Samsung is selling us dreams with its new Galaxy S24*. Full of artificial intelligence to help us in our daily tasks, do the new functions promised by the Galaxy AI interface developed jointly with Microsoft and Google, such as simultaneous translation, keep their promises? 20 minutes checked it out and noted these features.
8/10 for rewriting messages, fun and practical
For each SMS written, the Galaxy S24 offers so-called “intelligent” rewriting. Test with this message, quite classic, written directly, in summary French:
” Hello. I hope things are okay with you. Are you thinking of coming to the editorial office so that we can have a drink for the New Year?
Before sending the message, it is possible to press a dedicated key so that it is corrected, translated, but also rewritten depending on the person to whom it is addressed.
Which gives, for example, in mode Professional :
” Good morning. I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to see if you would be available for a drink to celebrate the New Year. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely “.
In Fashion #social :
” Hi ! I hope all is well with you. When are you planning to come to the editorial office so that we can toast (glasses of champagne emoji) to the New Year? #Cheers #NewYear #Friends »
On the other hand, with a more familiar, even crude, message, the S24 remains silent. When submitting: “Hey big guy!” At what time do you plan to bring your butt back to the editorial office so that we can uncork a good beer to enjoy the New Year? »the response from S24 is relentless: “This text cannot be verified as its content may be inappropriate”. Enough to avoid excesses. The smartphone’s AI masters the language, but also seems to understand the intention and the context.
4/10 for the transcription of conversations, too approximate
8/10 for their Summary, quite relevant
Two S24 features that could worry secretaries: automatic transcription of meetings/conversations and their Summary. To take advantage of this, we use the dictaphone on smartphones. At the end of a recording, you can then choose Transcription Or Summary.
We tested the two functions after a 15-minute video meeting (with six speakers and sound quality that could be improved). Result: the Transcription (which took one minute and thirty seconds) was disastrous. The AI only identified three out of six speakers and the transcribed comments are essentially incomprehensible when read. THE Summaryit was instantaneous.
Through this function, the AI is able to identify the themes of a conversation and define the main axes point by point. It’s concise, but ultimately quite precise… for 80% of the summary. It is amusing to note that the system describes the meeting and only keeps the essentials, like at the end of our video chat with colleagues: “About exchanges between journalists to prepare a story: Discussion on clothing trends and style preferences. Mention of celebrities and their clothing choices ». Not everything is perfect, but seems practical.
We gave the Transcription a second chance over lunch. Three people at the table. Quiet environment. Tanscription works… a little better. By rereading the text generated after 3.5 minutes of exchanges, we understand the meaning of the discussion, but no more. And the AI identifies five people instead of three! The summary of this same conversation is almost flawless.
However, we feel that the AI, zealous as it is, will feed itself from its sources. While at the table, Candice briefly mentions how her son, at 18 months, learned his first swear word from his mother, the function Summary takes his ease and delivers a paragraph on the way in which children “can begin to imitate adults as early as 18 months in many areas, such as speech, gestures and behaviors.” Comments which, in fact, were not made.
8/10 for function Circle to Find, reminiscent of Google Lens
A variation of Google Lens, this function allows (with a long press on the central button at the bottom of the screen) to surround an object or place with your fingertip to identify them. It works from photos or websites. And rather very good. However, we managed to catch the AI wrong with a photo of buildings along the Somme, in Amiens. The AI first identified them in Belgium. But by widening our scope and looking again, the exact location was found.
On the other hand, if Circle to Find works very well with personalities, the function does not identify less important people. Despite numerous photos that appear when you Google him, your servant, Christophe Séfrin, is not identified. The ace !
9/10 for the Simultaneous translationstunning voice
S24 offers to translate everything, into thirteen languages**. Simply download the ones that interest you in the settings. The text, first of all, which simply needs to be highlighted so that its translation can be carried out in just one second. It can then be copied, then added to a document, email, shared… Maximum productivity guaranteed! Phone calls afterwards.
By selecting the language of its choice from those offered, the AI will act as interpreter and assist you. Speaking normally, with a regular flow, the results are quite astonishing. But the tone of voice generated by the AI remains neutral, without reproducing the emotions of the correspondents.
And we find the same simplicity for simultaneous translation with a natural person. This time you just need to launch “Interpreter” (sic!) to start a conversation. By pressing the microphone button, all that remains is to express yourself normally. After a few seconds, the text is transcribed into its original language on the screen and translated out loud. Then translated into the desired language by writing at the top of the screen, and by voice. And it’s stunning. Few mistakes, few errors. It’s not difficult to make yourself understood in a store, a taxi or at the airport when traveling. Nor to hold a real conversation with a stranger.
Far from being infallible but already very successful, the AI on Samsung’s Galaxy S24 opens up the field of possibilities. Please note, Samsung brings together functions that are sometimes already known in one place, but develops them, adapts them, places them in context. And undoubtedly inaugurates what is likely to be the big trend in the telephony market in 2024. It’s about time, we were bored.
* Galaxy S24: 899 euros (128 GB); 969 euros (256 GB). Galaxy S24 +: 1,169 euros (256 GB); 1,289 euros (512 GB). Galaxy S24 Ultra: 1,469 euros (256 GB); 1,589 euros (512 GB); 1,829 euros (1 TB).
**French, English, Chinese, German, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Thai, Spanish, Vietnamese.