 is the first OLED monitor to offer Dual Quad High Definition (DQHD; 5,120 x 1,440) resolution with a 32:9 ratio. The high pixel density (110PPI) displays more detailed game content. With the large and widescreen ratio, users lose themselves in the super-ultrawide view — equivalent to two QHD screens side by side. Additionally, its rapid 0.03ms gray-to-gray (GtG) response time and 240Hz refresh rate offer players a competitive edge. ▼ List of Featured Articles (In alphabetical order for each segment) Reviewed.com Stuff Techaeris T3 Reviewed.com described the Odyssey OLED G9 as a “luxurious gaming monitor with lavish color, and the best gaming monitor we’ve tested to date.” As a result, the Odyssey OLED G9 received the site’s highly coveted Editors’ Choice award. The article highlighted the Odyssey OLED G9’s crisp motion clarity, luxurious design and useful built-in smart TV features. Furthermore, Reviewed.com emphasized: “Gamers will easily fall in love with the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9. It has the color and contrast needed to deliver a sense of realism and depth, the sharpness required to provide detail and the fast motion clarity for fluid and responsive gameplay.” The Odyssey OLED G9 also received a five-star review from Stuff, as “a vast, gorgeous OLED screen with jaw-dropping performance to match” and “one of the best gaming monitors around right now.” While reviewing the monitor, Stuff focused on how the features of the Odyssey OLED G9 are an “absolute joy to experience,” concluding it is “easily one of the best, most spec-packed monitors ever made.” Additionally, Techaeris named the Odyssey OLED G9 as a recipient of its illustrious Editor’s Choice and Top Pick 2023 awards. Since the product features an impressive OLED display, color, contrast, 240Hz refresh rate and has received many 10/10 ratings, Techaeris explained: “The G95SC provides that immersive and enveloping experience that every avid gamer is after. If you have the itch to buy a DQHD gaming monitor, the G95SC will scratch it, unquestionably.” T3 shared that the Odyssey OLED G9 “brings a new level of immersion” and provides a “truly top-tier” and “untouchable” visual experience. The review team was so impressed with the monitor, they awarded it a five-star review and gave it the T3 Platinum Award score. T3 stated that the Odyssey OLED G9 is “a stunning monitor that gamers will love.” ▲ e-Sports star Faker, of T1, sits by a Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 The Odyssey OLED G9 is gaining popularity in countries around the world. In North America, 1,800 units were initially produced with the prepared stock selling out in less than two weeks while 700 units were sold in Europe. In Korea, the 100 available units were sold out in an hour, demonstrating the monitor’s market popularity. Based on the first quarter of 2023, Samsung Electronics maintains a 23% global market share in gaming monitors with a refresh rate of 100Hz or higher, retaining its lead for the fifth consecutive year. “We are honored to have the Odyssey OLED G9 be recognized by leading industry reviewers,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “When we released the Odyssey OLED G9 initially, we knew it would raise the bar for all OLED monitors. We envisioned a device only Samsung could deliver, that offered unrivaled picture quality and innovative gaming features. It brings us great joy to see that we have exceeded gamers’ long-desired wishes with exactly that.” View the full article