Samsung Enhances Connectivity by Strengthening Platforms

Samsung Electronics held the Samsung Developer Conference 2021 online on Oct. 26 (U.S. local time). The Korean tech giant announced that it will strengthen platforms such as Bixby (artificial intelligence platform), SmartThings (the internet of things), and Knox (security platform) to improve connected experiences.

Samsung Electronics plans to improve the performance of Bixby, which is applied to more than 300 million units of Samsung devices. Bixby elevated its response speed by up to 35 percent by executing commands on devices themselves with on-device artificial intelligence (AI) of the latest smartphone models. The company will also further expand SmartThings connectivity and compatible devices. It plans to install SmartThings Hub software on products such as TVs and family hub refrigerators so that they can be directly connected to other devices.

Samsung Electronics then introduced the “Bixby Home Platform, which serves as an intelligent layer between Bixby’s natural language processing and SmartThings. The Bixby Home Platform executes voice commands in consideration of the current status of connected products. When a user say, “Play the movie, please,” for example, it will turn on SmartThings-linked home devices such as TVs, lighting instruments, sound bars so they will offer more convenient smart home experiences.

Samsung Electronics also introduced Knox, which is installed in more than 100 million Samsung devices, and explained that the latest security solution, Samsung Knox Vault, which was introduced in 2021, performs stronger security functions by combining hardware and software.

Apart from platform innovations, it has unveiled new functions of TVs and mobile devices such as expanding its own operating system, Tizen-based screen experiences and a bigger Galaxy ecosystem.

TV video calls will be able to offer functions that focus on or expand those who receive calls through cooperation with Google. In the service of Samsung Health for TVs, a smart trainer analyzes a user’s exercise and provides real-time feedback when a TV is connected to a webcam or mobile device.

Samsung Electronics also introduced Business Tizen, a B2B service. With this service, companies and institutions can conveniently manage a variety of displays ranging from the school’s electronic blackboards and shopping mall kiosks to the screens of subways and airports.

In the mobile field, One UI 4, the latest user experience (UX) for Galaxy mobile devices, was introduced. One UI 4 provides users with new customized functions and allows users to manage their data by adjusting their information usage rights.