Home

Case 07 · Mobile UX

CH.2 · Mobile UX

MDE · Connectivity · Voice UX

Mobile division (MX)

Led the UX of 'Effortless Connection', MX's first Multi Device Experience concept built around Samsung Connect (SmartThings' forerunner) — making device connections easy for anyone.

Period
2016.09 – 2018.09
Role
UX lead and UX/UI design
Effortless Connection UXInstantIntuitiveConsistentSamsung ConnectSmartThings' predecessorPhoneTVWearableAudioIoT devicesAppliances
MDE concept reconstructed for the portfolio

Context · Problem

Connecting devices gets harder as the number of devices grows — it had to become easy for anyone.

Setup was the top complaint

As wearables, audio and IoT products multiplied, users found first connection (OOBE) and setup the most frustrating part.

Every division did it differently

The Mobile, Home Appliance and Visual Display divisions each connected devices differently, making a consistent experience hard.

Wireless tech is hard

Wireless technologies like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and hotspot are unfamiliar to users, starting with their setting names.

Role · Approach

Effortless Connection — Instant · Intuitive · Consistent

Role: UX lead and UX/UI design

  1. 01

    MDE (2017.01–2018.01)

    Led UX for MX's first Multi Device Experience concept: set up a TV from your phone; unbox an accessory and nearby Galaxy devices connect it in one tap. (Patent granted — BLE-based Adaptive Easy Pairing)

    Open boxDetectOne-clickDoneConnects to a nearby Galaxy the moment it's unboxed
  2. 02

    One connection standard

    Unified connection across the Mobile, Appliance and VD divisions and industry standards; designed account-based auto-connection and the CES 2018 booth. (Patent filed — cloud-based Connection Switching)

    Samsung account · cloudMobileVD (TV)AppliancesStandardsDevices saved to the account connect on any device
  1. 03

    Bixby VUI

    Voice interactions for SmartThings and connectivity (Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, hotspot).

  2. 04

    Connectivity UX/UI

    Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (Direct, mirroring), mobile network and hotspot UX/UI, plus SmartThings (Samsung Connect) watch UX and Quick Panel UX.

Concept image · reconstructed for portfolio, not a real screen

Impact

The 'Simply connect' wall at the Samsung booth, CES 2018. A large screen on the left shows a circular diagram linking SmartThings Cloud, App and Bixby, and visitors are watching the demo.
Samsung booth, CES 2018 — Simply connect (on site, 2018.01.09)Own photo ↗
  • Chosen as the first MDE theme at CES 2018 and applied to all Samsung mobile products
  • Patent granted: BLE Advertisement-based Adaptive Easy Pairing (US10911920 · EP3639538 · KR 10-2301386)
  • Patent filed: Connection Switching using cloud information (US 16/960,862)
  1. The TV shows a SmartThings prompt to start setup with a smartphone.1

    Easy phone setup prompt

    Start with SmartThings

  2. A large phone screen shows the 'Give your TV a name' step.2

    Name the TV on the phone

    No remote typing

  3. The phone shows a step for choosing apps to add to the TV.3

    Easily add apps and services

    All at once from the phone

  4. Both the phone and the TV show 'All done! Enjoy your Samsung TV'.4

    Setup complete

    Phone and TV finish together

  5. The phone shows a pop-up that the earbuds are connected, with battery status.5

    Accessory auto-connects

    Done with one pop-up

From the CES 2018 on-site demo video — set up a TV with the phone → accessory connects automaticallyOwn video (2018.01.09) ↗