Samsung showcases smart TVs, video-on-demand services

Samsung said its new ES8000 55-inch "Super OLED" 3D smart TV contained a dual core processor and was therefore capable of multitasking. Samsung would release TVs of this form as large as 75 inches.

Samsung said its new ES8000 55-inch 'Super OLED' 3D smart TV contained a dual core processor and was therefore capable of multitasking. Samsung would release TVs of this form as large as 75 inches.

OLED or organic light-emitting diode is replacing LCD as it offers brighter and thinner screens than LCDs, and uses less power, yet is cheaper to manufacture.

However its TVs no longer would be controlled solely by a remote. Like the LG 55-inch OLED also announced today, Samsung TVs would be controlled by voice, gestures and face recognition.

Users can switch the TV on, open apps and perform searches using their voice or hand gestures.

The move by TV manufacturers to incorporate gestures and voice control means Microsoft's Kinect no longer controls the gestures space.

With 12 million sales of smart 3D TVs worldwide, Samsung claims to be supremely confident of the future of 3D TV and is developing a library of 3D content to promote it.

Samsung Electronics US president Tim Baxter said the new TV would include a single 'smart hub' for apps, content and search, and an integrated camera. Users can individually configure their own personal apps when logged into the TV.

Samsung's pitch, that 25,000 companies were now developing apps for its platform, further shows how apps and content were now at the forefront of selling smart TVs.

Mr Baxter said almost 20 million Samsung apps had been downloaded worldwide.

In the US Samsung's media hub included a selection of 5000 movies and TV shows. Offerings include a special Angry Birds on-demand channel.

The ES8000 will be coming to Australia, but Samsung will launch separate video-on-demand services and catch-up services with local content.

Samsung is also offering a special interface for children, interactive fitness programs and Family Story, which lets family members organize photos and slide shows.

Samsung also announced a new range of WiFi-enabled cameras in the US capable of being operated remotely from a mobile phone. Photos can be uploaded directly straight from the camera to a PC or social network. The app also can be used for triggering the camera to take self-portraits.

Samsung's Galaxy Note smartphone which was also announced today will be available in Australia. It includes the ability to use virtual private networks to counter the spread of malware on the phone.

Samsung also announced two new Ultrabooks weighing just over 1 kg and sporting an aluminium body and backlit keyboard.

For the US, there was also a new washing machine capable of being controlled remotely by an iPhone/iPad app, but there is no indication of this being available in Australia.