Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM MARCH 2017 26 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS UNVEILS FAMILY HUB 2.0 AND SMART BUILT-IN APPLIANCES Continuing to drive innovation in the connected kitchen, Samsung Electronics introduced its latest edition Family Hub 2.0 refrigerator at CES 2017 in Las Vegas. The next generation refrigerator, building upon Family Hub 1.0 which was introduced to wide acclaim last year, features expansion from four to 10 refrigerator models as well as enhanced usability with improved app integration and diverse new app partners. Additionally, signaling its expansion into new categories, Samsung also introduced its new line of smart built-in cooking appliances. SUCCESSFUL FAMILY HUB EXPANDED ACROSS MODELS Driven by the success of Family Hub, Family Hub 2.0 will be available across a full range of Samsung's popular 3-Door and 4-Door French Door models as well as the existing 4-Door Flex lineup, allowing consumers to choose the refrigerator that best matches their household needs. "After just one year of availability, the Family Hub has transformed the concept of the connected kitchen by enabling users to order and manage grocery shopping, connect with family and friends, and access entertainment right from the comfort of their kitchen," said Byung-Sam Seo, President of Home Appliances at Samsung Electronics. "Taking flexibility and functionality to a whole new level, the Family Hub 2.0 is entirely about helping consumers better manage as well as enjoy their lives." KEY ENHANCEMENTS IN USABILITY WITH IMPROVED APP INTEGRATION AND VOICE TECHNOLOGY With the Family Hub 2.0, usability, as well as food manage-ment, has been significantly enhanced through expanded and intuitive app integration. For example, users can determine which food items need to be replenished through the internal View Inside cameras. Images of those items can then be added to the shopping list feature, and conveniently ordered through the Groceries by MasterCard app. In addition, the Recipe app, powered by AllRecipes, features recipe readout and enlarged text to make it easier for users to multi-task in the kitchen as well as access recipe content from diverse countries around the world. The Family Hub 2.0 has also been significantly enhanced when it comes to family communication. An entirely new and easy-to- use interface has been developed to enable family members to create their own profiles using avatars or their own personal pictures. With the 21.5-inch LED touchscreen serving as an interactive digital bulletin board, family members can then, through their profiles and the Family Hub app on their smartphone 1 , share photos, access updated calendars, handwrite memos in real time, and post memos from wherever they may be. For a more convenient kitchen experience, Samsung's advanced voice technology has also been integrated across many of Family Hub 2.0's apps. For example, users can issue voice commands to learn the weather and time, add products to shopping lists and order groceries online, manage to-do-lists as well as calendar schedules, in addition to controlling various other apps. I N D U S T R Y [ N E W S ] continued from page 22

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