SYDNEY, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New research from Samsung Australia indicates a whopping three-quarters (72%) of Australians believe the right technology and entertainment setup can make watching sport at home feel just as special as being in the stadium[1]. As demand for major sporting events continues to outpace ticket availability, and factors such as travel and accessibility influence attendance[2], Australians are increasingly turning to at-home, immersive viewing experiences. In fact, 83% of Australians said they would like to transform an unused room or garage into the ultimate entertainment destination.[3]

Australians’ passion for sport remains as strong as ever, but the way they choose to experience it is evolving. Samsung research found that 91% of Australians believe watching from home offers a more comfortable and convenient experience, while 79% have opted to watch sport or entertainment from home due to the increasing cost of attending live events.[4] The findings underscore a growing shift towards premium at-home entertainment – spanning connected set-ups made up of displays, sound and appliances – where comfort no longer requires compromising the atmosphere of game day.

“For Australians, sport is far more than entertainment. It’s a cultural ritual that brings families, friends, and communities together, and technology is increasingly enhancing the experience, and bringing sport to life in Australians’ homes. We’ve observed a growing demand for premium at-home viewing experiences, with more Australians investing in smart consumer electronics, helping them feel closer to the action – this spans multi-display set-ups made up of TVs, through to smartphones and appliances,” said Phil Gaut, Head of Consumer Electronics, Samsung Australia.

“That’s exactly why Samsung designs its TVs with innovations such as Glare-Free technology for our bright rooms, AI-powered picture enhancement to elevate every moment, alongside connected home appliances and surround audio to deliver a stadium-like experience from the comfort of home, all controlled from the palm of one’s hand via a Galaxy mobile. Whether it’s footy finals, cricket season or a major international event, Samsung is helping Australians experience every moment as it was meant to be seen. It’s truly an exciting time for Samsung as we develop products made for Australians’ spaces, lifestyles and passion-points, and bring immersive experiences to our homes, and surrounded by loved ones.”

Bringing the stadium home

As Australians invest more in their at-home entertainment experiences, the research reveals that creating the ultimate viewing environment is about more than just watching the game. More than half (59%) of Australians believe a big-screen TV is essential[5], highlighting a growing desire to recreate the convenience and atmosphere of a premium venue at home. This is backed by new Samsung insights that show that 60% of Australians believe the bigger the TV screen, the more immersed they feel in what they’re watching, while 68% agree bigger screens makes content look more lifelike[6].

Creating that stadium-like atmosphere at home starts with the screen itself. To meet growing demand for immersive viewing experiences, Samsung expanded its range of 98-inch-plus TVs from four models in 2025 to up to 10 by the end of 2026 across Micro RGB, The Frame, Neo QLED and Mini LED ranges. The expanded lineup gives Australians more choice across screen sizes, display technologies and price points, making it easier to bring a larger-than-life viewing experience into a wider range of homes and entertainment spaces[7].To recreate the atmosphere of being at the stadium, nearly a third (31%) believe an immersive sound system is essential, helping deliver the roar of the crowd, every commentary call and key match moment straight into the home[8].

Food and drink are also key ingredients for the ultimate at-home fan zone. More than two in five Australians (43%) say having a dedicated fridge for food and drinks is a must-have feature, yet many face practical challenges when hosting.[9] One in five (21%) say constantly running back and forth to the kitchen disrupts the viewing experience, while 19% struggle with having enough fridge space to keep food and drinks on hand for guests.[10] This highlights a growing desire for entertainment spaces that keep everything needed for game day within easy reach, and is in line with Samsung’s commitment to smart refrigeration solutions spanning its Family Hub to Side-by-Side.

Today’s viewing experience extends well beyond one main screen, with 72% of Australians also using their phone or another device while watching live sport, movies or entertainment at home.[11] Whether it’s messaging friends and family, checking scores, stats and updates, or engaging with content online, second-screen habits have become a core part of how Australians watch. Second-screen usage comes in tandem of multi-screen smartphones, and growth in the foldable form factor. In fact, more than one in four (28%) use an additional screen to watch replays, highlights, bonus content or other entertainment simultaneously[12], showing the increasing demand for the Galaxy Z series, and connected experiences that help fans stay engaged without missing a moment.

With these factors in mind, many are looking beyond the living room and unlocking the potential of underutilised spaces to create dedicated entertainment zones. More than two in five (41%) see their garage as a space with entertainment potential[13], while 40% admit it is currently used primarily for storage.[14]

Samsung’s top tips for making the ultimate fan zone made for Australians

As Australians look for new ways to elevate their game-day experience in underutilised spaces, Samsung’s connected ecosystem of TVs, audio, mobile and home appliances is helping transform how sport is enjoyed at home. Whether hosting friends and family for footy finals, following live scores across multiple matches, or simply creating a more immersive viewing experience, Samsung’s latest innovations are designed with passionate sports fans in mind.

Big screen, matched by big sound:

Samsung Micro RGB R95H 4K Samsung Vision AI TV

Australians love big screens, meaning every seat in the house is a good one helping fans feel closer to every moment of the action.With Samsung Vision AI for intelligent picture enhancements and Glare-Free technology, clear visibility and vibrant picture quality in a variety of lighting conditions is achievable.

Samsung Q-Series HW-Q930H Soundbar

Create a powerful, stadium-like audio experience – optimised via intelligent Adaptive Sound – that scene-by-scene helps bring every crowd roar, commentator call, and match-winning moment to life.Experience the true environment via SpaceFit Sound, tailoring the experience to the space’s unique acoustics, making viewers feel part of the action.

Extra fridge room for gameday refreshments:

Samsung AI Home Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Effortlessly elevate hosting by curating meals with Samsung Food suggested recipes, and keep drinks cool with Power Freeze, helping hosts spend more time with guests and less time making trips to the kitchen.Enjoy the game guilt free, knowing AI Energy Mode is working behind the scenes to reduce energy consumption.

Full ecosystem in the palm of your hand:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

The ultimate productivity companion for sports fans – keep across scores, the group chat and live news with multi window, multi-tasking.Manage the TV, soundbar, refrigerator setting from the palm of your hand through the SmartThings app.

Availability

Samsung proudly produces a range of TV, sound solutions, home appliances and smartphones that are made for Australians’ love of entertainment, sports and group gatherings. This footy finals season find out more about Samsung’s full range of home entertainment products at samsung.com/au.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the world of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

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SOURCE Samsung Australia

A Chula Medical Technology lecturer has developed Metaverse Lab-XR, an innovative virtual laboratory that allows students to practice lab procedures and develop the soft skills needed for real-world work in hospitals, preparing them to become skilled and knowledgeable medical technologists.

BANGKOK, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For Medical Technology students, laboratory skills are just as important as academic learning. However, developing these skills into expertise requires extensive hands-on practice—a challenge for third- and fourth-year students in Clinical Microbiology at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Navaporn Worasilchai, a lecturer in the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University developed Metaverse Lab-XR to offer students more opportunities to practice before entering the simulated laboratory.

“We want to make sure that all students reach the same level before moving on to the next lesson,” she said.

In use since early 2024, Metaverse Lab-XR recreates a hospital laboratory where students can independently practice procedures and diagnostic skills as often as needed. The first training module focuses on diagnosing fungal infections. Students work through realistic scenarios, from checking patient and specimen information to selecting appropriate tests and responding when laboratory findings do not match a patient’s symptoms or medical history.

The virtual environment also prepares students to work more safely with actual patient specimens and microorganisms during subsequent hands-on training, helping reduce infection risks while making better use of laboratory resources.

Beyond technical skills, the program develops communication, teamwork, laboratory management, critical thinking, and prioritization. Students learn to communicate with doctors and nurses, identify urgent cases, and investigate unexpected test results.

According to Asst. Prof. Dr. Navaporn, research and observation showed that Metaverse Lab-XR improved students’ learning outcomes by approximately 20%. Students also reported feeling psychologically safer practicing privately in the virtual environment, where they can repeat exercises without feeling embarrassed about making mistakes.

Metaverse Lab-XR received the Excellent Innovation Award for Outstanding Innovation in Student Development from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) in September 2025.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Navaporn hopes the project will eventually expand to other universities and medical technology laboratories in Thailand and abroad, with additional scenarios covering bacterial, respiratory, and viral infections.

Read the full article at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/422901/

Media Contact:  
Chula Communication Center         
Email: Pataraporn.r@chula.ac.th

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SOURCE Chulalongkorn University Communication Center

LONDON and HONG KONG, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Poseidon Capital Partners, a leading Hong Kong-based investment manager and one of the region’s largest QIS investors, has appointed Premialab to enhance its QIS analytics capabilities. The firm specializes in Outsourced CIO, Dedicated Managed Accounts and systematic portfolio construction for private clients, single family offices and institutions.

Poseidon Capital Partners combines deep expertise in quantitative investment strategies with a client-centric approach to wealth management with institutionalised investment management via portfolio allocation, proprietary modelling and risk architecture. To strengthen its systematic overlay capabilities and deepen its quantitative research process, Poseidon Capital Partners has appointed Premialab as its independent QIS analytics partner, enabling more rigorous strategy evaluation and enhanced portfolio construction.

“We are delighted to partner with Poseidon Capital Partners, one of the most sophisticated systematic investors in the region,” said Adrien Géliot, CEO of Premialab. “Their commitment to QIS as a core part of portfolio construction reflects true institutional ambition in creating enduring value for their clients. Premialab’s analytics platform supports their ability to evaluate and construct QIS overlays with greater precision, helping them deliver the consistent, long-term results their clients expect.”

Mars Wang, co-founder & CEO at Poseidon Capital Partners added: “Our mission is to construct enduring portfolios for our clients across market cycles. Premialab’s advanced QIS analytics enable us to refine our strategies and strengthen our portfolio construction process. Their platform provides the analytical rigor and transparency our approach demands, supporting our commitment to the principle of capital preservation.”

About Premialab

Premialab is the leading independent platform providing data, analytics, and risk solutions on systematic, factor, and multi-asset strategies. It collaborates with the world’s leading investment banks to deliver these capabilities to institutional investors globally, working with the top 20 investment banks as well as leading asset managers, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies. The company has offices in London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Dubai and Sydney. For more information, please visit: www.premialab.com.

About Poseidon Capital Partners

Poseidon Capital Partners is a Hong Kong-based multi-family office providing external asset management services to high-net-worth individuals and families. Leveraging deep expertise in systematic investment strategies and quantitative portfolio construction, Poseidon Capital Partners designs diversified investment solutions, tailored to create enduring wealth across market cycles. With a focus on combining financial sophistication with a commitment to client empowerment, Poseidon Capital Partners with visionary investors seeking long-term value creation and generational prosperity.

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