Samsung IFA 2018 announcements

Samsung IFA 2018 announcements give hope that connected living will be easier and more accessible. Samsung focused on a growing ecosystem of smart AI IoT products that seamlessly combine in a smart home.

Note that not all products will be available in Australia.

“Samsung is uniquely positioned to provide consumers with a full range of cutting-edge AI and IoT products and services. These focus on our wide-ranging portfolio of TVs, displays, audio, home appliances and of course mobile devices,” said HS Kim, President and CEO of Consumer Electronics Division, Samsung Electronics.

“We are striving to shape a new era of connected living, where our products and services seamlessly interact with one another to make our consumers’ lives richer, smarter and more entertaining.”

Samsung IFA 2018 announcements – The future

Samsung is at the forefront of unlocking the power of AI and 5G for consumers. Recently it has made multi-billion-dollar investments to ensure the continued integration of advancements across hardware, software and services.

By 2020, Samsung expects about 1,000 renowned AI researchers to be working in its AI research facilities.

A next-generation network infrastructure is a pre-requisite for the next era of connected living. Samsung is actively spearheading the rollout of next-generation networks. Later this year it anticipates the introduction of the world’s first 5G-powered gigabit home broadband service (5G Fixed Wireless Access) in the U.S.

Smart Homes need smart appliances

The Family Hub refrigerator has a large control panel touchscreen. It can also control connected devices. With Bixby and Voice ID, users can instantly receive personalised information they need. Family Hub’s Meal Planner helps consumers plan meals by recommending the recipes that suit them best. GadgetGuy’s overview is here.

Dual Cook Flex has a flexible door and dual-cook function. With the Cooking Guide, consumers can also receive recommendations on which oven to use based on the food ingredients and the type of cooking.

Quick Drive can wash clothes in half the time without compromising on washing performance. Its AI-powered laundry care Q-rator system serves as a personalised and intelligent assistant. Laundry Planner minimises time wasted on washing clothes by allowing users to start and stop laundry according to their schedule. GadgetGuy’s report is here.

The next frontier of picture quality with 8K resolution

The Q900R QLED 8K, complete with 8K AI Upscaling is available in four ultra-large screen sizes (65”, 75”, 82” and 85”). GadgetGuy has reported on this here.

Samsung also announced The Wall, a cutting-edge Micro LED screen designed for enterprise use. It uses self-emitting display technology and a modular design. The Wall is fully-customizable to give users the freedom to decide how to incorporate the display in their space.

Samsung introduced a new 49” version of The Frame. It gives access to specially-curated works of art for display on the screen. The Frame’s Art Store continues to expand, with more than 850 works of art from some of the world’s most renowned art institutions, including the Berlin State Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Tate.

Sound quality continues to remain a top priority, with the introduction of the HW-N950 and HW-N850 premium soundbars from Samsung and Harman Kardon. Both soundbars support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to create an incredibly immersive sound environment. GadgetGuy’s report is here.

Next-generation mobile experiences – Note 9 and DeX

Building on its premium professional credentials, the Galaxy Note9 is compatible with Samsung DeX. It delivers a PC-like experience. By simply connecting a single HDMI adaptor to a screen, the phone can power a virtualised desktop or serve as a fully-functional second screen. GadgetGuy’s first look at the Note9 is here ad DeX is here.

Also showcased at IFA is the new Galaxy Watch, which blends the look of a traditional watch with smart technology. Galaxy Watch’s improved battery life of up to 80+ hours eliminates the need for daily charging. With the addition of LTE connectivity, users of the Galaxy Watch can now also stay connected without being tethered to a smartphone. GadgetGuy’s first look is here.