Move over 3D, 4K TVs are the real deal

Consumer Electronics Show 2013 in Las Vegas, USA signalled the end of gimmicky innovations in televisions. Last year’s CES was full of 3D TVs, while many 4K (four times high-definition) TVs were among the best products at this year’s event. Toshiba was the first to bring 4K TVs to India, after it launched its product last year, followed by LG. Samsung announced its first TV that can handle 4K content on Friday. The new product is called 85S9 and it will be available from May 2013. The company is not calling it a 4K TV, preferring the “Ultra HD TV” moniter instead, but just like 4K TVs, this product has the potential to give you the most immersive experience seen in TVs till date.

4K content (see picture), is about as real as high-definition gets. If you are hungry, do not watch a cookery show on 4K TVs. The experience is mouth-watering to say the least. The 85S9 is an impressive example of the technology. It doesn’t matter how far you are from the TV, the image clarity never drops.

The catch is that there isn’t enough 4K content in the market as of now, but that is always the case with new technologies. Content creators will catch up eventually. Instead of taking 3D to mainstream television, companies would benefit much more by bringing 4K TVs to the market.

Source:  http://www.indianexpress.com/news/move-over-3d-4k-tvs-are-the-real-deal/1081839/

Touch-based remotes redefine how we interact with TVs

Samsung launched a new remote control for its smart TV range at the company’s Regional Forum 2013 in Hyderabad on Friday. The device is a universal remote, which means that it will work with TV sets from other manufacturers as well.

This is the first Samsung remote to feature a touchpad. Previously, this technology was unique to Bose, as an accessory with the company’s top-of-the-line VideoWave series of televisions. The Bose touchpad opens an array of options at the edges of the screen. Users need to swipe their thumbs across the edges of the clickpad remote to access options, much like navigation in the iPod Classic.

Samsung’s product relies more on swipes. Simple functions include swipe left to rewind 10 seconds, and swipe right to forward. There are four buttons on the edges of the touchpad, which mimic the arrow keys on traditional remotes. The bottom arrow key also doubles up as a key to let you access your history (recently played videos) or a search button.

The touchpad is fairly responsive. Users can “write” the channel number on the touchpad to switch channels. As you draw a digit, it appears on one corner of the screen.

There isn’t much innovation in the remote apart from the touchpad. While it performs well, it still feels raw – as expected from the first version of any device. Users can expect it to be refined in future versions, but the important thing is that companies are trying to improve how we interact with the television.

Last year, Samsung introduced voice recognition and gesture controls in its smart television series. Although both have been effectively used in other product categories, they do not work well for a television because watching TV is a passive experience. Few would enjoy constantly shouting at the TV set or waving at it to change channels. Remotes such as the Bose clickpad or Samsung Smart Touch Control hit the middle ground between innovation and user-friendliness. Don’t be surprised if other manufacturers come up with touch-based remotes in the near future.

Source:  http://www.indianexpress.com/news/touchbased-remotes-redefine-how-we-interact-with-tvs/1081840/0#sthash.bP7UMfcr.dpuf

Samsung Galaxy S4 reportedly set to launch in April

The successor to Samsung Electronics’ blockbuster Galaxy S3 could launch in April.

That’s according to Samsung news Web site SamMobile, which pegs the phone’s launch on April 15.

The Galaxy S franchise has emerged as a true competitor to the iPhone, and garners as much hype and anticipation as Apple’s marquee smartphone. While early iterations of the Galaxy S phone faced a slow start, the Galaxy S3 catapulted out of the gate as a smash hit, and has held up remarkably well even as other competitive phones have faded. The phone has helped propel Samsung into the top spot among handset vendors.

The Galaxy S4 — which ultimately might be branded Galaxy S IV — will feature wireless charging as a key feature. But unlike other smartphones such as the Nokia Lumia 920 or Droid DNA, the service won’t be built-in. Users will have to buy a kit with a wireless charging station and replacement cover, according to the report.

The next Galaxy S phone will also reportedly feature a larger 2,600 mAh battery, compared with the Galaxy S3’s 2,100 mAh battery.

With a launch date in April, SamMobile said Samsung could hold its own event in March, or possibly unveil the smartphone at Mobile World Congress, which begins in late February. The Galaxy S3 was unveiled at a Samsung event in May last year.

Even if the April 15 launch date holds true, that doesn’t necessarily mean the Galaxy S4 will make its way to the U.S. at that time. As with the Galaxy S III, the phone may launch at different times depending on when the U.S. carriers want to release the phone, which could vary from days to weeks.
Samsung declined to comment on the report, noting that it wouldn’t comment on rumors.

Micromax launches 5-inch phablet Canvas HD

Strengthening its position in the phablet segment, Micromax has launched a new device, the Canvas HD. The device has a 5-inch five touch point HD IPS panel display. It is powered by MediaTek’s 1.2 GHz quad core processor paired with 1 GB RAM and runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Canvas HD also has also an 8 MP rear camera and 2100 mAh battery.

It is a dual SIM phone with single active option. The Canvas HD has 4GB internal memory with an expandable memory of up to 32GB. The device will be available from the first week of February and will be priced below Rs 15,000.

In future, market will be for Micromax and Samsung, competing against the likes of Nokia and HTC. Micromax will lead the Indian market with its budget pricing.