Samsung announced today that the company is unifying all of its smart products under the One UI software. That includes devices such as washing machines and refrigerators, not just smart home products. Similar to Huawei and its Harmony OS.
The Korean tech giant aims to improve the way you interact with its products, provide a familiar experience and bring new features. Additionally, Samsung promises 7 years of software updates for Wi-Fi-enabled devices launched in 2024.
One UI on smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, and some of its features, will transfer over to your kitchen appliances. Some apps and services, such as Bixby, Gallery, and Samsung TV Plus, will be made available. Connectivity will also improve via the SmartThings integration.
The newly introduced feature, Now Brief, that came with One UI 7, will provide useful and contextual information to family members. It will offer daily weather forecasts, family schedules, tailored recipes and home insights. For instance, you can see on the refrigerator door when the washing machine will finish.
What kind of new features can users of 2024 appliances expect once they update to One UI? Well, refrigerators with Family Hub and 9-inch screens, for example, will gain AI Vision Inside, which recognizes commonly used packaged foods and many fresh foods. Bixby will support Voice ID, recognizing user voices and providing personalized experiences.
Samsung TV Plus is expected to reach markets like Canada, Brazil and India in addition to the already supported regions. Washing machines must have a 7-inch screen, though, while refrigerators should support Family Hub.
Lastly, One UI will bring enhanced security through Knox Security. All Wi-Fi-enabled devices launched in 2024 will be protected by a private blockchain technology called Trust Chain. This ensures a secure connection between devices and monitors each other’s security status in case there’s a breach.