Samsung is expanding its hyper-connected SmartThings platform
into the business ecosystem with SmartThings Pro at InfoComm 2024
Samsung Color E-Paper is a new display with extremely low energy consumption
which help companies share their brand more effectively
Samsung Electronics today announced SmartThings Pro and next-generation display technology for its award-winning line of digital signage. The announcement is part of the company’s participation in InfoComm, North America’s largest professional audiovisual industry trade show, which takes place in Las Vegas from June 12-14.
At booth W1225, Samsung will introduce SmartThings Pro, an evolution of SmartThings with business-focused features; Samsung Color E-Paper, an ultra-low, light and thin digital paper display; exclusive new generative AI features for interactive whiteboards (WAD series); and the new Samsung Business TV BED series, UHD TVs with flexible features for businesses in various industries. These solutions will be on display at the InfoComm information center, with Samsung providing demonstrations and educational events to highlight the products’ broad benefits.
“We are pleased to introduce a number 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 number one in signage sales for 15 consecutive years, we are using this event to showcase our latest solutions to meet a variety of business needs.”
SmartThings Pro brings new intelligence to the business environment
SmartThings Pro extends Samsung’s hyper-connected smart home technology into the enterprise environment, increasing 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 energy-saving technology that reduces power 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 allows users to check the connection status of various IoT devices through a user-friendly dashboard. This dashboard provides AI to analyze connected devices and help users use their devices more efficiently and adopt energy-saving practices.
In addition to individual users, SmartThings Pro will also improve the general operations of connected devices in the enterprise environment, including SMART Signage, hospitality displays, air conditioning systems, digital devices and many others. It also helps business clients manage various environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, lighting more effectively by connecting different IoT products. It also integrates sensors such as cameras to improve monitoring and control capabilities. These features help users automate day-to-day configurations and settings, resulting in more efficient and sustainable operations while reducing overall business costs.
Many Samsung partners are already planning to use the available APIs. Some of these partners include:
- Ciscowhich will demonstrate API integration with Cisco video devices at InfoComm and show how to integrate them with Webex Control Hub for scaled deployments.
- Acarwhich will enhance the Smart Hotel experience through cooperative experiences.
- Quividswhich will build a retail analytics solution with its VidiCenter online data center and leverage its new partnership with Samsung.
“With SmartThings Pro, we will further enhance Samsung’s IoT solutions for the B2B market,” said Chanwoo Park, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics. “Our customized solutions enhance display performance in apartment buildings, residential spaces, public facilities such as schools and commercial spaces such as shops, hotels and offices. SmartThings will not only improve performance for these operators, but also reduce costs.”
Color e-paper: An extremely efficient, light and thin display for businesses
Samsung will debut its ultra-low power display, the Samsung Color E-Paper (model EMDX), at InfoComm. Seamlessly combining digital ink with innovative full-color e-paper technology, this new sign can replace analog or paper promotional materials.
The new product offers a greener alternative to traditional promotional methods while providing the highly visible signage businesses need. Samsung Color E-Paper works with a power of 0.00 W1 when displaying a static image and when changing images, it consumes significantly less energy than traditional digital signage. In addition, managers can remotely control color electronic paper and set energy-saving schedules with automatic wake-up and sleep times.
The 32-inch screen is equipped with a QHD (2,560 x 1,440) resolution and a 60,000 color gamut (six colors per pixel: red, yellow, green, blue, white and black). It weighs only 2.9 kg and measures 17.9 mm in width,2 it can be installed seamlessly on various places such as walls, tables or even ceilings without additional brackets. This flexibility allows businesses and advertisers to deploy color e-paper in multiple locations to effectively engage audiences while reducing operational costs.
Samsung Color E-Paper includes a special mobile application3 which allows users to easily create or change content. It also supports the Samsung VXT solution, which enables real-time monitoring and remote integrated management of multiple displays at the same time. VXT CMS Canvas also offers a range of templates optimized for E-paper displays, making it easy to create content across multiple verticals.
For charging and data transfer, the Color E-Paper has two USB-C ports and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It also includes 8GB of flash memory, an interchangeable bezel that allows users to change the bezel colors4 and VESA5 standard wall mount compatibility6 to provide users with enhanced connectivity, customization options and flexible mounting solutions.
The Color E-Paper panel uses the innovative E Ink Spectra 6™ technique, a breakthrough color solution designed for in-store advertising, interior signage and replacing paper posters. It features an enhanced color spectrum and an advanced color imaging algorithm to improve marketing and advertising performance.
“We are 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 underscores our commitment to a better future with display solutions. By combining E Ink’s cutting-edge color e-paper technology with Samsung’s signage expertise, we are poised to deliver low-power color displays that will revolutionize digital advertising and communication while enhancing sustainability strategies.”
Interactive whiteboards: AI capabilities enhance learning
First announced at ISE,7 interactive whiteboard (WAD series) will be a big entry into InfoComm, packed with new features that include generative AI capabilities.
New AI-powered features include automatic transcripts from spoken lessons and the ability to generate detailed class summaries to highlight key points and main themes. It can also generate quizzes for students by analyzing the transcription of the teacher’s voice, the written material on the display and the provided learning materials. It also uses machine learning to improve content accuracy and block inappropriate content.
Additionally, through a partnership with educational technology company Merlyn Mind, the display will feature voice recognition technology optimized for educational environments. This will simplify the operation of the interactive display and help adapt its functions to match the school curriculum.
“We are delighted to partner with Samsung Electronics, a global leader in educational technology and innovation,” said Dr. Satya Nitta, CEO of Merlyn Mind. “Samsung has a long history of bringing advanced technology to the classroom, starting with Chromebooks more than a decade ago. Together, we will continue to integrate our purpose-built AI for education with Samsung solutions to create a more engaging and effective learning environment.”
These features will be rolled out to all three models in different sizes later in the year, providing more convenient usability and a better contextual learning environment.
Samsung Business TV BED: Exceptional image quality with flexible functionality
At InfoComm, Samsung will also introduce the Samsung Business TV BED series, which offers UHD picture quality and flexible functions. Available in a range of sizes8 – 43, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 or 85 inches – the TV fits into almost any space, making it the optimal choice to enhance the style and functionality of various environments. This solution meets the needs of sectors including the restaurant industry, education, small office/home office and other small businesses.
Global launch in Q3,9 businesses can leverage the existing Samsung Business TV App available on Android or iOS devices to seamlessly manage, schedule and display customized content remotely. It also supports SmartThings Pro and Samsung VXT, meeting a wide range of business needs and providing realistic clarity through 4K image quality and smooth device management.
1 The power measurement is based on the IEC 62301 standards. According to the standards, the value is rounded to the second decimal place and the average power below 0.005W is marked as 0.00W.
2 Specifications based on internal pre-launch testing. Final specifications are subject to change.
3 The application is available for Android and iOS.
4 Frame sold separately
5 Electronics Standards Association video
6 Compatible with VESA 200×200 mount
7 Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) is the leading trade fair for audiovisual (AV) and systems integration in Europe.
8 Size availability varies by region.
9 Specific launch timing will vary by region.