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Northern Lights

I understand that some of the Northern part of Kansas is being treated to a visual exposure to the Northern Lights. Friends in the KC area shared some pictures they captured Friday night. I've always wanted to see the lights and they media spoke like it was possible that the lights would be visible using a long exposure camera capture in the Southern part of the state tonight. I went out and took a few shots of the sky... no luck. Maybe if I was North of Wichita instead of South I would have a darker sky and a better chance of a picture. I did see some very cool pictures posted on another forum and thought we should have a place to share some pics too. If you are lucky enough to get a few shots, pleas post them here. I really would love to see them. The lights fascinate me!
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LG Smart TV Users First to Explore Anime Onegai Free Service With Launch on LG Channels

LG Smart TVs Offer Latin American Users Free Anime Onegai FAST Channels for the
First Time With Spanish Subtitles and Dubbing

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MEXICO CITY, May. 15, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is offering LG TV owners in Latin America free channels from popular Japanese anime platform Anime Onegai through the company’s exclusive, free streaming service, LG Channels. Anime Onegai is a streaming platform focused on anime founded by Japanese company REMOW, delivering Japanese anime straight from Japan. Available for the first time ever, Anime Onegai’s free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels are set to delight anime enthusiasts across Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Colombia with high-quality Spanish subtitles and dubbing. Whether long-time anime fans or exploring the genre for the first time, Anime Onegai on LG Channels promises to deliver a captivating viewing experience on large LG Smart TV screens.

Anime Onegai on LG Channels provides an extensive selection of anime content to the Latin American audience for free, a region boasting a significant anime fanbase with multiple countries among the top consumers of anime worldwide. Exclusively tailored to Spanish speakers, users can discover anime from a diverse range of genres, from thrilling sports, futuristic science fiction and action-packed adventures to rhythmic music and emotional dramas that tug at the heartstrings.

The Anime Onegai Sport channel invites LG smart TV users to enter the captivating universe of “Kuroko’s Basketball,” a must-see anime that fuses traditional sports with fantasy elements for original adrenaline-filled excitement. For those looking for fast-paced storytelling, the Anime Onegai Action channel provides high-octane content like “REBORN!” a gripping series filled with dynamic characters and masterfully crafted fight scenes.

Anime Onegai also offers content that inspires viewers with healing moments for relaxation and reflection. “Natsume Yujin-cho,” a slice-of-life anime featured on the Anime Onegai Drama channel, takes viewers on an emotional journey filled with heartfelt moments. The Anime Onegai Music channel understands the power music holds in transporting viewers to a new world or intensifying a dramatic scene. Here, music fans can immerse themselves in dramas such as “Full Moon,” which promises viewers an immersive experience with enchanting melodies.

In addition to a diverse selection of sports, action, drama and music channels, the Anime Onegai Sci-Fi channel on LG Channels presents compelling narratives with futuristic adventures and unique worldbuilding. LG Smart TV users can dive into the popular sci-fi anime “Broken Blade” and experience a world filled with epic battles, advanced technology and political intrigue.

Available on LG Smart TVs launched in 2016 and later, LG Channels can be effortlessly accessed directly from the home screen. LG Channels remains the preferred choice for LG Smart TV users worldwide, maintaining its position among the top five most used apps. With the addition of Anime Onegai, users can delve into an even broader selection of content for differentiated entertainment experiences.​

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Source: LG

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The Learning Curve, Part 1: Why Teaching AI New Languages Begins With Data

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As Samsung continues to pioneer premium mobile AI experiences, we visit Samsung Research centers around the world to learn how Galaxy AI is enabling more users to maximize their potential. Galaxy AI now supports 16 languages, so more people can expand their language capabilities, even when offline, thanks to on-device translation in features such as Live Translate, Interpreter, Note Assist and Browsing Assist. But what does AI language development involve? This series examines the challenges of working with mobile AI and how we overcame them. First up, we head to Indonesia to learn where one begins teaching AI to speak a new language.



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The first step is establishing targets, according to the team at Samsung R&D Institute Indonesia (SRIN). “Great AI begins with good quality and relevant data. Each language demands a different way to process this, so we dive deep to understand the linguistic needs and the unique conditions of our country,” says Junaidillah Fadlil, Head of AI at SRIN, whose team recently added Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language) support to Galaxy AI. “Local language development has to be led by insight and science, so every process for adding languages to Galaxy AI starts with us planning what information we need and can legally and ethically obtain.”



Galaxy AI features such as Live Translate perform three core processes: automatic speech recognition (ASR), neural machine translation (NMT) and text-to-speech (TTS). Each process needs a distinct set of information.



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ASR, for instance, needs extensive recordings of speech in numerous environments, each paired with an accurate text transcription. Varying background noise levels help account for different environments. “It’s not enough just to add noises to recordings,” explains Muchlisin Adi Saputra, the team’s ASR lead. “In addition to the language data we obtained from authorized third-party partners, we must go out into coffee shops or working environments to record our own voices. This allows us to authentically capture unique sounds from real life, like people calling out or the clattering of keyboards.”



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The ever-changing nature of languages must also be considered. Saputra adds, “We need to keep up to date with the latest slang and how it is used, and mostly we find it on social media!”



Next, NMT requires translation training data. “Translating Bahasa Indonesia is challenging,” says Muhamad Faisal, the team’s NMT lead. “Its extensive use of contextual and implicit meanings relies on social and situational cues, so we need numerous translated texts that the AI could reference for new words, foreign words, proper nouns and idioms – any information that helps AI understand the context and rules of communication.”



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TTS then requires recordings that cover a range of voices and tones, with additional context on how parts of words sound in different circumstances. “Good voice recordings could do half the job and cover all the required phonemes (units of sound in speech) for the AI model,” adds Harits Abdurrohman, TTS lead. “If a voice actor did a great job in the earlier phase, the focus shifts to refining the AI model to clearly pronounce specific words.”



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Stronger Together


It takes vast resources to plan for much data, and SRIN worked closely with linguistics experts. “This challenge requires creativity, resourcefulness and expertise in both Bahasa Indonesia and machine learning,” Fadlil reflects. “Samsung’s philosophy of open collaboration played a big part in getting the job done, as did our scale of operations and history of AI development.”



Working with other Samsung Research centers around the world, the SRIN team was able to quickly adopt best practices and overcome the complexities of establishing data targets. Furthermore, collaboration was good for advancing not only technology but also culture. When the SRIN team joined their counterparts in Bangalore, India, they observed the local fasting customs, creating deeper connections and expanding their understanding of different cultures.



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For the team, Galaxy AI’s language expansion project took on a new significance. “We are particularly proud of our achievements here as this was our first AI project, and it won’t be our last as we continue to refine our models and improve the quality of output,” Fadlil concludes. “This expansion not only reflects our values of openness but also respects and incorporates our cultural identities through language.”



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In the next episode of The Learning Curve, we will head to Samsung R&D Institute Jordan to speak to the team who led Galaxy AI’s Arabic language project. Tune in to learn about the complexities of building and training an AI model for a language with diverse dialects.​

Source: Samsung

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The New Samsung AI TV: Bringing the Future Home

What if technology could make an everyday moment richer, more connected and more lifelike? Samsung’s latest AI TV strives to enhance the viewing experience and integrate advanced technology into people’s lives so seamlessly that they barely notice.



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▲ The 8K NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor combines AI sound, AI picture and AI optimization features for a frictionless viewing experience.




Samsung’s AI TV, 2024 Neo QLED 8K QN900D, is equipped with the 8K NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor, the company’s most powerful processor to date, as well as a neural processing unit (NPU) that runs twice as fast as its predecessor. Featuring eight times as many neural networks — 512 instead of 64 — the new AI TV analyzes and optimizes content in real time, delivering superior picture and sound quality and elevating the TV experience to one that places viewers at the center.





Full Immersion With AI Picture Technology


Watching a tennis match with the Samsung AI TV is like getting courtside seats. Every serve and every volley come to life right in the living room.



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This immersive experience is possible thanks to 8K AI Upscaling Pro and AI Motion Enhancer Pro which work together to deliver exceptional clarity by sharpening low-resolution content and minimizing ball distortion and blurring.



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▲ AI Motion Enhancer Pro uses deep learning to show the precise movements of a soccer ball during a match.






Revolutionizing Audio


Lifelike audio is equally important — and with AI guiding the experience, dialogue is crystal clear even in loud surroundings. Active Voice Amplifier Pro distinguishes between voices and background noise, cutting through the commotion so viewers hear only what’s important.



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▲ Active Voice Amplifier Pro ensures that dialogue is clear and audible.




When watching a movie with Object Tracking Sound (OTS) Pro, viewers are no longer spectators — they’re in the character’s shoes, hearing everything from all directions.



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▲ OTS Pro puts viewers in the scene so they hear what the characters hear.






Effortless Fine-Tuning


With AI Optimization, viewers can sit back and relax. This feature automatically fine-tunes the TV’s settings for the best viewing experience. Likewise, gamers don’t have to worry about adjusting the picture or sound with AI Auto Game Mode, which recognizes game titles and genres and automatically optimizes settings for an upgraded experience.



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▲ AI Auto Game Mode allows users to focus on their gameplay.




AI Energy Mode conserves energy by using sensors to analyze ambient lighting before automatically adjusting the AI TV screen’s brightness. Similarly, the TV’s processor can identify on-screen motion and alter screen brightness. This feature represents a step toward greater sustainability.



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▲ In AI Energy Mode, the screen brightness self-adjusts based on the surrounding lighting.




Meanwhile, Samsung Tizen OS turns the AI TV into more than an entertainment center. A personal curator, the operating system tailors content to users’ preferences while protecting their privacy with Samsung Knox.



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▲ Samsung Tizen OS transforms the AI TV into a personal entertainment center.




At its best, technology that enriches lives sits in the background — present, but not intrusive. Samsung’s AI TV continues to evolve to do just that by pushing the frontier of audio and visual experiences, personalized experiences and enhanced sustainability while putting AI to work under the hood.​

Source: Samsung

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LG Strengthens Advanced Materials Business With Launch of Antimicrobial Glass Powder

Company Launches an Innovative New Material PuroTec to Bolster Growth
and Global Presence in B2B Sector

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SEOUL, May 10, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is accelerating the growth of its advanced materials business with the launch of LG PuroTecTM, a cutting-edge antimicrobial glass powder. Designed to safeguard product hygiene and suitable for diverse applications, this innovative material leverages the company’s proprietary glass composition design technology and thorough understanding of real-life home appliance usage environments.

PuroTec, a portmanteau of the words Pure, Protect and Technology, possesses anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that prevent microorganism contamination and associated odors. LG’s glass powder can be incorporated into various materials, including plastics, paint and rubber. Additionally, the company’s antimicrobial glass powder provides chemical and thermal stability, as well as durability and resistance to discoloration.

LG first began developing antimicrobial glass powder in 1996, and now holds an impressive 219 patents related to the production and application of glass powder. The company manufactures its antimicrobial glass powder at LG Smart Park in Changwon, South Korea, which has an annual production capacity of 4,500 tons. This year, the company is expanding sales of its antimicrobial glass powder to major markets in Asia, such as China, Vietnam and India, and is anticipating a year-on-year increase in sales of over 700 percent.

Moving forward, LG aims to significantly ramp up its advanced material business, utilizing international exhibitions to introduce PuroTec to potential global customers. PuroTec was recently honored at Chinaplas, Asia’s largest plastic and rubber industry exhibition, held in Shanghai, China (April 23-26), where it was awarded ‘Innovation of the Year’s status. This month, LG plans to unveil PuroTec at the National Plastics Exposition (NPE), considered one of the world’s top-three plastic industry events, which will take place in Orlando, Florida, USA, from May 6-10.

“We are dedicated to building up our advanced materials business, and are confident that it will drive new growth for our B2B business,” said Lyu Jae-cheol, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “LG will continue to invest in research and development to further enhance the efficacy and quality of its glass powder materials, and to uncover new cases for its application in the home appliance category and beyond.”​

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Source: LG

Local Double A Baseball

Friday night I'm taking in a local Baseball game. It is the Wichita Wind Surge who are in last place in the Double A Texas League North. With a brand new team and stadium a couple of years back I had aspirations of being a devout fan with season tickets. I realized quickly that it was no longer a poor man's entertainment and have not followed the team at all. I wouldn't be attending a game Friday but my daughter's second graders are being recognized for some sort of reading achievement and she has free tickets. We went last year.. same deal.. and had a good time. The stadium is top notch. It's way over priced but nice. I miss the old stadium and the cheap seats.

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[Executive Corner] Orchestrating “Affectionate Intelligence” With AI Processors Exclusive to LG OLED

Imagine a TV that not only delivers your favorite shows in incredible picture quality but also connects with you on a deeper level. That concept is no longer bound to imagination, as LG’s latest TVs are capable of understanding what you want and need, tailoring every moment you spend with it through ‘Affectionate Intelligence.’ This is the essence of LG’s unwavering commitment to crafting empathetic algorithms through three decades of technological innovation. This ethos seamlessly extends to the development of its AI chipsets, which are designed to foster more meaningful TV interactions.​

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As a testament to this dedication, LG’s Alpha AI processor, engineered exclusively for its OLED TVs, made its global debut a decade ago as one of the biggest breakthroughs in TV processing technology history. This AI-powered processor is constantly evolving based on customer feedback, which guarantees a TV experience that only gets better with time.

Amidst the widespread adoption of OLED panels, LG OLED TVs set themselves apart courtesy of the first OLED-dedicated AI processor. This processor leverages advanced algorithms and cutting-edge upscaling technology to unlock uncharted levels of picture quality within LG OLED TVs.​

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Various processing technologies continue to evolve with AI, notably showcasing significant performance enhancements in the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) – essential for affectionate intelligence – with a remarkable surge of 400 percent. LG’s latest OLED evo TVs1 are equipped with the new α (Alpha) 11 AI processor which boosts processing speeds by 30 percent compared to its predecessor.

What’s more, LG’s premium AI processing technology has expanded to LG QNED TVs, taking the performance of its high-end LCD TV lineup to new levels. LG QNED TVs feature the Alpha 8 AI processor to achieve a 1.3-fold increase in AI performance and 1.6-fold increase in processing speed compared to its predecessor. These remarkable advancements come together to form a powerful yet refined audiovisual experience that heightens the audience’s sense of immersion.

At the core of LG’s AI TVs lies a deep understanding of the user’s preferences, habits and desires. Seeking to enrich the home entertainment experience with versatile personalization and added convenience, the latest LG AI TVs can recognize voices based on unique webOS profiles, making it easier to deliver personalized recommendations based on their personal viewing history.​

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This user-centric approach lets users access their favorite or most-used content and services in an instant, while Picture Wizard works to tailor picture quality to their preferences to foster a deeper understanding and connection. Picture Wizard lets users pick from a range of image options, so that they can fine-tune images to their liking and receive greater viewing satisfaction without having to learn everything there is to know about technical aspects such as brightness, contrast or sharpness.

With sound quality now deemed just as important as image quality in completing the viewing experience, AI processing technologies have been evolving to help the TV’s audio performance catch up. AI Sound Pro offers richer and fuller audio while the LG TV’s built-in speakers produce virtual 11.1.2 surround sound to heighten immersion. The AI can even enhance dialogue clarity by separating vocals from the soundtrack, making it seem like sounds are emanating naturally from the screen’s center. Moreover, WOW Orchestra creates three-dimensional audio which works in unison with the TV’s built-in speakers and compatible LG soundbars, creating a unified sound together.​

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LG’s focus on the webOS smart TV platform, which powers over 200 million smart TVs, is clear for everyone to see. webOS enriches everyday life experiences with versatile personalization and enhanced convenience in the form of individual profiles, voice recognition and recommendations based on viewing history. With its extensive user base, LG is set to maintain a strong presence in targeted advertising, FAST and content streaming services.

Lastly, the webOS Re:New program2 offers the latest webOS upgrade to existing LG Smart TV owners to guarantee the most up-to-date TV experience for the next five years. That means consumers purchasing an LG OLED TV or LG QNED TV launched in 2024 can benefit from the latest webOS platform until 2028.

To explore the various efforts the LG Home Entertainment Company is making to curate life-enriching experiences for every kind of user, stay tuned to the LG Newsroom.​

By Jung Jae-chul, home entertainment research and development lab leader of HE R&D Lab at LG Electronics

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1 LG OLED evo M4 and G4 models.
2 Pop-up notifications offering a full upgrade without the need to select specific UX, UI or features are only sent to customers who have agreed to receive them. Please note that this upgrade does not cover the TV’s hardware performance, features or durability.

Source: LG

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[Customers at Heart] LG’s Commitment to World-Class Customer Service

In the first episode of the ‘Customers at Heart’ series, we take a closer look at how HiTeleservice – LG’s dedicated customer service subsidiary – is enhancing the customer experience through improved customer service around the world.

In the cutthroat world of business, having a great product isn’t enough. Companies need to excel in distribution, marketing and innovation to stay ahead. But even with all that, poor customer service can destroy a brand’s reputation and the loyalty it took years to build.

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LG knows this well and is stepping up its game in customer service on a global scale. The goal is to create a standout customer experience by applying its proven customer care expertise from home to abroad.

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This year marks the start of a new chapter, with HiTeleservice – LG’s customer service arm – setting up a robust support system to help boost the performance of LG’s service centers worldwide. HiTeleservice’s expert Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) will take the lead, sharing their knowledge and skills in customer service practices, talent development and operational strategies internationally.

The plan is to iron out any differences in service quality that come from cultural and operational variances, aiming for consistently high service standards everywhere LG operates. With Customer Care Centers in over 40 countries, supporting more than 50 languages, LG is serious about providing top-notch support, whether online or offline.

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HiTeleservice is now ready to roll out significant support after a thorough review of LG’s global customer service operations. The first step is to upgrade the skills of global CSRs with best practices in customer service, focusing on problem-solving from the customer’s viewpoint. They’ll also get access to English training materials from LG’s learning platform.

But it’s not just about a one-off training session. LG is building a system for ongoing CSR talent development and providing advice for running an efficient organization. This long-term strategy is all about keeping service standards high through continuous improvement.

Moreover, HiTeleservice will offer comprehensive training programs to its own CSRs, including language skills for better global communication and specialized training to hone their core competencies. The aim is to develop customer service pros capable of providing expert advice whenever and wherever they’re called for assistance overseas.

In accordance with its recent reinterpretation of AI as Affectionate Intelligence, LG believes that AI can be harnessed to foster more compassionate and understanding customer experiences. Consequently, the company is progressively incorporating AI into its customer service operations.

One such AI innovation is ‘Smile Plus,’ a customer service call system that uses AI to boost the speed and precision of CSR responses. It offers CSRs a comprehensive view of various customer data, including purchase, delivery, installation and service histories from all touchpoints, such as the website, LG ThinQ app and service call records.

Additionally, LG has devised and implemented an AI-driven feature, ‘STT/TA (Speech-to-Text/Text Analysis),’ which transcribes customers’ verbal expressions into text in real-time, eliminating superfluous tasks and averting miscommunication. STT/TA is also capable of understanding the context of the service call and proposing optimal solutions. Furthermore, LG intends to launch its ‘AI Voicebot,’ an autonomous service call solution presently in the development phase, within the year. This service is designed to handle straightforward inquiries during peak service call times or when calls are experiencing delays.

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LG’s dedication to customer service goes beyond the Customer Care Center. It includes sales and repairs, spreading its high service standards across the globe. This involves sending experts to train staff on-site in other countries and hosting group training sessions for overseas personnel. Since 2011, LG has been sharing its successful Korean sales strategies with teams in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.

In essence, LG is not just selling products; it’s delivering an experience. And with this new initiative, it’s committed to offering each customer, regardless of their location, an unparalleled level of service.​

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Source: LG

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