A 2-in-1 Laptop Designed To Keep Learning on Track – Samsung Global Newsroom
A 2-in-1 Chromebook with the flexibility of a tablet and the functionality of a PC, the all-new Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 has been designed to make your remote learning experiences better than ever before.
As access to tools and devices that support productive remote learning becomes increasingly more important, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 offers larger keycaps and touch pad to support increased productivity and learning. The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360’s flexible and professional screen with touch support also provides enhanced learning experiences thanks to its high resolution and vivid brightness, as well as such reliable features as its spill-resistant keyboard that have been built to last in the classroom and beyond.
Check out the infographic below to learn more about the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360.
Elden Ring speedrunner achieves new record run in under 9 minutes
With a game as big as Elden Ring, it’s shocking to hear a person could beat it in under 30 minutes. Well, now that’s old news. The speedrunner with the first under-19 minute run, Distortion2, has posted another record-breaking run, beating the game in under nine minutes.
Because this is an Any% and “unrestricted” speedrun, anything goes when getting to the game fast. That means there are a lot of glitches as Distortion2 breaks through the world’s boundaries to quickly reach endgame areas. The record isn’t listed up on speedrun.com just yet, but should come soon. Speedrunners continue to compete in Elden Ring speedruns in all sorts of categories, some using glitches and others not.
Distortion2 avoids combat, and instead dodges enemies or bypasses them completely. It’s an impressive feat that requires a combination of technical skills and research; the streaming speedrunner has put dozens of hours into running the game. To get around quickly, Distortion2 does a lot of falling off clips, sometimes paired with a quick restart of the game.
Elden Ring was released in late February, and there’s still plenty more left to find in the game. Who knows what the speedrunning community will come up with next? Distortion2, for one, isn’t stopping here: They think a sub-7 minute run is also possible, and will keep trying for that.
Everything You Need for the Ultimate Home Theater Experience – Samsung Global Newsroom
Samsung Electronics has wowed the world once again with its latest innovation, the 2022 Samsung Neo QLED 8K. Boasting an ultra-large screen, stunning 8K resolution and next-level image and sound quality, the Neo QLED 8K has further cemented Samsung’s place at the forefront of the premium TV market.
Samsung Newsroom sat down with engineer Uihyun Kim and product planner Joonho Jeong to ask them eight questions about Samsung’s latest 8K TV, which pushes the boundaries of what is possible with a television. You can read their responses below.
American Tabletop Awards picks 2021’s best board games
The American Tabletop Awards, the United States’ alternative to Germany’s Spiel des Jahres, are in. Divided into four categories — Early Gamers, Casual Games, Strategy Games, and Complex Games — these 20 titles represent some of the best new board games to come to market in 2021.
Launched in 2019, the ATTA’s were created by a dedicated group of industry professionals. Today the organization is served by a diverse volunteer committee, one backed by a robust code of conduct that provides transparency and provisions against conflicts of interest in the selection process. This isn’t a collection of the most-hyped crowdfunding campaigns, nor is it a niche list of the most technically demanding games available. These awards recognize the best board games, regardless of skill level.
We’ve listed the winners and finalists in each category, as well as the grand prizes. These are also available at your local game shop ..
Happy City
Happy City, created by Kawasaki systems engineer Toshiki Sato and his eight-year-old daughter, Airu, is this year’s winner in the Early Gamers category. It’s a bright and cheerful city-builder with a very small footprint and just 140 cards inside the box. It’s a competitive race to create the most lucrative urban areas with the most cheerful residents. Published by Gamewright in the United States, the game will set you back $15.99.
Finalists for Early Gamers
Cubitos
Image: Alderac Entertainment Group
Cubitos, a fast-paced racing game, takes home this years’ award for Casual Games. The game involves players rolling a lot of dice and cashing in their winnings to upgrade their teams or move around the board. Push things too far, however, and you’ll be unable to move very far at all until the next round. Another brightly colored game with a cube-based fiction all its own, it’s currently out of stock through the publisher but is available at local game stores and through Amazon.
Finalists for Casual Games
Cascadia
Yet another game that leverages America’s love affair with its National Parks system, Cascadia is this year’s winner in the Strategy Games category. Designed by the same team behind award-winning Calico (one of Polygon’s picks for best solo board games), this tile-laying game focuses on the habitats and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest.
Finalists for Strategy Games
Lost Ruins of Arnak
Lost Ruins of Arnak, from Czech Games Edition, deftly blends worker placement and deckbuilding. Players lead an expedition to a remote island wilderness, recover lost artifacts, and confront monsters as they discover mysterious secrets. You can also play the game solo or with a web-based application.
Galaxy S22 Ultra Brings to Life Millie Bobby Brown’s Inspiring Coming-of-Age Story – Samsung Global Newsroom
Millie Bobby Brown team up with Samsung to make her directorial debut
Samsung Electronics has teamed up with actress Millie Bobby Brown to help realize her career goal of going behind the camera as a director. Using the newly released Galaxy S22 Ultra, which features Samsung’s most advanced camera technology to date, Millie wrote, directed and produced her very own short film to tell a deeply personal and uplifting story about resilience, growth and self-discovery.
Following the release of its trailer on March 8th, the full film is unveiled on March 22nd 2022. While Millie’s story is unique, the film sheds light on feelings of self-consciousness, low self-esteem and insecurity that many women struggle with every day.
” We are proud to have Millie as part of Team Galaxy. It has been an honor to be able to share her story, which we all can relate to in many ways. We can’t wait for you to see what she has in store for you with her directorial debut,” says Stephanie Choi, Head of Marketing for Samsung Electronics’ MX Business. “We’re so happy we were able to help her bring this story to life for the very first time using some of the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s unique AI-powered features. We hope it will inspire and empower other young women to share their journeys and make their voices heard, because anyone can tell amazing stories if given the right tools.”
“I’ve always had ambitions of sitting in the director’s chair,” says Millie Bobby Brown, “I’m grateful to Samsung for giving me the opportunity to make my dream of directing into a reality. I was invited to accept the challenge to bring my vision to reality. Plus, the Galaxy S22 Ultra was so fun to use — the video quality and nature of shooting on mobile made it easy to bring my ideas to life. This short film tells a deeply personal story, but it’s also a message for other young girls out there. I hope it empowers them to have the courage to express themselves and chase down their dreams.”
To create the film, Millie shot all footage using the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Built with Samsung’s largest pixel sensor ever — the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s camera lenses capture more light and data, to optimize the lighting and catch intricate details in video clips day or night. Plus, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s advanced Super Clear Glass lens, shots taken in low lighting conditions — like those shown at the beginning of the film — are smooth, clear and without flares. It really empowers anyone to take incredible shots, unleash their creativity and share their story.
Kirei Acoustic Ceiling Baffle system offers a softer look and sound to any room
Not many people may not be aware of echo panels, but these stuff are becoming more important than ever. The acoustics of a room are now considered an essential part of the interior or structure of an establishment.
The line of acoustic products is expanding and is going beyond individual speakers and speaker sets. Companies like Kirei have been working on acoustic products. The latest from the brand is something inspired by the Nike Air Max–the Kirei Air Baffle.
The Kirei Air Baffle is an over-the-head acoustic panel that can improve the sound in spaces with high ceilings. What makes this more special, apart from the idea it offers better sound, is that it is sustainable. Even in acoustics, sustainability is also possible. It’s only a matter of finding suitable materials that are mindful of the environment.
Kire’s Air Baffle Product Collection includes different models: No Window, Short Window, and Long Window. Each type features EchoPanel recycled PET ( at least 60%). Every unit is filled with Nike Grind fluff enclosed with either a long or short window or nothing at all. The EchoPanel, which serves as the outer hull, is 12mm thick.
Expect the Kirei Air Baffle to improve acoustic performance in a room. The system is more than just decorative, as every panel has acoustic purposes. The Baffle comes in different sizes: 40-inches, 48”, 72”, and 96”. Each one varies in dimensions and weight and is made to order.
If you’re planning on using the Kirei Air Baffle, you will have to order ahead. Lead time is from four to eight weeks depending on the number of Baffles you purchase. You can choose from the 33 colors of Kirei EchoPanels to match the room you are working on. They are ready to install using mounting hardware and suspension cables. There is no need to assemble because the products are shipped ready for direct installation out of the box.
Kirei offers these architectural design elements to improve any room’s functionality, look, and acoustics. The Kirei Acoustic Ceiling Baffle system can make any space appear softer and have a softer sound. The curved baffles with Nike Grind fluff offer dependable acoustic performance. Even if some people don’t notice the acoustic, they may remember the ceiling design.
Kirei isn’t the only brand we know working on acoustic panels. In recent months, we have learned about the Foresta System modular acoustic panel and the Ikea-inspired Tempo modular wall and ceiling baffle system. Then, of course, there are also the FP7 acoustic panels meant to absorb soundwaves without blocking out background noise.
Elden Ring’s cut content includes dream collection
Alone in a sweeping field, a wolf sleeps. It’s definitely alive: Its body heaves up and down with each breath. It doesn’t awaken when the tarnished approach; normally, an attack would be made by a Wolf like this.
Modder Lance McDonald found this wolf and others, alongside a napping land octopus — its tentacles crawling in on themselves — in the Elden Ring network test build from 2021. However, they were removed from the current version of the game. When McDonald began looking around, he realized this was cut content pulled from Elden Ring after the network test, all of it tied to a mechanic and questline related to “dream collecting.”
In the original content, the player would be required to find ingredients necessary to collect dreams — from enemies like those sleeping wolves and the land octopus. McDonald’s said that players can collect dream mist from a monk to get the consumable Dreambrew, which allows others to share their secrets.
McDonald found that this mechanic was likely a way to encourage players to explore more, but also included a “sprawling” storyline centered on the monk. The extent of dream collection is unknown.
Elden Ring has so many secrets, some of them hidden deep inside the game’s code. McDonald is one YouTube creator known for this sort of work, but others are digging into the game in similar ways. But with a game so big, it’ll absolutely take a while until we’ve found all its secrets.
A Conversation With the National Sleep Foundation’s CEO – Samsung Global Newsroom
“At National Sleep Foundation, we think technology can help make it easier for some people to do important things during the day and night so they can be their Best Slept SelfTM.”
– John Lopos, CEO, National Sleep Foundation
In today’s hectic world it is easy to lose yourself in all the details of life. While we understand the importance of sleep and how it can help us feel more relaxed, the endless to-do-lists can lead to increased stress.
This has been highlighted in a recent study from one of the world’s leading sleep organizations, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), finding that during the pandemic, more people in the US have been sleeping longer, but the quality of that sleep has suffered.
In fact, NSF thinks that one of the greatest challenges facing society is to prioritize sleep in order for us all to be healthy and happy. The NSF believes that embracing the ever-growing category of sleep technology will help. Smart environmental controls and smart tracking are just a few of the many innovations that have been made to improve the quality and experience of sleep for people. Sleep technology is coming to the industry forefront as consumer brands — like Samsung — are prioritizing sleep-related capabilities within their products.
To learn more about how technology can improve sleep quality, John Lopos (NSF CEO) was interviewed.
Managing Routines and Tracking Progress
According to the NSF’s 2022 Sleep in America(r) Poll, there’s significant opportunity to improve daily activities that are associated with positive sleep and health outcomes. Eating your meals at a consistent time, the amount of physical activity completed in the day, and even the level of light exposure during the day and around bedtime, all impact sleep health and are manageable.
The NSF offers specific recommendations and guidelines for improving sleep quality. Lopos stated that technology can play a role in helping to meet the NSF’s recommendations. It helps us as a reminder, a facilitator, a communicator and a tracker, and can play a role in helping meet the NSF’s recommendations for better sleep — both while awake and asleep.”
Keep up with your daily workout routine with Galaxy Watch4 for a good night’s sleep
Controlling Your Sleep Environment
The right light exposure can mean the difference between getting a restful night and one that isn’t. With nearly 60 percent of Americans saying they look at screens very often or somewhat often in the hour before bed or while in bed before sleep, it’s no wonder sleep quality is on the decline as light from phone, laptop and TV screens can significantly impact sleep.
And while technology can be the culprit when used inappropriately, like viewing screens too close to bedtime, it can also be part of the solution. “As people prepare for sleep, technology can help establish a sleep-friendly environment, help with a wind-down process that makes people feel more calm and relaxed, and then — and this is important — take its place in the background without disrupting a person’s sleep,” noted Lopos. A good example of this is the SmartThings functionality1 which allows users to program a pre-set time to turn off the bedroom TV and turn down the lights as part of a bedtime routine to help prepare them to sleep and create better sleeping conditions throughout the night.
Easily control your bedroom lightings with SmartThings to create a sleep-friendly environment
Adjusting Sleep Patterns
While sleep technology has long-term health benefits and can be a significant role in enhancing sleep quality, users can adjust their sleep habits to suit their needs. Daylight Savings Time, whether it is “springing forward”, or “falling back”, can make a big difference in your sleep. The NSF offers a variety of helpful tips to help you prepare. These include prioritizing daylight exposure and adjusting your clocks in the days leading up to the clock change. You can also adjust your sleeping schedule by going to bed an hour earlier every night. Relaxation techniques are encouraged by the NSF to ensure a restful night of sleep, even during time changes. The Galaxy Watch4 and the Samsung Health app can help with this by empowering users to manage their mindfulness through its breathing, meditation and stress monitoring capabilities. 2
Monitor your stress level with Galaxy Watch4 and follow through the breathing guide to prepare your body for a better sleep
Better Sleep Today and Tomorrow From Samsung
It’s with this understanding of the power of sleep technology that Samsung has introduced features on the Galaxy Watch4 that are empowering users to track and meet wellness goals and help users work toward a better night’s sleep.
For example, the new sleep coaching program on the Galaxy Watch4 helps users achieve better sleep habits and achieve their sleep goals. 2 The Samsung program assigns one of eight sleep symbol animals representing the user’s sleep type after tracking sleep patterns over seven days and completing two related sleep surveys. Then, it guides users through a four-to-five-week coaching program that includes missions, checklists, guidance and reports to support users as they work towards improving their sleep health.
With wearable devices now a regular part of many people’s lifestyles today, tracking and understanding elements of sleep are more common than ever — and the NSF wants to see even more access to sleep technology, believing that the sleep technology industry is going to ride new waves of collaboration and knowledge sharing. “We’re going to see even more integration across wearable and connected devices, lifestyle and wellness platforms and home goods,” Lopos affirmed. “People’s choices and feedback will confirm there’s lots of room for products and services that use sleep technology.”
The future of sleep technology looks promising. Samsung has committed to further developing their offerings and capabilities in this area with the help of National Sleep Foundation’s sleep experts.
To learn more about the Galaxy Watch4 series or the National Sleep Foundation, please visit:
1 Availability of this feature may vary by device.
2 Intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or condition. The measurements are for the user’s personal reference only. Please consult a medical professional for advice.
vivo X Fold and X Note get excellent A+ scores from DisplayMate
vivo is launching two new devices this week: its first foldable, the vivo X Fold, and a huge 7” phone, the vivo X Note. Both were built with an eye on quality, especially when it comes to the displays – both scored A+ marks from DisplayMate.
vivo X Fold and X Note get A+ marks from DisplayMate
The company bought high quality panels and materials. The inner display on the X Fold uses an LTPO panel with a 1-120 Hz refresh rate, Samsung E5 emissive materials and Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) from Schott (which also supplies UTG for Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold). The 7” 21:10 display on the X Note is also an LTPO panel with E5 materials.
DisplayMate writes that the vivo X Fold display has an anti-reflection layer, which increases contrast when viewed in bright ambient light. The 8” panel (10:9) is fairly bright for its size, reaching 807 nits at 100% APL (i.e. an all white screen) and peaking at 1,092 nits at lower APLs.
vivo X Fold: sRGB and DCI-P3 coverage • DCI-P3 color uniformity
The panel is calibrated at the factory to achieve perfect color accuracy. It has a wide color gamut too, covering 142% of sRGB and 113% of DCI-P3. Testing found no image irregularities in the area where the display folds.
All told, the vivo X Fold display set or matched 19 smartphone display performance records, earning it that coveted A+ rating.
Moving on to the rigid vivo X Note, it set or matched 16 records and also received an A+ mark. This panel is noticeably brighter, hitting 996 nits at 100% APL and 1,426 nits at low APL. It is still perfectly calibrated and capable of rendering a wide gamut of colors – 141% of sRGB and 112% of DCI-P3.
vivo X Note: sRGB and DCI-P3 coverage • DCI-P3 color uniformity
Fortnite maker Epic Games gets $2 billion investment from Sony and Lego
Sony and the company that controls Lego have both invested $1 billion in Epic Games, the Fortnite maker announced on Monday. The news comes four days after Epic and Lego said they were teaming up to build a family-friendly metaverse.
Kirkbi, which is the holding company that owns The Lego Group, is putting the money into Epic, so this is not a direct funding of that metaverse project. Sony’s investment triples its stake in Epic Games, on top of the $250 million it put into Epic in 2020 and the $200 million it added a year later.
“We also believe that Epic’s experience, which includes their powerful game engine and Sony’s technologies will speed up our efforts,” Kenichiro Yoshido (Sony’s chief executive) stated in an Epic statement. Epic Games launched Unreal Engine 5 one week ago.
For their part, Kirkbi’s chief executive Soren Thorup Sorensen noted “a proportion of our investments is focused on trends we believe will impact the future world that we and our children will live in.” The $1 billion stake aligns with that mission, Sorensen said.
The investment and the executives’ statements all align with Epic’s broader strategy of defining and administering the “metaverse,” a concept that Facebook, Microsoft, and others have latched onto over the past four years. Epic’s “metaverse” has largely taken place within Fortnite, where third-party marketers have regularly collaborated on themed skins and other virtual items, or staged virtual events like trailer premieres or concerts.
Epic chief executive and founder Tim Sweeney said in the same statement that “this investment will accelerate our work to build the metaverse and create spaces where players can have fun with friends, brands can build creative and immersive experiences, and creators can build a community and thrive.”
Monday’s statement said Epic Games is now valued at $31. 5 billion, up another $3 billion from last year’s buy-ins. Sweeney still controls Epic’s stock, according to the company.
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