Samsung is expanding the hyperconnected SmartThings platform
to the business ecosystem with SmartThings Pro at InfoComm 2024
Samsung Color E-Paper is a new ultra-low energy display
that allows companies to share their brand more effectively
Samsung Electronics today announced SmartThings Pro and next-generation display technologies for its award-winning digital signage range. The announcement is part of the company’s participation in InfoComm, the largest trade show for the professional audiovisual industry in North America, being held June 12-14 in Las Vegas.
At booth W1225, Samsung will demonstrate SmartThings Pro, an evolution of SmartThings with business-focused capabilities; Samsung Color E-Paper, an ultra-efficient, lightweight and slim digital paper display; exclusive new generative AI features for the Interactive Whiteboard (WAD series); and the new Samsung Business TV BED series, a UHD TV with flexible functionality for businesses in different sectors. These solutions will be showcased at InfoComm, with Samsung providing demonstrations and educational sessions to highlight the broad benefits of the products.
“We are excited 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 #1 in signage sales for 15 consecutive years, we are using this event to showcase our latest solutions that meet a variety of business needs.”
SmartThings Pro brings new intelligence to business environments
SmartThings Pro extends Samsung’s hyper-connected smart home technology to business environments, improving 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.
Furthermore, SmartThings Pro allows users to check the connection status of various IoT devices through an easy-to-use dashboard. This dashboard provides AI to analyze connected devices, helping users use their devices more efficiently and adopt energy-saving practices.
In addition to individual users, SmartThings Pro will also improve the overall operation of connected devices in corporate environments, including SMART Signage, hospitality displays, air conditioning systems, digital devices and more. It also helps business customers manage various environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and 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 daily configurations and settings, resulting in more efficient and sustainable operations while reducing overall operating costs.
Many of Samsung’s partners are already planning to use the available APIs. Some of these partners include:
- Ciscowho will demonstrate API integrations with Cisco video devices at InfoComm and show how to integrate with Webex Control Hub for scaled deployments.
- Akarathat will enhance the Smart Hotel experience through collaborative experiences.
- Quividiwhich will build a retail analytics solution with its VidiCenter online data center, 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 tailor-made 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 the performance of these operators, but also reduce costs.”
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. By seamlessly combining 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 environmentally conscious alternative to traditional promotional methods while providing the highly visible signage that businesses need. The Samsung Color E-Paper runs on 0.00 W1 when displaying static images and consumes significantly less power than traditional digital signage when changing images. Additionally, managers can control the Color E-Paper remotely and set schedules to save energy with automatic wake and sleep times.
The 32-inch screen is equipped with a QHD resolution (2,560 x 1,440) and a color gamut of 60,000 (six colors per pixel: red, yellow, green, blue, white and black). Weighing just 2.9kg and measuring 17.9mm in width,2 it can be installed seamlessly in different locations, such as walls, tables or even ceilings, without additional fixings. 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 special mobile app3 that allows users to easily create or modify content. It also supports the Samsung VXT solution, allowing real-time monitoring and integrated remote 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 industries.
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, a removable bezel that allows users to change the colors of the frame4 and VESA5 standard wall mounting 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™ technology, a breakthrough color solution designed for in-store advertising, indoor signage and to replace paper posters. It features an enhanced color spectrum and an advanced color image 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 highlights our commitment to a better future with display solutions. By combining E Ink’s advanced color e-Paper technology with Samsung’s signage expertise, we are poised to deliver energy-efficient color displays that revolutionize digital promotion and communications, while improving sustainability strategies.”
Interactive whiteboard: AI capabilities enhance the learning experience
First announced at ISE,7 the Interactive Whiteboard (WAD series) will make a grand entrance at InfoComm, packed with new features including generative AI capabilities.
New AI-powered features include automatic transcriptions of spoken lessons and the ability to generate detailed lesson summaries highlighting key points and key topics. By analyzing the teacher’s voice transcription, the written material on the display and the teaching materials provided, it can also generate quizzes for students. It also uses machine learning to improve content accuracy and block inappropriate content.
Additionally, through a partnership with education technology company Merlyn Mind, the display will feature speech recognition technology optimized for educational environments. This will simplify control of the Interactive Display and help tailor its functionalities to school-specific curricula.
“We are excited to partner with Samsung Electronics, a global leader in education technology and innovation,” said Dr. Satya Nitta, the CEO of Merlyn Mind. “Samsung has a long history of bringing cutting-edge technology into classrooms, starting with Chromebooks over a decade ago. Together, we will continue to integrate our purpose-built AI for education with Samsung solutions to create more engaging and effective learning environments.”
These capabilities will roll out to all three different sized models later this year, delivering more convenient ease of use and a more contextual learning environment.
Samsung Business TV BED: Exceptional picture quality with flexible functionality
At InfoComm, Samsung will also showcase the Samsung Business TV BED series, which offers UHD picture quality and flexible functionality. Available in different sizes8 – 43, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 or 85 inches – the TV fits in almost any space, making it an optimal choice to enhance both the style and functionality of different environments. This solution meets the needs of industries such as hospitality, education, small/home offices and other small businesses.
Launched globally in the third quarter,9 businesses can use the existing Samsung Business TV app available on Android or iOS devices to effortlessly manage, schedule and display customized content remotely. It also supports SmartThings Pro and Samsung VXT, meeting a wide range of business needs and delivering lifelike clarity through 4K picture 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 0.005 W is indicated as 0.00 W.
2 Specifications based on internal testing prior to launch. Final specifications are subject to change.
3 App is available on Android and iOS.
4 Bezel frame sold separately
5 Video Electronics Standards Association
6 Compatible with 200×200 VESA mounting
7 Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) is a leading audiovisual (AV) and systems integration exhibition in Europe.
8 Size availability varies by region.
9 The specific launch timing varies by region.