Samsung’s latest flagship smartphone lineup, the Galaxy S24, has made its debut in China, and it comes with a unique twist. Instead of relying on Google’s AI features, Samsung has partnered with Chinese search engine giant, Baidu, to power the Galaxy AI capabilities.
One of the main highlights of the Chinese launch was Baidu’s chatbot, Ernie, which was unveiled last August. The Galaxy S24 in China will feature AI translation, summarization, and text formatting features similar to those found in the US version. Additionally, Samsung has included real-time call translation and a version of Google’s Circle to Search feature in these devices.
In a joint statement, Samsung Electronics China and Baidu shared that the upgraded Samsung Note Assistant now incorporates Ernie’s understanding and generation capabilities. This collaboration aims to enhance the user experience and provide innovative AI solutions to Chinese consumers.
The decision to substitute Baidu for Google is not surprising, considering Google’s limited presence in the Chinese market. Android devices sold in China do not come pre-installed with Google apps and services due to government policies. Baidu, on the other hand, is a prominent player in the Chinese tech industry and had to secure approval from the Chinese government before launching Ernie.
The partnership between Samsung and Baidu reflects the growing importance of AI technology in smartphones and the fierce competition in the global smartphone market. By leveraging Baidu’s AI expertise, Samsung aims to cater to the specific needs and preferences of Chinese consumers.
The Galaxy S24’s release in China with Baidu’s AI features marks another milestone for both companies. It remains to be seen how this collaboration will be received by Chinese smartphone users and whether it will contribute to Samsung’s market success in the country.
As the Chinese tech industry continues to innovate and develop its own AI capabilities, partnerships like these could pave the way for future collaborations between international tech giants and Chinese companies, ultimately benefiting consumers with advanced AI technologies tailored to their preferences and requirements.
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