Samsung has announced that it will release new features to its existing home appliances through a new software update. Samsung is calling this update Smart Forward, and it will breathe new life into the company's existing Wi-Fi-equipped home appliances, such as refrigerators, microwaves, and washing machines.
The South Korean firm will also showcase its new range of home appliances at IFA 2024 in Berlin, Germany, early next month.
Samsung's Smart Forward update to bring new features to home appliances
The Smart Forward software update will be released to several Wi-Fi-equipped home appliances with SmartThings connectivity. Most such digital home appliances from Samsung that were released in 2022 or later should get the update. The following home appliances will get most of the features explained in the article:
- Family Hub Refrigerator (and select Wi-Fi-equipped models)
- Bespoke AI Laundry Combo
- Bespoke Slide-In Range
- Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI
- Bespoke AI WindFree Gallery Freestanding Air Conditioner
The Family Hub Refrigerator with a touchscreen will get Buds Auto Switch, Fridge Call, and Quick Share. Some newer appliances will also get the upgraded Bixby, which can understand natural language voice commands more easily. Family Hub Refrigerators with touchscreen launched in South Korea and the US in 2022 (or later) will also get the Generative AI-powered Wallpaper Generator feature, similar to Galaxy smartphones.
Bixby
The new version of Bixby is powered by Large Language Models (LLMs), so it can understand voice commands in natural language. It can understand complex and multi-intent voice commands like “Bixby, turn off the AC and finish the laundry by 5 PM.” It will also remember your most recent conversation, making interactions with Samsung home appliances more intuitive and responsive.
Bixby can also open the door of Family Hub Refrigerators (2024 or later) upon request, and it doesn't need the “Hi, Bixby” initiation command. You can simply say, “Open the door.”
Buds Auto Switch
Buds Auto Switch will help your Galaxy Buds automatically connect to the refrigerator when watching a recipe video or listening to music. When you receive a call on your phone, the Galaxy Buds will switch back to your phone.
Fridge Call
When you get a call on your phone, the Fridge Call feature lets you take the call directly on the refrigerator using its microphone and speaker. This feature is being rolled out to Family Hub refrigerators that were released in 2017 or later.
Quick Remote
Samsung is adding another neat trick to its smartphones and tablets. Whenever you walk close to a compatible home appliance, your phone will show a Quick Remote on the screen to control your microwave, refrigerator, or washer/dryer. This feature is being released to select home appliances released in 2023 or later.
Quick Share
The Quick Share feature lets you quickly share photos and videos from your phone (Android phone, Android tablet, or Windows computer) to your refrigerator. You can also share links to your newly found recipe from your phone to your refrigerator or vice versa.
Wallpaper Generator
The Wallpaper Generator feature on Family Hub Refrigerators (2022 or later) uses Generative AI to create custom wallpapers for you. You can select some presets and play around with the available options to create beautiful wallpapers.
Miyoung Yoo, EVP and Head of the Software Development Team, Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics, said, “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. With the enhanced functionality, extended lifespan, and improved security provided by Smart Forward, the home experience can truly take a step forward.”
Watch Samsung's Ballie home helping robot in our video below. In the future, some robots can help you around the house by controlling smart home devices and keeping an eye on the pets.
Samsung will also offer energy-saving features to its home appliances released as far back as 2021. Home appliances will reduce their power consumption during peak energy usage hours or periods of high carbon intensity. In case of a power outage, and once the power is back on, SmartThings will notify you if the internal temperature of your refrigerator is too high so you can know if there are food items that can get spoilt.
You can also choose different chimes for your refrigerator's open-door notifications. The refrigerator will also put the ice-making process in sleep mode so you don't get disturbed by the sound of ice falling in the tray below.
