Samsung heralded the world of personalized AI at its 10th annual developer conference, where Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Device eXperience Jong-Hee Han said those who own the company’s top of the line TVs will soon have generative AI, ChatGPT and a more responsive relationship with Bixby, Samsung’s smart assistant. The company introduced AI Cast, making it simpler to get intelligence from Galaxy phones to Samsung TVs. The Galaxy S24 series, released early this year, has native AI that will soon generate content that can be beamed to a sprawling TV screen. Continue reading Samsung Developer Conference Emphasizes AI, One UI 7 UX

Samsung Electronics has agreed to acquire UK-based Oxford Semantic Technologies, a knowledge graph firm whose tech will help improve Samsung’s AI-equipped smartphones, TVs and home appliances. When combined with Samsung’s own on-device Galaxy AI, Oxford’s tech will allow “hyper-personalized” user experiences that keep data secure, Samsung said, adding that “knowledge graph technology stores information as an interconnected web of related ideas and process data in a manner similar to how humans acquire, remember, recall and reason over knowledge,” offering insight on “how people use a product or service.” Continue reading Samsung Buying Oxford Semantics to Boost AI Personalization

The Biden administration has unveiled a new labeling system for smart devices. The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark identifies consumer electronics and appliances that meet security standards and are less vulnerable to cyberattacks. Companies including Amazon, Google, LG, Qualcomm, Samsung and retailer Best Buy participated in announcing the voluntary program. The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), purveyor of the Matter smart home standard, has also pledged support. The program is scheduled to roll out in 2024. Devices bearing the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark will have met security standards established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Continue reading White House Announces Smart Device Cybersecurity Labeling

LG Electronics has unveiled a plan to increase global revenue from 2022’s $51 billion to about $79 billion by 2030 as it transitions to a “smart life solution company.” A big part of that will be through subscriptions to add-on services for its TVs and home appliances. The South Korean tech giant’s CEO William Cho said the idea is to get the LG smart system, webOS, onto more third-party brands. Cho outlined plans for a “platform-based service business model that continuously generates profits, such as content and services, subscriptions and solutions” across all product categories. Continue reading LG Unveils Plans to Turn webOS into Media and Ad Platform

The European Union has released additional details of its Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), proposed cybersecurity rules initially introduced last year aimed at the growing number of smart devices and the Internet of Things. The goal is to introduce effective regulations that would help curb surging cyberattacks. Major tech companies from Apple to Amazon and LG would need to meet strict new standards in the connected electronics space or face significant fines that could run as high as the greater of $15 million or 2.5 percent of a company’s worldwide revenue. Continue reading EU’s Cyber Resilience Act Plans to Augment Security for IoT

The European Commission has proposed new rules on who can use and access data generated across economic sectors in the European Union. The proposed legislation would require Amazon, Microsoft, Google and other cloud service providers as well as those who harvest data to establish safeguards preventing non-EU governments from illegally accessing EU consumer information. “We want to give consumers and companies even more control over what can be done with their data, clarifying who can access data and on what terms,” said Margrethe Vestager, the EC’s commissioner for competition, in announcing the Data Act. Continue reading Data Act Aims to Protect EU Consumers in Smart Device Era

Samsung introduced its largest curved monitor ever, the 55-inch Odyssey Ark, which will come with a special stand, enabling it to rotate vertically when it is released Q3. The flexible and curved gaming screen debut came at the end of Samsung’s Gaming Hub presentation at CES, although immersive lifestyle applications (like workouts and movies) were also demonstrated in a socially responsible keynote themed “Together for Tomorrow.” The Gaming Hub will come with select 2022 Samsung monitors and TVs, and will include access to the cloud libraries of Nvidia GeForce, Google Stadia, Utomik and others as part of Samsung’s Bespoke smart TV menu due later this year. Continue reading CES: Samsung Reveals Gaming Hub, 55-Inch Curved Monitor

With a focus on sustainability, accessibility and personalization across its offerings, LG Electronics debuted a suite of smart TVs and appliances. Company chief executive William Cho, who hosted a press conference at CES 2022 today in Las Vegas, emphasized “an enhanced lifestyle and a better future for all.” “We have stories about innovation and progress and also about values that never change,” he said. Futuristic products included CLOi, a door-to-door delivery robot and LG OMNIPOD, a mobile office for autonomous vehicles. Continue reading CES: LG Electronics Promises ‘The Better Life You Deserve’

The global shortage of computer chips has been widely documented, impeding sales of everything from cars to appliances, game consoles and medical devices, among other things. As a result, Taiwan’s giant TSMC has seen its revenue and influence increase, but scarcity has also bolstered the clout of less famous manufacturers, including Infineon, Microchip Technology, NXP, Onsemi, Semiconductors and STMicroelectronics, which supply a variety of chips for thousands of customers. Companies are using their newfound leverage to gain favorable terms, like long-term commitments or upfront payment as a means of helping to increase production. Continue reading Global Chip Shortage Reshuffles Industry’s Balance of Power

In less than 10 years, the smartwatch has reached a tipping point, able to oversee many meaningful aspects of life. From home security to keeping tabs on your biometrics, wearability and design distinguish smartwatches from other devices — the closest approximation to cybernetics within reach of the average person with $300 to spend. Prices range from about $800 to $1,170 for Montblanc’s Summit 2+, a collaboration between Verizon, Qualcomm and the German luxury goods firm. An array of brands, including Samsung, Apple and Garmin have made it their business to redefine the smartwatch. Continue reading Next Generation Smartwatches: From Fitness to Full-Service

New chip factories are springing up worldwide to meet a historic shortage of semiconductors. The effort to increase output to meet chip demand in everything from computers to cars to smart TVs includes a new $12 billion plant located in Arizona for the world’s largest wholesale chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. TSMC’s Arizona plant is scheduled to begin producing advanced 5nm chips by 2024. And as part of its commitment to spend $100 billion over three years to increase production, TSMC just announced plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Japan. Continue reading Surging Chip Demand Spurs TSMC Plants in U.S. and Japan

Intel chief executive Pat Gelsinger and board members met with the Biden administration to promote his company’s plan to build more semiconductor factories with subsidies from the U.S. government. Currently, Asian-owned chip factories, which receive hefty incentives, dominate chip production. There’s also an “unprecedented” global shortage of chips, which is impacting the auto and consumer appliance industries. Gelsinger was hired this year to improve the fortunes of the beleaguered Intel. Continue reading Intel Chief Promotes Chipmaking Plan to U.S., Global Leaders

At CES 2017, LG stated that this year all of its home appliances will include “advanced Wi-Fi connectivity.” One flagship product is its Internet-connected Smart InstaView Refrigerator that supports Amazon’s Alexa; no price has been announced. Features of the webOS appliance include stickers and tags to be attached to items in the refrigerator, which will signal the consumer when a food item in question is about to expire, and the ability to remotely view the inside of the refrigerator via a camera mounted inside. Continue reading LG Goes Big on Wi-Fi-Connected Appliances, Robots at CES

Wisconsin-based startup Fasetto demonstrated its LINK storage and communications device at CES 2017. Ideal for media production, the portable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4G connected device might be the easiest way to distribute video via up to 15 mixed devices. A production unit merely needs access to a web browser and a little more than eight hours of battery charging time for streaming distribution. This device might also function as a budget version of on-set video support. The compact design (2-inches by 2-inches by 1-inch deep and a mere 4 ounces) packs up to 2TB of solid state storage with a 64 bit octa-core 2.1GHz Exynos 7420 processor and 4GB of RAM. Continue reading CES: Fasetto Rolls Out a New Class of Connectivity with LINK