The Internationale Funkausstellung Berline (IFA), Europe’s largest consumer electronics trade show held annually in Berlin, Germany, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Launched in 1924 as a radio exhibition, IFA has evolved over the past century into a stunning exhibition of cutting-edge technologies that shares a special connection with Samsung Electronics.
Household appliances and electronic devices have followed this evolution. What were once large, bulky machines have now become highly sophisticated integrated devices and essential companions in everyday life.
During this shift, Samsung positioned itself to lead the next 100 years of innovation by seamlessly connecting mobile devices, TVs and home appliances through SmartThings.[1]while providing improved control over devices through Bixby updates[2]the company’s voice assistant that can now better understand complex commands based on natural language.
IFA 2024 kicks off on September 6 under the motto “Innovation for All.” Ahead of its grand opening, Samsung Newsroom reflects on IFA’s century-long journey of innovation and Samsung’s legacy of technological breakthroughs.
From a radio exhibition to an innovation center for AI devices
In its early days, the IFA served as a platform for the German government to showcase emerging radio technology in the 1920s. Albert Einstein even gave the opening speech in 1930.
The event marked the beginning of a series of breakthroughs, including the introduction of the world’s first car radio in 1932 and the first color television in 1937. World War II interrupted IFA’s activities for several years in the 1940s, but technological advances continued. In 1971, the show was renamed the Internationale Funkausstellung to become the IFA that consumers know today.
The evolution of home appliances has been equally remarkable. Refrigerators and washing machines are no longer simple mechanical devices designed to reduce household chores. Innovations in compressors and motors, as well as advances in electronics, smart features and connectivity, have transformed these appliances into sophisticated, high-tech tools for modern living.
Samsung began exhibiting at IFA in 1991, showcasing monitors, PCs and other products in a modest 43-square-meter booth, back when the show expanded beyond radio and television to include digital media devices. Twelve years later, in 2003, the company expanded its booth to a significantly larger 3,600-square-meter space in Hall 20, a prime location. Since 2014, Samsung has been exclusively occupying CityCube Berlin and is set to impress visitors once again with its 6,000-square-meter booth this year.
Growing with IFA and leading the AI era with a connected ecosystem
Samsung’s presence at IFA has continued to grow as the company has introduced groundbreaking technologies in home appliances, TVs and mobile devices. In 2006, the tech giant introduced the Bordeaux TV, which established Samsung as the global TV market leader. In 2011, the company launched the industry’s first smart TV and the Galaxy Note, which ushered in the era of “phablets” by blurring the lines between smartphones and tablets.
Samsung unveiled the world’s first curved UHD TV and its first smartwatch, the Galaxy Gear, at IFA 2013. Three years later, in 2016, the company launched the Family Hub refrigerator with a large touchscreen, marking the transition from home appliances to advanced Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
In 2014, Samsung recognized the potential for connected experiences to revolutionize consumers’ lives and acquired SmartThings just one month before IFA 2014. Today, SmartThings has grown over the past decade to become a massive global ecosystem with more than 340 partners and 350 million users.[3].
At IFA 2018, Samsung focused on AI, saying that “connected living” would become a major trend in the electronics industry. The company unveiled 15 AI-powered devices at IFA 2023, ushering in the era of AI for home appliances. Last year, Samsung also launched Samsung Food, an AI-powered food and recipe platform that connects home appliances, TVs, and mobile devices to deliver a personalized cooking experience tailored to every home and individual.
Samsung’s journey at IFA is now moving towards innovations in appliance control through more advanced voice commands. Basic machines designed to preserve food and wash clothes 100 years ago are now evolving into intelligent companions that communicate verbally with users and easily handle complex household tasks.[4].
This transformation was presented at the Samsung booth in the CityCube Berlin at Messe Berlin during IFA 2024, from September 6 to 10.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearables, tablets, digital appliances, networking systems and memory, LSI, foundries and LED solutions.
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[1] Available on Android and iOS devices. Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account required.
[2] Bixby is Samsung’s Internet of Things (IoT) voice assistant brand. Bixby service availability may vary by country. Bixby recognizes certain accents/dialects of English (US, UK, India), Chinese, Korean, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Latin American Spanish. User interface may change and vary by device. Availability of Bixby features and content providers may vary by country, carrier, language, device model, or OS version. Samsung account and data network (Wi-Fi or data network) connection required.
[3] As of August 31, 2024.
[4] This feature may produce inaccurate results and will be updated periodically to improve its accuracy.
