Month: April 2022

2022 products offer new cutting-edge technologies, features and designs for a re-defined experience across multiple devices

Samsung Electronics today showcased its 2022 lineup of Neo QLED 8K, soundbars, accessories and sustainability initiatives at its virtual Unbox & Discover event. With this new lineup, Samsung aims to redefine the role of television by creating beautifully designed, cutting-edge screens that offer more than just entertainment. This year’s products and features take the screen to new heights by providing one central hub to play, connect, work and more.

“We are focused on creating a seamless experience across all of our products, which allows consumers to effortlessly enjoy all their benefits. The 2022 Neo QLED 8K is designed to fulfill the needs and empower the passion of our consumers, and the innovations are sparked by their experiences,” said Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Samsung Electronics’ DX (Device eXperience) Division. “Neo QLED 8K also has the power to unlock new experiences as the most important device at the center of the home.”

Samsung’s 2022 portfolio was developed from the vision of ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All,’ with TVs at the center of users’ home and daily lives. In line with this vision, Samsung created devices that seamlessly connect to provide deep personalization and connectivity ensuring there is a screen fit for every occasion and lifestyle. Historically, TVs and screens have been mainly associated with the act of “watching,” but Neo QLED 8K aims to change this by expanding the user experience.

Neo QLED 8K: The Best Gets Better

The 2022 Neo QLED 8K has been upgraded to bring the large screen experience to another level. At the heart is the Neural Quantum Processor 8K. The latest processor has 20 independent neural AI networks, each analyzing the content’s characteristics and picture quality for optimal viewing, regardless of the source.

The Neural Quantum Processor 8K also powers a new technological innovation — Real Depth Enhancer. This scans the screen, and maximizes contrast with the background by enhancing the object while keeping the background unprocessed. It works similarly to the way human eyes perceive images in real life so the object on screen stands out against the background.

In fact, Samsung’s all new 2022 QLED received the world’s first ‘Pantone Validated’ certification in display from Pantone, the global authority on color and creator of the Pantone Matching System (PMS) — meaning the models authentically reproduce more than 2,000 colors as well as the newly added 110 skin tone shades found in Pantone’s guidelines. Additionally, these brilliant colors are comfortable to watch with the new EyeComfort Mode. The feature uses AI technology to automatically adjust the brightness and color temperature of the screen based on how light or dark the room is combined with the sunset/sunrise information to optimize the most comfortable viewing experience.

Immersive Dolby Atmos Sound With Smart Features

For true immersion, TVs and screens need powerful and nuanced sound to match the rich colors and sharp details. The Neural Quantum Processor 8K’s AI analyzes what is on screen in real-time so that the Adaptive Sound features can track and move between speakers to precisely match the movement on screen.

In QN900B, a flagship Neo QLED 8K model, all the sounds come from a 90W 6.2.4 channel audio system, featuring new top channel speakers and Dolby Atmos with Object Tracking Sound Pro. This technology has also been applied to voice recognition with Voice Tracking Sound, so that sound effects and voices truly follow the movement across the screen.

Samsung is also introducing Wireless Dolby Atmos to its Neo QLED 4K and 8K TVs — this means pristine audio quality without the clutter of HDMI cables. Wireless Dolby Atmos will also be applied to Samsung’s new 2022 Ultra Slim Soundbar, designed for an immersive audio experience from a more aesthetically at a minimal setup.

Experiencing Your Screen

To ensure the experience is as seamless as possible, the 2022 lineup is outfitted with new and smarter features and user interface, allowing Samsung TVs and screens to become the central hub to watch content, control devices, play games, work out and more.

• New Smart Hub: This year, Samsung also unveiled Smart Hub, its new user interface, powered by Tizen. The all-new Samsung Smart Hub brings every aspect of the smart experience into one easy-to-navigate home screen. The new tab classifies features, settings and content into three categories for a seamless user experience: Media, Gaming Hub and Ambient.
  
  
  • Media: The Media screen organizes users’ entertainment options — including video on demand, streaming and Samsung TV Plus¹ with 190+ free channels — and learns users’ preferences with machine learning to make smart recommendations across all platforms and services.
  • Gaming Hub: Gaming Hub is a new game streaming discovery platform that bridges hardware and software to provide a seamless player experience. No downloads required, no storage needed. Samsung also announced partnerships with leading game streaming services — NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Stadia™ and Utomik, with more to come — to bring their libraries of games to the Gaming Hub. The new platform will be available later this year on select 2022 Samsung Smart TV models.²
  • Ambient: The Ambient screen enhances the home’s aesthetic, whether that means synchronizing the screen’s display with its surrounding décor or making a bold statement with eye-catching art.
• Gaming Experience: In addition to the all-new Gaming Hub, the 2022 lineup comes with specifications and features that are made for the ultimate gaming experience. They include four HDMI 2.1 supporting ports,³ Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro 4K 144Hz gaming, Super Ultrawide GameView and Game Bar, making gaming more efficient and accessible for a fast-paced and streamlined experience. With these incredible picture quality and settings improvements, games will be more realistic and thrilling than ever. Samsung is also introducing an exclusive TV lineup for gaming in 43 and 50 inches in the near future.
• Samsung Health: Samsung Health offers not only a wide variety of workout and wellness classes, but also ways to track your progress and routines. Users can easily track their fitness journey and activities on their TV and seamlessly sync with other devices such as Galaxy Watch4 series to track progress in real-time on the screen.

• SmartThings: A critical component of the connected experience is Samsung’s SmartThings. With SmartThings, the screen becomes the central hub to conveniently control other home devices at a single point. This feature, included in Samsung TVs, takes advantage of the large screen to help users discover, view and control devices at-a-glance.
• NFT Platform: Finally, new in 2022 is Samsung’s NFT Platform, partnering with the industry leader, Nifty Gateway. Ambient mode will offer consumers a one-stop NFT platform to explore and display NFT digital arts on 2022 Neo QLED and QLEDs, a new way to collect and present art works.⁴

Sustainability at the Core With ‘Going Green’

Samsung is always thinking about how the manufacturing process and the use of products impact the Earth’s environment, looking for ways to reduce its footprint and build a better future for the planet.

• Eco-Packaging: Samsung is improving its eco-conscious packaging with 90% less ink while also removing the staples during production. Both improvements reduce waste and make it easier for recycling centers to process.
• SolarCell Remote: The SolarCell remote also received an upgrade for 2022. It is 88% more efficient than the previous 2020 models. They are now completely battery-free and can now be charged through 2.4GHz radio frequency harvesting — drawing power from spare energy emitted by Wi-Fi routers.

• Recycled Materials: Samsung’s 2022 TVs, monitors, digital signage and remote controls use recycled resin. Notably, high-resolution monitors use recycled resin from ocean-bound plastic recovered in coastal areas that would otherwise have become marine hazardous waste.
• The Carbon Trust Certification: Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K/4K has achieved the ‘Reducing CO₂’ label from the Carbon Trust, demonstrating that the carbon footprint for the Neo QLED lineup is being reduced year over year.

Making It Personal With Accessories

Each consumer has their unique taste and needs when it comes to TVs, which is why Samsung created new accessories for its 2022 TVs that facilitate entirely new TV experiences.

• Slim Fit Wall Mount: For those who want to wall mount their screen, the Slim Fit Wall Mount allows the TV to lie flush against the wall while offering swivel up, down and sideways for the perfect angle no matter where the viewer is seated.
• Studio Stand: In case the TV stand is preferred, the Studio Stand offers a unique and elegant way to display the Neo QLED 8K in an artistic fashion.
• Auto Rotation: The new accessory extends the rotating capabilities of The Sero to the Neo QLED 8K. Auto Rotation brings mobile experiences to the big screen, portrait art to the full screen, and MultiView experiences to new layouts. It can be used as a stand or wall mount so that whatever is on, the whole screen is filled to optimize the viewing experience.

To pre-order or for more information on Samsung’s TV products, please visit www.samsung.com.

¹ Service availability may vary by region.

² Availability of Gaming Hub may vary by region.

³ Specification of ports may vary by product.

⁴ Detailed features or user interface may vary by model and region.

It’s no surprise that many of us spend more time these days working, studying and relaxing at home. But what if there was a way to make that time more comfortable, meaningful and efficient?

In line with the new era of home life that we’re experiencing today, Samsung Electronics has launched the 2022 Smart Monitor M8 — an all-in-one screen that combines key advantages of both a monitor and a smart TV. Allowing users to work and study even without a PC, and enjoy OTT services without a TV, the Smart Monitor M8 has emerged as a must-have item for the new era of working from home and streaming content.

The Smart Monitor M8 is enhanced for users’ convenience and features an even slimmer design than past models. Recently, Samsung Newsroom unboxed the device to see all the new features and details up close. Let’s take a deep dive into the new, all-in-one experience.

Easy To Install

After opening the box, we found that the 32-inch monitor’s neat white color really stands out. The device features a vertical herringbone pattern on its back that creates a sophisticated vibe, as well as an eye-catching attachable camera. The box also includes a simple yet sturdy-looking stand, a USB-C cable, a micro HDMI cable (micro HDMI to HDMI) and a tiny remote control that fits comfortably in your palm — a rare addition for today’s monitors. The monitor comes with a battery-free remote control that conveniently charges via a USB-C port. There are three external ports in all: one micro HDMI port, one upstream USB-C port and one downstream USB-C port. The middle USB-C port also supports 65W charging.

With a simple assortment of items, installation is easy. First, connect the stand’s neck to its base and fasten the bolts at the bottom. Next, connect the assembled stand to the monitor by sliding it into place top edge first and then pushing down until you hear a click. To disassemble the device, simply push the button that disconnects the stand from the monitor.

An Ultra-Slim Design That’s Easy on the Eyes

After assembling the monitor, we immediately noticed just how simple, neat and slim its design really is. Measuring just 11.4mm thin, the device is less than one-third the thickness of the previous version. Its warm white hue gently radiates a soft vibe, complementing any design or space. The organic herringbone pattern on the back adds a sophisticated touch that stands out even more when the monitor is installed in an open room setting.

The monitor’s Height Adjustable Stand (HAS) is particularly convenient. When a monitor is aligned below a user’s eye level, it forces them to constantly look down, which can cause neck pain. The Smart Monitor M8 can not only be tilted at different angles, but also allows users to adjust its height to match their eye level. This means there’s no need to use other items or stands to elevate the screen. The height of the monitor — measured from the surface of the table to the bottom bezel — is 3.6cm at its lowest setting and 15.6cm at its highest setting.

SlimFit Cam Makes Video Calls More Satisfying

The Smart Monitor M8 also comes with a wireless SlimFit Cam (1920×1080, 30p) that makes it perfect for video conferencing and online classes. The camera can be conveniently attached or detached from the monitor at any time. It connects to the device using pogo pins, which means there’s no need for wires. This keeps the monitor’s back uncluttered and streamlined.

In addition, with video conferencing apps like Google Duo built right in, the monitor makes it easy to participate in online meetings or take classes at home or in an office. It also comes with a Face Tracking feature that automatically tracks and centers on users if they move during video calls, as well as an Auto Zoom feature that subtly zooms in on their face when speaking.

Creating the Perfect Home Office Environment, Even Without a PC

In the work-from-anywhere era, it can be quite daunting to manage urgent tasks without access to a PC. The Smart Monitor M8 removes that worry by making it possible to work PC-free as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection. The device’s Workspace feature combines all work-related services into one screen, while the included Microsoft 365 cloud service¹ allows users to manage files using programs such as Word and PowerPoint even without a PC.

The Smart Monitor M8 also supports Samsung DeX, which allows Galaxy smartphones to support a PC-like experience, making it easy to connect to the monitor and start multitasking. Additionally, the monitor is equipped with Eye Saver Mode and Flicker Free technology to minimize eye strain and prevent flickering.

Enjoy OTT Services to the Fullest

When you feel like sitting back and enjoying a show or movie, the Smart Monitor M8 transforms into a TV thanks to the built-in Smart Hub, which features various OTT services such as Netflix, Disney+, YouTube and more.² You can also view a variety of movies, TV series, sports matches and other content on demand — completely free — using Samsung’s proprietary smart OTT service, Samsung TV Plus.

* Remote control shortcuts vary by country.

But that’s not all. The monitor’s included remote control makes finding and managing content a breeze. Other features and enhancements that make the viewing experience even more satisfying include the device’s UHD (3840×2160) resolution, HDR10+ support, 99% sRGB color gamut, 400nit brightness, 2.2 channel stereo speakers and Adaptive Sound+, which automatically analyzes the monitor’s surroundings to optimize sound effects. The result is a rich content experience filled with detailed visuals and sound.

A Home IoT Hub for SmartThings

With built-in support for SmartThings Hub, users can easily connect their IoT devices to their Smart Monitor M8 and monitor their devices at a glance. The SmartThings app’s Map View function allows users to check on the status of devices including Samsung smart home appliances and Bluetooth, IR (infrared spectroscopy) and IoT devices. Plus, with voice recognition technology, users can even control the lights, home appliances and more while in the middle of watching a show or other content.³

The monitor’s built-in microphone enables its Far Field Voice feature, which recognizes voices even from afar, enabling you to control voice assistants like Bixby and Amazon Alexa.⁴ If users talk to Bixby while the monitor is turned off, the Always On Voice feature springs into action, allowing users to interact with Bixby and displaying the information they want on screen. Users can also use Bixby to switch from one app to another and manage videos or home devices.

With our homes even more central to our lives, Samsung’s Smart Monitor M8 is the all-in-one screen that complements modern consumers’ lifestyles. Combining smart and practical features with a sophisticated design, while offering consumers the ability to use their monitor wherever they want, the Smart Monitor M8 is the perfect choice for consumers who are looking for a new monitor this spring.

※ Some images have been edited to help readers’ understanding of the product.

¹ Requires users to log in to their Microsoft 365 account.

² Streaming service availability varies by country. Subscriptions may be required.

³ A separate SmartThings Dongle (VG-STDB10A) is required to connect to Zigbee devices (connection to Z-Wave device is not supported). VG-STDB10A can be purchased within April.

⁴ Amazon Alexa availability varies by country.

Big swords have long played the role of iconic weapons in RPGs and anime series. Swordcery, an action game from Temple Door Games, dares to ask the question: What if we made big RPG swords even bigger?

We have big-ass swords and more in Cool WIP, Polygon’s weekly roundup of eye-catching clips and screenshots of works in progress. Each week, the Polygon staff scours the internet for the most interesting games still under construction, to give you a sampler of the coolest up-and-coming projects.

This week we’re featuring a game that redefines “run and gun,” a colorful toy box of a first-person shooter, an alligator cowboy (yeehaw), and a fever dream of a monster.

What if Cloud Strife’s sword, but bigger?

Swordcery is a rogue-like action game in which you collect spell-infused swords to fight off swarms of baddies. It’s a simple concept, but the swords are enough to make Cloud Strife jealous. In a clip posted by the studio, we can see one of the game’s characters wielding a comically large sword that is several times bigger than the character themselves, and even larger than some of the trees in the forest. There’s no release date on the the game yet, but you can check out weekly updates on the developer’s Discord.

This slow-motion action is right out of Neo’s playbook

Described by its developer Rootpilot as a “zoomer shooter,” this game looks like it combines the action of your typical endless runner game with slow-motion action sequences. The developer posted a clip showing one of its characters dashing along, only to do a full flip and blow the head off an enemy with a shotgun in mid-air. The action scene is the stuff of The Matrix, and it looks sick. Rootpilot posts regularly about the game, so you can see other clips of development on Twitter.

First-person shooter gets a toy-like look

Seven Leaf Clover’s Payloaders Strike! looks like it takes the action from a first-person shooter like Overwatch or Valorant and puts it into a toy-like world. The game has a playful, colorful theme paired with a cartoony style where you play as a robot rising up against the powers that be. According to its description, you’ll play through challenges to “put an end to the corporate tyranny.” You can download a demo and check out more information on the game’s Itch.io page here

The little cowboy is ready for adventure (the cowboy’s an alligator)

We’ve covered Lil Gator Game before, but I couldn’t resist revisiting it, now that we get to see the gator as a rootin’ tootin’ cowboy. A new clip from developer Playtonic showed off not just a fun cowboy hat but some gameplay in the world. It looks like there’s a lot to do, and in this clip, we can watch the gator sliding down a mountain and smashing various signs to pieces. There’s no release date yet, but the Steam page says it’ll come out sometime later this year.

All the work it takes to make one wobbly guy

FeverDevJohnny is a developer working on whimsical and strange video games. The developer maintains a Patreon that supports a variety of projects, and recently Johnny posted a clip of a pointy-teethed character’s face from one game. In the clip, the cursor drags the face around, and the eyes, nose, and teeth wobble and bounce. According to a tweet from the developer, it took “100 lines of code” to make the face wobble like that. It’s a cool concept, and it’s also just a fun way to reveal some of the work it takes to create a game element like that. For more strange creations, you can check out FeverDecJohnny’s Twitter account.

Companies to first lead standardization of Zoned Storage technology;

Cooperative efforts include developing and promoting hardware specifications and software application models to build a robust ecosystem

Samsung Electronics and Western Digital (Nasdaq: WDC) today announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a unique collaboration to standardize and drive broad adoption of next-generation data placement, processing and fabrics (D2PF) storage technologies. The companies will initially focus on aligning their efforts and creating a vigorous ecosystem for Zoned Storage solutions. These steps will enable the industry to focus on countless applications that ultimately create greater value for customers.

This marks the first time that both Samsung and Western Digital have come together as technology leaders to create widespread alignment and stimulate awareness for important storage technologies. Focusing on enterprise and cloud applications, the partnership is expected to spur a range of collaborations around technology standardization and software development for D2PF technologies like Zoned Storage. With this collaboration, end-users can have confidence that these emerging storage technologies will have support from multiple device vendors as well as from vertically integrated hardware and software companies.

“Storage is the essential foundation for how people and businesses consume and use data. To enable today’s needs and tomorrow’s next big ideas, we must innovate, collaborate and keep pace as an industry in bringing new standards and architectures to life,” said Rob Soderbery, EVP and GM, Flash Business Unit at Western Digital. “In order for a technology ecosystem to be successful, overall frameworks and general solution models must come together so they do not suffer from fragmentation, which delays adoption and adds unnecessary complexity for software stack developers.”

Soderbery added, “For years Western Digital has been laying the foundation for the Zoned Storage ecosystem by contributing to the Linux kernel and open-source software community. We are excited to bring these contributions to this joint initiative with Samsung in facilitating wider adoption of Zoned Storage for users and application developers.”

“This collaboration is a testament to our relentless effort to exceed customers’ needs now and in the future, and holds special meaning in how we anticipate it will actively grow into a larger basis of engagement for Zoned Storage standardization,” said Jinman Han, Corporate EVP, Head of Memory Sales & Marketing at Samsung Electronics. “Our collaborative efforts will embrace hardware and software ecosystems to ensure that as many customers as possible can reap the benefits of this highly important technology.”

The two companies have already kickstarted an initiative around Zoned Storage devices, including ZNS (Zoned Namespaces) SSDs and SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) HDDs. Through organizations such as SNIA (Storage Networking Industry Association) and the Linux Foundation, Samsung and Western Digital will define high-level models and frameworks for next-generation Zoned Storage technologies. With a commitment to enable open and scalable data center architectures, they have founded the Zoned Storage TWG (Technical Work Group), which was approved by SNIA in December 2021. The group is already defining and specifying common use cases for Zoned Storage devices, as well as host/device architecture and programming models.

In addition, this collaboration is expected to serve as a starting point to expand zone-based (e.g. ZNS, SMR) device interfaces, as well as future-generation, high-capacity storage devices with enhanced data placement and processing technologies. At a later stage, these initiatives will be expanded to include other emerging D2PF technologies such as computational storage and storage fabrics including NVMe™ over Fabrics (NVMe-oF).

About Western Digital

Western Digital creates environments for data to thrive. As a leader in data infrastructure, the company is driving the innovation needed to help customers capture, preserve, access and transform an ever-increasing diversity of data. Everywhere data lives, from advanced data centers to mobile sensors to personal devices, our industry-leading solutions deliver the possibilities of data. Western Digital data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

For more information about Zoned Storage, please visit ZonedStorage.io.

The Wall transforms The Forest Pavilion into 360-degree theater that lets audience enjoy one-of-a-kind visual experience

Samsung Electronics today announced a new partnership with The Forestias by MQDC — Thailand’s biggest property development project, combining forest with residences and commercial areas.

Samsung has partnered with The Forest Pavilion in Bangkok, where it will provide its latest display technology, The Wall. This partnership allows for the best cinematic experiences. The Wall is the world’s first modular MicroLED technology that delivers incredible definition, without restrictions to size, resolution, or form. This innovation enables a 360-degree theater in The Forest Pavilion that lets the audience enjoy a one-of-a-kind visual experience.

The Wall’s high-definition, MicroLED display measures 38. 707m x 3. 628m (126. 99ft x 11. 90ft) for a total surface area of 140. 43m2 (1,511.18ft2). The video screen is composed of 384 cabinets that are arranged in a line to produce one single 360-degree continuous image consisting of 4 sides, with a resolution of 46,080 x 4,320 pixels (or approximately 200 million pixels). ¹

“This is one of the most exciting, world-class collaborations between leaders in novelty and sustainable living. I would like to congratulate all those involved for the strong partnership between Samsung Electronics and Thailand’s largest property development project — The Forestias by MQDC,” said Hyesung Ha, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.

Keerin Chutumstid, President of The Forestias by MQDC, said the strong partnership with global technology leader Samsung Electronics secures its commitment to achieving its vision. MQDC’s Forestias aims to create the most sustainable, innovative and well-rounded housing projects.

“The Forestias is a sustainable, innovative forested district under MQDC`s founding principle of ‘For All Well-being’ to benefit all life on Earth. Our ‘Chamber of Secrets’ is a world-class, 360deg animated theater created by our main partner T&B Media Global Co., for our visitors to experience Thailand’s first community designed for health and happiness of nature, animals and humans. Samsung’s The Wall, a state-of-the-art MicroLED modular technology, enables The Forestias by MQDC to immerse visitors in an experience that feels as close to reality as possible,” said Chutumstid.

The ‘Chamber of Secrets’ is the highlight inside The Forest Pavilion which delivers an amazing wrap-around experience surrounding the viewer with vivid images in vibrant-yet-natural colors, enhanced by the cutting-edge innovation of The Wall’s industry-leading picture quality engine which delivers true-to-life imagery.

Samsung’s The Wall is the sole innovation in the 360deg animated theater that helps convey a mesmerizing immersive experience showing The Forest Pavilion, which currently functions as the sales gallery and will soon be transformed into a shared learning center for its residents.

(From left) Ruedeekorn Onsawat, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited., Apirada Puapornpong, Head of Display Business at Thai Samsung Electronics, Jennifer Song, Executive Vice President of Consumer Electronics at Thai Samsung Electronics, Keerin Chutumstid, President, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited

About The Forestias

The Forestias is the “Enchanted Community District in The Forest”, the world’s first project where nature, animals, and people live together in a healthy, high-quality environment. The 398-rai district at Bangna-Trad KM7 addresses the world’s social and environmental challenges with ecofriendly utilities and extensive green spaces and forest. Amenities include residential projects, a business district, a 6-star boutique hotel, a community and family center, movie theaters, shops, restaurants, offices, a medical and healthcare center, an innovation center, a community area, a museum and learning center, and an extensive forest ecosystem. For more information, visit www.theforestias.com.

¹ Exact amount of pixels is 199,065,560.

“The society and environment we belong to are constantly changing. Users are looking for more diverse and complex experiences as a result. There is a continuous stream of new products that use advanced technology to improve our daily lives in today’s digital world. In the midst of all this change, One UI will always listen to the voices of customers and continue to evolve so that our users can comfortably and joyfully experience their everyday lives.”

– Yoojin Hong, Head of UX Team for Samsung Electronics Mobile eXperience Business

Samsung Electronics designed the brand identity for One UI 4 as a seamless mobile experience that is able to harmonize with any device or story. The delicate yet flexible elements of the interface help users freely express their individuality while providing the tools to make everyday life more convenient and secure. In any situation, One UI 4 elevates the user’s lifestyle to a new level thanks to its expansive possibilities.

Samsung Newsroom sat down with Samsung’s UX design team to learn more about the user-first design process behind One UI 4.

Simple and Streamlined Style

It’s much easier to concentrate on the most important things when you remove unnecessary elements from your view. One UI 4’s clear visual hierarchy guides your eye to the most important elements on each page at a single glance.

One UI 4 arranges colors and text so users can understand information intuitively. By simplifying the color system and readjusting the font size and thickness, One UI 4 delivers a clearer and more cohesive visual experience.

The new version of Samsung UI also organizes information into a system of streamlined, updated cards to enable instant understanding of facts and figures. By removing visual distractions and categorizing data into layers, users can now effortlessly navigate through their device to find whatever they need, whenever they need it.

Q: What was the reason for the color system re-organization and which part of the task did you focus on?

The key idea behind the color system organization was “Clean Up”. The task was accomplished by applying color first to the most critical information and making the less-important information more monochromatic.

Q: Functional colors with similar meanings have also been unified, specifically red and green.

Red often refers to the concepts of Remove, Reject or Stop. Before One UI 4, the colors of features with a similar purpose were all slightly different. We focused on unifying the theme by using only one shade of red so that users could clearly understand the context of each function. We also increased visibility by slightly increasing the saturation and brightness, while still combining the various reds and colors into one color.

Q: It seems that the font was tidied up all around through letter spacing and boldface type. Explain how you did this.

We focused our attention on making information’s presentation more prominent by changing the visual contrast according to the information’s priority. By altering font thickness and size according to content importance, we created the optimal amount of negative space.

Q: The overall Weather app has been upgraded with a clean, stylish look along with a new weather icon.

What people regard as important information can vary from one user to the next. Some people consider the current weather important, but others find changes in weather more significant. While this information was previously mixed in the upper main card, One UI 4 now displays ‘current weather’ and ‘today’s weather’ separately. To improve readability, the essential information, including current temperature, location, and icons for weather, were redesigned with attractive visuals.

Q: How has the Calendar app been reorganized to provide the date and calendar events more easily?

According to our research, the majority of users make between 1 and 3 calendar events per day. We designed the screen to look seamless even without having any scheduled events. By replacing the gray background with a white one, we made it easier for users to focus on key information like the day, month and schedule. We updated the UI to center text and add horizontal lines so that users can see information sorted by week.

Q: What kind of efforts were made to effectively communicate data in Samsung Health without looking complicated?

Samsung Health expresses information in three main ways. We used a simple bar chart to describe any range, progress, or status information, such as the number of steps, heart rate, stress, or blood sugar level. Since cumulative data is important in this area, we used a symbol for information like food intake, sleep status or water consumption. Lastly, we included a text-only type that displays a number without a graph when it’s important to know the figure on its own.

Q: Delivering concise and accurate information seems crucial for the newly-introduced Samsung Wallet since it contains important user data.

The Quick Access tab, the first screen of Samsung Wallet, is divided into a stacked view and an expanded view. While in the stacked view, 35% of each overlapping card can show information. The design team aimed to maximize the available space and placed the logo at the top left, while the card properties were displayed in the upper right. Information with similar characteristics on each card was grouped together for an easy search. Using different functions, like usage history, has been visually separated.

Safe, Comfortable and Secure Usage

As more people spend more time on their smart devices, security and safety are important considerations. One UI 4 values the importance of people using smart devices to stay safe and comfortable anytime, anywhere, without worries or inconvenience. Users may feel nervous about their personal data being leaked via their smart phones. One UI 4 has been implemented with various features to protect users with high standards for security and privacy.

Every detail has been carefully inspected to make it easy for users to use their devices from any location. The dark mode helps reduce visual fatigue to the very smallest details. Additionally, a consistent visual design has been applied to provide comfortable usability even across multiple devices.

Q: Users can check when the camera or microphone is turned on with an icon. Where did you get this idea?

User interest in privacy and security has increased significantly in recent years. We applied the same newly-added function to the Android 12 OS, keeping the users’ best interests in mind.

Q: The Permission Dashboard shows where and how often the camera, microphone and location data have been used. Can you tell us more?

Malicious apps that access and exploit various sensors and data after gaining access to personal information have recently become a problem. Apps that ask for unnecessary personal data permission can be blocked by the Permission Dashboard. This is even if an app has not been used.

Q: How did the design details come together for Dark mode?

We tried to determine a level of darkness that would enhance visual comfort, but not compromise the app icons’ aesthetics or striking features. We settled on the level of darkness that most effectively and uniformly shades down all app icons, reduces glare and maintains visual balance between the home and screen elements.

Q: How do you ensure that various Samsung devices can be smoothly and comfortably used together or individually?

One UI 4 applies a single visual language to various Galaxy products, including smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and PCs. You can use your device comfortably with unified elements like icons, corners, components and menu styles.

Self Expression, Centered on You

Smart devices are a way to express one’s feelings and individuality. One UI 4 expands the range of choices and customizable features to match every user’s unique lifestyle and tastes.

From personalizing their devices with different wallpapers to using the Color Palette function to change the visual theme of each device, users can reflect their individuality and taste to the fullest.

Customization and self-expression have never been easier or more enjoyable than in One UI 4. Users now can combine two emojis into one or use AR Emoji to reveal their virtual selves. One UI 4 expands the user experience through new options for users to make the device their own, from smartphones to smartwatches. For instance, users can customize their smartwatch to fit their lifestyle through various unique watch faces, or they can stay up to date with updated widgets. No matter how a user experiences One UI 4, there are limitless opportunities to add their personal touch.

Q: How did the wallpaper’s ‘Particle’ concept come about?

We researched different design elements that can be freely expressed on a variety of products. In the process, we discovered the potential and scalability of a material called ‘Particle’.

Taking the Galaxy Z for an example, when we thought of the message that we wanted to convey through the foldable product’s structure, we looked at the art and craft of paper folding. We believed this type of art’s versatility, strength, continuity and expandability represented the Galaxy Z Fold’s characteristics. The Galaxy Z Flip was also designed in a similar context, but we differentiated the two by highlighting a more fashionable and unique product image for the latter.

Q: The Color Palette extracts five colors from the wallpaper and changes the visual theme of the device. What was the process?

The color palette is a function that integrates Android 12 Material You – Dynamic Color based on One UI. It uses five colors extracted from different wallpapers to support Google and other apps.

While researching color palettes, we collaborated with designers researching the best method to extract color from an image. Together, we discovered an optimal color extraction method that analyzes the original image, divides it into color groups, and then develops a prototype that recognizes the distribution of extracted color.

Q: Why was the decision made to tone down the colors from the original version?

The design was revised to convey the overall mood of the wallpaper for users to focus on and comfortably view the content. The background saturation of the wallpaper was decreased and buttons adjusted to make colors stand out, without straining eyes.

Q: The Emoji Pair, which expresses two different emojis in various animations, is a new and entertaining concept.

Emojis that express complex emotions like’sad laughter’ or ‘laughing, but not laughing’ are new to the market. The need for these complex emotions was confirmed through user interviews. Thus, the Emoji Pair was born.

Q: The concept has been expanded from ambivalence to complex emotions. What was the reason?

When the original concept was ambivalence we thought it would be interesting to consider the possibility of using emojis that have similar emotions and not conflicting. Since forcing users to make emoji combinations can prove difficult, This is why the concept’s scope has since expanded from ambivalence to providing more complex emotions.

Q: The sophisticated movements of AR Emojis’ witty gestures are very eye-catching. How are these animations made?

Animators have carefully made simple expressions and movements using the keyframe technique. In addition to working with well-known artists, they also created high-quality motion graphics such as dance moves for professional performers.

Q: How do the preferred AR Emoji stickers differ by country or age?

AR Emoji stickers were created based on votes in South Korea, Brazil and the United States. There was not a significant difference between countries in preferences, but there were slight differences among age groups. People in their twenties preferred more caricature and exaggerated stickers than those in their thirties. Users preferred to make a humorous and positive impression rather than be serious with stickers. For instance, “I wanted to laugh while having fun and not being too serious when feeling sad

Q: Which part of One UI 4 watch face did you focus on?

When the Galaxy Watch 4 was released, we focused on expanding the spectrum of the Expressive face type. The three-dimensional line was completed by the addition of characters in various styles, including a veggie character to promote healthy eating habits and a bear character to address challenges.

Q: What standards or systems do you refer to when designing various watch faces?

The design system was created by using the designs and types of Indexes and Hands from real analog watches in order to maintain consistency among the watch faces. The color of the strap and its surroundings was selected as the primary color to blend with the Galaxy Watch strap, and the remaining colors were chosen based on the international color system.

Q: The One UI 4 widget gives off a neat impression overall.

After much effort and consultation, it was possible to change the shape of all widgets within Android. To enhance the appearance of third-party widgets and Samsung’s widgets, we applied One UI to them both.

The widget’s area is small compared with the amount of information it contains. The widget area was created to give visual contrast to allow information to be easily seen while still focusing on the most important points. By changing the background color to 100% white, we’ve enhanced the minimalist feel and allowed the user to more easily focus their attention on each widget content.

* The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may differ from the actual product. Specifications of the product may differ by region, country, carrier, and model.

343 Industries is no longer running seasons in Halo: The Master Chief Collection, but the developer is still supporting the game. The next big update is coming Monday, kicking off with a fan-favorite Halo mode called “FloodFight” to Halo 3: ODST. You know, adding the Flood to Firefight.

Firefight – This is a cooperative survival mode in which waves of enemies attack. FloodFight, as 343 Industries is calling this iteration, sends waves of the Flood in to fight — changing up enemies in the regular mode from the Covenant to the Flood’s creepy crawlies. It was first tested in beta last year. The new update includes “numerous networking enhancements” and fixes many bugs. The improvements, 343 Industries said, “benefit Firefight across the board.”

The Flood themselves in Halo 3: ODST are a bit different, too. Here’s how 343 puts it:

First, players will notice that Flood are accompanied by dense fog which gives each Firefight mission a new and spooky ambiance. Players will see this fog dynamically fade in when a Flood wave spawns and fade back out when a regular Covenant wave spawns (in variants which mix Flood and Covenant enemies).

Flood can now occupy vehicles for the first time since Halo 2 and players will encounter (and potentially commandeer) these across multiple Firefight missions. The Flood enemy now has a number of new animations that allow them to fly these vehicles and traverse the area more efficiently. They can also use support weapons such as turrets.

In ODST, there are also three new types of Flood Combat Forms–the infected civilian, the infected ODST, and the infected Elite Major which sports red armor and energy shields.

The Flood allows you to use all of their existing strategies. Stalker Forms can climb on walls and deploy as Ranged Forms in unexpected locations, totally changing the way the classic Firefight missions play. Flood can be dropped onto the map by dispersal pods.

Lastly, unlike Master Chiefs, ODSTs may be infected with the Flood and resurrected. You may need to battle your own resurrected friends or even yourself.

343 Industries has added “boons” to assist players, like weapons racks with assault rifles or battle rifles. Some maps feature flamethrowers or NPCs from allied countries, such as marines and Elites that are delivered via pods.

Elsewhere in Monday’s update, 343 Industries has added UI adjustments, changed Forge and mod tools, and added campaign cross-play for Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST. There’s also campaign customization in Halo 4, new multiplayer medals in Halo 3, changes to monthly challenges, and new skulls to Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 3: ODST. The full rundown is available at the Halo Waypoint blog.

The developer has also discussed new updates scheduled for the rest of the year, like mod support for all games in the Master Chief Collection. It said it plans to deliver “multiple updates sprinkled throughout 2022.”

Featuring a SlimFit Cam, the new Smart Monitor M8 is available in four modern colors

Samsung Electronics today announced its latest Smart Monitor series, the M8, featuring an upgraded, stylish design. The versatile new M8 delivers Samsung’s iconic slim design in four new colors — Warm White, Sunset Pink, Daylight Blue and Spring Green — available in 32-inches with UHD resolution and a SlimFit Cam.

First launched in November 2020, Samsung’s Smart Monitor series is a family of world’s first do-it-all screens designed for modern day users who demand a product that offers both functionality and entertainment at home. Not only being a traditional monitor, but the M8 also allows users to enjoy a variety of OTT services,¹ including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV via Wi-Fi without having to connect to a PC or TV.

When it comes to style, the Smart Monitor M8 offers both space and work efficiency in an ultra-stylish design. The thinness of the new model is 11. 4mm, about three-quarters slimmer than the previous models.

Featuring a sophisticated flat-back design, the M8’s range of colors developing on stylish warm white complements any environment based on the user’s personal preferences.

” “We wanted to make a product that could match the lifestyles and preferences of everyone,” stated Kyounghoon, executive vice president and head of design team, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “The M8’s color palette composed of four different colors was inspired by the theme ‘Shades of Nature’. He said that he enjoyed gazing at the bright blue sky and soaking in the sunset’s glow.

When it comes to productivity, the Smart Monitor M8 has it all. The M8 provides a perfect home office environment without using a PC by connecting to various IT devices through the upgraded Smart Hub. The Workspace User Interface offers all services needed to work on one screen, helping users wirelessly connect to a Windows or Mac PC and efficiently use an extensive range of useful features, including Samsung DeX, Apple AirPlay 2 and Microsoft 365² cloud service, as well as mirroring content from smartphone to the M8.

On top of that, the Smart Monitor M8 has a magnetic and removable SlimFit Cam that can attach to the monitor while keeping desk space neat without any unsightly wires. SlimFit Cam features Auto Zoom and Face Tracking functions. This allows you to quickly identify a subject and focus on it automatically. In other words, it can follow and capture an individual speaker, a perfect option for active presentation or livestreaming. In addition, the monitor supports video chat apps such as Google Duo, allowing users to work remotely or engage in video conferencing at home or in the workplace using the SlimFit Cam.

The Smart Monitor M8 has an IoT hub called SmartThings Hub, where users can connect all their IoT devices wirelessly. The SmartThings app allows users to track IoT devices throughout the house easily with the app’s intuitive control panel highlighting all information provided by other devices connected to the M8, including light switch and plug power. ³

Equipped with a high-sensitivity Far Field Voice microphone, the assistant controls devices such as Bixby and Amazon Alexa⁴ using voice commands. The microphone has an Always On Voice function that displays conversation information even when the screen of the monitor is off.

To complement the wide range of features on the monitor, adaptive picture technology is available. This allows the display to automatically adjust the color temperature and brightness, increasing viewer comfort. The M8 also includes a height adjustable stand (HAS) and tilt functionality, allowing users to find the perfect position for every project, movie night or study session.

The Smart Monitor M8 earned CES Innovation Awards Honoree from the CTA (Consumer Technology Association) in recognition of a wide array of its display technologies.

The Samsung Smart Monitor M8 is now available to pre-order globally⁵ in a variety of colors and specifications. For more information, please visit: https://displaysolutions.samsung.com/monitor/why-smart-monitor.

Specifications

¹ Streaming service availability varies by country. You may need to subscribe.

² Microsoft 365 Account required.

³ A separate SmartThings Dongle(VG-STDB10A) is required to connect to Zigbee devices(Connection to Z-Wave device is not supported). VG-STDB10A can be purchased within April.

⁴ Amazon Alexa availability varies by country.

⁵ Pre-order schedule varies by country.