Over-the-network updates for home appliances will enable multiple new features to enhance and modernize experiences for more users
Samsung Electronics today announced the new features that will be provided via Smart Forward, Samsung’s over-the-network updates for home appliances,1 to select devices, which will roll out throughout the second half of this year.2 These Smart Forward updates — designed to breathe new life into existing appliances through new functionality, future proofing and enhanced safety and energy savings — are the latest step forward in Samsung’s journey to deliver optimal experiences to more users.
“After years of R&D with a relentless focus on the home user experience, we are thrilled to be rolling out more Smart Forward updates to our earlier released appliances around the globe,” said Miyoung Yoo, EVP and Head of the Software Development Team, Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “With the enhanced functionality, extended lifespan and improved security provided by Smart Forward, the home experience can truly take a step forward.”
▲ Samsung Digital Appliances connecting to download updates3
New Functionalities Alter Kitchen Experiences
The Smart Forward updates introduce an array of new functionalities designed to enhance the user experience and appliance performance. The Family Hub™, a touch screen panel installed on the 4-Door French Door Refrigerator4 for food management, entertainment and communication, will now come with Quick Share, Buds Auto Switch5 and Fridge Call, new features that significantly improve connectivity and usability.6
Quick Share makes sharing memories and recipes while in the kitchen easier than ever by allowing users to quickly send photos to the Family Hub™ screen directly from their mobile device7 with just a few clicks. When users have their Galaxy Buds connected to the Family Hub™ to listen to music or watch cooking tutorial videos, the Buds Auto Switch feature allows users to seamlessly switch to their mobile device to answer incoming calls and back when the call is finished, enabling a cooking experience free from interruptions.
Finally, users can receive phone calls with Fridge Call directly on the Family Hub™ using its microphone and speaker, eliminating the need to move to a different room to find their phone. This is especially convenient when users’ hands are occupied to cooking, cleaning and dishwashing, making it much easier to multitask while remaining connected. Perhaps best of all, these new features will be available on refrigerator models with Family Hub™ produced from 2017 onward rather than new models only.
Quick Remote,8 an additional feature in which a user’s mobile phone becomes a remote control for connected Samsung appliances, is being expanded across refrigerators produced since 2023, regardless of whether they include a Family Hub™ screen or not.9 Other connected appliances include washing machines and air conditioners also produced since 2023.10 All users need to do is simply move close to a SmartThings-connected appliance,11 and a remote control menu for the appliance will appear on the quick panel of the Galaxy phone screen being used. This seamless integration ensures that users can control their home environment with ease.
Future-Proofing Home Appliances to the Next Level
Apart from making the user experience more seamless, Samsung is also focused on future-proofing existing appliances. The upgraded Bixby12 will understand commands with multiple intentions and remember the most recent conversation.13 This advanced functionality transforms the way users interact with their appliances, making voice commands more intuitive and responsive.14 Samsung is providing the update to five products launched in 2024 first: the Bespoke 4-Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub™; Bespoke AI Laundry Combo™; Bespoke Slide-in Range; Bespoke Jet Bot Combo™ AI; and Bespoke AI WindFree™ Gallery Freestanding Air Conditioner (Sold in Korea only).
Additionally, Bixby now opens doors for 2024 refrigerators with Family Hub™ upon verbal request, without the need for wake-up commands like “Hi Bixby.” Users can simply say, “Open the refrigerator door.” This functionality offers users an unparalleled level of convenience and hands-free operation.15 Plus, for refrigerators with Family Hub™ launched in Korea and the U.S. after 2022, a new wallpaper feature will allow users to create custom wallpapers for the fridge’s screen, adding a personalized touch to their kitchen space.16
▲ Users can create custom wallpapers for their Family Hub™ screen.
Safer Use and Lower Energy Consumption
In terms of safety and energy-savings, Samsung is rolling out updates to older models — including refrigerators made as far back as 2021 — because the importance of safety does not diminish with time.17 After an event of a power outage and once resumed with power, refrigerators will detect and notify users via the SmartThings app when internal temperature is high, providing an extra layer of food safety by making users aware of potential issues that could affect the freshness of their stored food.
Additionally, users can now choose different chimes for open door notifications, giving them greater control over their appliance settings. Furthermore, users can maintain a peaceful home environment by putting ice makers in sleep mode, preventing them from working during the night and creating the disruptive sound of ice falling into the tray while users sleep.
Optimal Scheduling, which delays the start of appliances to not have them run during peak energy usage hours or periods of high carbon intensity, will also be added to the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo™18 and Samsung Dishwashers.19 This feature can help users cut down on energy cost. Additionally, the 7-inch AI Home on the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo™ now automatically switches to power-save mode during wash cycles, further contributing to smart energy savings.20
These updates reflect Samsung’s broader strategy of providing value to customers by enhancing the products they already own. By continuously improving the functionality and performance of its appliances, Samsung ensures that users do not have to worry about their devices becoming obsolete. This approach not only safeguards customers’ investments but also aligns with the company’s efforts to reduce the need for frequent replacements.
Samsung’s updated home appliances will be showcased at IFA 2024 in Berlin, Germany, from September 6 to 10, where visitors will be able to see and experience each feature.
1 The following updates will be alerted to the user via SmartThings app push notification when available. On the SmartThings app, users can check the product and features that are ready to be updated and monitor the update progress.
2 Updates will be available throughout 2024. Actual update schedule may differ according to product, model type, and region.
3 Image is created to visually help understand the process of updating appliances through Wi-Fi Connection. Screens on the appliances does not appear as in the image during updates.
4 This is the global name, and naming may differ by region. For example, 2024 Bespoke refrigerator with the 32-inch Family Hub™ screen is named Bespoke 4-Door Flex™ Refrigerator with AI Family Hub™+ in North America and Bespoke 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub™+ in Latin America.
5 Quick Share and Buds Auto Switch are available with Galaxy mobile phones only.
6 Quick Share, Buds Auto Switch, and Fridge Call update are currently available on refrigerators with Family Hub™ in North and South America and will be available sequentially in Europe, East Asia and Southeast Asia throughout 2024. Actual update schedule may differ according to product and region.
7 The SmartThings app is available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required. Users are required to utilize a single log-in account between the devices
8 Quick Remote feature is available in Galaxy mobile phones with Android 1.8.21 or above, and the SmartThings app must be installed. A Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account are required. Users are required to utilize a single log-in account between the devices.
9 Will be available globally on select refrigerators, washing machines and dryers produced since 2023, starting in October and sequentially throughout the rest of 2024. Actual update schedule may differ according to product and region.
10 Feature will be available on select Freestanding Air Conditioners (FAC), Wall Air Conditioners (WAC) and dehumidifier models produced since 2023 and select Residential Air Conditioner (RAC) models produced in 2024.
11 Connected Galaxy mobile phone must be within 10 meters of the appliance. Quick Remote may not work properly, if objects come between the mobile phone and the appliance.
12 Bixby is Samsung’s brand of Internet of Things (IoT) voice assistant. Bixby service availability may vary depending on the country. Bixby recognizes certain accents/dialects of English (US, UK, Indian), Chinese, Korean, French, German, Italian, Spanish (Spain, Latin America) and Portuguese (Brazil). The user interface may change and differ by device. The availability of Bixby features and content providers may vary depending on the country/carrier/language/device model/OS version. A Samsung account log-in and data network connection (Wi-Fi or data network) are required.
13 Multi-Intent and Multi-Turn are supported in the following languages: English (US, UK, India), Korean, Spanish (Latin America, Europe), French, German, Italian and Portuguese (Brazil). Device Q&A is currently available for English (US) and Korean. The following scenario is based on English (US) and may vary depending on user language settings..
14 In order to control other devices, all devices must be connected to SmartThings under the same Samsung account. Control is limited to connected devices’ original features and voice control activated features may be limited, depending on the type of the product and the model that execute the commands.
15 Feature is currently available on select refrigerator models with Family Hub™ produced since 2024 in Korea and the U.S. and will be sequentially available in Southeast Asia, Oceania and Europe starting in August.
16 Feature will be available on select refrigerator models with Family Hub™ produced since 2022 in South Korea and the United States. Currently the service allows up to 5 images to be created per day.
17 Update will be available globally on select refrigerator models produced since 2021, starting in October.
18 Update will be available globally, starting in October.
19 Update will be available for DW7700B dishwashers sold in Europe only, starting in August.
20 Update will be available on Bespoke AI Laundry Combo™ in 2024 Q4.
Source: Samsung Newsroom, Link
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