Samsung Electronics Hosts Developer Festival 'SDC' in the US... "Providing Evolved Solutions"

Samsung Electronics announced that it held the 'Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) 2023' on the 5th (local time) at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, USA.

SDC, which began in 2013, is now in its ninth year as a festival for developers. It is a global event that shares Samsung Electronics' vision and innovations in software, services, and platforms. Approximately 3,000 developers, partners, and media from around the world attended the event, and key programs such as the keynote speech were broadcast live online.

On the 5th (local time), Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and Head of Samsung Electronics' DX Division, delivered the keynote speech at the 'Samsung Developer Conference 2023' held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, USA.
[Photo by Samsung Electronics]

Following last year's emphasis on 'Calm Technology,' Samsung Electronics introduced this year plans to strengthen its ecosystem to deliver safer, healthier, more sustainable, and enjoyable customer experiences alongside related technological innovations.

Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and Head of Samsung Electronics' DX Division, stated in his keynote speech, "The number of Samsung Electronics products sold annually exceeds 500 million units, and over 600 million customers use Samsung accounts each year." He added, "Samsung Electronics will fulfill its responsibility to provide more advanced solutions to all customers using its products and services." He also said, "Samsung's technological innovations connect countless customers with products and services, and we look forward to active participation from global developers and partners on this journey of innovation." In particular, he emphasized, "Samsung will create a brighter future together through collaboration with developers." Furthermore, Vice Chairman Han highlighted that sustainability and security are fundamental to evolving customer experiences through technological and service innovations, stressing the importance of sustainability based on software innovations such as energy saving and enhanced accessibility.

During the approximately one-hour keynote speech, Samsung Electronics broadly introduced innovations in common platforms such as SmartThings, Bixby, Samsung Knox, and Tizen that provide optimized connected experiences for individual users; expanded product experiences through smart TVs, home appliances, and Galaxy smartphones; and plans to strengthen health experiences focusing on sleep, health, and food. Collaboration plans with developers and partners were also presented.

'SmartThings' Evolving as a Daily Companion

Samsung Electronics has been committed to providing integrated connected experiences to improve quality of life throughout customers' daily lives. This year, it emphasized openness and ecosystem expansion to realize a more advanced smart home experience. Last year, SmartThings adopted the Matter standard technology for the Internet of Things (IoT), and this year it applied the Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA). Through this, approximately 290 million SmartThings users have been able to connect not only Samsung Electronics' products and services but also products from other brands.

At the event, Samsung Electronics unveiled the 'Matter-supported Manufacturer SDK (Software Developer Kit)' to expand SmartThings customer experiences. It also announced support for the 'SmartThings Home API (Application Programming Interface),' which facilitates the creation of SmartThings-based apps, receiving enthusiastic responses from attendees.

Samsung Electronics also revealed its 'Hub Everywhere' strategy. It plans to increase devices equipped with IoT hubs and introduced 'Multi Hub Network' technology, where each hub interconnects to form a stronger and more stable network. Additionally, to activate smart homes, it plans to provide 'Smart Home Integrated Management and Control Solutions' to housing construction and rental companies. Furthermore, it released the 'SmartThings Find' SDK, which supports finding lost items, and introduced various ideas for its utilization. Notably, the newly launched 'SmartTag2' supports recording pet walks through the 'SmartThings Pet Care' walk mode.

Meanwhile, on the keynote stage, Cathy You, Global Head of Business at Aqara, an IoT device specialist company, appeared. She introduced scenarios for building intuitive and accessible smart homes by linking Aqara's sensors and controllers with SmartThings.

'Bixby' is Evolving... Providing Personalized Experiences with Simple Commands

'Bixby,' Samsung Electronics' voice support interface optimized for controlling Samsung devices, is enhancing the completeness of customer connected experiences in conjunction with SmartThings.

Even if multiple connected devices in one space simultaneously hear a user's command, Bixby considers the context of the utterance and device status to ensure that only one device executes the correct command. For example, if a tablet alarm sounds while watching a movie on the TV, saying "Hi Bixby, stop" will cause both devices to respond to the voice, but Bixby will turn off only the tablet alarm without stopping the TV playback, according to the user's intent.

Moreover, the control functions for Matter- and HCA-linked devices applied to Bixby will be further improved next year to elevate the multi-device connected experience to a new level. In the future, Bixby will evolve to broadly understand users' languages and optimize for their intent and usage environment, enabling personalized experiences with simple commands.

'Samsung Knox' Providing Strong Security in the Hyperconnected Era

Samsung Electronics presented a vision to provide stronger security features on more Samsung devices in the hyperconnected era. The hardware-based security solution 'Samsung Knox Vault,' previously applied only to flagship mobile products such as Galaxy S and Z series, will be expanded to various products including the Galaxy A series and smart TVs starting next year. Samsung Knox Vault protects the most critical data within devices, such as fingerprints, PINs, and patterns.

Additionally, as an update to Samsung Knox Matrix, Samsung Electronics introduced a new 'Credential Sync' feature that synchronizes user information and provides a more convenient login process across new Samsung devices. This feature securely synchronizes user information among devices such as Galaxy smartphones, TVs, and Family Hub refrigerators, enabling easy and fast login. 'Credential Sync' will be launched within the year through the Galaxy smartphone UX 'One UI 6' update and will be sequentially applied to TVs, Family Hub refrigerators, and others.

One UI 6 supports encryption (E2EE, End-to-End Encryption) technology during data backup and restoration via Samsung Cloud. As a result, backed-up data can only be encrypted or decrypted on the user's device, ensuring that even if servers are hacked or user account information is leaked, no one other than the user can access the data.

Through the One UI 6 update, Samsung Electronics will newly introduce 'Passkey' to the existing 'Samsung Pass.' This allows users to log in easily and securely with registered fingerprints on Samsung Pass without passwords. Meanwhile, One UI 6 enhances visibility with new fonts and strengthens user customization features by redesigning the Quick Panel.

Expansion of AI and 'Tizen'-Applied Products... Providing Smart and Personalized Home Services

Samsung Tizen, first unveiled in 2012, has been embedded in over 350 million Samsung devices including TVs, monitors, signage, and home appliances over the past decade, contributing to functional advancements. Samsung Electronics announced plans to install Tizen in more products such as washing machines and ovens and to provide smarter and more personalized home services through 'On-device AI' and 'Home AI Edge Hub' technologies.

On-device AI performs artificial intelligence functions within the product itself without storing user information in the cloud, allowing users to enjoy smart features more securely. The Home AI Edge Hub technology enables devices capable of AI functions to assist other devices without AI capabilities in performing functions such as voice recognition and food recognition.

Starting this year, Samsung Electronics plans to strengthen the related ecosystem by supporting 'RISC-V,' an open semiconductor architecture that helps expand Application Processor (AP) functions in a customized way, and 'Rust,' a new programming language that enhances program memory safety, on Tizen.

Furthermore, Samsung Electronics stated at the event that it will expand customer experiences beyond simple device connections by connecting people through various Tizen-based screen products.

First, the 'Samsung Gaming Hub,' previously available only on 2022-2023 Samsung Smart TVs and Smart Monitors, will be supported on various screens such as The Freestyle 2nd generation and Odyssey OLED G9. Samsung Gaming Hub is a service developed in collaboration with major game companies like Xbox and NVIDIA, offering immersive gaming experiences through features such as support for various gaming pads, AI image upscaling, and HDR10+ support. Currently, gamers in 11 countries including the United States and Canada use the service, which offers about 3,000 cloud games.

Samsung Electronics also introduced the 'ConnecTime' app, which enables video calls using 2023 Smart TVs and webcams, and the 'Chat Together' feature, allowing users to watch TV programs, movies, and sports games together with distant acquaintances while chatting.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics announced that its channel-based free video service 'Samsung TV Plus' is available on approximately 520 million devices worldwide. It emphasized that various content partners from 24 countries participate, contributing to the expansion of customer experiences.

Implementing 'Connected Health Care' Linking Users, Devices, and Services

At the event, Samsung Electronics presented health solutions that connect users, devices, and services to care for individual and family health centered around the home, encouraging participation from developers and partners. The goal is to provide optimal digital health experiences by comprehensively reflecting various key health factors such as sleep habits, exercise, activity status, food intake, and stress.

Samsung Electronics introduced expanded health experiences connecting various devices and services, including personalized sleep environment creation linked with Galaxy Watch and various home appliances; fitness and meditation services connected with TVs and Samsung Health; and integration with SmartThings Cooking. It also expressed ambitions to expand the health ecosystem through collaboration with medical institutions, developers, and other partners.

Samsung Electronics introduced the 'Samsung Privileged Health SDK,' which allows developers and partners to develop various digital health solutions using the 'Samsung BioActive Sensor.' It also officially launched the 'Samsung Health Stack' for clinical research support, first unveiled last year, in the first half of this year, reaffirming its commitment to cooperation with developers and partners.

Samsung Electronics also shared research plans linked with Galaxy Watch in collaboration with universities, research institutions, and hospitals recognized for achievements in the health field. These include personalized solutions for improving user sleep with the MIT Media Lab; development of individual resilience and vulnerability indices for health management with Brigham & Women’s Hospital; early detection algorithms for cardiovascular diseases with Tulane University; and various collaborative studies on heart, sleep, and mental health monitoring with Samsung Medical Center, aiming to develop new technologies and strengthen the digital healthcare ecosystem.

At the event, Professor Pattie Maes of the MIT Media Lab took the stage to introduce the 'Sleep Health Research' in collaboration with Samsung Electronics and presented research plans to improve sleep health and provide personalized solutions through Samsung's wearable devices.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics introduced plans to provide a consistent food experience across all Samsung devices based on the newly launched Samsung Food service this year. It introduced 'Food AI' and 'Vision AI' technologies for personalized food experiences; a 'Creator' program that supports easy sharing and utilization of favorite recipes; and features such as grocery shopping via apps, automated cooking settings, and personalized recipe recommendations linked with Samsung Health.

Additionally, Samsung Electronics set up a separate C-Lab exhibition hall at this SDC to showcase startups nurtured by Samsung. This is the first time C-Lab startups have participated in SDC, aiming to support their overseas expansion and explore various collaboration opportunities. The startups participating in SDC include two companies spun off from the in-house venture program 'C-Lab Inside': 'TAGHIVE,' which provides IoT-based interactive class solutions, and 'WELT,' which develops digital therapeutics based on cognitive behavioral therapy; as well as four companies supported by the external startup nurturing program 'C-Lab Outside': 'Dr.Tail,' offering remote veterinary consultation services; 'CLIKA,' developing automatic compression conversion solutions for large-scale AI models; 'VESSL AI,' developing machine learning operations platforms; and 'SELECTSTAR' (U.S. subsidiary named Datumo), developing AI-based data platforms. These companies showcase innovative technologies in AI, healthcare, and edutech.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.