14 DAY TRIAL // There used to be a time when TVs were just common displays, and Smart TVs were rare, but things have changed. Samsung's latest product announcement makes that more than clear.
The company has formally launched a wide collection of displays that all qualify as Smart television sets.
One of them, by the name of F8500 LED Smart TV, is actually the “ordinary” one among the high-end models.
Measuring 55 inches in diagonal, it has a single-piece frame and stand made of aluminum. A quad-core processor handles the widget and UI processing, while the Intelligent Viewing feature adjusts picture quality based on content.
Speaking of user interfaces, Samsung has overhauled the Smart Hub with personalized panels, easier navigation, and thumbnail previews, plus the option to suggest programs (premium movies, TV shows, and VOD content) according to viewing habits.
The Valve Amplifier and the wireless HW-F751 Soundbar are just special perks tossed into the mix.
Despite all this though, the F8500 LED Smart TV has nothing on the UHD TV 85S9, with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K UHD).
Measuring 85 inches, it is one of a set and has 120-watt array speakers and a minimalist design resembling an easel.
Both Smart TVs, and their smaller brethren, come with AllShare (social panel to find content shared on Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and S-Recommendation with Voice Interaction, through which users can find new content without using a remote control.
Everything from broadcast TV, premium VOD, apps, locally-stored content and social content is considered when processing a voiced request.
Finally, the Series 7, 8, and 9 Samsung Smart TVs get an Evolution Kit that provides software and hardware updates (change from dual-core to quad-core processors, download new Smart Hub versions, etc.).
Samsung will launch its TVs during the first half of the year (by June 2013). Prices will vary depending on feature set, size and region.
