Samsung Electronics Announces First Quarter 2019 Results

Samsung Electronics posted KRW 52.4 trillion in consolidated quarterly revenue and KRW 6.2 trillion in quarterly operating profit.

 

First quarter earnings were weighed down by the weakness in memory chips and displays, although the newly launched Galaxy S10 smartphone logged solid sales.

 

The Semiconductor Business saw a drop in memory chip prices as inventory adjustments continued at datacenter companies, while demand for high-density memory for mobile phones increased thanks to new flagship smartphones. Earnings improved at the System LSI and Foundry businesses over the sales of smartphone application processors (APs).

 

The Display Panel Business reported a quarterly loss due to decreased demand for flexible displays and increasing market supplies for large displays.

 

In the IT & Mobile Communications (IM) Division, despite solid sales of the Galaxy S10, profitability in the mobile business declined YoY as competition intensified in the low- to mid-range segment. In addition, amid softer demand in the overall smartphone market, revamping of the Company’s mass-market lineup led to a YOY decrease in sales volume.

 

Earnings from the Network Business increased, buoyed by the launch of 5G telecommunication service in Korea. Sales of premium TVs such as QLED TVs and ultra-large size models contributed to the YOY earnings growth in the Consumer Electronics (CE) Division.

 

Looking ahead to the second quarter, Samsung expects limited improvement in the memory chip market, as demand will likely begin to improve for major applications such as mobile products but price declines will likely continue.

 

Demand is seen increasing for APs and CMOS Image Sensors in the System LSI and Foundry businesses. For Displays, Samsung expects higher demand for rigid panels.

 

The IM Division is set to focus on flagship products such as the world’s first 5G smartphone and the enhanced mass-market lineup with innovative cameras and display features. The CE Division is likely to report growth in the second quarter on strong seasonal demand for air conditioners and sales of new premium TVs.

 

For the second half of 2019, the Company expects memory chip demand for high-density products to increase, but uncertainties in the external environment will persist. A further recovery is seen for the Display Business as demand for flexible screens is set to rise on new smartphone launches.

 

Growing competition in the mature TV and smartphone markets is expected to pose a challenge in the second half, and Samsung will focus on strengthening its leadership in the premium segment.

 

Over the mid- to long-term, the Company aims to strengthen competitiveness of key businesses by diversifying applications and delivering innovations in components and new device form factors. Samsung will also continue to expand its capabilities in automotive technology, leveraging HARMAN’s solutions, and in artificial intelligence.

 

In the first quarter, Samsung Electronics’ capital expenditure totaled KRW 4.5 trillion, including KRW 3.6 trillion spent on semiconductors and KRW 0.3 trillion on displays.

 

 

Semiconductor Sees 2H Demand Improvement Despite Uncertainties

The Semiconductor Business posted consolidated revenue of KRW 14.47 trillion and operating profit of KRW 4.12 trillion for the quarter.

 

Overall, the Memory Business saw demand for NAND and DRAM steadily weaken amid macroeconomic uncertainties, weak seasonality and inventory adjustments by datacenter firms. This weakness was partially offset by increased adoption of high-density memory products for mobile and launches of flagship smartphones.

 

In the second quarter, the overall memory market is likely to remain slow during weak seasonality, although the Company expects demand for some applications to gradually improve.

 

For NAND, demand for high-density server SSD such as All-Flash-Array is expected to increase, while launches of high-end smartphones with 256GB and higher storage will likely keep demand stable in the second quarter. For the second half, NAND demand is expected to grow across key applications as prices soften. Samsung will seek to actively generate new demand while responding to customer demand for high-density memory, and also strengthen cost competitiveness by expanding supply of 5th generation V-NAND.

 

For DRAM, server demand will likely improve among datacenter companies with lower inventory levels, starting from the end of the second quarter. PC demand is seen increasing, while high-density adoption in new smartphone models is set to help demand for mobile DRAM. The Company plans to actively address demand for differentiated high-end products, such as LPDDR4X for mobile devices, while also focusing on the transition to 1Y-nm in major applications.

 

As for the second half, DRAM demand is expected to rise thanks to seasonal effects despite lingering uncertainties. Also, demand for high-density products for server and mobile products is likely to be solid due to expanded adoption of new CPUs in servers and the trend toward high-density in mobile. Samsung plans to flexibly manage its capacity and strengthen competitiveness by ramping up production of 1Y-nm products.

 

For the System LSI Business, despite slowing demand for image sensors amid weak smartphone seasonality, earnings improved in the first quarter on the back of increased supply of APs and modems. The Company also successfully commercialized the world’s first 5G chipset solution.

 

In the second quarter, earnings for the business are expected to improve slightly as demand for image sensors and DDIs recovers and demand for 5G chipsets rises. In the second half, despite sluggish demand, smartphone makers are expected to continue to adopt high-spec components. Samsung plans to expand its lineup of image sensors and 5G chipset solutions to address demand for high-end mobile phones. It also plans to diversify product offerings with 3D/fingerprint-on-display sensors and chips for automotive and IoT applications.

 

For the Foundry Business, earnings were stagnant QoQ due to sluggish global foundry conditions and weak seasonality in the smartphone market. The Company began mass production of 5G and IoT mobile products by adopting the eMRAM process and secured new orders for computing chipsets through FinFET 8-nm process.

 

Looking ahead, Samsung aims to strengthen its competitiveness through tape-out of the EUV 6-nm process and by completing 5-nm process development. In the second half, based on its mass production of EUV 7-nm process, the Company will focus on developing the EUV 4-nm process and the next-generation architecture.

 

 

Display Sees Moderate Improvement In 2Q

The Display Panel Business reported KRW 6.12 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 0.56 trillion in operating loss in the first quarter. It posted an operating loss due to weaker profitability in both mobile and large displays.

 

Mobile displays suffered slower demand and intensifying competition with LTPS LCDs. Large displays also took a hit from a continued decline in LCD panel prices amid weak seasonality.

 

Looking ahead to the second quarter, Samsung expects limited improvement to earnings as demand for flexible displays is likely to remain weak. The Company will focus on improving earnings by boosting sales of rigid OLEDs and offering differentiated products featuring new technology such as Infinity Display and fingerprint-on-display.

 

For large displays, the Company forecasts growing demand for value-added products such as large-sized and high resolution TV panels in the second quarter, although concerns over supplies continue. It will focus on actively addressing demand for its core products, providing differentiated technology and improving cost structure.

 

In the second half, demand for flexible smartphone OLED panels is expected to rebound although pressure on LCD panel prices will persist. Under these circumstances, Samsung will actively respond to demand from major smartphone customers and broaden its OLED business scope with new applications.

 

As for large displays, despite uncertainties from capacity expansions in the LCD industry, the Company expects demand for the premium TV panels to continue to grow including UHD, 8K and ultra-large TVs. In response, it will strive to improve profitability by focusing on value-added products.

 

 

Mobile Supported by Strong Galaxy S10 Sales

The IT & Mobile Communications Division posted KRW 27.2 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 2.27 trillion in operating profit for the quarter.

 

Overall market demand for smartphones decreased QoQ as the industry moved into a seasonally weak period, but Samsung reported a QoQ rise in revenue thanks to solid sales of the Galaxy S10.

 

However, growth in smartphone shipments was limited as sales of previous models fell due to a lineup reorganization of mid- to low-end products. Increased expenses from adoption of high-end features, marketing and the lineup revamp pressured profitability. Earnings for the Networks Business also improved thanks to the commercial launch of 5G in South Korea.

 

Looking ahead to the second quarter, as weak seasonality continues, market demand for smartphones is expected to increase slightly QoQ. Samsung will strengthen its product lineup through innovations such as Galaxy S10 5G and Galaxy A80 and continued reorganization of its product offerings.

 

For the second half, despite intensified market competition, Samsung expects smartphone sales to increase led by new models in all segments from the Galaxy A series to the Galaxy Note amid strong seasonality. In the premium segment, the Company will strengthen its leadership through the new Galaxy Note as well as its innovative products such as 5G and foldable smartphones. Samsung also aims to secure profitability by improving cost efficiency.

 

For the Networks Business, Samsung will strive to maintain solid performance in the second quarter on commercialization of 5G as well as expansion of overseas LTE networks. In the second half, the Company will continue to expand LTE networks globally and supply 5G equipment for markets such as South Korea and the United States.

 

 

Consumer Electronics Eyes High-Value Products for Growth

The Consumer Electronics Division, which includes the Visual Display and Digital Appliances businesses, recorded KRW 10.04 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 0.54 trillion in operating profit for the first quarter of 2019.

 

Earnings for the Visual Display Business fell QoQ as the global TV market entered a slow season, but improved YoY thanks to the early adoption of new models. The expansion of premium product sales contributed, as Samsung solidified its global leading position in premium and ultra-large screen TVs.

 

Demand for TVs in the second quarter is projected to weaken slightly due to softening demand from emerging markets. Sales are also seen decreasing from a year earlier because of a lack of global sporting events this year. The Company will seek to improve results through further expanding the sales of high-value-added products such as QLED TVs and bringing forward the introduction of new models.

 

For the Digital Appliance Business, despite a slower global demand, growth in the domestic market has been robust with demand centering on new lifestyle home appliances such as garment refreshers and air purifiers. For the second quarter, the Company plans to improve its performance by bolstering sales of air conditioners, expected to be in peak demand thanks to the summer season.

 

Looking ahead to the second half of 2019, the TV market is projected to grow slightly YoY despite global economic challenges. Demand for appliances is also expected to rise compared with the first half as political tensions surrounding global trade ease.

 

 

※ Consolidated Sales and Operating Profit by Segment based on K-IFRS (2016~2019 1Q)

Note 1: Sales for each business include intersegment sales
Note 2: CE (Consumer Electronics), IM (IT & Mobile Communications), DS (Device Solutions), DP (Display Panel)
Note 3: Information on annual earnings is stated according to the business divisions as of 2019
Note 4: From Q1 2017, earnings from the Health & Medical Equipment Business (HME) are excluded from the CE Division

* This article was originally published here

Galaxy S10+ Rated Best Smartphone in Latin America

 

The latest addition to Samsung’s Galaxy S series, the Galaxy S10+, was recently rated “Best of Test” by PROTESTE, the largest consumer protection association in Latin America.

 

The Galaxy S10+ took the top spot in PROTESTE’s smartphone rankings with a record-setting score of 85 points (out of 100). In second and third place are the Galaxy S10 with 84 points, and the Note9 with 83. The Galaxy S10e ranked sixth with 82 points, and the Galaxy S9+ ranked eighth with 81, which means that half of the top ten smartphones in PROTESTE’s rankings are Samsung Galaxy devices.

 

The Galaxy S10+ stood out in a variety of tests, and was particularly impressive in the portion that evaluated resistance to shocks and water. To test the Galaxy S10+’s durability, PROTESTE repeatedly dropped the device from a height of 90cm, and immersed it in a container of water for an extended period of time.

 

“We evaluated points that are often extremely important to consumers, such as resistance and the battery,” said Thiago Leite Porto e Silva, a specialist in technology products at PROTESTE. “The Galaxy S10+ exceeded our expectations, and surprised us with the highest grade ever earned in our tests.”

 

The Galaxy S10+’s top ranking is a testament to the innovation of its features. “This ranking demonstrates that the consumer is at the center of our efforts and development, and will always be our main driving force,” said Jeonghwan Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics Latin America.

 

* This article was originally published here

Samsung Sets New Photon Efficacy Level in White LED Packages for Indoor Farms

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced digital component solutions, today announced an industry-leading enhancement to its mid-power LED package – the LM301H – for horticulture applications, such as greenhouse and vertical farming*. At 3.10 micromoles per joule (μmol/J), the newly introduced LM301H now features the highest photon efficacy** among today’s mid-power white LED packages.

 

“This breakthrough in photon efficacy will go a long way in helping indoor farm owners to maximize plant growth and quality, as well as their profits,” said Un Soo Kim, senior vice president of LED Business Team at Samsung Electronics. “We are committed to continue innovating white LED solutions optimized for healthier plant production as we solidify our leadership in the horticulture lighting industry.”

 

As a result of this industry-leading photon efficacy, lighting manufacturers can use 30 percent fewer packages in each luminaire to achieve the same efficacy level as the previous version of the LM301H, allowing for smaller and lighter lamp designs as well as lowered manufacturing costs. In addition, by using the same number of packages, the light efficiency of a luminaire can be improved by at least four percent, enabling indoor farms to reduce their energy use.

 

Samsung is able to achieve this advancement in photon efficacy by optimizing the chip’s light-emitting layer to convert electrical energy into photons with greater efficiency, while an improvement in chip structure minimizes light loss, delivering more light to plants.

 

Furthermore, thanks to Samsung’s advanced flip-chip design, the LM301H requires no wire bonding, which helps extend the packages’ performance and reliability. Titanium dioxide around the chip also ensures higher durability when exposed to agricultural chemicals.

 

To promote even more balanced plant growth, the white LM301H packages encompass a broader spectrum of light from blue and green to red, enhancing immunity from plant disease and providing greater nutritional value.

 

Samsung expects to begin mass producing the new LM301H packages at the end of this month and will be showcasing them at LIGHTFAIR International 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 21 to 23.

 

 

LM301H Specification:

Product		Size (mm)	PPF (μmol/s)***	PE (μmol/J)
LM301H	Mid-power (25℃, 65mA, 5000K, CRI80)	3.0 x 3.0	0.56	3.10

 

* Vertical farming is the practice of growing crops in stacked layers to optimize the use of space. It typically takes place in controlled indoor environments.

** Photon efficacy (PE) indicates the light efficacy level for photosynthesis in plants and is measured in micromoles per joule (μmol/J). Efficacy is the measure of how well a light source produces visible light.

*** Photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) indicates the total amount of photons in the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) range – a spectral range between 400 and 700nm – that can enhance plant photosynthesis and is measured in micromoles per second (μmol/s).

* This article was originally published here

How to Use AR on the Galaxy S10 to Find the Perfect Appliances for Your Home

Searching for a new appliance or piece of furniture that fits perfectly into your home can be a challenge, but when you find the right match it’s a moment of pure delight. When searching online, there’s another concern as you might not feel sure until the delivery comes that the appliance’s color will complement the surrounding décor or leave enough space to open the door of a dryer or a fridge. To streamline this process, Samsung Electronics has equipped its Galaxy S10 line with AR services that remove the worry and hassle from buying new appliances and furniture.

 

 

Visualize Your New Room

 

Samsung’s AR service, Bixby Vision¹, acts as a visual guide, allowing you to see more with your smartphone camera. The home décor function of the Galaxy S10’s Bixby Vision can show you how your home might look with new home appliances and furniture, virtually positioning them wherever you wish to see them. To enable the function, simply open up Bixby Vision, select the home décor function from the apps menu and point your camera to the area where you want to place home appliances or furniture. After choosing an appliance or piece of furniture, the object will appear wherever you tap on the screen. You can choose sofas, rugs, tables, fridges, or any other home product that you want, and virtually place them wherever you like.

 

The discovery doesn’t end there: Bixby Vision offers even more services that allow you to visualize your new appliances and furniture from the comfort of your own home. The AR service can apply a 3D effect to key Samsung home appliances, allowing you to see how doors open, for example. Collaborating with U.S. online furniture company, Wayfair, Bixby Vision’s home décor function runs automatically whenever you encounter 3D content on the website within the Samsung Internet app, enabling you to see what the product would look like in your room without leaving your house.

 

“We are planning to increase the types of home appliances and furniture that support the home décor function,” said Martin Lee of Product Strategy team at Samsung Electronics.

 

 

Check for the Right Fit

 

With the Galaxy S10 5G, you can make speedy assessments of an object’s dimensions without frantically searching for the tape measure. Using the 3D Depth Camera on the Galaxy S10 5G, the Quick Measure app shows you the height, width and length of the object captured by your camera. This feature makes it easier for you to buy a mattress that fits your bed frame, or a set of chairs that are the right height for your kitchen table.

 

¹ Service availability and content provider may vary by country and device.

* This article was originally published here

Samsung Donates 300 IGNIS Thermal Imaging Cameras to Firefighters in Vietnam

As part of Samsung Electronics Vietnam’s collaborative efforts with the Vietnam Fire and Rescue Police Department, the company has announced a donation of 300 IGNIS thermal imaging cameras to assist in the country’s firefighting and fire prevention. It is hoped that the contribution will help improve efficiency and safety in fire prevention and rescue activities in Vietnam.

 

The ceremonial event to present the donation was attended by Van Son Nguyen, the Deputy Minister of Public Security, Joo Ho Choi, Head of Vietnam Manufacturing Complex of Samsung Electronics, and other senior leaders of Samsung Vietnam. Also in attendance were representatives from departments and agencies under the Ministry of Public Security and the Management Boards of the Public Security Departments from the 11 beneficiary provinces.

 

Tran Trung Tranh (left), Deputy Chief of Vietnam Fire and Rescue Department, shakes hands with Joo Ho Choi (right), Head of Vietnam Manufacturing Complex of Samsung Electronics at the ceremony to hand over the donation of 300 IGNIS thermal imaging cameras.

 

Samsung’s IGNIS thermal imaging cameras are able to detect ignition points, locate victims, identify terrain, determine time and indicate paths to be avoided, helping firefighters to both rescue those in danger and keep themselves safe during a rescue operation. The cameras were designed for high resistance to water, dust and heat, with outstanding durability in a compact, wearable size (106*95*64mm, 350g).

 

“Fire prevention and rescue activities are pivotal in every nation for saving lives and assets of citizens. We are pleased to know that local firefighters will be equipped with our cameras, which will help them fulfill their duties and protect public safety,” said Choi.

 

After receiving the 300 IGNIS thermal imaging cameras, the Vietnam Fire and Rescue Police Department will organize a training course for officers and firefighters on how to utilize the devices. Deployment of these cameras will help improve firefighting capacities and minimize the damage caused by fires, explosions, or accidents in 11 provinces including Hanoi, HCMC, Hai Phong, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Da Nang, Can Tho, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, and Thai Nguyen.

 

 

How One Firefighter’s Experiences Sparked Inspiration

 

The IGNIS Thermal imaging camera is a product originating from Samsung Tomorrow Solutions, a social contribution project and open idea contest that began in 2013. Samsung Tomorrow Solutions invites people to produce and submit ideas that can change society for the better.

 

Finding that conventional thermal observation devices (TOD) for firefighters are too heavy and expensive to be provided to each firefighter, Gyeong-Seung Han, a firefighter from South Korea, was prompted to devise a thermal imaging camera based on his firefighting experiences. Han submitted his idea to the 2016 event and his entry was awarded IDEA Grand Prize (2016) and IMPACT Grand Prize (2017).

 

Not only was Han provided with prize money and additional funds to help further develop his idea, he was also provided with a team of support from engineers from C-Lab – Samsung’s idea generation and entrepreneurship program – to help bring his ideas to life. The IGNIS team worked through many versions of the device to realize Han’s vision for a more compact, easier-to-use, cost-effective thermal imaging camera that can withstand extreme conditions. As a result, Samsung Electronics has provided 1,000 IGNIS thermal imaging cameras to firefighting units in South Korea to put into practice. There have been numerous real-life testimonies from firefighters that they were able to save more lives through the use of IGNIS thermal cameras.

* This article was originally published here

[Going Green 2] How Samsung is Helping to Take Healthy Food from Farm to Table

As awareness of environmental issues grows, the impacts of the agricultural industry and our own personal food consumption are of increasing public concern. The use of pesticides, herbicides and other resources are falling out of favor and more efficient methods of food production are being explored as we strive to cultivate healthier food. Samsung Electronics is contributing to these efforts, developing technologies that can reduce the environmental impact of growing healthy food.

 

 

Horticulture LED Driving the Future of Farming

On the industrial scale, indoor farms are increasing in popularity, since they are better equipped to overcome spatial constraints and extreme climates. In such indoor farms, artificial light plays a crucial role in efficiently managing the rate of plant growth.

 

Drawing upon its LED technologies developed for other lighting markets, Samsung launched its Horticulture LED lineup in May of last year to provide advanced lighting solutions to indoor farms. LED lighting is more efficient and has a longer lifespan than previously existing artificial lighting solutions. It is also easy to control the light spectrum of LED lighting and LED solutions are becoming a more attractive option for indoor farms.

 

Samsung’s Horticulture LED Package and module

 

Different wavelengths of light can affect plants in different ways. For example, wavelengths of 430 to 700 nanometers are required for photosynthesis, a wavelength of 450 nanometers promotes germination, 660 nanometers stimulates growth, and 730 nanometers or more helps plants to bloom and produce fruits. It’s thanks to these properties that red wavelengths (about 600~750 nanometers) and blue wavelengths (about 400~450 nanometers) have been the prevailing trend in indoor farms.

 

Recent developments have also emphasized the importance of green light with a wavelength of 550 nanometers, with findings that it can penetrate the lower canopy and thus increase the photosynthesis in plants found there. Since this was observed, interaction with a blue wavelength is now actively being studied also.

 

 

Based on this research, Samsung released its White LED package last November, with an extensive spectral range, including growth-boosting blue and red wavelengths. Full-spectrum LED lights can increase the nutritional value of plants and deter disease and pests. The bright white light can also create a more pleasant work environment than narrow spectrum alternatives, allowing farmers to monitor growth and inspect for disease with relative ease.

 

 

The package is designed to deliver strong reliability, even alongside the use of chemical fertilizers or under hot and humid conditions. The package is also competitive in price when compared to red LED products, helping to reduce the cost of establishing lighting systems in indoor farms.

 

Samsung raised the photon efficacy level of white LED packages to the highest in the industry, thus reconfirming the company’s leadership in this field. As a result, lighting manufacturers can use 30 percent fewer packages in each luminaire to achieve the same efficacy level as other lighting equipment, ultimately reducing the costs for indoor farms.

 

Packages can be selected according to the types of plants and the facility’s requirements. Samsung Electronics offers five white LED packages and one white LED module. The company has also designed one blue package and two red packages with a single wavelength.

 

As Will Chung, a researcher in the company’s Lighting Marketing Group (LED), explained, “Although it’s been less than two years since Samsung Electronics started its horticulture LED business, we’ve already received lots of positive feedback from the market for developing high-quality LED technologies. We’re committed to developing more innovative products that support convenient food production, and will continue to enhance our offerings with testing, studies, and experts’ advice.”

 

 

Grow Your Own

 

In the homes of the future, it will be possible to grow your own vegetables no matter the climate. Samsung recently showcased Chef Garden at KBIS 2019, an AI farming platform that integrates with the next generation of Family Hub. The smart indoor garden uses seed capsules, allowing people to grow small fruits, vegetables and herbs with only a small part of the plant. Chef Garden controls light, temperature and humidity to optimize plant growth. The system also utilizes fogponics technology, which creates a nutrient fog that delivers water and nutrients directly to the plants so that they can grow without the need for pesticides. With water kept to the minimum required, the inside of Chef Garden always remains clean. Chef Garden can also inform users when plants are ready to harvest and recommend recipes thanks to smart integration with Family Hub.

 

 

Fruitful Investments and Research

Samsung is supporting research and development in fields such as basic sciences, materials science and ICT through the Samsung Science and Technology Foundation. Samsung has funded 500 project grants for the Korean scientific community to explore since 2013, amongst which are technology research projects examining vertical farming and the acceleration of plant growth. In addition, it is expected that further discoveries garnered from ICT projects involving AI, IoT and LEDs will foster synergy between Samsung’s technology and industrial farming’s efforts to produce healthy food.

 

“One of the main objectives of this support project is to consider how technology might solve the environmental and food shortage problems society faces today,” said Doochan Daniel Eum, Head of the Samsung Research & Incubation Center for Future Technology. “It’s our intention to contribute a total of 1.5 trillion Korean Won (approximately 1.3 billion USD) by 2023, investing in technologies that can effect real change for future society.”

* This article was originally published here

Samsung Electronics to Invest KRW 133 Trillion in Logic Chip Businesses by 2030

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today announced that it will invest KRW 133 trillion by 2030 to strengthen its competitiveness in System LSI and Foundry businesses.

 

The investment plan is expected to help the company to reach its goal of becoming the world leader in not only memory semiconductors but also logic chips by 2030. The company also plans to create 15,000 jobs in R&D and production to bolster its technological prowess.

 

The investments through 2030 will be composed of KRW 73 trillion for domestic R&D and KRW 60 trillion for production infrastructure. Per this plan, investments in R&D and facilities for logic semiconductors are expected to amount to an average KRW 11 trillion per year until 2030.

* This article was originally published here

[Going Green 1] Introducing Healthy Vertical Farming

Agricultural innovations are essential for feeding our ever-growing global population. Especially these days, as industrialization and global warming continue to negatively affect soil fertility and reduce the amount of arable land.

 

According to the United Nations, the world’s population is set to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. Such a large population would require approximately 1.7 times more food than is available now.

 

One potential solution for addressing the world’s need for more healthy and abundant food production is vertical farming – a process that’s growing increasingly popular in places like Europe, the U.S. and Japan, and involves food being grown indoors in vertically stacked layers.

 

 

 

Stable Food Production

What makes vertical farming such an efficient and viable means to produce food are the facts that it (1) saves space, and (2) allows farmers to grow crops all year round, regardless of climate or season.

 

Interest in vertical farming has been rapidly growing in recent years. Market research firm MarketsandMarkets predicts that the global market for vertical farming will be worth $18.4 billion by 2022, which is twice as much as the market was valued in 2016 ($9 billion).

 

 

 

Innovating for a Greener Future

The movement for healthy, sustainable food production is spreading across the world, and Samsung is committed to driving innovation in this area.

 

Last spring, Samsung announced the launch of a wide range of horticulture LED offerings that produce a broad spectrum of light to support healthy plant growth. On April 23, Samsung introduced an update to the LM301H, which features the highest photon efficacy among today’s mid-power white LED packages. The company has also revealed a number of exciting innovations designed to make it easy for consumers to grow and enjoy fresh, healthy vegetables from the comfort of their home.

 

Samsung also made waves at this year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas with its all-new Chef Garden technology, which offers a simple, environmentally friendly way to grow food at home. Chef Garden integrates seamlessly with Samsung’s next-generation Family Hub refrigerator, and automatically regulates light wavelengths to enable users to grow and enjoy fresh, pesticide-free fruit and vegetables all year round.

 

 

“There is a growing interest in healthy food,” said Chohui Kim of Samsung Electronics’ LED Technology Center. “Horticulture LED is playing a key role in vertical farming and indoor crop cultivation, and we are looking to expand its applications in various fields.”

 

The second part of Samsung Electronics’ “Going Green” series will highlight technology trends and the company’s efforts regarding eco-friendly crop cultivation in detail.

* This article was originally published here

Samsung Participates in Earth Day Around the Globe

On April 22, a number of Samsung Electronics campuses, branches and support centers around the world launched campaigns for Earth Day 2019, a global event founded in 1970 to raise public awareness about current environmental issues.

 

While previous efforts were localized to Samsung employees in Korea, this year Samsung has expanded its participation to locations across the globe and included both employees and consumers in the campaign.

 

[Video] Putting the Planet First

[Infographic] Unwrapping the Galaxy S10’s Eco-Friendly Packaging

 

A diverse range of activities have been arranged for the campaign. Samsung is collecting used electronics from their employees in order to recycle them, placing collection boxes in convenient places, including building entrances and cafeterias. In addition to Korea, the collection drive is currently taking place in several other countries, including the U.S., Germany, Russia and India.

 

 

Samsung employees take part in a collection drive for used mobile devices in Korea (top) and Russia (bottom).

 

Samsung’s customer support centers in 25 countries are also participating in the campaign. In Mexico, for example, Samsung is providing seeds to customers on April 22. The seedlings grown from these seeds will be planted at a national park designated by the government on Mexico’s Earth Day, which is celebrated towards the end of October. The names of the individual customers who nurtured them will be placed beside each plant. Children who visit Samsung support centers in Turkey on Earth Day receive coloring books and pencils made from recycled materials. In addition, Samsung will be providing gifts, such as potted plants and eco-bags, and leaflets to those who visit Samsung support centers in Canada, Spain, Germany, Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as other regions and countries.

 

Samsung Electronics Support Centers in Canada (left) and Ukraine (right) are helping to raise awareness about environmental issues through eco-friendly campaigns, offering eco-bags to visitors and collecting used batteries.

 

Alongside the Earth Day campaigns, Samsung is incorporating eco-friendly materials into its designs. The company utilizes regenerating plastic in a variety of product lines, including refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, TVs, monitors and cell phone chargers, to minimize waste. After announcing plans to increase the use of eco-friendly and recycled materials in its packaging in January this year, Samsung introduced the company’s first plastic-free packaging design with the launch of the S10 line.

* This article was originally published here

Samsung Successfully Completes 5nm EUV Development to Allow Greater Area Scaling and Ultra-low Power Benefits

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today announced that its 5-nanometer (nm) FinFET process technology is complete in its development and now is ready for customers’ samples. By adding another cutting-edge node to its extreme ultraviolet (EUV)-based process offerings, Samsung is proving once again its leadership in the advanced foundry market.

 

Compared to 7nm, Samsung’s 5nm FinFET process technology provides up to a 25 percent increase in logic area efficiency with 20 percent lower power consumption or 10 percent higher performance as a result of process improvement to enable us to have more innovative standard cell architecture.

 

In addition to power performance area (PPA) improvements from 7nm to 5nm, customers can fully leverage Samsung’s highly sophisticated EUV technology. Like its predecessor, 5nm uses EUV lithography in metal layer patterning and reduces mask layers while providing better fidelity.

 

Another key benefit of 5nm is that we can reuse all the 7nm intellectual property (IP) to 5nm. Thereby 7nm customers’ transitioning to 5nm will greatly benefit from reduced migration costs, pre-verified design ecosystem, and consequently shorten their 5nm product development.

 

As a result of the close collaboration between Samsung Foundry and its ‘Samsung Advanced Foundry Ecosystem (SAFE)’ partners, a robust design infrastructure for Samsung’s 5nm, including the process design kit (PDK), design methodologies (DM), electronic design automation (EDA) tools, and IP, has been provided since the fourth quarter of 2018. Besides, Samsung Foundry has already started offering 5nm Multi Project Wafer (MPW) service to customers.

 

“In successful completion of our 5nm development, we’ve proven our capabilities in EUV-based nodes,” said Charlie Bae, Executive Vice President of Foundry Business at Samsung Electronics. “In response to customers’ surging demand for advanced process technologies to differentiate their next-generation products, we continue our commitment to accelerating the volume production of EUV-based technologies.”

 

In October 2018, Samsung announced the readiness and its initial production of 7nm process, its first process node with EUV lithography technology. The company has provided commercial samples of the industry’s first EUV-based new products and has started mass production of 7nm process early this year.

 

Also, Samsung is collaborating with customers on 6nm, a customized EUV-based process node, and has already received the product tape-out of its first 6nm chip.

 

Mr. Bae continued, “Considering the various benefits including PPA and IP, Samsung’s EUV-based advanced nodes are expected to be in high demand for new and innovative applications such as 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), high performance computing (HPC), and automotive. Leveraging our robust technology competitiveness including our leadership in EUV lithography, Samsung will continue to deliver the most advanced technologies and solutions to customers.”

 

Samsung foundry’s EUV-based process technologies are currently being manufactured at the S3-line in Hwaseong, Korea. Additionally, Samsung will expand its EUV capacity to a new EUV line in Hwaseong, which is expected to be completed within the second half of 2019 and start production ramp-up from next year.

* This article was originally published here

[Editorial] 5nm: A Catalyst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and What It Means for Semiconductor Innovations

This week, Samsung Electronics announced that its 5-nanometer(nm) FinFET process technology based on EUV lithography  is now ready for production. This is a remarkable accomplishment and testament to the capability of our colleagues at the S3 wafer fab in Hwaseong, Korea and their supply chain partners.

 

For me, what is most exciting about this milestone is that it highlights how far the semiconductor industry innovations have come today and provides a glimpse into the evolutions that will shape the industry of tomorrow.

 

Consider that the 5nm process is here in just six months after last October’s unveiling of the first commercial application of EUV in our 7nm process. It’s a rapid progress made possible in large part by running thousands of wafer layers through EUV exposure systems each week. Hands-on experience is the only way to ascend the EUV learning curve, and that body of knowledge is growing daily.

 

In the learning process, we’re seeing one of the biggest and broadest benefits of EUV – the simplification of design by moving away from increasingly complex multi-patterning lithography strategies. While still early, it’s increasingly clear that the reduced number of mask steps and more straightforward process is nothing short of a revolution for silicon designers. Sighs of relief will be heard as EUV will be seamlessly incorporated into the existing design architectures.

 

Samsung’s 5nm is the next step in the evolution of EUV. 5nm will be more efficient and feature new innovations including Samsung’s proprietary Smart Diffusion Break (SDB) transistor architecture. One of the most important aspects of 5nm is that it supports 25 percent area reduction and 10 percent performance improvement or 20 percent power reduction than 7nm.

 

Also, it will be largely design-rule compatible with the existing design of 7nm. Therefore, it is essentially a recharacterization of the technology, not redesign, which will substantially reduce time and the cost of implementation. This combination of technological advance and economic advantage is very much in line with a grand tradition of the semiconductor industry.

 

This merging of technological advancement and economic benefits is very much in line with the grand tradition in the semiconductor industry as well as technologies including 5G, AI, Connected & Automotive, Robot, etc. – constantly serving as a catalyst for the fourth industrial revolution, while simultaneously driving costs down. That’s why the evolution-moment of 5nm is, in its own unique way, as important as the innovation-moment of 7LPP.

 

Bringing EUV into production has been a long, challenging process. It required substantial investment of time, money, and human resources. While there were certainly moments of doubt along the way, we had to pursue our vision. The 5nm announcement offers compelling evidence for the value of the investment. As businesses from diverse fields including Foundry, Fabless, the Design House, Packaging, Tests, etc., the semiconductor ecosystem will grow stronger. This is a new chapter for the semiconductor industry, and we are excited to be part of the continued journey in innovation.

* This article was originally published here

[Interview] ① How Samsung’s Digital Cockpit Lab Brought the Car of the Future into Reality

Samsung Electronics unveiled its first Digital Cockpit at CES 2018, co-developed with HARMAN. A year later, the company revealed the Digital Cockpit 2019, a revamped version of the platform incorporating insight from research and consumer feedback. While the Digital Cockpit 2019 presents an enriched automotive experience with improved personalization, connectivity and safety using a suite of IoT solutions, it poses the fundamental question – what do you want to do in your car?

 

 

Samsung Newsroom sat down with the Digital Cockpit Lab from Samsung’s Automotive Electronics Business Team to learn how they brought the car of the future into a reality.

 

The dynamic team behind Samsung’s Digital Cockpit 2019, from the left: Junhong Kim, Sang-geon Lee, Daesoo Choi, JH Youn, Jonghee Choi, Seungwon Oh, Wooseok Hwang, Wonhee Jo, Wonseok Kwon, and Seungwoo Shin of Samsung Electronics’ Automotive Electronics Business Team

 

 

The Digital Cockpit Connects Our Lives

The cockpit is the dashboard of the car in front of the driver and the passenger seat. A ‘Digital Cockpit’ is a platform that comes with the latest digital technology which takes the overall in-vehicle system to the next level. With Samsung’s latest Digital Cockpit 2019, the new platform provides full vehicle control for drivers and a variety of tailored content to the passengers as well.

 

 

In today’s world, the car is more than just a mode of transportation — it is a space that connects different parts of our lives together. Surprisingly, you will be able to use all of these features in the near future.

 

At home, you start the car and adjust the temperature in your car from your living room via Galaxy Home.

 

Once everyone gets in, your car starts to play tailored content for each passenger with face recognition technology.

 

The car also informs you of possible danger by scanning moving objects and tries to prevent dangerous situations from happening like when the driver dozes off while driving.

 

On the move, you can even check what’s inside your home refrigerator via the car system, in order to prepare for the evening’s dinner.

 

“If your destination is a soccer field, the car transforms itself into the soccer field by playing soccer game content while you are on the go,” said JH Yun, digital circuit designer from the Samsung Digital Cockpit Lab. “The volume of content that you can enjoy in your car will expand naturally. What we need to do is to create an optimal environment for you to enjoy that content in your car.”

 

Customers can start or turn the engine off simply on SmartThings app.

 

A feature called ‘Home to Car’ is an example of the leading-edge innovation featured in the Digital Cockpit. The function allows customers to control their cars at home through the SmartThings app. “One of the biggest advantages the connected vehicle offers is that there are no spatial constraints,” said Junhong Kim, software developer. “You can start the car, check the gas level and more, regardless of your distance from the vehicle. We are ready for the next generation of mobility.”

 

When your hands are on the wheel to control your driving safely, a voice command can be the best alternative when you are interacting with your car. Bixby, Samsung’s AI platform, has been integrated into the Digital Cockpit undergoing a transformation in order to fit into the vehicle environment.

 

“We conducted voice command tuning and adjusted it to the vehicle environment by enhancing the icon and font size so that a driver can see them well while they are driving,” said Jonghee Choi, user interface developer. “And an increased interoperability with third-party services offers a wide range of information like weather forecast and flight schedule from your seat.”

 

 

 

No Matter Where You Sit, the Car Provides You with the Best Experience

 

While the previous Digital Cockpit had three displays, the 2019 version has a total of six displays delivering tailored infotainment to all passengers. For instance, passengers in the back seat will also be able to enjoy tailored content from their own screens.

 

“All of the displays will enable you to enjoy high resolution videos in your car without hassle,” said Wonhee Jo, hardware circuit designer. “Not only that, the back-seat screens can be folded conveniently into the seats when they are not in use.”

 

The back seat screens can sync together to do various things such as painting pictures.

 

The screens can also recognize your face wherever you sit and suggest content based on the preferences of pre-registered passengers in which they can activate or deactivate the feature.

 

“It’s amazing because you can enjoy your in-vehicle experience seamlessly even if you sit in a different seat,” said Seungwoo Shin, user experience designer. “Each passenger can enjoy different content, or they can just sync all of the screens to enjoy the same content, as if they were watching it from the living room of their homes.”

 

“The experience of each passenger can be managed for each seat,” said Daesoo Choi, human interface developer. “The passengers can make detailed adjustments such as the height, angle and temperature of each seat or the screen’s brightness.”

 

 

When a vehicle is equipped with various sophisticated technologies, the challenges increase. One of the challenges had to do with the number of buttons. Not only were the least used buttons taking up space, they were also ineffective. So, the team solved the problem with a knob. “We got a hint from a knob on the Samsung Galaxy Watch when we were thinking about ways to fuse analog nostalgia with the digital world. And we solved the problem with a single knob that can serve as the functions of various buttons,” said JH Yun, digital circuit designer. “This year’s Digital Cockpit will also have knobs in the back seat that can be activated according to the user’s preference.”

 

 

 

Nine Cameras Cover Every Direction, Ensuring Safety on the Road

A car must assure the safety of its driver and passengers. In order to support safe driving, the Digital Cockpit 2019 is equipped with a total of nine cameras.

 

 

The Digital Cockpit features a ‘Mirror Replacement Vision System (MRVS)’ that replaces side-view mirrors in conventional cars. The system consists of two displays on both sides and it helps safer driving by detecting moving objects in the rear when the driver checks behind them. By utilizing the camera technology, Digital Cockpit 2019 ensures safer driving with a wider viewing angle.

 

The Digital Cockpit also monitors the driver’s condition through a system that tracks the driver’s pupils to detect drowsy eyes or careless driving. “The Driver Monitoring System is an essential technology for autonomous driving in the near future,” said Seungwon Oh, camera system developer.

 

 

Drivers can sometimes miss the system alert while they are looking ahead when they are on the road. To prevent this from happening, the Digital Cockpit 2019 provides additional alerts. “We’ve added a vibration alert by using the Samsung Galaxy Watch on your wrist,” said Oh.

In the next installment in this series, we will go behind-the-scene stories on the team’s close collaboration and its continuous efforts to connect our lives will be disclosed. Stay tuned.

 

<To be continued in the second article>

* This article was originally published here

[Interview] ② Behind-The-Scenes of Samsung’s Digital Cockpit and the Team That Enabled an Enjoyable In-Vehicle Experience

 

 

Following Episode 1

The Digital Cockpit has become available through the fusion of cutting-edge technologies. A technological breakthrough is certainly the key to this achievement, but more importantly, a collaboration among team members still remains to be one of the significant factors. The Digital Cockpit lab consists of knowledgeable experts from various fields within Samsung Electronics – all of whom are fascinated by the unexplored field of connected vehicles. Let’s find out more about the team and how they work together in the front line of technology.

 

 

 

No Boundaries At Work: Cutting-Edge Technologies Enhance Productivity

 

The team’s keen interest and excitement in the unchartered realm of connected vehicles led them to gather and eventually build the Digital Cockpit. Not only that, the team streamlined the work process by sharing brilliant ideas flexibly and testing them immediately.

 

“In many cases, we promptly carried out ideas that came up during meetings. It is possible to make swift decisions since the members are committed to this new field of business,” said Wooseok Hwang, user experience designer. “With engineers not restricting themselves from sharing opinions vis a vis design, there are no boundaries in our project.”

 

A built-in car audio under the front glass

 

A full spectrum of core Samsung Electronics technologies ranging from components to end-products and HARMAN’s know-how on automotive electronics, were fully mobilized in the Digital Cockpit 2019.

 

“Samsung Electronics and HARMAN have accumulated cross-field technologies and experiences that led to a variety of connected services,” said Wonhee Jo, hardware circuit designer.

 

For a car audio system, built in the Digital Cockpit 2019, Samsung and HARMAN worked closely together throughout the process from initial design to tuning. “Entertainment experiences can vary by the location of speakers. So, adding woofers under each seat and surround sound speakers in the back seat produces an immersive effect,” said JH Youn, digital circuit designer. “Engineers at HARMAN traveled back and forth between Korea and the United states and carefully conducted the tuning until the last moment to build the best sound quality.”

 

 

Optimization of a Car Platform: Enabling All Necessary Technologies to Drive on the Road

A driving experience involves a series of activities from starting the car and arriving to your destination. All of these procedures are operated under one platform: the car itself. The Digital Cockpit 2019 is carefully designed to enable a convenient in-vehicle experience with forefront technologies from various fields that have been optimized to match with a driving experience.

 

Observing passengers’ behavior is another key task of the Digital Cockpit Lab. People have different patterns on using their cars based on their lifestyles. Some people drive alone, or they drive with their family and children. Or some might need to read documents while they are on the road, to keep up with their work.

 

For example, the feature that allows drivers to adjust the temperature from the back seats was inspired by parents that look over to see their sleeping child from the driver’s seat. The feature that seamlessly presents documents from your smartphone on larger screens in the car via ‘Samsung DeX’ was an idea that came from another observation.

 

“My ideas came from paying close attention to other people when I was traveling with a friend or driving with other people,” said Wooseok Hwang, user experience designer.

 

 

“We Put People First for Enjoyable In-Vehicle Experience.”

 

“Awesome!”

 

Many visitors at CES 2019 that was held last January were captivated by the new automotive experience of the Digital Cockpit 2019. Several visitors approached the team who were at the site asking, “Where can I get this car?”

 

“The Digital Cockpit is not the concept of a finished car. It is more about technologies that enables the car,” said Wonhee Jo, hardware circuit designer. “The purpose of the Digital Cockpit is to unleash the potential to the world that Samsung has in the automotive electronics industry”.

 

The ultimate goal of the Digital Cockpit Lab is to reach out to people with future technologies. During the development process, the team took into consideration what drivers and passengers can experience when they are inside the car. “Our job is done when people have an enjoyable and pleasant automotive experience through the Digital Cockpit,” said the team.

 

“There is no set direction. As industries evolve, perspectives on cars tend to change as well. Our work is to take one step ahead of such trends and stay committed to integrate both Samsung and HARMAN’s infrastructure and technologies to keep the engine running to lead the ever-changing industry.”

* This article was originally published here

[Infographic] Unwrapping the Galaxy S10’s Eco-Friendly Packaging

As part of an effort to help create a greener future for generations to come, Samsung Electronics has equipped the Galaxy S10 with simple, eco-friendly packaging that utilizes environmentally sustainable materials instead of plastics and vinyl.

 

The smartphones’ boxes and interior packaging have been redesigned so as to reduce their environmental footprint and consume fewer resources. For example, whereas previous devices’ packaging included a box-covering sleeve, a holder tray and a bottom box, the Galaxy S10 retains just the bottom box. The smartphones’ packaging also includes an all-in-one pulp mold¹ that optimizes space for the devices and their components, and minimizes waste.

 

Other eco-friendly adjustments include replacing plastic ties with paper materials, and outfitting the smartphones’ chargers with a matte – rather than glossy – finish that doesn’t require a plastic protective film.

 

Samsung Electronics has been steadily increasing its use of eco-friendly materials in its mobile devices’ packaging for several years now. In 2013, Samsung introduced its first 100% recycled packaging, made entirely from discarded paper; In 2014, it introduced its first 100% recycled paper foldable box; In 2015, the company took steps to simplify the designs of its mobile devices’ packaging; In 2016, Samsung began to utilize natural materials in its plastic packaging; In 2017 and 2018, it introduced pulp mold device holder trays and pulp mold packaging, respectively; And this year, with the Galaxy S10 line, the company introduced its first plastic-free packaging design.

 

“From the Galaxy S10 line’s design stage, we were deeply committed to developing eco-friendly packaging materials,” said Ilseob Baek, Vice President of Reliability Group, Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to support international efforts to make our planet more sustainable by utilizing eco-friendly materials in more products.”

 

Check out the infographic below to learn more about the Galaxy S10’s eco-friendly packaging and features.

 

 

¹ A packaging material composed of mainly recycled materials such as discarded newspaper, corrugated paper, and others. Pulp mold is thin but solid and resilient, and completely recyclable.

* This article was originally published here

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G’s Rear and Selfie Cameras Score First Place in DxOMark Ranking, the First Smartphone to Hit 100 Bar in Video

Samsung Electronics today announced that the Galaxy S10 5G has received the number one spots in DxOMark’s camera rankings for both its rear and front-facing cameras. DxOMark is the trusted independent testing standard for mobile camera image quality. Using rigorous testing protocols, DxOMark provides consumers with an impartial and reliable rating for smartphone camera performance and quality.

 

The Galaxy S10 5G’s rear camera photo and video capabilities were both ranked number one on the DxOMark Mobile scale, achieving an overall score of 112, with 117 in photo and 100 in video, the first device to hit 100 bar. DxOMark’s testing recognizes that the Galaxy S10 5G’s rear camera features fast and accurate autofocus, capturing photos that have a good level of detail preservation, color rendering and exposure under various conditions.

 

The Galaxy S10 5G also scored first place on the DxOMark Selfie ranking for its front camera with an overall score of 97, receiving a score of 101 in the photo category, and 90 in the video category. To evaluate the Galaxy S10 5G’s camera performance, DxOMark tested Exposure and Contrast, Color, Autofocus, Texture, Noise, Flash, Artifacts, Zoom and Bokeh under low light, indoor and bright light conditions.

 

 

The Galaxy S10 5G features a professional-grade camera set-up with a total of six cameras – two on the front and four on the back. Its Dual Pixel AF Selfie front-facing camera takes next-level selfies, and the rear-facing camera benefits from Samsung’s Ultra Wide Lens, for those who want to create and share stunning content effortlessly. The Galaxy S10 5G also significantly upgrades the smartphone camera with a neural processing unit (NPU), to help with the perfect shot including the 3D Depth Camera. It accurately provides depth information by measuring the length of time for a light signal to bounce off subjects to deliver bokeh effects with Live focus video, measure objects with Quick Measure.

 

For more information about the Galaxy S10 5G, visit news.samsung.com/galaxy, www.samsungmobilepress.com, or www.samsung.com/galaxy. For more information about the DxOMark Selfie and DxOMark Mobile tests, visit www.dxomark.com.

* This article was originally published here

[Video] Interpretive Dance Captures the Spirit of the Galaxy Fold

 

The launch Galaxy Fold will herald the arrival of a whole new category of smartphones, introducing one of the most meaningful innovations in smartphone technology in the past decade. Samsung has released a new video on 15th, ahead of the commercial launch of the device.

 

This video dramatizes the device’s unique trait, the foldable screen, through a powerfully-crafted dance performance, created by world-renowned choreographer Amy Gardner.

 

The film follows a dancer as she breaks free from rigidity and physical constraints. She moves through a period of self-exploration and into a state of self-realization that manifests in a powerful dance sequence. The film then resolves with the reveal of the Galaxy Fold, clasped in the dancer’s hand. The music is a modern reinterpretation of ‘Tom’s Diner’ from the critically acclaimed artist Santigold.

 

Pio Schunker at global marketing team said “As much as the Fold is a brand-new category-changing device, we challenged ourselves to create a marketing campaign that was on-par with this product. Therefore, we did not rely on ‘traditional’ launch ideas where it was focused mostly on communicating product features – but rather on how we could communicate effectively with our target audience emotionally. As you can see from our initial teaser using the bold Korean type on a global scale, we continued to do our best to deliver the product story in unique and new ways with the Galaxy Fold.”

 

The video offers viewers a tantalizing new perspective on Samsung’s most advanced and innovative device to date. Further Galaxy Fold videos, embracing a range of imaginative concepts, will be released on Samsung’s social media in the run up to the device’s global launch.

* This article was originally published here

Replay A Galaxy Event Here

 

After three captivating events across the globe, A Galaxy Event has now drawn to a close and the wait for the launch of the Galaxy A70 and Galaxy A80 is nearly over.

 

If you weren’t able to catch A Galaxy Event live, or want to check out the showcase again, you can watch a replay of the entire event above. You can also follow all the coverage at the Samsung Newsroom to find out more about how the Galaxy A series is ushering in a new Era of Live.

* This article was originally published here

The Annual Samsung Tomorrow Solutions Competition Opens Globally

Samsung Electronics today announced that Samsung Tomorrow Solutions 2019, an idea competition aimed at creating a better world, will be open globally starting from April 11^th. The contest is an annual event which was held for the first time in 2013 with an aim to contribute to society by developing creative ideas to solve social problems. This year is the second time the event is being held globally.

 

Applicants can submit their ideas in four categories, including education, health/medicine, environment/safety, and local community development. Samsung Tomorrow Solutions helps the applicants develop and implement their ideas utilizing Samsung Electronics’ technology and capabilities, making it distinctive from other contests that simply offer monetary prizes.

 

Now in its seventh year, the competition boasts a number of successful submissions that have made an impact on society such as a thermal imaging system and a portable diagnostic device for eye diseases. These solutions are now being used in fire rescue missions and in health care services in developing countries, respectively, contributing to local communities and creating a better world.

 

Teams who advance to the final round of the competition after passing the preliminary and semi-final rounds will be eligible for financial support for further development of their solutions as well as mentoring by Samsung Electronics employees and experts in the relevant field. A total of 200 million Korean Won (approximately 180 thousand U.S. Dollars) in prizes will be awarded to the winners who will put their solutions to the test by developing and trialing them.

 

After the competition is completed, the winners will attempt to make a tangible difference in society by applying their own solutions to real life situations. For solutions that are expected to have a particularly far-reaching impact on society, Samsung Electronics will provide an unlimited amount of support for product/service development, partnerships, and initial business costs to commercialize the innovation.

 

An ophthalmologist uses Project BOM’s portable device for eye disease diagnosis at a community health center in Quang Tri, Vietnam.

 

For example, the portable diagnostic device for eye diseases presented by team Project BOM, the grand prize winner of the 2018 Impact awards, received additional technical and financial support from Samsung Electronics to further develop the technology. Project BOM developed a retinal camera and a medical information platform using smartphones to reduce the occurrence of preventable blindness that results from limited access to medical treatment.

 

More specifically, Samsung Electronics and the Project BOM team collaborated to make improvements and provided the device to 20 community health centers in Quang Tri, Vietnam. Distribution to additional 20 health centers in other locations is planned for this year. This solution started from an idea by medical professionals and was realized with the support of Samsung Electronics to bring innovation to the medical industry in developing countries where there is a lack of advanced equipment for eye diseases.

 

Samsung Tomorrow Solutions is open to anyone who wants to contribute to creating a better world. Interested applicants can apply at the Samsung Tomorrow Solutions website (http://www.tomorrowsolutions.org) by 6 p.m. on May 16th (UTC+09:00).

* This article was originally published here

Samsung Awarded by Thai Government for its Dual Vocational Education Program

Thai Samsung Electronics has been recognized for its contributions to vocational skills education by Thailand’s Ministry of Education for a second consecutive year. The Samsung Dual Vocational Education Program (Samsung DVE) has played a vital role in helping students develop skills that are essential for careers in vocational fields and has assisted over 100 skilled technicians since 2016.

 

Samsung DVE returned in 2019 for the program’s fourth year, partnering with the Office of Vocational Education Commission in Thailand. The program prepares students for vocational careers as skilled technicians, a profession in high demand in both the Thai and ASEAN labor markets. Samsung DVE has provided vocational training, internships and job opportunities, with a significant proportion of participating students going on to serve customers at Samsung Service Centers nationwide.

 

 

 

Commenting on the award, Jung Sung Park, Director of Customer Service Planning, Thai Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd said: “Samsung is pleased and proud to have a role in the skills and career development of Thai technicians. The company is delighted to make this contribution to the Thai labor market. This program not only affirms the company’s commitment to creating benefits for Thai society through its expertise in technology and innovation, but also indicates that Samsung is prioritizing the development of human resources – in particular vocational skills – which are currently in high demand in the Thai labor market.”

 

 

Dr. Suthep Chittayawong, Secretary-General of the Vocational Education Commission, said: “The Office of the Vocational Education Commission would like to thank Samsung for creating this project and is delighted that the company has given importance to the development of skilled labor, especially technicians, who are in short-supply at this moment. At present, major industries in Thailand need skilled workers to drive the country’s economy toward Thailand’s 4.0 goal. This collaboration with Samsung is very helpful in giving students real internship experiences, which enable them to learn how to solve real problems in the world of work.”

* This article was originally published here