Samsung Chef Collection Brings Smart Technology and Beautiful Design to Premium Built-In Home Appliance Category

New Line Redefines the Modern Kitchen and Simplifies Daily Lives

Samsung Electronics America, Inc., the number one selling brand of major appliances, announced its new Chef Collection line of premium built-in appliances. Merging elegant design and industry leading technology, the newly redesigned line of Chef Collection was unveiled at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC) in San Diego.




With Chef Collection, Samsung brings its most innovative and popular home appliance features to the premium built-in category, reflecting its deep consumer insights and industry expertise. For the first time, Samsung is introducing two new fully integrated built-in refrigerators, including the industry’s first 42” Built-In 4-Door Flex model. The line also includes signature features that only Samsung offers in a full suite of kitchen appliances that includes wall ovens, cook tops, Pro ranges, and dishwashers. All models are Wi-Fi-enabled, offering modern functionality and convenience to consumers.

“As homes have become more modern, we felt it was important to give people more choices when selecting premium appliances that complement their elevated sense of style,” said John Herrington, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Home Appliances, Samsung Electronics America. “With the reimagined Chef Collection, we’ve integrated our best and brightest innovations and design details in a premium built-in platform that meets the needs and priorities of modern families and fits how they live their lives.”

The New Samsung Chef Collection Line

Samsung Chef Collection seeks to redefine and modernize the home, with advanced features that don’t just complement modern kitchens, they enhance the overall look and functionality of the space. It is available in Samsung’s exclusive matte black stainless steel – a soft brushed metal finish, as well as stainless steel. The line is also panel-ready so the look of the appliances can adapt to changes in design preferences over time. Other Chef Collection highlights include:

Refrigeration

• An industry first, the fully integrated 42” Samsung Chef Collection Built-in 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with FlexZone™ compartment that easily transitions from fridge to freezer at the touch of a button

• 36” Samsung Chef Collection Built-In includes Metal Cooling stainless steel interior and TwinCooling™ to keep food fresher, longer

• The Wi-Fi-enabled built-in models feature Samsung’s View Inside cameras so consumers can see its contents from anywhere on their smart phones

• Frame LED lighting (1) that illuminates what’s within, and hidden electronic controls to give a truly seamless look

• A Chef Pantry compartment in each model that can be set to three different temperature options to handle various food preservation needs

Cooking

• 30” Samsung Chef Collection Wall Ovens, available in single, double, and the industry’s largest capacity microwave combo (2) configurations, feature Steam Cook technology and Flex Duo™ design in which a removable Smart Divider splits the bottom oven cavity into two to create three independent ovens

• 30” and 36” Samsung Chef Collection Cooktops, available in gas and induction, offer power, precision and seamless design. A powerful 22K BTU Dual Power brass burner on the gas cooktop goes from high and hot to a true simmer. Virtual Flame Technology™ on the induction cooktop gives the real feel and visual glow of a flame. It also features a large FlexZone™ cooking surface for maximum efficiency

• Bluetooth-enabled 30” and 36” Samsung Chef Collection Range Hoods automatically turn on with the Pro Range or Cooktop, and change fan speed with the Heat Sensing feature, which automatically adjusts based on the heat being generated from below

• The 30” Samsung Chef Collection Pro Range offers 5.8 cu ft. capacity with 22K Dual Power brass burner and dual convection oven, and bold LED-illuminated knob design

Dishwasher

• The Samsung Chef Collection Dishwasher with Samsung’s exclusive WaterWall™ technology delivers a powerful, streaming wall of water for corner to corner cleaning, and a Chef Mode that provides concentrated cleaning power on heavily-soiled pots and pans. The AutoRelease™ Door opens automatically to circulate air and improve overall drying by as much as 35% (3)

The complete line of new Chef Collection built-in appliances will be available later this year.

Wi-Fi Capabilities Throughout

Samsung Chef Collection reflects the aspirations of a new generation of state-of-the-art homeowners who not only prefer a beautiful look in their kitchen but also appreciate having the latest innovation in their homes. By making the appliances Wi-Fi-enabled, for example, Chef Collection gives consumers peace of mind that the stove isn’t still simmering while they are out of the house, and that the dishwasher cycle has been started after a big night of entertaining. Now, all of this can be controlled from a smart phone, bringing necessary smart technology to the built-in category.

“As my career has flourished over the past year, I need to be as efficient as possible and make every moment count,” said Candice Kumai, leading wellness expert, chef and author. “This is especially true when it comes to the kitchen. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in bed and realized that I didn’t start the dishwasher. Or, I’ve been in the middle of a fitness class and wondered, ‘Did I turn off the oven?’ I feel like Samsung created Chef Collection with people like me in mind.”

Built with Installers in Mind

Knowing that installation time and repair work are major pain points for installers, Samsung set out to make the process easier than ever with Samsung Chef Collection. Less cumbersome packaging solutions and time-saving features like pre-drilled holes and easy leveling make installation faster. Installers can run Wi-Fi-enabled, remote diagnostic checks to ensure the appliance is functioning properly and help reduce repeat visits for repairs.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, N.J., Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovative leader in consumer electronics, mobile devices and enterprise solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA is pushing beyond the limits of today’s technology and providing consumers and organizations with a portfolio of groundbreaking products in appliances, home entertainment, Internet of Things, mobile computing, smartphones, virtual reality, wireless infrastructure and wearables, in addition to offering leading content and services related to mobile payments, 360-degree VR video, customer support and more. Samsung is a pioneering leader in smartphones and HDTVs in the U.S. and one of America’s fastest growing home appliance brands. To discover more about Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com

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(1) Built In refrigerator models only
(2) Among leading brands (Q4 2016 Traqline Report)
(3) Compared to conventional Samsung dishwashers

All images courtesy of SAMSUNG

Take Light with You with New Philips Hue Go

Get the Light That You Want, Everywhere You Want in and Around Your Home

Once again Royal Philips, the global leader in lighting, is pushing the boundaries of how light can be used in and around the home to enhance a space, heighten a mood or simply ease day to day life. 

Philips Hue Go is an iF Design award winning, fully portable wireless lamp with all of the clever connectivity features of Philips Hue, meaning that it is now possible to experience the light that you want, wherever you want as you move around your house and garden*. With five new patented dynamic light effects to enrich special moments and interaction with more than 200 third-party apps, this newest addition to Philips Hue delivers total freedom with light.

"We envisage all lights to be connected. Put simply, lighting is now central to the Internet of Things and we see Philips Hue as the go-to lighting brand for the home", says Sridhar Kumaraswamy, Business Leader for Philips' connected home systems. "With Philips Hue Go we are building further on our ecosystem, enabling people to experience light in a new way. People can take the light wherever they want, creating the light that suits their moment, taste or mood. It gives people even more choice for how they wish to bring the fun and impact of connected lighting into their homes."

Move the light

Philips Hue Go is a versatile lamp that completely transforms the way light is used throughout the home; unplug it from the mains and it becomes a portable center piece. 

Lasting for up to three hours in battery mode, Philips Hue Go can be moved from the garden to the living room to the bedroom without the worry of wires; letting you create and enjoy a new ambience each time. It can also be positioned in different ways to adapt to your needs; enhance a living space by positioning it to face a wall washing it with light, add ambience to an intimate dinner by placing it as a center piece on the table or focused on a piece of work by directing the light where you need it. 

Taking good design up another level, Philips Hue Go's thick walled spherical body expresses solidity and material richness, while its translucent design gives the impression of pure light without clutter.

Control your way

With a control button on the product itself, it's easy to change the light when your smart device is not at hand. Choose from seven different light effects ranging from functional warm white light and cool energizing daylight, to one of the five natural dynamic effects - Cozy Candle, Sunday Coffee, Meditation, Enchanted Forest, and Night Adventure. 

Each dynamic effect has its own characteristic flow and mix of colors, delivering 'living' light that enriches a romantic dinner, a relaxing bath or a Zen moment. Through the Philips Hue app, you can select functional white light for everyday tasks and to find optimum settings to help you relax, read, concentrate and energize. You can choose from more than 16 million colors to personalize your lighting to suit any occasion, mood or moment.

Get connected

Just like Philips Hue, Philips Hue Go can discretely alert you to a new email or change in weather via a gentle 'light notification' wherever you are in your home, as well as deliver immersive moments that expand TV viewing into the whole room or take gaming to the next level through third party app integration. 

Philips Hue Go works seamlessly with all Philips Hue and Friends of Hue products, easily integrating into an existing network. However setting up a new network is also very simple, just make sure the Philips Hue bridge is connected to your wireless network, then simply download the Philips Hue app to your smart device and plug in Philips Hue Go.

Philips Hue Go costs €99.95 and is available in Europe from April 2015 and North America from June 2015.

All images courtesy of Philips - www.lighting.philips.com

Stream Music Wirelessly This Christmas With Bang & Olufsen's New Playmaker

With Bang & Olufsen's new Playmaker it has never been easier to enjoy superior sound quality at home. The new music system allows you to stream your favorite tunes right from your smartphone, tablet or computer to any active high end Bang & Olufsen speaker - wirelessly. Indulge your family this Christmas with the gift of superb wireless sound throughout your home.

[New York], December 22, 2012 - This holiday season, add stunning Bang & Olufsen sound to your family's favorite digital songs with our special new wireless surprise. Perfect for making a memorable impression on everyone on your list.

Globally, sales of digital music are expected to exceed physical sales in 2015, according to Strategy Analytics' latest "Global Recorded Music Forecast". Digital music - and especially online streaming - has become increasingly popular among music aficionados as they are looking for products and services that offer simplicity, flexibility and convenience. With Bang & Olufsen's new Playmaker, it has become very simple to stream digital music to your high-end loudspeakers - wirelessly.

Just add Playmaker to any set of Bang & Olufsen active loudspeakers, and within seconds you'll discover just how good digital music from a smartphone can sound. Whether you want to share a playlist or explore a new online station, Playmaker is a simple way for existing Bang & Olufsen owners to add digital music to their systems - wirelessly - and has the specs to handle even Bang & Olufsen's most demanding speakers, BeoLab 5.

Playmaker is ideal for homes where people enjoy different kinds of music in different ways. It works with both Apple AirPlay and Android DLNA devices so everyone in the family can stream from their own phone, tablet or other device. Volume and mute can be controlled either by the handheld device, by the Bang & Olufsen remote, or on Playmaker itself. Guests can easily link up and share a song. And by adding more Playmakers to more rooms with Bang & Olufsen speakers, you can sync sound throughout the house using Apple iTunes or listen to opera in one room and hip-hop in another - and create as many music zones as you like. So gather your friends and family this festive period and enjoy breath-taking, wireless Bang & Olufsen sound.

All of Bang & Olufsen's customers are invited to their wireless world in-store, to experience how the music on your mobile device sounds on a pair of great speakers.

A special promotion is running in Bang & Olufsen stores just in time for the festive period, where customers will receive a complimentary Playmaker with the purchase of any active Bang & Olufsen speaker, until the end of December.

Find more at Bang & Olufsen - www.bang-olufsen.com