The Friday File: Samsung rings to wear…

Mobile world live (MWL) brings you our top three picks of the week: Samsung went all-in on healthcare technology with the launch of the Galaxy Ring wearable, Orange revealed plans to bring Push-to-Talk (PTT) functionality to the Paris Olympics, and Vodafone partnered with Meta Platforms on video optimisation.

Samsung commits to new wearables initiative with Galaxy Ring launch

What happened: Samsung Electronics had a lot to unpack at the Paris event, where its much-anticipated, health-focused, wearable Galaxy Ring stole the show. The device maker also revealed a pair of new smartwatches, earbuds, and two new foldable devices.

Why is this important: Samsung’s device portfolio expansion signaled the vendor’s deeper commitment to generative AI (genAI), with its Galaxy AI ecosystem being placed front and center in the new devices. The company’s head of mobile experience TM Koh said the impact of on-device AI “will be profound,” indicating that Samsung intends to do more with the technology. PP Foresight founder Paolo Pescatore called the Galaxy Ring “the star of the show,” adding that the company “should be recognized for its ongoing work to simplify the entire wellness ecosystem, which remains complex and fragmented.” As for the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6, the analyst commented, “Samsung’s latest foldables will have mixed fortunes. The new Flip should perform better than the Fold, as it will resonate with a broader range of consumers.”

Orange promotes 4G-based PTT technology at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games

What happened: Orange has announced it will launch PTT services over its 4G network on mobile phones used by staff at the 2024 Paris Olympics, setting the stage for the biggest sporting event of the year which kicks off later this month.

Why is this important: CTIO at Orange Events and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Bertrand Rojat said that for the first time at the Olympic Games, the PTT service will be activated on the operator’s existing mobile network, as such services previously depended on the TETRA radio system. Rojat said that 13,000 smartphones will be PTT-enabled to improve communication between the thousands of organisers at the event. Orange is the official connectivity provider for the Paris Olympic Games and is also ready to switch on a stand-alone (SA) 5G network for broadcasters on site.

Meta and Vodafone aim to solve video congestion problem

What happened: A successful test of network traffic optimisation for short video sharing by Vodafone Group and Meta Platforms is likely to lead to further collaboration between the pair and others in the industry as the companies reaffirmed their commitment to “supporting the growth of new digital services” and delivering a congestion-free network.

Why is this important: Vodafone and Meta Platforms completed a three-week pilot earlier this year to reduce network traffic for the latter’s social media apps over the European operator’s mobile connectivity. Meta Platforms’ VP of network engineering Gaya Nagarajan called the collaboration a “long-term partnership,” noting that video optimization is an opportunity to drive more innovation and “shape the future of the internet.” Vodafone’s network chief Alberto Ripepi added that the partners “have deployed these optimizations across Vodafone’s European markets and look forward to continuing to work together to support additional efficiencies.”