We're used to seeing TV manufacturers tweak Smart TV features every year. Typically, they add a few streaming services or maybe upgrade the look of the user interface. This year, however, Samsung Electronics wants complete control.
The company just introduced a Smart TV experience that will combine a new Smart Hub and the new Samsung Smart Control remote. The idea is to create one spot where users can access all of their favorite entertainment and other content.
The Smart Hub isn't an actual box, but is the backbone of Samsung's Smart TV platform. Samsung says that "the new Smart Hub interface represents a shift away from multiple content sources and devices, to one integrated content and services platform." That basically means you can flip-flop between broadcast TV, streaming services, Blu-rays, videogame consoles, and more, all with ease. It even has a new look. Of course, it's not really a new concept to put all of your Smart TV selections on one screen, but adding in source devices will streamline things a bit. Oh, and also know that you can customize that home page to make it suit your specific needs.
The big thing is that Smart Control. We've seen great universal remotes before, but we haven't really seen one that comes packaged with the actual TV. Samsung is hoping that this remote will be your go-to controller, eliminating the need for a separate purchase or multiple remotes. The company says that the Smart Control has a version of the Tizen operating system inside, so it will deliver quicker, better access to all of your entertainment. It can also immediately recognize whether you're trying to access your set-top box, media streamer, Blu-ray player, and more.
"As the world of TV is constantly changing with more choices and more connected devices than ever before, we have made it easier for people to discover and watch the content they want, when they want it," said Won Jin Lee, executive vice president of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "In 2016, Samsung's Smart Hub and Smart Control remote are providing the most streamlined, convenient, and intuitive TV user experience. Together, they offer the choices and performance consumers expect from today's home entertainment technology."
Right now, there's no word on which TVs will be getting the above goodies -- or when. We're guessing more information will be coming later this week, when Samsung announces its 2016 TV models at CES 2016 in Las Vegas.
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