Samsung Releases The Freestyle 2nd Gen: A Portable Projector That Brings Imagination to Life
Samsung has unveiled the second generation of The Freestyle, a portable projector that has captivated the market since its debut in 2022. With its sleek design and compact size, The Freestyle has earned a reputation for its exceptional performance. Now, the upgraded version is set to take imagination to the next level.
To gain insights into the development and features of The Freestyle 2nd Gen, Samsung Newsroom sat down with Wonki Kim from the Lifestyle Team, Seongwon Seo from the Picture Quality Solution Lab, and TJ Kim from the Future Planning Group of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.
One of the standout features of the new device is its “Smart Edge Blending” functionality, which seamlessly merges projections from two Freestyle devices to create a larger screen for pictures and videos. By connecting the devices to the SmartThings app and synchronizing the video output with a photo of the projected screens, users can enjoy a full-screen experience from anywhere.
Seongwon Seo explained, “Edge-blending is a sophisticated technology that usually requires dedicated hardware and software to manually control each pixel. In line with the easy-to-use concept of The Freestyle, we engineered Smart Edge Blending to help first-time users easily blend screens wirelessly, without a dedicated device or help from an expert.”
The Smart Edge Blending function works by engaging the connected smartphone in real-time interaction with the portable projectors. The content synchronization and adjustment processes occur automatically through communication between the devices. Screen alignment is simplified using the SmartThings guide, which analyzes the span and overlap of the patterns at eight key points on the setup screen and adjusts the projection accordingly.
TJ Kim noted that Smart Edge Blending was a result of user pattern analysis. “We found that consumers tend to use The Freestyle as a highly portable personal screen in whatever space they are in — whereas the living room TV would be for fixed, communal use. In fact, there were many cases where single households would purchase several projectors. When you have more than one device, why not combine them?”
Connecting multiple Freestyle devices allows users to expand their screen size by up to 160 inches and enjoy a 21:9 screen ratio without any manual adjustments. The speaker capacity is also doubled, offering an intensified audio experience by dedicating the left and right stereo sound output to each device.
Seo highlighted the versatility of Smart Edge Blending, stating, “What’s charming about Smart Edge Blending is that it can be expanded not just horizontally but vertically as well. This feature is even more useful with the rise of vertical content such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Most consumers are used to viewing ultra-large horizontal content at movie theaters but are not quite familiar with ultra-large vertical content. But it’s actually quite nice once you try it.”
The development process for Smart Edge Blending presented several challenges, including the requirement for high-resolution images and the need to support videos. TJ Kim described the difficulties, saying, “It is an extremely difficult task to get two wireless devices to continuously be in sync. While The Freestyle development first started with still images, we couldn’t give up on videos because that’s what more consumers prefer watching with our device.” The engineers persisted until they accomplished the ambitious goal, using an algorithm that could analyze low-resolution images and minimize the margin of error.
In addition to its advanced features, The Freestyle 2nd Gen supports gaming through the Samsung Gaming Hub. This integration allows users to enjoy games on the portable projector without the need for a console or additional wires. The creators behind The Freestyle envision a future without the limitations of traditional projectors, where screens are portable and accessible to all.
The device’s sustainability has also been enhanced. The light source lifespan has been extended from 20,000 to 30,000 hours, ensuring a reliable performance for up to ten years with demanding daily usage. Furthermore, the Freestyle’s remote control has been upgraded to a SolarCell Remote, which can be charged through sunlight or indoor lighting, eliminating the need for disposable batteries.
The Freestyle 2nd Gen also boasts improved processing speed and expanded memory for enhanced signal processing and remote control response. Designed with an emphasis on usability and accessibility, the device’s user interface and user experience have been refined to make it accessible to anyone.
With the concept of “Screens Everywhere, Screens for All” in mind, Samsung aims to revolutionize the projector market by prioritizing portability and mobility. Wonki Kim affirmed Samsung’s commitment to innovation, saying, “As we work to achieve ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All,’ we’re constantly planning innovations around Samsung’s projector lineup — The Freestyle and The Premiere. Our goal is to move beyond simply targeting the existing market and present a new screen experience for everyone.”
TJ Kim concluded by expressing Samsung’s vision for the future, stating, “We plan to continue addressing the limitations of space and strengthen connections among various Samsung devices to generate meaningful synergy.” As The Freestyle 2nd Gen prepares to take the portable projector market by storm, Samsung continues to dream of a world where screens are accessible and enjoyable for all.
