Samsung at CES 2012: Smart TV, ultrabooks, Galaxy Note for AT&T, and a washing machine
Samsung's CES 2012 adventure: fully detailed!
CES 2012
Samsung will merge Bada OS into the Tizen project
In an interview at CES 2012 this week, Samsung's Tae-Jin Kang has revealed his company's intention to fold Bada OS into the Intel-backed Tizen open source OS project. Bada is, or was, Samsung's homebrew effort at developing its own operating system, an effort that we were dubious about from the start. After failing to find much traction with its Wave handsets, Samsung is now wisely deciding to abandon hope of going it alone in the cutthroat mobile OS realm and is joining up with a development...
CES 2012
Samsung Smart Window demonstration (video)
We always thought the window was pretty mature technology, but Samsung's here at CES to prove us wrong. The Smart Window, currently in prototype phase, casts a touch-controlled interface onto transparent glass with ambient light. Samsung was demonstrating a whole range of applications, from Twitter to Microsoft Office, all touch-controlled and viewable directly on the glass. Images are viewable in daylight, and there's a nighttime mode that uses side-lighting and flipped colors. You can even...
Microsoft
Samsung's Series 9 3D all-in-one PC and monitor hands-on photos
We've been finishing up our look at Samsung's CES booth and came across a few more entries for its Series 9 products — a 27-inch all-in one PC plus a 27-inch monitor. One of the more unique features of the all-in-one was its 1080p 2D / 3D display, though we couldn't imagine actually using WIndows in 3D mode for any length of time. It looked fine in 2D mode, however, and does present a good option for those who want to use their all-in-one as a smaller home theater device. There isn't much...
CES 2012
The best of Samsung's 2012 TV lineup: 75-inch Series 8 LED, 55-inch OLED, and 4K prototype display
As per usual, Samsung announced a boatload of TVs during its press conference earlier in the week, so we hit the floor to pull out the highlights. The most stunning display was certainly the 55-inch OLED prototype, which we heard should be on sale by the 2nd half of the year. The viewing angles were superb, the bezel was nearly invisible, and the back was essentially a giant metal mirror — certainly one of the nicest products we've seen this week. As for products shipping sooner, Samsung's...
HD & Home
Samsung to offer FiOS smart TV app with 26 live channels, claims they'll be first to offer it
Yesterday morning, we heard that LG will offer a FiOS app in its smart TVs that will let users access 26 channels of live TV, and now Samsung has announced that it will have the same app and content available on its smart TVs and connected Blu-ray players. Despite its announcement coming a day later than LG, Samsung is claiming that it'll be the first company to offer this access (though there's no launch date given from either company). Just like LG's FiOS app, Samsung will have access to...
CES 2012
Samsung's Optical SmartHub streams media through AllShare Play
To go along with Samsung's new AllShare Play technology, the company is launching a streaming media device know as the Optical SmartHub. There's a wireless router built-in, so you can set this box up as your primary access point and use it to serve media up from an external hard drive (there's no internal storage). If you use Samsung's AllShare Play, you can access your content anywhere you can get online, not just across a local network, so this makes for an ideal media streamer if you don't...
Android
Samsung's AllShare Play media streaming hands-on video
At a stage in the middle of Samsung's gigantic CES booth, the company showed off the latest updates to its AllShare technology. The big star of the show was AllShare Play, a DLNA-powered service that lets you beam your media across devices running Samsung's AllShare software. In Samsung's demo, we were able to access files on a laptop running AllShare software through a Galaxy Note; we could play video directly on the device, but we were also able to beam it Airplay-style to a Wi-Fi-enabled...
HD & Home
Samsung Smart TV with 'Smart Interaction' (hands-on video)
We just got a chance to check out Samsung's Smart TV tech at CES 2012, and we've got a hands-on video for you. The TV features Samsung's "Smart Interaction" tech, using two unidirectional mics and an integrated webcam for motion and voice control — users can turn the TV on or off, change the volume, activate apps, and search the web. The TV can also identify users with face recognition via the integrated webcam. Be sure to check out our Samsung storystream for more information on their...
CES 2012
Samsung Series 3 Chromebox and new Series 5 Chromebook hands-on photos
We just got a hands-on look at Samsung's latest Google Chrome OS hardware: the new Series 5 Chromebook and the Series 3 Chromebox. According to a Samsung rep, specs are identical for both devices: a dual-core Celeron processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of solid state storage. The Chromebox looks a bit different than the model Google showed off back in May, but there's still no word on pricing for this device. As for the new Series 5 Chromebook, it shares a lot in common with Samsung's other...
Microsoft
Samsung SUR40 with Microsoft Surface 2 hands-on video
It wouldn't be CES without a demo of Microsoft's Surface technology, but this year is a little different — it's very close to being an actual product. We took it upon ourselves to visit the Samsung booth to check out the Korean manufacturer's SUR40, which should be shipping this month. The SUR40 was loaded up with a variety of apps, games, and tech demos, including a raw view of what the SUR40's internal tracking cameras see. We're looking forward to seeing this product ship so we can see...
HD & Home
Samsung announces Blu-Ray players with Wi-Fi and UltraViolet disc to digital support
To go along with Samsung's recently-announced partnership with UltraViolet, Samsung launched two Blu-Ray players, the BD-ES6500 and BD-ES6000, that support disc to digital technology. As we heard earlier, users can register ownership of physical DVD or Blu-Ray discs by popping them into either of these players; digital copies will then be created and added to the user's UltraViolet account. If you're upgrading a DVD to high-definition, there's a small fee (though Samsung hasn't said how much...
Microsoft
Samsung Series 5 notebooks stretch to 15 and 17 inches (hands-on)
We've already covered a solid number of Samsung Series 5 notebooks this week, but now we have a couple of other machines that are worth a mention as well. These mid-range notebooks, however, bear little resemblance to their Ultra counterparts. Depending on the model, you'll get a 15- or 17-inch screen, and up to 1TB and 2TB of hard drive space, respectively. We're light on specs, but the laptops can also be ordered with a Blu-Ray drive and fairly generous 2GB Nvidia graphics card. We'll keep...
Android
Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G coming soon to T-Mobile's 42Mbps HSPA+ network
T-Mobile's getting another dual-core Samsung Galaxy S phone: joining its 4.65-inch revision of the Galaxy S II is this new Blaze 4G handset. It's got a dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S3, a Super AMOLED display and a 42Mbps HSPA+ radio under the hood, but that's literally all we know right now: T-Mobile wasn't able to provide price, release date (other than "later this year"), or even the screen size and resolution. We'll keep an ear out and let you know what we hear.
Samsung Series 7 Gamer notebook hands-on
We've just gotten pictures and specs for Samsung's Series 7 Gamer notebook, a serious piece of hardware that the company hopes will compete with Asus' gaming offerings. The notebook will come in two slightly different builds, one for the US and one to ship internationally. Both have Intel Core i7 processors and 2GB graphics cards, an AMD Radeon HD6970M outside the US (as far as we can tell) and an unspecified Nvidia card domestically. International versions will also come with active 3D. The...
Samsung's WF457 Wi-Fi washer and dryer hands-on photos (update: video)
The clear highlight of Samsung's press event yesterday was a new Wi-Fi washer and dryer, the WF457. The big innovation here is that users can control the machine from anywhere in the house with a smartphone or tablet app, but unfortunately this wasn't yet working when we stopped by. We did check out the 8-inch touchscreen and menus, and it seemed to be a pretty intuitive system, although perhaps a bit unnecessary. However, if you need the washing machine of the future, Samsung's model might...
Android
Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G, LG Connect 4G, Dyle TV for MetroPCS hands-on
MetroPCS' nascent LTE network got two new compatible devices today, from Samsung and LG. We got to play with both of them tonight at Pepcom, and while we weren't bowled over by either one, both are decent smartphones — and neither requires you to sign a contract, which is a hard feature to top. The Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G is the lower-end of the two, a single-core device with a 3.5-inch display and a 1GHz processor. It's also a little cheap-feeling, and definitely had some issues with lag...
CES 2012
Samsung announces AllShare Control washing machine you can control from your smartphone
Apparently, your smartphone can now interface with your washing machine, if you buy into the Samsung ecosystem. Samsung just announced its new WF457 Wi-Fi capable washing machine — as long as the WF457 and a smartphone are on the same wireless network, users can set alerts, change cycles, remotely start or pause the washer, and more. The washer itself contains an 8-inch color LCD touchscreen for direct control. There's no word as to what operating systems this app will run on, but we'd bet S...
HD & Home
Samsung 'future-proofing' Smart TVs with Evolution Kit
Samsung's apparently releasing technology for future-proofing its smart TVs — all 2012 TVs will have a slot in the back where users can plug in an "Evolution Kit." Apparently Samsung's built a proprietary system-on-a-chip will "easily enjoy the benefits of the latest TV technology year after year, without purchasing a brand new set." Details were scarce at Samsung's press conference, but we'll try and get more information afterwards.
CES 2012
Samsung Series 5 Ultra officially heads to the US on January 30th for $899 (hands-on pictures)
J&R let Samsung's Series 5 Ultra out a bit early last week, but today Samsung's officially confirming that its 13.3- and 14-inch ultrabooks are headed to the US on January 30th. Just like the overseas model, the 14-inch Series 5 has an onboard optical drive, yet still only weighs 3.9 pounds and measures .82 inches thick. The .58-inch thick 13.3-inch version has a similar design, but weighs just 3.24 pounds since it drops the disc drive. Although, both make room for an SD card reader,...
CES 2012
Samsung Series 9 gets a complete makeover, coming February 27th for $1,399.99 (hands-on and video)
At last year's CES, a time before every single laptop manufacturer was releasing ultrabooks, Samsung unveiled its extremely thin Series 9 laptop. So how is the company planning to maintain its lead this year? With two brand new Series 9s. While Samsung's not calling the 13.3- or 15-inch laptops "ultrabooks," the laptops are astoundingly thin and weigh just 2.5 and 3.5 pounds, respectively.
However, Samsung hasn't just refreshed the line with new processors, though it's done that too. The...
HD & Home
Samsung's new 'Smart Interaction' Plasma and LED 3DTVs feature face recognition, voice and motion control
Samsung's OLED initiative is the big story at CES, but let's not forget its Smart 3DTV lineup. The UNES8000 (LED) and PNE8000 (Plasma) feature what the company is calling its new Smart Interaction technology, which includes motion control, voice control, and face recognition. The press release is a little vague on details here, but the huge banners Samsung has on the Las Vegas Convention Center suggest motion control is hand waving. Both are also powered by a dual-core chipset and a "new...
Apple
Interview: Samsung's David Steel on Apple, the future of TVs, and what's next
David Steel, Executive Vice President of Strategy for Samsung North America. Yeah, it's a long title. He's responsible for Samsung's marketing strategy, and he just sat down with our own Joshua Topolsky. As a marketing guy, he hews pretty close to the company line, but he's still a fun guy to talk to — and obviously a primary source if you're looking for Samsung's "official" word on anything. This is a huge show for Samsung, and there was a lot to cover, including Samsung's interesting...
HD & Home
Samsung: Super OLED 55-inch TV on sale 'second half of the year'
Samsung just joined LG here at CES 2012 with the introduction of its own 55-inch OLED TV. Like its Korean cousin, Samsung promises accurate color reproduction and "true-to-life picture quality" — not the typical hallmarks of oversaturated OLED panels. Super OLED features self-emitting RGB sub-pixels and is faster than LED, according to Samsung, "virtually eliminating motion blur." The TV also features the company's new "Smart Interaction" technology for TV control, relying upon two...
Photography & Video
Samsung adds Wi-Fi to cameras and camcorders, announces $379 WB850F with 21x zoom
Samsung makes just about every gadget under the sun, and the company's starting to realize the value in connecting all its devices together. That's why it's adding Wi-Fi connectivity into a number of its new point-and-shoot cameras, introducing the new Smart camera lineup. Chief among the new cameras is the $379 WB850F, the latest in Samsung's line of superzoom cameras. The WB850F offers 21x optical zoom in an f/2.8 lens, and a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor. It also has a 3-inch AMOLED screen,...
Android
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 announced for Verizon (hands-on pictures and video)
Though Samsung already represents the 7-inch tablet class in the US with the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus on T-Mobile, it's the Galaxy Tab 7.7 we've really been wanting — it's just hard to argue with a 1280 x 800 Super AMOLED Plus display in a 7.9mm-thick shell. That dream is realized today on the news that Verizon is picking up an LTE-enabled version of the device, and amazingly, it's not even a tenth of a millimeter thicker than its non-LTE European cousin. It's got a 1.4GHz dual-core processor,...
Android
Samsung Galaxy Note announced for AT&T (hands-on pictures and video)
AT&T has just announced that it'll be bringing the 5.3-inch Galaxy Note to the United States, a beastly half-phone, half-tablet that spans the divide between two white-hot product segments. The feature list should sound familiar: it's in many ways the same Galaxy Note already available in Europe, featuring a 1280 x 800 Super AMOLED display, 8-megapixel primary and 2-megapixel secondary cameras, and the so-called "S Pen," a stylus integrated into the rear that can be used to register...
Samsung announces Wi-Fi IP SmartCam at CES 2012
Samsung has announced several new home video offerings at CES 2012, among them the Wi-Fi IP SmartCam, a camera used to monitor your home (or any other place with a wireless network). The SmartCam aims to make pairing with your home network easy, only requiring you to click the WPS button on your router– a process that supposedly takes less than 30 seconds. Once you set that up, you can create an account on the SmartCam site to view real-time footage from the device, without having to...
HD & Home
Samsung inTouch brings HD Skype, web browsing, and apps to your HDTV
Samsung just announced its new inTouch device for expanding web functionality on HDTVs lacking internet connections with an HDMI connection. It's a nice alternative to spending thousands on a new internet-connected TV; instead just bring the internet and apps via a separate device. The Wi-Fi-equipped camera system features a 720p webcam for HD Skype video chat, and essentially brings the connection to bring a small mix of apps and web browsing to your TV. There's simple YouTube, Google News,...
Samsung announces Wi-Fi video baby monitor at CES 2012
Good news, baby lovers! Samsung has just announced a brand new Wi-Fi video baby monitor here at CES 2012. The IP-based Wi-Fi video monitor pairs with your home network with one touch and doesn't require any special software. Once your camera is registered with Samsung, you'll be able to log in and view video activity at the company's SmartCam website, monitoring your baby (or whatever) in real time. The design of the camera itself is pretty slick, and measures 1.25-inches thick and...
Android
AT&T Galaxy Note confirmed at CES 2012
Phone? Tablet? It's Galaxy Note on AT&T and ready to be launched by Samsung here in Las Vegas, not that we ever doubted it. But where's the LTE logo? The Samsung Galaxy Note features a 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED display and launched in Korea 19 days ago with LTE and Android 2.3 in tow. So maybe AT&T's just being coy and will surprise us on Monday when we expect this hybrid device to be priced during the official announcement.
HD & Home
Samsung teases 'Super' OLED TV with CES banner
The CES showfloor doesn't open until next week, but here's one reason to arrive early in Las Vegas. Banners are popping up outside the convention center, and one of the big ones looming over the Central Hall entrance advertises its OLED TV presence. The choice of hyperbole specifically is "Ultimate TV... Super OLED Sensation." If we had to guess what size this "Super OLED" TV would be, we'd probably say 55 inches — that's how large LG's recently-announced (and self-touted "world's largest")...
