Samsung expands the hyperconnected SmartThings platform
to the business ecosystem with SmartThings Pro at InfoComm 2024
Samsung Electronics today announced SmartThings Pro and next-generation display technologies for its award-winning digital signage lineup. The announcement is part of the company’s participation at InfoComm, the largest professional audio-visual industry trade show in North America, held in Las Vegas from June 12 to 14.
At Booth W1225, Samsung will showcase SmartThings Pro, an evolution of SmartThings with business-focused capabilities; Samsung Color E-Paper, an ultra-low power, lightweight and slim digital paper display; exclusive new generative AI functions for the Interactive Whiteboard (WAD series); and the new Samsung Business TV BED series, a UHD TV with flexible functionality for businesses across different sectors. These solutions will be displayed throughout InfoComm, with Samsung providing demonstrations and educational sessions to highlight the products’ wide-ranging benefits.
“We are pleased to introduce a variety of new solutions, services and products at this year’s InfoComm,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Building on our legacy of being ranked No.1 in signage sales for 15 consecutive years, we are using this event to showcase our latest solutions that cater to diverse business needs.”
SmartThings Pro Brings New Intelligence to Business Environments
SmartThings Pro extends Samsung’s hyper-connected smart home technology to business environments, enhancing sustainability, automating operations and improving the overall business experience. To better support business-to-business (B2B) customers, SmartThings Pro offers customizable Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for seamless integration. It also features AI Energy Mode, an intelligent power saving technology that reduces energy consumption based on ambient brightness, content analysis and motion detection. This energy-saving algorithm is available for Samsung products connected to the SmartThings Pro ecosystem.
Additionally, SmartThings Pro enables users to check the connection status of various IoT devices through a user-friendly dashboard. This dashboard provides AI to analyze connected devices, helping users use their devices more efficiently and adopt energy-saving practices.
Beyond individual users, SmartThings Pro will also improve the general operations of connected devices in corporate environments, including SMART Signage, hospitality displays, air conditioning systems, digital appliances and much more. It also helps corporate clients manage various environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, lighting more effectively by linking various IoT products. It also integrates sensors like cameras to enhance monitoring and control capabilities. These features help users automate daily configurations and setups, resulting in more efficient and sustainable operations while reducing overall business costs.
Many of Samsung’s partners already plan to use the available APIs. Some of these partners include:
- Cisco, which will demonstrate API integrations with Cisco video devices at InfoComm and show how to integrate them with Webex Control Hub for scaled deployments.
- Aqara, which will enhance the Smart Hotel experience through co-operating experiences.
- Quividi, which will build a retail analytics solution with its online data center, VidiCenter, leveraging its new partnership with Samsung.
“We will further enhance Samsung’s IoT solutions for the B2B market through SmartThings Pro,” said Chanwoo Park, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics. “Our customized solutions strengthen display performance in apartment buildings, residential spaces, public facilities like schools and commercial spaces like retail, hotels and offices. SmartThings will not only improve performance for these operators, but it will reduce cost.”
Color E-Paper: Extremely Efficient, Lightweight and Slim Display for Businesses
Samsung will unveil its ultra-low power display, Samsung Color E-Paper (EMDX model), for the first time at InfoComm. Seamlessly blending digital ink with innovative full-color e-paper technology, this new signage can replace analog or paper promotional materials.
The new product offers a more eco-conscious alternative to traditional promotional methods while delivering the high-visibility signage businesses need. The Samsung Color E-Paper operates at 0.00W1 when displaying static image and consumes significantly less power than traditional digital signage when changing images. Additionally, managers can remotely control the Color E-Paper, setting schedules to save energy with automatic wake-up and sleep times.
The 32-inch screen is equipped with QHD (2,560 x 1,440) resolution and a 60,000-color gamut (six colors per pixel: red, yellow, green, blue, white and black). Weighing only 2.9kg and measuring 17.9mm in width,2 it can be seamlessly installed in various locations, such as walls, tables or even ceilings, without additional mounts. This flexibility allows businesses and advertisers to deploy the Color E-Paper in multiple locations to effectively engage audiences while reducing operational costs.
Samsung Color E-Paper includes a dedicated mobile app3 that allows users to easily create or change content. It also supports the Samsung VXT solution, enabling real-time monitoring and remote integrated management of multiple displays simultaneously. The VXT CMS Canvas also offers a variety of templates optimized for E-paper displays, making it easier to produce content across different verticals.
For charging and data transmission, the Color E-Paper features two USB-C type ports and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It also includes 8GB of flash memory, an interchangeable bezel that allows users to change colors of the frame4 and VESA5 standard wall mount compatibility6 to provide users with enhanced connectivity, customization options and flexible mounting solutions.
The Color E-Paper panel utilizes the innovative E Ink Spectra 6™ technology, a groundbreaking color solution designed for in-store advertising, indoor signage and replacing paper posters. It features an enhanced color spectrum and advanced color imaging algorithm to improve marketing and advertising performance.
“We’re excited to announce our partnership with Samsung to unveil the innovative 32-inch E Ink Spectra 6 for the signage market,” said Dr. FY Gan, President of E Ink Holdings. “This collaboration highlights our commitment to a brighter future with display solutions. By merging E Ink’s cutting-edge color e-Paper technology with Samsung’s signage expertise, we are poised to deliver low-power color displays that revolutionize digital promotion and communication, while enhancing sustainability strategies.”
Interactive Whiteboard: AI Capabilities Boost the Learning Experience
First announced at ISE,7 the Interactive Whiteboard (WAD series) will make a grand entrance at InfoComm, loaded with new features that include generative AI capabilities.
New AI-powered features include automatic transcriptions from spoken lessons and the ability to generate detailed class summaries that highlight key points and main topics. By analyzing the teacher’s voice transcription, the written material on the display and provided educational materials, it can also generate quizzes for students. It also uses machine learning to improve content accuracy and block inappropriate content.
Additionally, through a collaboration with educational technology company Merlyn Mind, the display will feature voice recognition technology optimized for educational environments. This will simplify control of the Interactive Display and help tailor its functionalities to align with school-specific curricula.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Samsung Electronics, a global leader in educational technology and innovation,” said Dr. Satya Nitta, the CEO of Merlyn Mind. “Samsung has a long history of bringing advanced technology to classrooms, starting with Chromebooks over a decade ago. Together, we will continue to integrate our purpose-built AI for education with Samsung’s solutions to create more engaging and effective learning environments.”
These capabilities will roll out for all three different-sized models later in the year, providing more convenient usability and a higher contextual learning environment.
Samsung Business TV BED: Exceptional Image Quality With Flexible Functionality
At InfoComm, Samsung will also showcase the Samsung Business TV BED series, offering UHD picture quality and flexible functionality. Available in a range of sizes8 – 43, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 or 85 inches – the TV can fit into almost any space, making it an optimal choice to enhance both the style and functionality of various environments. This solution meets the needs of sectors including restaurant industry, education, small/home offices and other small businesses.
Launching globally in Q3,9 businesses can use the existing Samsung Business TV App available on Android or iOS devices to remotely manage, schedule and display customized content effortlessly. It also supports SmartThings Pro and Samsung VXT, meeting a wide variety of business needs and providing lifelike clarity through 4K image quality and smooth device management.
