Samsung Doubles Down on Internet TV at CES, Makes Smart TV an Internet Hub   by Paddy

It’s not even Day 1 at this year’s CES in Las Vegas, but already we’ve seen a flurry of product announcements. One of the more impressive was from Samsung. Internet TV is expected to be a big trend of 2012 and as the world’s number 1 TV brand, Samsung is a company to watch. Especially given the gains Samsung made over 2011 with the Galaxy series of smartphones and tablets, which made it the leading vendor of Android-based devices in the world.

The big news from Samsung today was a Smart online TV push. The word “smart” here refers to Internet connectivity. Samsung’s 2012 model TVs will enable users to consume a mix of traditional TV programming and Web apps. It remains to be seen how well these new Internet features are implemented, because software and user experience have not historically been strengths of Samsung. But the message today was clear: Samsung is doubling down on its core TV leadership and attempting to make the TV the main household Internet device.

The official theme at Samsung’s CES event was “Pushing Boundaries.” Boo-Keun Yoon, president of the Samsung Consumer Electronics Division, told the CES crowd that Samsung aims to “break down the walls that exist between devices.”

Yoon began by noting that Samsung is the world’s number 1 TV brand, for the sixth consecutive year. It sold 1.7m TVs in the month of November. He then reiterated that the TV is its primary product and is a hub for all of its other consumer offerings. “While we may have many devices,” he remarked, “the heart of this ecosystem is the TV. The TV plays an important role in bringing family members together.”

This reminds me a bit of Microsoft’s strategy around the Pc. Substitute a TV for the PC and you have Samsung’s Internet strategy.

Samsung announced today that it is upgrading its TV line with a bunch of “smart” features. Labeled “Smart TV,” 2012 model Samsung TVs will feature Smart Interaction, Smart Content, Smart Evolution and Smart Hub.

The idea behind Smart Interaction is to move beyond the traditional TV remote control. Now, viewers will be able to control their internet TV using face recognition, plus gesture and voice controls. It will be similar to how Microsoft’s Kinect works on XBox.

Smart Content introduces social services to Samsung’s TVs. Yes, this means apps. Yoon claimed that Samsung Smart online TV is already “the leading platform for developers,” with 25,000 developers working on the platform. 20 million apps will have been downloaded by the end of this month, he said.

At CES, Samsung introduced some key apps for its platform. One is called Family Story and it allows you to upload photos, videos and memos from mobile devices to your TV. Voice chat is coming in the future. Also, as if to prove that it is a major player now in the Web ecosystem, Samsung announced that Angry Birds will become available on Samsung Smart TVs later this year.

Smart Evolution enables you to upgrade your TV with future functionality, without having to buy a new TV. Basically it is an upgrade slot at the back of the TV and you will be able to insert an “evolution kit” into it. This will be available for all 2012 and beyond TVs.

Smart Hub is a new UI for the Web features and is in HD. Also announced at CES was an upgrade to AllShare, Samsung’s cloud connectivity service. AllShare now includes sync for photos and video.

Along with the Smart internet TV strategy, Samsung announced new television models. These included the ES8000 LED HDTV and the so-called “ultimate TV,” a 55-inch Super OLED TV. These and other high-end TVs which Samsung releases will feature an integrated camera, for both video chat and the motion controls.

What about 3D, last year’s Big Thing at CES? Samsung hasn’t entirely de-focused from it. Although 3D failed to get much interest from consumers, this year Samsung will attempt to drive 3D content through streaming services.

About the Author

For more information about internet TV and online TV technology allows you to watch over 4,500 HD channels right on your PC, please check Live Internet TV Website: http://top-liveinternet-tv.com/
Archos 70b Internet Tablet Hands On – 7inch Honeycomb tablet for 199$ at CES

Magic Bullet MBR-1701 17-Piece Express Mixing Set $44.99 Taking up no more space on the counter than a coffee mug, this convenient mixing system replaces a food processor, blender, and coffee grinder. Keep it handy on the countertop for instant meals and snacks. The 17-piece set includes a high-torque power base with a stainless-steel cross blade and flat blade, a tall and a short bullet cup, four party mugs with colored lip rings, a shaker top and a st…

Magic Bullet Deluxe 25 pc Set Blender Mixer $49.95 The Magic Bullet Hi-Speed Blender/Mixer System- 22 Piece Set.This versatile machine will do virtually any job in the kitchen in 10 seconds or less, yet it takes up no more space on your counter than a coffee mug. It’s so easy you’ll use it every single day of the week!! The Magic Bullet replaces a food processor, blender, electric juicer and coffee grinder.It stays handy on your countertop for ins…

Cuisinart DLC-4CHB Mini-Prep Plus 4-Cup Food Processor, Brushed Stainless Steel $46.99 The Mini-Prep is the perfect little helper for small food preparation, from chopping herbs or bread crumbs, to finely grinding hard cheese. Its versatility lies in the special Auto Reversing Smart Blade, which makes it easier to process both soft and hard foods. And despite its space-saving size, it’s more powerful than other choppers. So now you can prepare small quantities of food faster and mor…

Triumph of the Nerds $18.00 It happened more or less by accident; the people who made it happen wereamateurs; and for the most part they still are. From his own Silicon Valley garage, author Bob Cringley puts PC bigshots and nerds on the spot, and tells their incredible true stories. Like the industry itself, the series is informative, funny and brash. Some of the episode participants include: Bill Gates (Chairman of Microso…

CINDERELLA’S DOLLHOUSE LG $4.99 Create the dollhouse of your dreams!Product InformationYou can decorate an array of fairytale settings- from the tiny Mouse House tothe lavish Royal Palace where Cinderella meets her handsome Prince. You’ll findhundreds of accessories to help you transform each room magically likesomething straight out of the story book!Activities Include Ballroom: Elegantly decorate the Palace for a gala ball. …

Dune 2000 Dune 2000 is a real-time strategy game that requires gallant leadership, cunning tactics, and formidable military prowess to win the Emperor’s challenge by being the first to harvest the most spice and take control of Dune. Three houses have arrived to claim the prize: the honorable House Atreides, the insidious House Ordos, and the vicious House Harkonnen. Whichever house you choose to lead, reme…

La Crosse Technology Weather Direct WD-3308U-WAL 4 Day Internet Powered Wireless Forecaster $30.99 THE ENEMY WIND is one of The Weather Channel’s most popular documentaries. It deals with tornadoes, their behavior and how they are generated. As it explores our historical relationship with tornadoes, THE ENEMY WIND discusses recent research into improving our ability to forecast storms and shows the work of a group of nerveless adventurers, the tornado chasers. This video explains how researcher…

PC Guide for Internet & on-Line Servi [VHS] $14.99 …

Wireless IP Pan/Tilt/ Night Vision Internet Surveillance Camera Built-in Microphone With Phone remote monitoring support(Black) $46.88 Specs: Image Compression Format: M-JPEG standard Image Resolution: VGA(640×480) / QVGA(320×240) Sensor: 1/4 inch CMOS, 300,000 Pixels Light frequency: 50Hz, 60Hz or Outdoor Audio compression: ADPCM Data rate: 802.11b: 11Mbps (Max.), 802.11g: 54Mbps (Max.) Ethernet: One 10/100Mbps RJ-45 Viewing angle: 67? Horizontal Rotating Angle: 0~270? Vertical Rotating Angle: 0~120? Alarm Mode: motion detection…

TRENDnet RJ-11/RJ-45 Crimp/Cut/Strip Tool TC-CT68 (Blue) $13.10 Our professional crimp tool TC-CT68 crimps, strips, and cuts cable for 8 and 6 position modular plugs. The crimp tool offers reliable, easy-to-use, and affordable solution to meet immediate cutting needs. Our professional crimp tool delivers convenience at a very economical price….