Samsung consumers define their needs for “A Smarter Life, A Smarter World” at IFA 2011

With the voices of its consumers as its guide, Samsung Electronics today at its IFA 2011 press conference explored how its unique product portfolio fulfills the needs of consumers who wish to be a part of “a Smarter Life, a Smarter World,” where consumer electronics provide purpose and meaning to each user. Samsung’s product lineup, including new updates to its visual display, mobile and digital imaging solutions, will be displayed September 2-7 in Hall 20 at Messe Berlin. 

Welcome to a Smarter Life, a Smarter World 

Before hundreds of IFA 2011 attendees, Boo-Keun Yoon, president of Samsung Electronics’ visual display business, welcomed the crowd following the first of a series of video vignettes entitled “A Smarter Life: A Smarter World” in which Samsung consumers detailed what they need and want from various products. Each product segment was preceded by a similar vignette. 

“How does Samsung continue to contribute to a Smarter World? We accomplish this by investing $8.1 billion U.S. in research and development,” he said. “We accomplish this by continuing to be one of the world’s top holders of intellectual property patents.  And we accomplish this by constantly listening to the voices of our consumers.” 

Reinforcing the company’s leadership across its many product categories during today’s event, Yoon highlighted Samsung’s entrance into a new era of TV design and its growing product lineups in the digital imaging, IT solutions and mobile categories, including an exciting new mobile chat service that reflects Samsung’s platform agnostic approach. 

“The year ahead is filled with anticipation,” Yoon said. “We are in a fascinating period of transition as we evolve from our history as a provider of world class hardware products to becoming a leader in software and services. Our leadership in each market can be summed up in a single word – innovation.” 

Yoon also detailed Samsung’s re-branded CSR platform, Hope for Children. In Europe, the Hope for Youth initiative is based on the idea of innovation to support the development of disadvantaged children. Samsung plans to support the initiative with a combination of technology education and apprenticeship programs. 

A New Era in TV 

Following President Yoon’s opening remarks, Michael Zoeller, Samsung’s European marketing director for television and audio visual products, explained the company’s entrance into a new era in its design history—One Design, which is an approach to blend design and technology into a product that signifies “oneness” and sense of unity. 

Zoeller showcased the One Design concept through an array of announcements, including the introduction of the new, virtually edgeless 60-inch D8000, which features an ultra-narrow bezel. New content partnerships were also unveiled at today’s event, which included new apps from prominent partners including Real Madrid and Berliner Philharmoniker. 

As the No.1 TV manufacturer in Europe, Samsung’s unrivaled leadership was also noted. Receiving over 350 awards across nine major European countries in 2011 alone, Samsung Smart TVs occupy the No. 1 position in product reviews among 10 European consumer magazines—including the top eight spots from Netherland‘s consumer publication Consumentenbond. Further demonstrating Samsung’s unmatched achievements, the company was recognized as the “Best Consumer Buy for Televisions” from the European Image and Audio Association, EISA. 

Zoeller went on to also unveil how Samsung is expanding its Smart Blu-ray Players and Home Theater System offerings to provide consumers with a broader range of products to start living the “Smarter Life.” The CRT TV upgrade gives Samsung’s Smart Blu-ray and Home Theater products the capability to connect to television sets—no matter the age, allowing consumers to take their older televisions to the next, connected level. This CRT TV upgrade underscores Samsung’s commitment to providing consumers with a greater level of access to both rich content and experiences.   

Digital Appliances 

Samsung unveiled its new home appliances at a separate press conference, showcasing the combination of Samsung’s innovative products and the latest smart technology. 

Samsung announced the launch of an expanded range of ecobubble washing machines, the first washing machine in the market to generate special bubbles, enabling great performance from the start, so cold water washes like hot water. These soap-rich bubbles penetrate deeper and dissolve faster into fabrics, so you can save on energy but still get quality results. 

Samsung also introduced a new G-Series refrigerator that maximizes the interior space with the same outer size. It uses Samsung's cutting-edge Eco Slim technology. In 2010, Samsung introduced the side-by-side fridge, adapted from Eco Slim. This year the company expanded its line-up to the French door and fridge freezers. The latest G-series offers 60L in capacity, which is more space for optimal food storage that can reach up to 400L capacity, as well as super energy efficiency of A+++. 

Finally Samsung’s digital appliances division announced the launch of the NaviBot S, a visionary robotic cleaning device that provides hands-free automated floor cleaning, building on the already successful introduction of its robotic cleaner line-up.