Samsung Electronics has unveiled the next generation of its Galaxy S flagships loaded with generative artificial intelligence features, betting on the technology's uptake during a period of uncertainty for the global smartphone sector.
The South Korean tech giant introduced the Galaxy S24 series, powered by the new Galaxy AI platform, at its first Unpacked event for 2024 on Wednesday.
For the fifth straight year, three devices were revealed – the entry-level Galaxy S24, the Galaxy S24+ and the premium Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The S24 and S24+ have been redesigned, and now sport flat edges, which is a departure from their signature curved shape.
The high-end Galaxy S24 Ultra, which basically inherits its predecessor's form, now has a frame made of titanium – a stronger yet lighter material that was also used by Apple in its iPhone 15 Pro models released last September.
Galaxy AI, meanwhile, is underpinned by Samsung's Gauss machine learning platform, which it launched in November – signalling its official entry into the generative AI race and intent to challenge ChatGPT.
One of its features, Circle to Search, was announced by Google this week, allowing users to search for information on their Android smartphones without switching apps.
This can be done by using intuitive gestures such as circling, highlighting, scribbling or just tapping, the company said. It will also be available on Google's own Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones.
Samsung will showcase more details about Galaxy AI through experience zones at select cities across the world – Dubai included – which will be opened after the Unpacked event.
Galaxy AI is aimed at helping users with certain tasks, such as live translations, transcriptions in chats and calls, and editing images and searching with them.
Samsung is keen to "open a new era and transformative force ... to create and elevate the things we do and allow for greater aspirations", T.M. Roh, the president of Samsung's mobile division, said in his keynote.
"AI will bring a out great change ... we believe the Galaxy devices will democratise this change [as] mobile devices become the primary access point for AI."
Mr Roh also announced that starting with the Galaxy S24, users will be able to avail of seven years of security updates.
The global smartphone market, after years of steady growth, is in a tepid phase as consumers hold back on purchases, mainly because of inflationary concerns.
However, the industry is showing initial indications of a marginal rebound in 2024 following two consecutive years of decline.
Global smartphone shipments, which declined 12 per cent yearly in 2022, are expected to have dropped 5 per cent in 2023 before returning to a 4 per cent year-on-year growth in 2024, according to new forecasts from researcher Canalys.
Industry players are hoping that generative AI will lead to a revival of interest from consumers.
Smartphones powered by generative AI are expected to have taken a 4 per cent share of the total market in 2023, or about 47 million shipments, and this is likely to double this year, according to Counterpoint Research.
Samsung would capture half of this market this year followed by Chinese manufacturers Xiaomi, Vivo, Honor and Oppo, it added.
That would support Seoul-based Samsung's position in the overall smartphone industry, which it had led since 2010 – until it was knocked off by Apple in 2023, the International Data Corporation reported this week.
Samsung 'very serious' with generative AI
Generative AI shot into the limelight in 2023 with the introduction of GPT, developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI. Initially a method for conversation and creating content such as images and videos, the technology is now being incorporated into more devices.
As a result, major technology names joined the fray, including Oracle, Amazon and X owner Elon Musk, who created his own generative AI company xAI.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook, meanwhile, acknowledged that the company was already working on generative AI.
There are no solid indications, however, that the next iPhones, expected to be unveiled in September, will feature this capability – although in April last year it was reported that Apple was working on improvements to its long-time digital assistant Siri to catch up with ChatGPT.
“We have AI not only for mobile devices, but across our ecosystem … how we collaborate as an open ecosystem with the rest of the big players in technology [and] make sure that the consumer has the best experience [is] something that we can offer,” Omar Saheb, chief marketing officer of Samsung Middle East and North Africa, told The National in San Jose.
“Samsung is very adamant about AI. Galaxy AI is going to enable all the communication between devices and smart things. We are very serious about AI.”
Mr Saheb also made Samsung's position clear on the debate on regulating generative AI. Authorities have been scrambling to gain hold of the technology that has sparked concerns ranging from misinformation to copyright infringement.
“Samsung supports the responsible development of AI and will actively participate in ongoing global conversations about regulatory needs as the technology evolves,” Mr Saheb said.
“We are committed to collaborating with other industry leaders and organisations to ensure AI technology in ways that deliver the best outcomes for our users and for society at large.”
Live translation and other similar actions are solely done on Samsung's phones, so “nothing goes to the cloud and all privacy is contained on the device”, he said.
“The open collaboration with all the other big players about how to make sure that infringement and copyright are being taken care of through this.”
Prices of the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra will start at $799, $999 and $1,299.
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
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Company%C2%A0profile
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SPECS
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More from Neighbourhood Watch
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.
Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT)
Tuesday
Mairobr v Liverpool
Spartak Moscow v Sevilla
Feyenoord v Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester City v Napoli
Monaco v Besiktas
RB Leipzig v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur
Wednesday
Benfica v Manchester United
CSKA Moscow v Basel
Bayern Munich v Celtic
Anderlecht v Paris Saint-Germain
Qarabag v Atletico Madrid
Chelsea v Roma
Barcelona v Olympiakos
Juventus v Sporting Lisbon
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Saturday's results
West Ham 2-3 Tottenham
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton
Bournemouth 1-2 Wolves
Brighton 0-2 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
Everton 0-2 Norwich City
Watford 0-3 Burnley
Manchester City v Chelsea, 9.30pm
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ad Astra
Director: James Gray
Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones
Five out of five stars
THE LOWDOWN
Photograph
Rating: 4/5
Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies
Director: Ritesh Batra
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz
Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
'Nope'
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World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
