[Newsmaker] Samsung bets big on IoT

LAS VEGAS ― Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest electronics firm, said that its entire range of products would be connected through the Internet of Things technology by 2020.

“Samsung will have all TVs connected through the IoT by 2017, and all other products by 2020,” said Yoon Boo-keun, head of the company’s consumer electronics business unit, in his opening keynote speech for the International CES on Tuesday.

“Samsung will unlock infinite possibilities of the IoT by developing technology centered on humans,” he added. 

To that end, the Samsung CEO promised that the tech giant would keep its IoT platforms and products open, including smart hubs, smartphones, smart watches and smart control systems for cars, to any device and platform.

The electronics firm will also invest $100 million to hold developers’ conferences and run support programs for developers in the related industries throughout this year.

Noting the incompatibility among devices and the lack of collaboration between market players as the major barriers for truly realizing the IoT era, the CEO said the company would spare no effort to overcome those obstacles by seeking more partnerships in a wide spectrum of industries.

In line with its plan to foster IoT businesses, the chief of Samsung, the largest memory chipmaker, also introduced a micro sensor that can identify 20 different scents, and a sensor which recognizes minute movements.

The world’s IoT market will grow from $1.9 trillion in 2013 to $7.1 trillion in 2020, according to market researcher IDC.


Trendsetting products at CES

Samsung will showcase state-of-the-art products, including ultrahigh-definition TVs, virtual reality headsets, and smart controllers for vehicles, at the CES being held for four days through Friday in Las Vegas.

Displayed at the entrance of the firm’s booth, the SUHD TVs with their display measuring from 65 to 88 inches are expected to wow the visitors and customers at Samsung’s booth. With the letter “S” standing for spectacular, smart, and stylish, the SUHD TV is a one-of-its-kind product featuring a panel fitted with nano-crystal semiconductors, and smart video remastering solutions for better color expression, brightness and contrast than other TV products.

“The movie ‘Exodus,’ a 20th Century Fox production, will be played on the Samsung TVs during the CES, which will surely be mesmerizing for the visitors with its vivid and crisp picture quality,” said an official from Samsung Electronics.

The company’s new glasses-free 8K 3-D TVs and 105-inch bendable TVs were also on display to wow spectators.

All its smart TVs displayed at the CES are fitted with the Tizen operating system developed by a consortium of tech companies led by Samsung and Intel.

The Samsung Gear S’ car control system, which can be linked to BMW’s i3 electric car, will also be showcased at the electronics trade show. Drivers can open doors, windows and trunks with the control system.

The tech giant said it would also keep pushing for seamless integration between software and hardware.

A 3-D video content platform called the Milk VR, and Milk Video, a video streaming service will be featured on Samsung’s smart TVs and PCs this year.

By Kim Young-won, Korea Herald correspondent
(wone0102@heraldcorp.com)