Unpacking the Galaxy S5 ecosystem

Samsung last night announced that an extensive ecosystem built around the new Galaxy S5 will include DStv Box Office and a music service.

Samsung last night outlined an extensive ecosystem to support the Galaxy S5 smartphone, released today in South Africa.

Craige Fleischer, Director of Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics SA, says the new device comes packed with a number of benefits that add further value to the wide range of existing Samsung benefits.

Consumers demand an engagement that is not only focused on hardware, but also resonate with their lifestyle. With the Samsung Galaxy S5 we have incorporated a number of innovative services that cater for a number of diverse needs, with an enhanced eco-system, we continue our quest to enable our customers to find new ways to express themselves.

The Galaxy S5 will be the first to offer DStv’s BoxOffice application and open a new world of convenient entertainment options to customers.

The BoxOffice app is an online movie rental service available to all Galaxy S5 customers (both DStv and non- DStv subscribers), with a selection of new releases and classic blockbusters.

Movies range from R25 for a new release (or R30 for non-DStv Premium subscribers) to R10 for a classic and are available to stream immediately over the Internet or can be downloaded and viewed as many times as users like, for up to 48 hours.

The BoxOffice app can be found in the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy S5 customers will receive a complimentary movie upon activation of the service.

A new b-there travel app has been exclusively designed for Samsung users in Southern Africa, by acting as an online travel agency that enables customers to search, select and pay for travel products directly from their mobile devices. These products include local and international flights, a range of accommodation options, car rental deals and travel packages. Galaxy device users will also benefit from limited special package deals and higher discounts on all rates and fares than received when standard bookings are made through a travel agent. The b-there travel app can be downloaded free from Google Play exclusively for Samsung Galaxy devices.

A collaboration between Samsung and nMusic allows access music even when the device is offline. By using an automatic cache system, even if an album, track or playlist has not been saved to offline mode, the play queued history is still available. Users can download tracks from a database of more than 20 million songs.

A Samsung and Mikz partnership provides customers with an opportunity to create a personalised mobile shopping experience, allowing users to obtain news, tips, information and special deals, handpicked from those brands that interest them.

Through Mikz, users can also access a number of promotions and discounts direct to their device, all of which is tailored to their own interests. Initially, the app is available to Galaxy S5 users and will be made available on all Samsung Galaxy devices thereafter.

With Lifestory, Galaxy S5 customers will be able to order photographic prints directly from their mobile device, for delivery anywhere in SA. Through a partnership with Qphoto, Samsung users qualify for over

R1 000 worth of specials and discounts on prints every month, for a year. A wide range of products is available, from traditional postcard prints to canvas, from photo books to mugs and mouse pads. The Lifestory application can be downloaded from Google Play Store.

The Galaxy S5 provides consumers with a number of unique features that are easily tailored an individual’s requirements. We are excited to be able to offer our clients a range of solutions that provide access to an extensive eco-system, designed to support and inspire the user whilst continuing to improve their quality of life,” says Fleischer.

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