Samsung Bio-Processor enters mass production
Back in November Samsung unveiled its new Bio-Processor, an all-in-one low power solution to cater for growing demand for health tracking products. The company has now announced that its integrated SoC has entered mass production, paving the way for the first products to land sometime in the New Year.
The Bio-Processor is the industry’s first all-in-one chip designed specifically for the health wearable market. The SoC contains everything that developers need to design new products, including eFlash memory, power management, an MCU, and digital signal processing capabilities.
“With improvements in smart, fitness devices and an increase in consumer health consciousness, more and more people are looking for ways to monitor various personal bio-data, or fitness data, to constantly manage their health” – Ben K. Hur, Samsung Vice President of marketing
The chip has five analog front ends for bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), photoplethysmogram (PPG), electrocardiogram (ECG), skin temperature, and galvanic skin response (GSR), which measures body fat, and skeletal muscle mass, heart rate, heart rhythm, skin temperature and stress level, respectively. Samsung’s design can fit into an 80 percent smaller form factor than using these components separately and can consume around 50 percent less power.
Samsung has a small selection of reference wearable platforms available to demonstrate how its new SoC can be used and to aid developers when prototyping their products. Samsung has wrist band, board and patch type reference devices to showcase some of the different possibilities.
The first products powered by Samsung’s Bio-Processor are expected to arrive in the first half of 2016.
Samsung Addresses a Growing Mobile Health Market with Industry’s First Smart Bio-Processor
Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, announced that it is addressing the growing trend of quantified health with an all-in-one advanced system logic chip for the health-oriented wearables market, the Bio-Processor. The Samsung Bio-Processor, now in mass production, is specifically designed to allow accelerated development of innovative wearable products for consumers who are increasingly monitoring their health and fitness on a daily basis.
“With improvements in smart, fitness devices and an increase in consumer health consciousness, more and more people are looking for ways to monitor various personal bio-data, or fitness data, to constantly manage their health” said Ben K. Hur, Vice President of marketing, System LSI business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung’s Bio-Processor, which can process five different biometric signals, is the most versatile health and fitness monitoring chip available on the market today and is expected to open up many new health-based service options for our customers.”
Samsung Bio-Processor: Small in size; Big on Versatility
Samsung’s Bio-Processor is the industry’s first all-in-one health solution chip. By integrating not only Analog Front Ends (AFE), but also microcontroller unit (MCU), power management integrated circuit (PMIC), digital signal processor (DSP), and eFlash memory, it is able to process the bio-signals it measures without the need of external processing parts. Even with its integrated design, the Bio-Processor is particularly innovative thanks to its incredibly small size. When compared to the total area of the discrete parts, the Bio-Processor is only about one fourth of the total combined size, which is ideal for small wearable devices, offering a bounty of options when designing new devices.
While heart rate monitoring alone may have been compelling in the past, the ability to measure a variety of fitness data is expected in today’s wearable products. To meet such demands, Samsung has designed its Bio-Processor to integrate five AFEs including bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), photoplethysmogram (PPG), electrocardiogram (ECG), skin temperature, and galvanic skin response (GSR) into a single chip solution that measures body fat, and skeletal muscle mass, heart rate, heart rhythm, skin temperature and stress level, respectively. In addition, combinations of these fitness inputs can be considered for a variety of new use cases.
To speed product development and better understand Samsung’s new Bio-Processor, several wearable reference platforms are now available to demonstrate various uses cases. For example, wrist band, board and patch type reference devices exhibit the Bio-Processor’s potential by demonstrating its ability to measure multiple fitness variables on an extremely small device.
Samsung Bio-Processor is currently in mass production and will be available in fitness/health devices within the first half of 2016.
Samsung rolling out a battery-improving update to the Gear S2
The Samsung Gear S2 may not be at the same level as the Pebble Time when it comes to the battery department, but perhaps the Tizen-powered wearable will inch closer to the 7-day mark after its latest update. Samsung is now pushing out a small update to the Gear S2 that brings with it battery life optimizations. The software update comes in at version R730TUVU1AOL3 and weighs only 4.85MB. Battery life optimizations are the only thing present in the changelog.
In our full review, we told you that the Samsung Gear S2 was quite impressive in terms of battery life. It only has a 250mAh cell on board, but that doesn’t stop the watch from lasting as long as two full days on a single charge in certain circumstances. Prior to this update, you’d need to turn off ambient mode and turn down the brightness on the watch to reach 48 hours of use. We’re hoping to see this number grow after we receive the new update on our unit. It’s still probably in your best interest to charge your Gear S2 every night on the handy wireless charging dock. If you forget, though, it’s entirely possible to make the battery last for a second day.
Still, that’s not bad considering the Android Wear competition. Some of the latest Wear devices on the market have trouble reaching two days of use on a single charge, which we hope will be improved when the next wave of smartwatches comes out in the new year.
Have you received this battery-improving update on your Gear S2? If so, be sure to tell us what you think, and if you’re seeing any changes!
Samsung files patent for new Smart Ring
Samsung could be set to launch a new smart ring accessory that would allow you to control various smartphone, TV and home automation system features directly from your finger.
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A new patent filed with the US Patent & Trademark Office reveals one potential use which is a smartphone recognising the smart ring and then displaying a contextually-aware menu which shows functions set in the ring as well as icons showing other functions that the ring can control. The diagram shows the other icons could include the TV, radio, blinds, lights and any other connected devices in your smart home.
Samsung isn’t the first to delve into smart rings, with the likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google all exploring the area in a series of patent filings. What could make Samsung’s smart ring unique is that it may connect with social networks such as Facebook which could open a series of endless possibilities.
Like plenty of other patent filings, this may prove to be nothing for many years yet but as Samsung’s Gear S2 shows with its unique rotating bezel, somethings are worth the wait. What will Samsung’s eventual Smart Ring be able to do, if it is even released? Let us know what you’d like to see in the comments below!
Samsung to integrate SmartThings control into its 2016 smart TVs
Samsung has big things planned for the home automation space next year it seems. The company has just announced that its entire line-up of 2016 smart TVs will be internet-of-things ready and can connected up to the company’s SmartThings platform.
In case you missed it, SmartThings is an open IoT platform that allows users to control other smart home devices. This includes products such as lights, thermostats, alarms and even security cameras. Samsung’s announcement means that all of its 2016 smart TVs will be able to act as a hub for your entire smart home. However, Samsung states that an Extend USB adaptor is required in order to support the full range of devices.
“The 2016 line-up of Smart TVs will offer consumers new possibilities and cement Samsung’s market leading position, as the first company to launch IoT ready TVs.” – Hyun Suk Kim, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics
Samsung is integrating its smart home control into a TV interface, so customers won’t need to use separate apps for different products. For example, Alerts from motion sensors or video from a camera can be viewed directly on the TV screen. Samsung is also creating some useful new features for your living room, including a Cinema Mood that adjusts your lighting and surround sound speakers for a more cinematic viewing experience.
Read more: Done Deal: Samsung acquires SmartThings
Samsung says that activation date of its SmartThings TV features will vary depending on the region. The company will be showcasing its 2016 smart TV line-up during CES 2016 at the beginning of January.
Samsung Electronics announced that its entire 2016 Smart TV line-up will be Internet of Things (IoT) ready and connected with the SmartThings platform. SmartThings is an open platform that allows users to connect, manage and control smart devices and IoT services.
Among the 2016 Smart TVs, all Samsung’s 2016 SUHD TVs will apply IoT hub technology, allowing the TV itself to act as the controller for the entire smart home. Samsung developed its own IoT hub technology with SmartThings for 2016 SUHD TVs.
SUHD TVs can connect with and control Samsung devices and SmartThings sensors, as well as more than 200 other SmartThings compatible devices. These include everything from connected lights and locks to thermostats and cameras, from a wide range of high quality third party manufacturers. For the full support of connectivity with SmartThings compatible devices, SmartThings Extend USB adaptor is required.
At CES 2016, Samsung will showcase the future of TV and demonstrate how Samsung’s Smart TVs are at the center of the expanding IoT ecosystem.
“The 2016 line-up of Smart TVs will offer consumers new possibilities and cement Samsung’s market leading position, as the first company to launch IoT ready TVs.” said Hyun Suk Kim, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.
“With Samsung Smart TVs working with the SmartThings technology, we have an opportunity to reach millions of households,” said Alex Hawkinson, CEO and Co-founder of SmartThings. “Applying this technology into current household devices is a major step forwards that will make it much easier for everyone to experience the benefits of a smart home.”
SmartThings allows consumers to access all of their smart devices directly from their smartphone and SUHD TV, rather than having to control individual devices with a multitude of separate apps. With the SmartThings application, people can easily connect and manage all of their smart home devices and services through a single, simple user interface.
With an outdoor camera connected to their Samsung Smart TV, customers can check when visitors arrive and choose to open their front door, directly from their sofa. Motion sensor alerts can also pop-up directly on the TV screen, if movement outside the home is picked up, providing more security and peace of mind, whether at home or away.
The SmartThings application’s Cinema Mood also makes it easier than ever to create the perfect home theater environment. It enables consumers to automatically adjust everything from ambient lighting to surround sound, so they can instantly provide the optimal movie viewing experience.
While each 2016 SUHD TV will be enabled with this SmartThings technology, the functionality will be activated regionally as SmartThings expands its platform availability.
Samsung is putting SmartThings hubs in its 2016 HDTVs
All the smart TVs in Samsung’s 2016 lineup can connect to its SmartThings platform, the company has revealed. Even better, it equipped all the flagship TVs, which it calls SUHDs, within next year’s product list with the IoT hub technology it snapped up in 2014. In other words, those SUHDs can connect to Samsung devices and all the SmartThings-compatible lights, thermostats, cameras, motion (and other types of) sensors you have in your home. The TVs will most likely be able to control them all through a single user interface.
The TV’s hub capability, however, will be activated by region. Some people might not be able to take advantage of it until SmartThings expands to their location. That said, if you don’t have any of those newfangled IoT devices but want to see what they’re all about, you’d have around 200 SmartThings-compatible products to choose from. Samsung sadly didn’t give out more details about the upcoming products other than they’re IoT ready — it mostly likely just wanted to drum up interest on a slow December day. The Korean manufacturer promises to reveal the lineup at CES 2016, though, and we’ll be there to check it out for you.
Source: Samsung
Samsung rolls out December security update for the Galaxy S6 trio in India and the Nordic countries
When Samsung took the wraps off the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6 Edge+ in the second quarter of 2015, it promised customers it would distribute monthly security upgrades in order to keep the handsets up to date and running smoothly. It certainly appears that the South Korean company is staying true to its word as it’s now rolling out December’s upgrade to the devices located in India and the Nordic countries.
The upgrade doesn’t transport any added functionality, but it does bundle a plethora of much-needed bug fixes and stability improvements to bring better security and more reliable voice calls to the handsets, along with several battery life enhancements. A full list of all the changes can be seen over on Samsung’s security blog.
As is the norm, this update is being distributed in stages. To see if it’s ready for your device head into Settings, scroll to the bottom and tap on “About Device”, hit “System Updates”, then select “Check for updates”. Alternatively, you can wait until you receive a push notification prompting you to install the update.
Via: SamMobile
Come comment on this article: Samsung rolls out December security update for the Galaxy S6 trio in India and the Nordic countries
Samsung Pay to introduce mobile payments in 2016
Samsung Pay continues moving up the ladder as the Korean giant aims to reach more devices, retailers and customers, but they can’t do this if the service is exclusive to physical retailers. This is the digital age, after all, and Samsung Pay global general manager Thomas Ko has just revealed there are plans for such expansion.
See also: Video demo: here’s how Samsung Pay will work in stores
Mobile payments are coming to Samsung Pay in 2016, allowing users to purchase products and services online. Users will be able to shop online, paying easily and securely through the phone’s mobile payments solution and fingerprint reader. If apps like Amazon, Best Buy and eBay start accepting Samsung Pay to shop online, things will get really interesting. Wouldn’t you agree?
We are not certain how far this expansion will go, though. Details are scarce, and it seems the new feature will only be available in the USA, at least initially. We also have to keep in mind that not many phones can take advantage of Android Pay just yet. Yes, Samsung is a big manufacturer, but not everyone has access to one of the latest Galaxy S handsets. Supported devices currently only include the Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S6 Active and Galaxy Note 5.
Samsung reviews:
- Samsung Galaxy S6 review
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge review
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ review
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Active review
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 review
Thomas Ko did mention that more “handset availability of Samsung Pay as well as online payment support is coming soon”. This opens doors to the possibility of more mid-end handsets getting Samsung Pay support in 2016. That would really be the ideal move. Well… that and expanding support to other smartphone brands, but you know how that goes.
What do you guys think about this expansion? Are mobile online payments what Samsung Pay needs? Is it too little, too late? Will you use the service? Hit the comments and let us know what you think!
Samsung has an all-in-one health chip for wearables
Samsung’s already wide product family is getting even bigger thanks to its new chip dubbed the “Samsung Bio-Processor.” As the company tells it, it’s already in mass production and is “specifically designed to allow accelerated development of innovative wearable products for consumers who are increasingly monitoring their health and fitness on a daily basis.” Phew. The announcement post goes on to say that the processor is the first all-in-one health solution chip and that since it’s packing a number of different control and sensor units (like a quintet of Analog Front Ends, a microcontroller unit, digital signal processor and eFlash memory) it can do all these tricks without the need for external processing.
The idea behind the silicon is to be the one-stop wearable fitness resource. Those five AFEs? One keeps track of bioelectrical impedance analysis, while the others focus on volumetric measurements of organs, an electrocardiogram and skin temperature, among other things. Bear in mind that Samsung’s latest smartwatch, the Gear S2, only tracks your heart rate. Same goes for the Apple Watch. Considering how err… interesting Samsung wearables tend to be, a possible scenario here is that the tech giant won’t keep the Bio-Processor all to itself. Nope, the real money here lies in potentially licensing it out to other folks, as it’s wont to do with its other self-made parts.
We won’t have to wait too long to see these in the wild, either: Samsung promises it’ll be packed into devices available early next year. If you’re wondering where, the inevitable follow-up to the aforementioned Gear S2 successor is a pretty likely bet. Whether that shows its face at CES or Mobile World Congress is the real question, though.
Source: Samsung
Samsung Pay to expand to online payments and more phones
You might soon be able to use Samsung Pay in the US, even if you don’t have an S6 or a Note 5. The mobile payment service will likely make its way to lower-priced Samsung phones within the next year, its global co-general manager Thomas Ko told Reuters. But that’s not all: he also said that online payment support is “coming soon.” As Reuters noted, if the mobile wallet does start accepting online payments, it’ll become a direct competitor to services such as PayPal.
Ko, unfortunately, didn’t expound on either piece of information, so we can’t say whether Samsung Pay will also undergo expansion outside the United States. IDC Financial Insights’ James Wester told Reuters, though, that “moving online could be a smart move” for Samsung. He said some people aren’t quite keen on the idea of mobile payments, seeing as using a credit card is just as easy. By launching an online service, Samsung could build customer habit that translates to more transactions for its mobile wallet.
Source: Reuters
Samsung Pay will support online shopping in 2016
Samsung will be expanding its mobile payment system in the US next year by allowing users to shop online, also adding support for more smartphones.
The news, detailed by Reuters, means that lower-priced Samsung smartphones will support the system ‘within the next year’.
Speaking about the changes to Samsung Pay, Thomas Ko, global co-general manager of Samsung Pay, said: “[Wider] handset availability of Samsung Pay as well as online payment support is coming soon”.
Despite the announcement, there was no mention of which other countries will support Samsung Pay in the future.
Ko notes that Samsung Pay is already ‘the most widely accepted mobile wallet in the United States’, largely due to compatibility with both old and new credit card terminals. In a press statement, HTC said:
“Samsung Pay continues to expand its reach and provide its customers unparalleled choice, flexibility and access.”
Apple Pay, which launched in September 2014, requires stores to install new equipment to function correctly, ‘hindering wider acceptance’ in the process, consultants have said.
Earlier in the month, we reported on news that Samsung has added 19 new issuers to the Samsung Pay ecosystem, with the line-up now featuring PNC Visa credit and debit cards and KeyBank MasterCard credit and debit cards.
Samsung’s decision to support online payments will see the mobile group take on PayPal, a massive player in the online retail game. Bitcoin will also serve as another competitor.
Samsung Pay first arrived in South Korea on a handful of Samsung gadgets including the Galaxy Note 5, S6 and S6 Edge+.
Source: Reuters
Come comment on this article: Samsung Pay will support online shopping in 2016
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