In the wake of slowing sales, Samsung is trying everything it can do to differentiate itself – in a good way – from the other smartphone and mobile device manufacturers. They brought out their KNOX Security system, which is going to be implemented in part with Android L…last year Samsung Devices were voted on and accepted for use by the Department of Defense, and they are also being accepted as secure enough for Business Enterprises to use. Samsung Electronics’ latest recognition is that they are the FIRST smartphone provider accredited with joyn Blackbird from the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA). joyn Blackbird brings the latest Rich Communications Services (RCS) standard of advanced messaging and calling features to Samsung Galaxy devices on all networks.
J.K Shin, CEO and head of IT & mobile communication at Samsung Electronics said, “RCS is a progressive and important technology that is transforming the future of mobile communication. As a market leader in technology, Samsung continues to differentiate itself by providing our customers with the most advanced mobile communications software and solutions available.”
joyn Blackbird is used to enhance the enjoyment of multimedia communication services in a more efficient and personalized way – above and beyond the usual voice and SMS texting services. This includes:
“Video Share and Image Share functionalities allowing users to switch to a video call or share pictures during a voice call – Capability Discovery for verification of whether a user can utilize joyn and what services a user can utilize at the moment – Fully Integrated Messaging incorporating joyn onto existing SMS/MMS apps as well as SMS/MMS conversion when a joyn participant is not available – File transfer support during 1-to-1 chatting or group chatting, with non joyn users receiving an SMS for download.”
The joyn Blackbird can be implemented in two ways: The OEM can implement it natively within the device – integrating the joyn capabilities and services within the address book and other areas within the device or it can be implemented as a downloadable application from the Google Play Store, for instance, and accessible as a separate application.
Samsung will begin offering the joyn Blackbird services on their flagships the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S5 by the end of this year (subject to change, of course) in Germany and Spain, followed by France, the U.K. and Italy. There is no word on if this will be available in other countries.