Samsung at MWC - all guns blazing on fibre optics, 5G and the Internet of Things
Last stop of the day: Samsung held a press conference at the Mobile World Congress (MWC). The preliminary question is clear: if they're still not presenting the Samsung Galaxy S8, what are they going to show? The answer: Samsung is attacking fibre optics and wants to impose the 5G standard.
The press conference at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona kicks off with a clip set to funk music, supposedly highlighting the quality criteria at Samsung. The phones are rigorously tested. I can hear the bad tongues next to me saying that this is a reaction to the incidents involving the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. The group would seek to regain the trust of customers and the media.
Samsung is trying to turn the tide by focusing on what customers want. Since, as the speaker in the foreground says, quality requirements have reportedly not been met in recent months. His speech is constructed in such a way as to never utter the words Note or 7. He only briefly mentions the term battery. But Samsung didn't stop at the battery fuse. Testing procedures have reportedly been improved across the board.
Samsung embraces 5G
In Switzerland, it hasn't been that long since 4G has been available, but the industry is already working on its successor, 5G. The new standard is expected to be faster, lighter on system resources and consume less memory. Because while smartphones used to be able to send text messages and remember our best Snake scores, today's little pocket computers need to be able to do a lot more. To the point where even your car can talk to your smartphone. Hence: 5G.
Here are the benefits claimed by Samsung:
- Speed
- Real-time data exchange, including in self-driving cars.
- Connecting everyone with everyone, not just in the Internet of Things
Samsung has therefore unveiled its range. It should be available in 2018. At present, it is still being tested in Asia, but a test is underway in the UK.
- Server
- Antenna infrastructure
- Home router
Samsung is therefore launching an offensive on fibre, since 5G is expected to reach the same speed as fibre (yes, British English). Because all three of these product categories connect the largest wireless internet network to the home laptop. If the technology delivers on its promise, works stably and the networks behind the server infrastructure play ball, then Samsung could indeed be leading a small revolution that could redefine the way the internet is connected.
The use cases for 5G will be redefined and set during the current year. The first 5G smartphone will be introduced in 2018. The speaker concludes with "How about that, Tim?", no doubt to provoke Apple CEO Tim Cook.
The atmosphere slowly grows heavier in the conference room. Because far more people have turned up than the organisers had anticipated. Video blogger Stephanie Tresch is surrounded by cameras at the left end of the room, and I'm surrounded by journalists in the middle.
Galaxy Book 2-in-1
Samsung couldn't pass up the benefits of the 2-in-1. The device looks like a laptop, but its keyboard is removable, so it transforms into a tablet. The device has been developed, so that active people can be productive, efficient and effective always and everywhere. The tablet runs on Windows 10 and is available in 10.6" and 12" screen sizes. It weighs just 754 grams and is just 7.4 millimetres thick. According to the speaker, these figures would be unrivalled.
The company has also nibbled at the Microsoft Surface Studio and tried to lure graphics enthusiasts into its fold with a powerful processor, increased RAM, which can also be expanded. A second nod to Apple - since experts are of the opinion that the Apple company shot itself in the foot with the latest Macbook Pro - connections are praised, a fact that a few years ago would not have made the headlines. Even a display can be connected without a dongle.
The development of the Galaxy Book has been conducted in close partnership with Microsoft, which is consistent with Microsoft and Samsung's business models. Neither company is particularly keen on hardware development slipping out of their hands. The S Pen stylus announced for the Tab S3, the, as well as the model from pencil manufacturer Staedtler, should be compatible with the Galaxy Book 2-in-1. And as if that wasn't enough: as soon as they're unpacked, the "Pens" will be up and running in Adobe Photoshop. The functions are already integrated and ready for users.
Keyboard and S Pen are included in delivery. The availability date for these items is not yet known. We will keep you informed.
Gear VR with joystick controller.
Although virtual reality headsets have yet to find their way into users' everyday lives, Samsung is continuing to bank on the technology. The new Gear VR headset will now come with a controller. The control pad doubles as a joystick as well as a touchpad, as well as a remote control for the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem.
And best of all for last, another announcement to promise nothing less than a revolution: that of the Samsung Galaxy S8. It will be unveiled on 29 March.
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