Samsung Electronics Announces Third Quarter 2019 Results

Samsung Electronics today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019. The Company posted KRW 62 trillion in consolidated quarterly revenue and KRW 7.78 trillion in quarterly operating profit.

 

Third quarter profit fell sharply from a year earlier but improved from the previous quarter, as stronger smartphone sales and improved utilization in mobile OLED screens were weighed down by continued weakness in the memory chip market.

 

Both the U.S. dollar and euro strengthened against the Korean won, resulting in about KRW 0.4 trillion in positive effects toward quarterly operating profit, mainly in the component business.

 

Earnings from the Memory Business slumped significantly year-on-year as memory chip prices continued its downward trend amid the industry-wide weakness since the end of 2018. The logic chip business saw demand rise for image sensors and display driver ICs (DDIs), but also suffered from price declines in mobile application processors (APs).

 

The Display Panel Business saw profit from mobile displays increase YoY with solid sales of OLED screens, improved capacity utilization and reduced costs. However, losses continued in the large panel business due to ongoing capacity expansions in the broader industry.

 

In the Mobile Business, strong sales of the Galaxy Note 10 and A series boosted profit, along with improved margins for mass-market models. The business also expanded its 5G product offerings and launched the Galaxy Fold, demonstrating Samsung’s technology leadership. Meanwhile, the Network Business reported higher earnings YoY on growing commercialization of 5G service in Korea.

 

The Consumer Electronics Division posted a YoY decline in profit from the TV business amid pricing pressure from intensifying competition, despite growing shipment of premium models such as QLED and ultra-large size TVs. Earnings from home appliances rose on increased sales of premium products.

 

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, the Company expects demand for components to turn sluggish in general amid weak seasonal effects, while marketing expenses are likely to increase to address year-end smartphone sales.

 

Memory chip demand is seen rising slightly quarter-on-quarter on the back of inventory building by customers in response to global macroeconomic uncertainties. Mobile displays will likely report weaker results in the fourth quarter, as demand falls short of initial expectations for certain premium smartphones and costs increase due to lower utilization in some production lines. Large panel prices are also likely to continue declining.

 

The Company expects fourth-quarter earnings in the Mobile Business to decrease QoQ as marketing costs are set to rise and shipments to decline slightly, with flagship model sales weakening from their post-launch peaks. The Consumer Electronics Division will likely log stronger earnings helped by year-end seasonal demand.

 

For 2020, Samsung expects growing sales in 5G products and foldable devices; the logic chip business is forecast to report accelerated growth as it expands mass production of next-generation extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) based products.

 

However, uncertainties linger over the memory chip market as demand is seen recovering but risks from global industry circumstances persist. As Samsung plans to manage investment and capacity operation flexibly depending on market conditions, DRAM inventory is expected to normalize in the first half of 2020. The Company also remains committed to investments to meet demand in the mid-to-long term.

 

The System LSI Business will introduce differentiated 5G System-on-Chip products and high-resolution sensors, while the Foundry Business will seek to diversify its client base and expand production from the 5nm and 7nm EUV processes.

 

In Displays, Samsung plans to leverage its leadership in mobile screens, offering power-efficient and slimmer products to capture demand from 5G and other premium products. It will also transform its large panel business to focus on quantum-dot (QD) displays, with the existing LCD business addressing value-added products such as ultra-large and 8K TVs as well as high-end monitors.

 

The Mobile Business aims to improve profitability through enhanced leadership in premium products such as 5G and foldable devices as well as improved mass-model lineup. The Network Business will further its efforts to expand its 5G business globally including the United States and Japan.

 

In the Consumer Electronics Division, the Company will continue to lead the premium TV market by expanding adoption of QLED 8K and ultra-large models and offer stronger lineups of innovative home appliances such as Bespoke products.

 

 

Semiconductor Demand to Remain Solid Amid Uncertainties

The Semiconductor Business posted consolidated revenue of KRW 17.59 trillion and operating profit of KRW 3.05 trillion for the quarter.

 

For NAND, demand showed stronger growth than expected driven by new smartphone launches and continued trend toward higher density memory, as well as increased adoption of solid state drives for PCs and expansion of high-density storage for server customers.

 

For DRAM, demand from all applications has greatly increased due to strong seasonal effects as well as inventory restocking at customers responding to global macroeconomic factors such as tariff issues and semiconductor-material export regulations. For servers, demand rose mainly for high-capacity products, while for PCs, replacement demand for corporate systems also increased ahead of the end of support for Windows 7. For mobile, demand was driven by higher portion of smartphones with storage over 8GB.

 

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter for NAND, demand for high-capacity storage is expected to remain robust and prices are expected to rebound across all applications. For SSD, data centers are expected to adopt high-density, high-performance products, while for mobile, the trend of higher density storage is expected to continue with the launch of new high-end models. The Company will focus on strengthening competitiveness in the premium market, and enhance technology leadership and profitability by transitioning to 6th-generation V-NAND within this year.

 

For the fourth quarter outlook for DRAM, although there may be some impact from recent inventory restocking at customers, overall demand is likely to remain solid and to show some increase QoQ. For servers, demand from data centers will continue to be solid supported by high-density products, while for PCs, overall demand will be similar to that of the third quarter. For mobile, continuing trend to high-density products with the launch of new 5G smartphones is expected to help demand remain solid. The Company will focus on enhancing technological leadership by expanding high-capacity product sales for servers and actively responding to early demand for mobile LPDDR5.

 

Looking ahead to 2020, while challenging to provide a detailed forecast due to ongoing uncertainties involving macroeconomic issues, there are positive signs on the demand outlook from data center customers, while expansion of 5G smartphones is expected to continue to lead the higher density trends. However, demand for 2020 should be viewed with caution as uncertainties remain in the macroeconomic environment. As such, the Company plans to focus more on flexible investment and capacity operation depending on market conditions.

 

For the System LSI Business, earnings improved as demand increased for high-resolution image sensors and mobile APs/PMICs/OLED DDIs for flagship smartphones. The Company strengthened its technology leadership by being the first to commercialize 108-mega pixel sensors.

 

In the fourth quarter, while demand for high-resolution image sensors such as 64Mp and 108Mp products will continue to increase, earnings are likely to remain flat from the previous quarter due to weaker demand for mobile APs and DDIs. For 2020, the Company will expand its line-up of differentiated products such as 5G System-on-Chips produced on EUV 5/7nm process and high-resolution products such as 108Mp and above sensors.

 

For the Foundry Business, earnings increased from the previous quarter driven by demand for mobile APs based on the EUV 7nm process and high-resolution image sensors. In particular, the Company completed the tape-out of the EUV 5nm process and secured new orders for 5nm-based consumer products.

 

In the fourth quarter, the Company expects to generate solid earnings on mass production of EUV 7nm products, while setting up 4nm design infrastructures for future growth. For 2020, demand for mobile APs/modes/RFs and high-resolution image sensors is expected to increase significantly on the back of the growing 5G market. The Company will accelerate the diversification of its customer base by expanding orders for 5G/AI/Auto/IoT/Power and fingerprint recognition applications and strive to complete the development of the GAA 3-nano process.

 

 

Display Business Improves on Demand for Flexible OLED

The Display Panel Business posted KRW 9.26 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 1.17 trillion in operating profit for the third quarter. Overall display earnings improved QoQ thanks to strong sales of small to mid-sized OLED panels despite weak performance in the large display business.

 

Mobile display earnings increased amid favorable seasonal effects, led by higher demand from major customers and improved OLED utilization rates. Large displays took a hit from a continued decline in LCD panel prices.

 

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, mobile display profitability is expected to decline due to a product mix change and a cost increase from lower utilization of some production lines. Samsung will strive to enhance profitability by improving production efficiency and expanding adoption of the cutting-edge technology.

 

Large displays are also likely to see weak profitability for the fourth quarter as it continues to face falling demand and dropping price. Samsung will seek to secure profitability with product diversification including monitors and PIDs.

 

In 2020, for the mobile display business, demand for OLED screens is seen to grow steadily with wider adoption of 5G smartphones despite intensified competition. The Company will continue to focus on expanding sales and boosting utilization with a broader customer base and stronger cost competitiveness. Additionally, Samsung will aim to actively address demand for foldable display panels and minimize seasonal impacts with wider applications.

 

For large displays, Samsung will look to realign its business structure to focus on QD-Display. It will continue to secure profitability by expanding sales of value-added products such as ultra-large panels, 8K TVs and premium monitors.

 

 

Galaxy Note 10 Props Up Mobile Business Earnings; 5G Momentum Driver in 2020

The IT & Mobile Communications Business posted KRW 29.25 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 2.92 trillion in operating profit for the September quarter.

 

Mobile earnings in the third quarter improved significantly QoQ on robust shipments of the flagship Galaxy Note 10, a better product mix and higher profitability in the mass-market segment. The Galaxy Note 10 in the third quarter exceeded its predecessor’s sales performance, presenting double-digit growth in volume. Cost reduction brought on by the completion of the A series lineup transition also contributed to improved profitability.

 

Notably in the third quarter, the Company firmed up its global technology leadership with the expansion of 5G smartphones, in addition to the launch of the Galaxy Fold featuring a new form factor.

 

For the Network Business, the Company continued expanding 5G coverage in South Korea and shipments for LTE expansion outside the country.

 

In the fourth quarter, while mobile demand is expected to decline YoY on seasonal effects and persistent global economic uncertainties, the Company’s mass-market smartphones, including the new A series, are projected to maintain solid sales. However, Samsung expects profit to decrease due to dissipating new model effects of the Galaxy Note10 and increasing marketing costs under strong seasonality.

 

Looking ahead to 2020, consumer demand for 5G devices is expected to rise as 5G networks expand globally, while competition is likely to remain fierce. The Company plans to offer more 5G devices and foldable products to enhance its competitiveness and build a foundation for further growth. For the Network business in the fourth quarter and the coming year, the Company will remain an active player in expanding South Korea’s 5G coverage and foster growth in other global markets like the United States and Japan.

 

 

Premium TVs, Innovations Such as Bespoke Key Focus for Consumer Electronics

The Consumer Electronics Division, comprised of the Visual Display and Digital Appliances businesses, recorded KRW 10.93 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 0.55 trillion in operating profit for the third quarter of 2019.

 

Profits for TVs were down slightly in annual terms in the third quarter due to heightened price competition, but strong sales of premium TVs such as QLED and ultra-large models helped the division maintain revenue growth compared to a year ago.

 

In the fourth quarter, the Company forecasts TV demand will soften YoY on downside risks including global economic sluggishness and unfavorable foreign exchange rates stemming from trade protectionist practices. To mitigate the fallout from these risks, the Company plans to expand sales of QLED TVs and broaden the lineup of super-large screen products, cementing its leading position in the premium market. For 2020, TV demand will likely bounce back on global sports events like the Olympic Games in Tokyo while the Company plans to seek new business growth from 8K TVs and MicroLED TVs.

 

Digital appliances saw increased earnings in the third quarter from a year ago on new product releases like the customizable Bespoke refrigerator. Demand in developed markets in North America and Europe was stagnant but this was offset by sales in emerging market countries including India.

 

For the December quarter, the Company plans to boost sales of products such as dryers and Air Dressers (garment refreshers) while simultaneously launching year-end, peak season promotion events. In the year ahead, demand will grow centered around emerging market countries, while the Company is expected to expand its premium lineup with other Bespoke products and strengthen its B2B business.

 

 

※ Consolidated Sales and Operating Profit by Segment based on K-IFRS (2017~2019 3Q)

 

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

* This article was originally published here

SDC19: Top Themes from Samsung’s Developer Event

This year’s Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) attracted over 5,800 guests from around the world for a showcase of technologies that will enable Samsung device users to unlock the full power of innovations like Bixby, SmartThings and the blockchain ecosystem.

 

To help you catch up with these and other exciting updates from San Jose, here’s a handy list of the top themes on display at SDC19.

 

Held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in sunny California, this year’s Samsung Developer Conference is a showcase of the hottest topics in tech.

 

 

Expanding the Bixby and SmartThings Ecosystems

This year at SDC, Samsung is showcasing strides it’s made to integrate Bixby into a wide range of devices. The company is also introducing enhancements that will make it easier for developers to enrich Bixby and the SmartThings IoT platform with useful services, and in doing so, create more ways for users to infuse intelligence into everything they do.

 

Outlining Samsung’s efforts to offer developers more ways to work with Bixby, Eui-Suk Chung, EVP, Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics, discusses the AI platform’s expansion. “In 2019, we made it even easier to use Bixby,” Chung explains. “We added new capabilities not only on our flagship devices, but also on most of our A-series devices, on more Galaxy tablets and watches, TVs and home appliances. Just to give you countless new ways to integrate intelligence into everything you do.”

 

 

Samsung demonstrates how enhancements to the Bixby Developer Studio, including new Bixby Templates and Bixby Views, will streamline the development of capsules that work across Bixby’s ever-growing ecosystem of devices.

 

In addition to unveiling a new Rules API that will spur the creation of more automated smart home experiences, Samsung introduced a SmartThings Device SDK beta program – set to launch early next year – that will help third-party manufacturers build SmartThings-supported devices.

 

 

New Devices and Experiences

Those visiting SDC19 are treated to first looks at some of the latest and greatest products of Samsung’s innovation. Spanning categories like mobile devices, UX design and more, the devices and experiences showcased at the conference hold the power to transform the way people live, work and connect.

 

 

The launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Fold established a brand-new product category – one that opens the door to a new era of mobile experiences. To help realize its vision of a foldable future, Samsung is demonstrating its commitment to developing a variety of foldable form factors at SDC19. Enriching the category with more options will help Samsung and developers explore new use cases and user experiences.

 

Also on display at SDC is the new, Bixby-enabled Galaxy Home Mini, which fosters continuous IoT experiences when managing connected devices, and offers powerful pound-for-pound audio quality.

 

Seeing is believing: An SDC attendee examines how Samsung’s AI ScaleNet technology makes it possible to stream high-quality 8K videos on networks with lower bandwidth capabilities.

 

 

Peeks at Cutting-edge Blockchain and Enterprise Solutions

SDC19 offers partners and developers a chance to learn more about one of the hottest trends in technology today: blockchain. Speakers and sessions discuss how enterprises and developers can utilize Samsung’s latest blockchain-powered services to capitalize on the technology’s incredible potential.

 

The conference also offers attendees an opportunity to see how Samsung is leveraging its years of experience leading innovation in a variety of industries – ranging from retail and manufacturing to transportation and healthcare – to provide enterprises with customized services tailored to their needs.

 

Seungyun Lee, Principal Engineer, Knox Platform for Enterprise, Samsung Electronics, discusses Samsung’s commitment to advancing blockchain technology – a commitment that’s seen the company produce one of the first smartphones with blockchain technology built-in, and streamline data and cryptocurrency management with the launches of the Samsung Blockchain Keystore and the new Samsung Blockchain Platform SDK. “Together,” Lee explains, “all of these innovations mark a new beginning for the blockchain ecosystem – with Samsung at the forefront.”

 

SDC attendees eagerly explore the various blockchain innovations being displayed at SDC19. Included among these is the new Samsung Blockchain Platform SDK, which opens up exciting opportunities for developers by 1) offering them more options for securely storing private keys, 2) supporting cryptocurrency transactions, and 3) enabling apps to be smoothly integrated into a mobile space.

 

Samsung’s SDC19 booth also includes exhibits that illustrate why enterprises in a variety of fields – including industries known to employ the strictest security standards – trust Samsung to help them customize solutions.

 

 

But Wait, There’s More!

At the end of the day, SDC is about inspiring people to pursue meaningful innovation. Which is why those visiting the conference are also exposed to projects and initiatives that are making a tangible difference in the world, like the Samsung Global Goals app.

 

Created to support the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the educational and donation-based mobile app offers a simple way for the Galaxy community to support the causes they care about. To help maximize the app’s impact, Samsung has announced that it will match proceeds generated through the app and donate the same amount.¹

 

That’s all for now, but there’s plenty more to come as SDC19 enters its second day. For more information on the topics and innovations being discussed at the event, be sure to check out Samsung Newsroom’s ongoing coverage. And don’t forget to check back here for more updates on Samsung’s latest AI, IoT and developer innovations.

 

¹Samsung has pledged to match donations with ad proceeds generated through the Global Goals app; up to $5 million annually.

* This article was originally published here

Developers and Users Get More out of Blockchain with Samsung Blockchain Platform SDK

Blockchain has been the buzzword of the tech and finance industry over the last few years as the technology has seen solid, steady growth. Coming off the recent cryptocurrency booms and the active discussions about practical application, blockchain is poised to evolve even further as it continues to hold much promise.

 

Its main benefits stem from decentralization and transparency. By distributing data across many computers rather than a centralized server, no single authority has control over the information, making it more fair, secure, and transparent. For these reasons, blockchain has promising potential across a variety of industries including finance, medicine, real estate, and entertainment.

 

From cryptocurrency wallets to DApps–or decentralized apps– Samsung has been steadily building a variety of blockchain-powered services, as it sees an opportunity to capitalize on that potential. But still, there are a number of obstacles to overcome before blockchain technology becomes commonplace.

 

 

The Trouble with Blockchain

One of the major obstacles of taking blockchain mobile is that, in the current environment, the majority of blockchain applications are PC or web based. The main reason for this is security.

 

Access to a blockchain requires both a public and private key, or cryptic strings of characters that are near impossible to simply guess by luck. This is both the strength and weakness of blockchain technology: although it is impossible to access data in a blockchain without the right key, the key is all a hacker needs to access your data. Rather than waste time guessing keys, hackers simply try to steal them at the most vulnerable point in the system – your personal computer or mobile device.

 

Anytime blockchain keys are entered, displayed, or stored unencrypted on such devices, they are susceptible to the prying eyes of a hacker. Additionally, mobile DApps built for blockchain typically store private keys in their internal data storage, making them vulnerable to hacks. But Samsung is tackling some of these issues and pushing the envelope of mobile blockchain solutions.

 

 

Delivering Blockchain Solutions

Earlier in the year, the company announced the Samsung Blockchain Wallet App, along with the blockchain-enabled flagship Galaxy S10. The main purpose of the wallet is to allow users to make transactions in cryptocurrencies and easily access DApps on their smartphones. This is all made possible through Samsung Blockchain Keystore.

 

 

Samsung Blockchain Keystore is a critical part of Samsung’s blockchain initiative and addresses some of the key security concerns presented by bringing blockchain to mobile platforms. Samsung Blockchain Keystore allows security-conscious users to treat their phone like a cold wallet, storing their private information in a dedicated secure zone with the additional protection of Samsung Knox and TEE.

 

 

Samsung has also given DApp developers access to the Samsung Blockchain Keystore through the Samsung Blockchain Keystore SDK, allowing them to integrate the Samsung Blockchain Keystore into their DApps and provide secure private key authentication. Samsung’s push into blockchain is expanding even further with the Samsung Blockchain Platform SDK.

 

 

Opening Doors for Developers

The Samsung Blockchain Platform SDK will be announced at SDC19 and is a comprehensive solution that tackles two of the biggest obstacles in expanding the DApp ecosystem: security and the complexity of building a mobile-compatible DApp. The new SDK not only allows DApps, many of which are web based, the ability to seamlessly integrate their apps into a mobile space, it is also highly attractive for legacy apps that want to integrate blockchain features, such as enabling payment with cryptocurrency. Here’s how the Samsung Blockchain Platform SDK is opening new opportunities for developers.

 

 

 

A Better Blockchain Experience

Reducing the complexity of building blockchain apps is a huge boost to both developers and users, opening up a wider ecosystem of DApps and more possibilities for blockchain.

 

A dedicated mobile DApp browser is kicking down the mobile door for developers, allowing web-based blockchain applications to work on mobile with a simple SDK integration. Users will no longer need access to a desktop or laptop to make cryptocurrency payments since they will be able to use the applications right from their phones.

 

Support for legacy applications means developers can easily incorporate blockchain into any existing app. This ultimately allows users to make payments in cryptocurrency in their favorite applications – whether it’s buying a coffee, purchasing in-game items, or subscribing to app services.

 

Perhaps most importantly, the Samsung Blockchain Platform SDK is giving users peace of mind with improved security. With the integration of Ledger, users now have even more options for storing their private keys, so they don’t have to worry as much about hackers.

 

Ultimately the Samsung Blockchain Platform SDK is a big step forward for both developers and users in the blockchain community. Developers will find it easier to integrate blockchain into their software while the expanding ecosystem of DApps will allow users to transact with blockchain easily in their most commonly used applications no matter where they are.

* This article was originally published here

[Video] Samsung Unveils “The Present”, A Short Film Encouraging Young People to Follow Their Dreams

Samsung Electronics has released its latest movie project, “The Present”, a short film inspired by Samsung’s corporate citizenship vision of Enabling People that brings together themes of determination, entrepreneurship and collaboration.

 

“The Present” follows Sang-gu (Ha-kyun Shin), a man brought to present-day Seoul via time-travel from 1969. Sang-gu meets young entrepreneurs Ha-neul (Jun-myeon Kim, also known as EXO’s Suho), Bo-ra (Seul-ki Kim) and Young-bok (Su-bin Yoo) and ends up helping them as they work to create a thermal imaging camera to use in fire and rescue operations. “I wanted the film to be entertaining,” noted Director Jin-ho Hur, chiefly known for his work in the melodrama genre, “but I also wanted to accurately capture all the joys and sorrows faced by today’s young people as they go about launching their own business endeavors.”

 

(From left to right) Bo-ra, Sang-gu and Ha-neul, characters from “The Present”

 

 

The film features Samsung’s venture acceleration program C-Lab Outside, which supports young Korean startups by facilitating optimal environments for them to grow and create new value. Samsung’s IGNIS Thermal Imaging Camera, developed by Samsung’s in-house corporate incubation program C-Lab to help firefighters in prevention and rescue activities, also takes a starring role in the short film.

 

As well as being released on YouTube, Facebook and other portal sites, Samsung is hosting a special screening of “The Present” for 400 people in Seoul, attended by Director Jin-ho Hur, several of the production’s stars and C-Lab officials.

 

“We hope that ‘The Present’ will encourage young adults who are working hard to keep pursuing their dreams,” said Jae-woong Jeong, Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Corporate Communications Team, “and that the film will convey to audiences Samsung’s citizenship vision of Enabling People, which itself reflects the company’s commitment to helping fulfill the innate potential of each and every individual.”

 

“The Present” is the latest in a series of films made by Samsung to entertain, motivate and inspire young people today. The first, “Two Lights”, was released in 2017, followed by “My Dream Class” in 2018 and “Memories” earlier in 2019.

 

Check out “The Present” in full below.

 

* This article was originally published here

Samsung Showcases Its Latest Silicon Technologies for the Next Wave of Innovation at Annual Tech Day

 

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, showcased advanced memory and system logic devices at its Tech Day 2019 event. Fueling the future of tech for 5G, AI, cloud, edge, IoT, and autonomous vehicles, Samsung highlighted new processor and memory device capabilities. The company unveiled the Exynos 990 premium mobile processor, the 5G-enabled Exynos Modem 5123 and announced mass production of its third generation 10nm-class 1z-nm DRAM.

 

“Samsung is focused on harnessing the most advanced semiconductor technologies to power innovation across key markets,” said JS Choi, president, Samsung Semiconductor. “From System LSI devices that are perfectly adapted for real-world 5G and AI, to advanced solid-state drives (SSDs) that handle mission-critical tasks and offload CPU workload, we are determined to deliver infrastructure capabilities that are built to enable every wave of innovation.”

 

New technology announcements include:

 

• Exynos 990 and 5G Exynos Modem 5123: Delivers unprecedented AI-powered user experiences on-device with a dual-core neural processing unit (NPU) and enhanced digital signal processor (DSP) that can perform over ten-trillion operations per second. The Exynos 990 and 5G Exynos Modem 5123 harness the most advanced chipmaking technologies to-date with a 7-nanometer (nm) process using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography.

 

• Third-generation 10nm-class (1z-nm) DRAM: Delivers the industry’s highest performance, energy efficiency and capacity, since mass production in September. Optimized for premium server platform development, the 1z-nm DRAM will open the door to a lineup of memory solutions at the cutting-edge such as DDR5, LPDDR5, HBM2E and GDDR6 products as early as the beginning of next year.

 

• 12GB LPDDR4X uMCP (UFS-based multichip package): Combines four 24Gb LPDDR4X chips and an ultra-fast eUFS 3.0 NAND storage into a single package, breaking through the current 8GB package limit in mid-range smartphones and bringing more than 10GB of memory to the broader smartphone market.

 

Samsung also proposed new business possibilities for next-generation memory technologies, including the company’s 7th-generation V-NAND with nearly 200 (1yy) cell layers for mobile and other premium memory solutions, and next-generation PCIe Gen5 SSDs for future server and storage applications.

 

Samsung’s third annual Tech Day hosted Silicon Valley’s leading companies, featured customer collaborations on GPU, PCIe Gen4 and HBM2e technologies, an industry-leading customer panel, and a demo pavilion showcasing the future of home automation, data centers, mobile/5G, and automotive technology.

 

“The proliferation of technological advances in 5G, edge computing and AI is changing the world at an exponential pace.  The impact of AI will be everywhere, from new avenues for communication and unprecedented connections. AI’s impact will be seen everywhere. Self-driving cars will take to our roads and homes and businesses will become truly connected,” said Choi. “To enable such innovations, technology infrastructure must lead the way. Samsung is committed to being at the heart of all this innovation — and it will be fascinating to see what the world can do.”

* This article was originally published here

Samsung Electronics Begins Mass Production of Industry’s First 12GB LPDDR4X-based uMCP

 

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced memory technology, today announced that it has begun mass producing the industry’s first 12-gigabyte (GB) low-power double data rate 4X (LPDDR4X) UFS-based multichip package (uMCP). The announcement was made as part of the company’s annual Samsung Tech Day at its Device Solutions’ America headquarters in San Jose, California.

 

“Leveraging our leading-edge 24-gigabit (Gb) LPDDR4X chips, we can offer the highest mobile DRAM capacity of 12GB not only for high-end smartphones but also for mid-range devices,” said Sewon Chun, executive vice president of Memory Marketing at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung will continue to support our smartphone-manufacturing customers with on-time development of next-generation mobile memory solutions, bringing enhanced smartphone experiences to many more users around the globe.”

 

Samsung is introducing its 12GB uMCP solution just seven months after its launch of a 12GB LPDDRX package based on 16Gb DRAM. By combining four of the 24Gb LPDDR4X chips (featuring the latest 1y-nanometer process technology) and ultra-fast eUFS 3.0 NAND storage into a single package, the new mobile memory is able to break through the current 8GB package limit and provide 10+ GB memory to the broader smartphone market.*

 

As the trend toward larger, higher-resolution smartphone displays continues to grow, more users will benefit from Samsung’s uMCP solution when running data-intensive tasks or multitasking. With 1.5X capacity of the previous 8GB package and a data transfer rate of 4,266 megabits per second (Mbps), the 12GB uMCP can support smooth 4K video recording as well as accommodate AI and machine learning features even for mid-end smartphones.

 

Samsung plans to rapidly expand the availability of 10+ GB LPDDR DRAM to address the increasing needs of global smartphone makers for higher-capacity memory solutions, while reinforcing its competitive edge in the memory marketplace.

 

 

^* Editors’ Note:

12GB LPDDR4X uMCP: four 24Gb (3GB) chips + eUFS 3.0

10GB LPDDR4X uMCP: two 24Gb (3GB) chips + two 16Gb (2GB) chips + eUFS 3.0

* This article was originally published here

Cara Delevingne and Samsung Unveil the World’s First Selfie Sent into Space at Star-studded Event in London

 

Samsung Electronics today unveiled the world’s first selfie sent to space, captured by actor, model and philanthropist Cara Delevingne and shown for the first time during a celebrity-filled event at the newly-opened Samsung KX experience space. The selfie is the first of many that Samsung will lift into the stratosphere this month as part of SpaceSelfie, a mission to give everyone the chance to get their face in space.

 

The event was hosted by Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo who introduced Cara as she revealed her playful first SpaceSelfie – captured on her Samsung S10+ – with Cara holding up a peace sign and wearing an astronaut helmet. The moment was also commemorated with an epic group selfie, taken by Cara herself, and featured A-list event attendees including; Italian rapper, singer and songwriter Fedez, best known as a judge on the Italian X Factor and his 2019 hit ‘Holding Out For You’ featuring Zara Larsson.

 

Cara Delevingne said, “I’m honored to be Samsung’s SpaceSelfie pioneer! To celebrate, I wanted to take the first group selfie to go to space. I can’t wait for my fans to join us in space and get their hands on a SpaceSelfie of their own.”

 

 

 

About SpaceSelfie

 

In 2014, the world’s most famous selfie taken by Ellen DeGeneres at the Oscars was taken on a Samsung Galaxy Note3. Five years later, Samsung has taken it one step further with this first SpaceSelfie, captured on Delevingne’s Galaxy S10.

 

SpaceSelfie gives consumers the chance to join Cara in space by uploading a photo to Samsung’s ‘Mission Control’ website: www.samsung.com/spaceselfie.

 

Images will then be selected at random, displayed on Galaxy S10 5G’s 6.7-inch screen and captured using a unique view of planet earth as the backdrop. This photo will be sent back down to earth for its owner to share on social media.

 

“Tonight, we made history by unveiling the first selfie sent into space. Our relentless pioneering spirit continues to show that amazing things happen on a Samsung screens – even from the stratosphere.” says Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Europe. “Our ethos is Do What You Can’t and the Samsung SpaceSelfie is just that. We continually break the boundaries of what is possible with innovation and tonight’s SpaceSelfie launch is no different.”

 

Visit www.samsung.com/spaceselfie for further information.

 

* This article was originally published here

[Hearing from an AI Expert – 6] AI and 5G: A Two-Pronged Revolution

 

One of the most exciting things about the times we live in is the fact that we stand on the precipice of several major technological shifts. What’s more, the individual innovations that make up these seismic changes are not happening independently, but rather are interweaving to inform and empower one another. As we stand here at the edge, no two innovations are enlivening and empowering the tech industry more than those of AI and 5G.

 

While AI is making technology smarter across the board, 5G is ensuring that connection speeds are fast enough to allow platforms to interface in real-time. So how exactly do AI and 5G work hand-in-hand to make each other, and the entire tech industry, stronger? Dr. Gregory Dudek, Head of the Samsung AI Center in Montreal, extrapolates on the interplay between the two innovations, and how they stand to change things for consumers.

 

 

AI for 5G and Beyond

The Montreal AI Center’s primary area of focus is ‘AI-for-5G’, as Dudek explains. “Bringing the strength of AI to bear in order to make use of the full potential of 5G is the key focus of our research in Montreal,” he relates, “The area is a natural fit for our center, since Montreal is one of the world’s hotbeds for AI research, as well as having a telecommunications research community that has a decades-long history.”

 

Dudek relates that 5G (and beyond 5G) telecommunications systems are very flexible, and can outperform older systems such as 4G, but that extensive configuration is required to take full advantage of them. “In order to exploit 5G networks’ full potential, and make them applicable for a wide range of users, devices and needs, extensive automated reconfigurability is required,” Dudek says, “And that is where AI comes into the picture.”

 

The impact that AI stands to have on almost every aspect of our lives, and on our technologies as a whole, is immense – there are few areas of the industry that aren’t expected to be revamped by the introduction of artificial intelligence. “Telecommunication systems have been getting steadily more complex since they were first developed,” Dudek says, “In almost all areas of digital communication, complex optimization problems arise and are solved by increasingly sophisticated solutions that I would often call AI.” According to Dudek, the main thing that AI allows devices to do is “adapt to changing conditions”, and this can lead to those devices being optimized in ways that have rarely been seen before. He says that 5G’s “richer protocols and abundance of cells” provide an opportunity to enhance performance with learning-based AI algorithms, and claims that using AI for 5G is likely to prove “more of a fundamental requirement for state-of-the-art performance than just an opportunity.”

 

 

5G Underpins the Future

Just as AI can be used to optimize 5G networks, the enhanced performance characteristics of 5G will be important for many key applications of AI in our daily lives.

 

Dudek outlines that 5G will be an essential component in many of the key applications of AI. Among those applications, Dudek highlights the automotive, edge computing, robotics and medicine sectors, among others.

 

“One of the clearest needs is in the domain of autonomous cars and delivery vehicles,” he expands, “Efficient coordination of automotive vehicles will depend on the reduced latency that 5G networks offer.”

 

Dudek also touches on the area of ‘edge computing’, which is additionally set to empower and be empowered by the introduction of 5G. Edge computing means computing that is done very close to data sources, so that relays back and forth from the cloud are minimized. 5G will accelerate communication speeds between ‘the edge’ and the public cloud, while edge computing, in turn, will improve cybersecurity on 5G networks, reduce the burden on the public cloud and lead to savings on storage and processing costs. Eventually, edge computing is expected to prove helpful in realizing AI’s potential because it will allow computation to be distributed across more devices. 5G is also expected to contribute in this area by accommodating a potentially very large number of edge clients and allowing them to do real-time processing with low latency.

 

Dudek says that robotics will be another important application of 5G, pointing out that areas such as robotic vision, reasoning and action will all depend on the high-quality connectivity it provides. “Many of the most exciting applications of robotics will combine edge computing, sensing, big data in the cloud and interactions between multiple devices,” Dudek reports, “The combination of bandwidth and low-latency will be critical for things like robotic telemedicine solutions as well.”

 

Touching on other sectors that 5G connectivity is set to empower, Dudek highlights those of medicine (telemedicine, smart diagnostic capabilities and therapeutic technologies), leisure (multiple streams and viewpoints for sports events and rich, multi-person VR), public transportation and factory automation. “In fact,” Dudek concludes, “if we see 5G and AI as a combined package, then there are very few areas of human activity where there will not be some impact.”

 

 

 

Samsung’s Position

The versatility and power of 5G networks will allow for new kinds of connectivity and the emergence of an all-new family of devices. And, as the dual rise of AI and 5G expands capabilities, the degree to which companies and individuals will be able to take advantage of the resulting solutions will depend on their access. That is why Samsung’s position is such a promising one.

 

“Samsung has successfully exploited successive waves of the most modern and rapidly-changing technologies,” Dudek imparts, “When it comes to these upcoming innovations – not just AI and 5G, but edge computing, multi-device interactions, machine learning, robotics and personalized devices, – a fluid combination of hardware and software will be crucial. The company’s extensive experience in creating individual devices that can talk to one another and have overlapping functions means that Samsung is in an exceptional position to lead this family of emerging technologies.”

 

Touching on other areas that are expected to change things for consumers, Dudek says that he also expects Samsung to be instrumental in the sphere of robotics, as well as when it comes to innovations regarding original technologies such as AI and 5G. “It cannot be overlooked that robotics is expected to have a huge influence on our lives,” Dudek says, “And, as robotics is a synthesis of AI and mechatronics, this area is very well-matched to Samsung’s strengths as well.”

 

 

What AI and 5G Will Bring to Consumers

For most of us, our devices have already become crucial to going through our daily routines, but the dual inception of 5G and AI is set to make our devices even more complementary to our day to day lives.

 

“In the near term, AI will make our home lives healthier, safer and more fun,” Dudek says, “But AI also has the potential to help people communicate more easily across linguistic and geographic boundaries.”

 

“A world where 5G-dependent smart devices become woven into our lives is much closer than most people expect,” Dudek continues, “I expect this embedded, interconnected intelligence to start playing a role in our lives in the near future.”

 

When one considers the entirety of the picture that Dudek paints, it is hard not to start seeing AI and 5G as more of a necessity than a luxury. Asked how he envisions the combined inception of 5G and AI will change our lives, he says “One of my goals as a researcher is to have a positive impact on the world, and to play a role in bringing important new technologies to life.” He also says that he expects the introduction of 5G and AI to progressively take away more and more of the mundane tasks that people deal with day-to-day. “People will expect much more from the objects around them,” he says, “and this will allow them to focus more on the aspects of their lives that they find more rewarding.”

* This article was originally published here

Samsung Unveils New 5G NR Integrated Radio Supporting 28GHz at MWC LA 2019

 

Samsung Electronics today announced at MWC Los Angeles 2019 its new 5G New Radio (NR) Access Unit (AU) supporting 28GHz spectrum. This new AU brings together a radio, antenna and digital unit into one compact box, making it the industry’s first integrated radio for mmWave spectrum, compliant to the 3GPP NR standard. The new Access Unit is on display at the Samsung Booth (South Hall #1228).

 

Earlier this year, Samsung Networks successfully deployed its first-generation 5G NR radio base stations in the U.S. with separated radio and digital units (RU-DU separated radio). By integrating these RU-DU technologies with 1,024 antenna elements for mmWave spectrum into one compact box, the new AU can be more easily installed on streetlight poles and building walls, providing operators a faster, simplified way to build out 5G networks.

 

The AU is able to deliver an industry-leading capacity of 10Gbps throughput, enabling operators to deliver higher 5G NR speeds to more users. Additionally, improved cost-efficiency is achieved by eliminating the need for ‘fronthaul’ fiber connections, thanks to the AU’s integration of the digital unit. Samsung is currently shipping the new AU to a leading U.S. Tier One mobile network operator.

 

“Samsung has a long history of network innovation. Our innovative spirit has led us to introduce next generation technologies and open up a new 5G era,” said Paul Kyungwhoon Cheun, Executive Vice President and Head of Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. “Cultivating mmWave spectrum provides infinite opportunities by unlocking 5G’s full potential. We’re excited to advance the industry by offering a new vision and diverse options to our customers around the world.”

 

 

New SoC Modem Increases 5G’s Efficiency

Additional innovations to Samsung’s new AU are made possible by Samsung’s in-house 5G RF chipset, announced earlier this year and the company’s first 5G NR system-on-a-chip (SoC) modem (S9100), announced today. This chipset enables an approximate 25 percent reduction in size, weight and power consumption, when compared to the same solution without an embedded 5G RF chipset. The AU’s new 5G NR modem substantially increases power efficiency.

 

 

Expanding 5G Spectrum Capabilities

 

In addition to launching the new AU, Samsung is expanding its 5G portfolio to help operators have a wider choice in selecting radio solutions for different deployment scenarios. The company currently has commercial solutions for 2.5GHz, 3.5-4.1GHz, 26-28GHz and 39GHz and today launched a new 5G RFIC chip for the 24-27GHz spectrum, which will support new radios in 2020. The 5G portfolio now includes a mix of integrated and non-integrated architectures as well as transceiver paths (4T4R and 2T2R) to meet multiple deployment scenarios for operators – outdoor pole-mount, strand-mount, in-building, and others.

* This article was originally published here

Previewing SDC19’s Can’t-miss Sessions

 

In less than a week, thousands of individuals from around the world will gather in San Jose, California to take part in the sixth annual Samsung Developer Conference (SDC). Held from October 29–30 at the San Jose Convention Center, this year’s showcase of the latest trends in tech will offer creators and developers an opportunity to get to know Samsung innovations that will allow them to take consumers’ AI and IoT experiences to the next level.

 

A wide variety of sessions – led by Samsung and tech industry leaders – will offer attendees a first look at the company’s latest SDKs and dev tools, as well as exclusive previews of cutting-edge advancements in the fields of AI, 5G, secure solutions and more.

 

Read on for our roundup of SDC19 sessions that attendees won’t want to miss.

 

 

Bixby

 

SDC19 features a variety of sessions that showcase just how easy it is to develop seamless device experiences using Samsung’s open AI platform, Bixby. Included among these are:

 

• Game Changing Voice Assistant: Industry Perspectives
  Listen to industry leaders and premier developers share their experiences developing Bixby Capsules and scaling their services for the Bixby experience. Speakers will discuss the platform’s ability to drive business growth, and outline their vision for the future of intelligent voice assistants.

 

• Building Bixby Conversational Experiences for Devices with and without Screens
  This session will explore how Bixby behaves across devices both with and without screens, and discuss how to provide the best user experience for multiple devices. Learn from the best Bixby engineers in the world how to account for the many interfaces you’ll encounter in the Bixby device ecosystem.

 

• Bixby Developer Center and Marketplace
  Learn how to configure and submit Bixby Capsules for launch in the Bixby Marketplace, and how to set up teams for seamless collaboration. Plus, gain insight and access to Samsung’s exclusive Bixby Premier Developer Program.

 

 

5G

The 5G era is officially upon us, and at SDC19, Samsung is spotlighting some of the incredible opportunities that 5G connectivity offers businesses and developers. Those in attendance should be sure to check out:

 

• Unleashing Business with 5G Solutions
  This session offers valuable insights into how 5G will transform enterprises and businesses. Beyond the increase in speed, 5G will remove a wide range of existing limitations. Speakers will discuss 5G’s impact on key industries, offer predictions for the future, and share how developers can use these insights to identify new opportunities for B2B app development.

 

• Making 5G Wireless Technology a Reality and Initiatives Towards 6G
  The 5G platform is expected to play a critical role in connecting devices not just in the home, but across a wide range of industries. This session will explore Samsung’s 5G leadership, chart 5G’s evolution, and outline Samsung’s vision for the next generation of wireless technology: 6G.

 

 

Security

SDC19 features several sessions that underscore Samsung’s commitment to providing comprehensive security. Notable sessions include:

 

 

• Is Your Code Secure? Automatic Security Analysis Tools and Systems
  This session will introduce Samsung’s automatic analysis tools and systems for detecting security vulnerabilities and weaknesses in developed software. Discover how Samsung utilizes these tools, and learn how to make your code more secure.

 

• Samsung Blockchain Is Open for Partnerships
  Samsung believes in an open environment and embraces the idea that a decentralized world will revolutionize how we interact, work and play. This engaging session will outline the company’s approach to blockchain technology, and examine its efforts to further this revolution through collaboration with developers.

 

 

Enterprise Solutions

In addition to serving as a platform for partners and developers to unlock exciting business opportunities, SDC19 will showcase Samsung collaborations that are redefining what’s possible for enterprises. Notable sessions include:

 

• How AI Can Improve Operational Effectiveness, Safety and Wellbeing
  IBM and Samsung are expanding a decades-long partnership. This session will discuss the companies’ shared objective – to bring their combined innovation capabilities from the lab to your daily life – and showcase examples of this reinforced cooperation.

 

• Knox Partner Program and Knox Dev Tools
  This session will introduce the mobile enterprise-focused Knox Partner Program, which places a wide range of valuable resources and B2B dev tools – including EMM, Mobile Threat Detection, Remote Control and Secure Voice – at developers’ fingertips.

 

 

IoT (the Internet of Things)

This year at SDC, Samsung will introduce enhancements to its open IoT platform, SmartThings, that will enable partners and developers to enrich people’s lives with better connected living experiences. Highlighted sessions include:

 

• IoT 2.0: The Next Phase of IoT Engagement and Growth
  Learn more about SmartThings, its services and devices, and Samsung’s plans for the platform going forward. Find out how to join the SmartThings ecosystem, and how Samsung improved the platform to help partners and developers grow their businesses.

 

• Digital Marketing and e-Commerce Development for Smart Appliances
  Whether it’s e-commerce or digital content, developers are leveraging IoT and emerging technology to drive innovation and offer consumers additional convenience. Find out how partners are working hand-in-hand with Samsung to make this happen through collaborative development.

 

 

And Much More

All in all, SDC19 features more than 90 sessions covering a wide range of important subjects – including, in addition to those listed above, topics like developing apps for foldable devices, 8K content streaming, and Samsung’s One UI. Notable sessions include:

 

• More Than Foldables: Android Apps for Foldables and Larger Screens
  Android apps are now available on more than just single and small screens. Consumers are increasingly demanding versatility in screens, and this broadening device landscape is fueling a shift toward more immersive and productive usage. This interactive session will offer insights from Samsung, Google, VSCO and top developers on how to make your applications work well across multiple form factors, including foldables, tablets and desktops. Listen to experts share best practices on improving the user experience, expanding your audience, and increasing engagement across screens and devices.

 

• One UI : Designed for Everyday Simplicity
  Since introducing One UI at SDC18, Samsung has been hard at work refining its signature mobile software in ways that enhance users’ daily lives. Join this session for a deep dive into One UI 2’s design principles and visual language, and examine Samsung’s vision as well as its progress toward creating a single, unified user experience.

 

• 8K Streaming, Low-Latency Livestreaming, and AI Streaming
  This session will discuss Samsung’s collaborations with various content and service providers on 8K streaming services. Discover how to integrate 8K streaming support into new and existing apps, and learn how Samsung’s neural network-based AI streaming technology intelligently scales images and videos in order to dramatically improve image quality and enable users to enjoy more 8K content.

 

More details on these and other SDC19 sessions may be found here. And don’t forget to follow @samsung_dev on Twitter and keep an eye on the hashtag #SDC19 for the latest news and updates from San Jose.

* This article was originally published here

Samsung Electronics Launches Newsroom in Canada

 

Samsung Electronics has announced the launch of its latest regional newsroom in Canada. Available in both English and French, Samsung Newsroom Canada will now serve as the official source for news related to Samsung for local media and consumers.

 

Along with the latest news on Samsung’s product and services, this digital content hub will also highlight the latest company announcements, launches and initiatives, both local and global. The site will feature a wide range of content, including press releases, live broadcasting of major global events and downloadable HD photographs and videos, along with new, original and engaging content created specifically for the Canadian audience.

 

Samsung has to date launched 40 newsroom sites around the world. For more information about Samsung’s activities in Canada, visit https://news.samsung.com/ca/ for the English-language Samsung Newsroom Canada site and https://news.samsung.com/ca_fr/ for the French-language site.

* This article was originally published here

[Hearing from an AI Expert – 5] At the Intersection of Robotics and Innovation

 

There is much anticipation these days around the field of robotics with its immense potential and promising future applications. However, a large gap exists between public expectations and what is actually deemed technically feasible by scientists and engineers today. Fortunately, Samsung’s New York AI Center is buoyed by the presence of a team of highly skilled researchers, led by robotics and AI expert Dr. Daniel D. Lee, who are working to close this gap. Samsung Newsroom spoke with Dr. Lee about the work being done at the center, as well as the facility’s ability to foster collaboration in a range of areas and attract top talent.

 

 

Challenges to Overcome

Asked about his center’s mandate, Lee explains that the New York AI Center focuses on “fundamental research at the intersection of AI, robotics and neuroscience.” The center’s objective is to “solve challenging problems” at this intersection, and one good example is the problem of robotic manipulation¹.

 

Put simply, robots need to become far more skillful before they are ready to help humans with physical tasks in their daily lives. The first step involves endowing robots with the intelligence to perceive and understand their surroundings. Next, they must be able to make swift decisions in unpredictable situations. Finally, robots should be dexterous and nimble enough to perform the appropriate actions. However, it is impossible for robot designers to anticipate every contingency robots will encounter in real world environments. Thus, robots need to be able to learn from experience just as humans do.

 

At this time, most common machine learning methods are not suitable for teaching robots since enormous amounts of training data are required. Lee explained that there are several challenges that need to be addressed regarding machine learning for robotics.

 

“Dealing with the physical world is much more difficult for AI than playing video games or Go,” he explains, “We are currently developing AI learning methods that can deal with the uncertainty and diversity of the physical world so that robots become more prevalent in homes and workplaces. I would compare the state of robots today to computers in the 1980’s during the transformation from mainframes to personal computers.”

 

The New York AI Center is addressing such challenges to provide a richer AI and robotics experience. For instance, the center has recently developed novel AI methods that are able to efficiently teach robots using limited data. One recently-developed method trains a neural network to generate motion trajectories for a robot arm directly from camera images.

 

 

Getting a Handle on Robotic Manipulation

In order to allow robots to handle things for people, robots need to learn how to touch, grasp, and move a variety of everyday objects. Lee explains how the problem of dexterous robotic manipulation is an area of focus for the New York AI Center.

 

Lee comments that “the ability of humans and some animals to manipulate household objects is currently unmatched by machines. That’s why we are investigating how AI-based solutions can be applied to make breakthroughs in this area.” Extrapolating further, Lee explains that ‘dexterous’ robotic manipulation “requires the ability to precisely and robustly handle objects exhibiting uncertain material properties.”

 

“Manipulation is relatively easy if the objects and environments are carefully controlled, such as on a factory floor,” Lee reports, “But it becomes much more difficult in unknown, cluttered environments when faced with a diverse array of objects.”

 

By way of an example, Lee lays out the capabilities that would be required for a robot to serve a chilled glass of wine in a restaurant. “How heavy is the glass, and how slippery is it due to condensation?” He adds, “It’s impossible to completely model all the possible physical characteristics of the glass of wine, so machine learning is critical in training robots to handle the difficult situations.”

 

 

Collaborative Innovation

As the AI sector has grown more sophisticated, it has become increasingly clear that collaborative solutions are critical for researchers to overcome the challenges they face. In an area as complex and multi-faceted as robotic manipulation, contributions from and collaborations with “the world’s best and brightest” will be instrumental, comments Lee. He highlights the value of working with both other Samsung AI Centers and academic institutions, saying that, “solving fundamental problems in AI to positively impact society requires drawing upon the ability and skills of numerous experts globally.”

 

He added, “The Samsung AI Centers invite collaborations with researchers who can help address these difficult challenges. We currently have a number of faculty from leading academic institutions who are collaborating with us in New York.”

 

 

Attracting Talent

Lee highlights just how beneficial being located in New York has been for his team, saying that “certainly, New York City is one of the greatest and most diverse cities in the world. It is a magnet for world-class research and engineering talent.”

 

Attracting the very best in talent is extremely important to remain on the bleeding edge of future AI advancements, and Lee reports that the center has been fortunate in this area, saying, “We have benefited from being able to attract and recruit some outstanding researchers since we started the Center.”

 

“Our team is composed of expert scientists and engineers who are creating innovative theories and algorithms and state-of-the-art technological developments,” Lee adds, “It’s been great working with them to publish in leading academic conferences and journals as well.”

 

 

 

How Robotics Could Revolutionize Our Lives

Speaking about how he envisions robots will fit into society in the future, Lee points out that, in their infancy, some robots drew attention because they were cute and fun, but that people tended to use them less as the novelty wore off. In order for people to see robots as valuable and relevant, new systems need to have enough intelligence that they become indispensable in our daily lives.

 

“Intelligent robotic systems have the potential to completely revolutionize how people go about their activities in the future,” Lee extrapolates, “In the near term, we will see modest improvements on simple tasks in constrained environments. But more complete systems that can handle a variety of chores and complex tasks will require further research breakthroughs. The Samsung AI Centers are helping to generate those new advances.”

 

Asked to outline what he sees as the ultimate vision for AI and robotic intelligence, Lee says, “I grew up reading and watching science fiction stories that envisaged amazing robots helping humans. It would be incredible to see some of those positive visions actually come to life.”

 

 

¹ The ability for robots to interact with and move physical objects in a range of environments.

* This article was originally published here

Statement on Fingerprint Recognition Issue

Regarding recent reports of a fingerprint recognition issue affecting certain Galaxy devices, we would like to inform our customers of the following information.

 

This issue involved ultrasonic fingerprint sensors unlocking devices after recognizing 3-dimensional patterns appearing on certain silicone screen protecting cases as users’ fingerprints.

 

To prevent any further issues, we advise that Galaxy Note10/10+ and S10/S10+/S10 5G users who use such covers to remove the cover, delete all previous fingerprints and newly register their fingerprints.

 

If you currently use front screen protective covers, to ensure optimum fingerprint scanning, please refrain from using this cover until your device has been updated with a new software patch.

 

A software update is planned to be released as early as next week, and once updated, please be sure to scan your fingerprint in its entirety, so that the all portions of your fingerprint, including the center and corners have been fully scanned.

 

Thank you for your patience and we will strive to continuously improve product and service experiences for our users.

* This article was originally published here

How to Check the Status of Your AirPods & Charging Case

Using your iPhone to check the status of your AirPods and AirPods charging case is a quick way to see  how much time you have left to listen to music or make important phone calls before having to recharge your AirPods and whether you the case has enough power to recharge your Airpods. To check the battery levels of your AirPods and their charging case, open the AirPods case near your iPhone to view the status on your screen. Let's get started with how to use your iPhone to monitor the status of your AirPods  and their charging case.

Related: Apple AirPods & AirPods 2 Guide: Charging, Pairing, Setting Up, Using, More

3 Ways to Check the Battery Levels of Your AirPods & Charging Case

Your AirPods will need to be paired to the device you'd like to use to check their charge status.

Open the Case Near Your iPhone

1. Open your AirPods case, leaving your AirPods inside, and hold the open case near your iPhone.
2. The battery levels of both your AirPods and their charging case will appear on screen.
   
   

Use the Today View

1. You can also check these levels using the Battery widget in your Today View
2. Swipe right from the first Home screen to find the Today View.
3. To add the Battery Widget, tap Edit at the bottom of the Today View screen.
   
   
    
4. Tap the green circle beside Batteries
5. Tap Done. 
   
   
    
6. You can now view your AirPods and charging case status in the Batteries section of Today View when you open your AirPods case.
7. When your AirPods are in use and the case is closed, only their battery levels will appear on the screen
   
   

​Ask Siri

1. You can also use Siri to check the status of your AirPods and charging case without opening case. Just ask Siri, "How much battery do my AirPods have?" and Siri will reply with the battery status of both.
2. If you are wearing your AirPods, you will need to ask specifically about the battery levels of the Airpods or of the charging case.
   
   

Now you know how to use your iPhone to check the charge status of your AirPods and Charging Case using your iPhone screen, Today view, and Siri.

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* This article was originally published here