Samsung unveils Smart TV transformer kits ahead of CES 2013
Summary: Samsung has disclosed a new line of products, including a Smart TV upgrade kit, before CES kicks off next week.
Samsung has disclosed new product additions including a Smart TV upgrade kit before CES starts next week.
The electronics firm began announcing the new product range this week, all of which will be displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada from Jan 8 - 11.
Among the line-up is a range of monitors, built for both professionals and your average consumer. According to the firm, the Series 7 SC770 Touch Monitor comes optimized for Windows 8 users and is equipped with a multi-touch display, whereas the new Series 7 SC750 focuses on a "premium" picture quality and slimline design. The contrast ratio for the SC750 is 5,000:1, several times over a standard monitor.
Both models will be available in the first quarter of 2013. Samsung will also be using CES to promote its Series 9 monitor, which utilizes a PLS (Plane Line Switching) panel and Wide-Quad high-definition resolution (WQHD), delivering four times more detail than traditional HD.
In addition, the South Korean firm has kept the news flowing by mentioning a Smart TV upgrade "Evolution Kit" ahead of the tech show.
Samsung's Evolution Kit, which was introduced at CES 2012, is a plugin that can transform Samsung Smart TVs from its 2012 range into models with the latest features from this year's line. The firm says that each kit can be plugged into the back of an older television, and includes hardware enhancements including improvements to CPU and GPU which will give users faster speeds when surfing the web or using apps.
The Evolution Kit will also bring improvements to the Smart Interaction features, including voice control and motion control.
These kinds of products could mean tapping into an additional revenue stream within the smart television industry, as the lifespan of television sets means that consumers do not generally upgrade their kits every year or so. Commentary provided by Sunny Lee, VP of Visual Displays Sales & Marketing at Samsung, seems to suggest that the Evolution Kit may become a permanent product that will upgrade for every range, making the idea of "transforming" kits rather than replacing them a potentially lucrative scheme. Lee said:
"Consumers can enjoy the latest features and services every year without having to purchase a brand new set. Samsung Smart TV users will enjoy timeless TV that transcends time with [the] Evolution Kit."
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Talkback
CES
Another "solution"...
NoAxToGrind: You're wrong on that front
@NoAxToGrind, You are absolutely wrong. This is a solution that has LONG been needed - and BADLY!
I hate the fact that you buy a blu-ray player or TV and 5 seconds later, it's obsolete - and then the manufacturer says, "Oh, we don't do any firmware updates for that any more; please go buy our NEWEST model." And then, 5 seconds after you buy their newest model, the SAME THING happens - "Well, we have newer features - your model won't support those; please go buy our NEWEST thing." It's sick, stupid and tiring - and VERY expensive!
So, why NOT offer a way to 'upgrade' in order to get the newest features? Instead of shelling out another $2k to $3k for a new TV, maybe a $100 upgrade kit brings you the newer features that are good for another year or two.
I, for one, would be all for that. Having said that, my older blu-ray player is just fine for playing blu-ray disks, up-converting DVDs to near-blu-ray quality, and watching some of the initial services that were available - so, really, if you don't feel the need to "keep up with the Joneses," then an 'upgrade kit' is something that you could do without.
Samsung unveils Smart TV transformer kits ahead of CES 2013
Nothing is antiquated
No, it's more like replacing the motherboard, so you get more use out of your computer. Sure, if the display is over 4 years old, then I would buy your argument - otherwise, you don't have a leg to stand on.
I've had computers where the monitor and case were perfect and, after upgrading to a kick-butt motherboard/GPU, I was able to get 2 more years out of it, with all the latest features, vs. paying (at the time) $1,000 or more for new PC.
Well, I didnt' get to finish writing
Prediction: This *IS* the future of TV! Replaceable modules - because, face it: the TV itself (the screen and chassis) often are just fine - and newer features simply require a retrofit with newer guts - so, I predict companies like Samsung may be shaping the future, by making TVs 'upgradeable.' And they could take it even further and, instead of a 'snap-on kit,' make it a 'snap-IN' kit - i.e. you're entire 'TV *engine*' will be modular and replaceable.
@NoAxToGrind, You are absolutely wrong. This is a solution that has LONG been needed - and BADLY!
I hate the fact that you buy a blu-ray player or TV and 5 seconds later, it's obsolete - and then the manufacturer says, "Oh, we don't do any firmware updates for that any more; please go buy our NEWEST model." And then, 5 seconds after you buy their newest model, the SAME THING happens - "Well, we have newer features - your model won't support those; please go buy our NEWEST thing." It's sick, stupid and tiring - and VERY expensive!
So, why NOT offer a way to 'upgrade' in order to get the newest features? Instead of shelling out another $2k to $3k for a new TV, maybe a $100 upgrade kit brings you the newer features that are good for another year or two.
I, for one, would be all for that. Having said that, my older blu-ray player is just fine for playing blu-ray disks, up-converting DVDs to near-blu-ray quality, and watching some of the initial services that were available - so, really, if you don't feel the need to "keep up with the Joneses," then an 'upgrade kit' is something that you could do without.
So, I definitely see a LOT of added value with this feature. It also should be extended to blu-ray players as well. Sort of like a 'motherboard swap' in an older PC, bringing it up to newer specs.
Better search needed for smart TV