TECHNOLOGICAL progress in the past century has focused on making our lives simpler, from factory machinery built to replace skilled workers to household appliances that free us from having to spend hours each day doing chores. Today, technology has shifted its focus to making us ever more interconnected, both with our fellow man and with the electronics that have become such an integral part of our lives.
Samsung is one company at the forefront of developing such technology. Its revolutionary new viewing experiences are based upon the notion that we love processes to be streamlined. The South Korean electronics giant has created technology which links with other technology. Almost everything, from speakers, portable music players, televisions, phones and computers, can be linked and accessed from anywhere.
The star of Samsung’s new offerings is their revolutionary line of S-Ultra High Definition (SUHD) TVs, which surpass the limitations of previous displays and deliver superior picture quality with stunning contrast, striking brightness and spectacular colour. These SUHD TVs sport a stylish curved design which provides viewers with a more immersive viewing experience, enhanced by smart TV functions to give viewers easy access to their favourite content. By collaborating with 20th Century Fox, Samsung has managed to optimise content to meet premium quality SUHD standards. This partnership allows consumers to enjoy an unrivalled UHD viewing experience.
When Samsung introduced the curved form factor in 2014, it dramatically enhanced the home entertainment experience. Taking cues from contemporary art and architecture, the TVs were redesigned and enhanced with many modern and minimalist highlights. The new Samsung SUHD TV JS9500, the top of the line TV from the new range, features a chamfer bezel design, adding more depth to the screen, and the elegant frame makes the display look like a piece of art when mounted on the wall.
Also newly released is the Samsung Curved Soundbar, which matches the TVs perfectly in addition to providing high-quality surround sound. Together with the Samsung Wireless Audio 360 — another cutting-edge home audio device — these new products can be easily connected, making TV-watching and music playing truly seamless.
The Wireless Audio 360 features wireless connection with mobile devices via Wi-Fi, and can be controlled using Samsung’s Wireless Audio-Multiroom app which enables users to control a multiroom sound system. This app can be used to control all devices connected to the same wireless network, such as the SUHD TV and the Soundbar.
The Multiroom app allows users to stream various music services from South Korea, as well as popular services such as Deezer and Spotify. Via Quick Connect, the software that comes with the TV, Samsung smartphones can be quickly recognised by the TV once paired via Bluetooth, enabling users to share video content from their Samsung smartphone with a simple press of a button. Users can even watch TV programmes via their mobile phones without having to download apps or go through complicated presettings. Other features of the Smart TV include “Briefing on TV”, which acts as an alarm, syncing up Samsung mobile devices to turn on and display important information such as time, weather and schedules.
Gone are the days when we’d have to search high and low for half a dozen remote controls around the house, each of which controlled a different piece of electronic. Technology has progressed so far that all one needs now is a wireless connection and a mobile phone.
The Samsung SUHD TV is available in three models — JS9500, JS9000 and JS8500 — which range in size from 55in (140cm) to 88in. They are priced from RM9,999 to RM39,999 (inclusive of GST). The Samsung Wireless Audio 360 is priced at RM2,199, and the Curved Soundbar starts from RM2,299. They can be purchased from major electronic stores nationwide. For more information, visit www.samsung.com.
This article first appeared in digitaledge Daily, on September 1, 2015.