So last week I was listening to the radio while making some dinner and this advert came on that really took me by surprise.
The radio advert started talking and asking wouldn’t it be incredible if we could transform TV in ways that have never been imagined before.
You can swipe your hand to change channels or volume, or even just speak to it using conversational English. Not to mention it has a built in PVR system and it’ll learn what you enjoy watching and will start recommending shows it thinks you’ll like.
Not only that but you can use it to Skype your friends and family with an added camera accessory and the device comes bundled with games and a multitude of entertainment applications.
It was at this point that I thought Microsoft were really on the ball with their Xbox One marketing. Weird though since we aren’t getting it this year but hey at least they are trying.
But no.. actually all of those awesome abilities are built into the new smart range of Samsung TV’s.
That’s right, 80% of the features that Microsoft boasted about with the Xbox One can be picked up today built into the actual TV itself.
I wish I could find a recording of the advert as it really did sound like Samsung had put it together to go head to head with the Xbox One.
However according to this video review all the features don’t really work as well as expected so Microsoft isn’t completely blown out of the water yet… that is unless the voice and gesture commands of Kinect 2 are as glitchy as the original Xbox 360.
But wait there’s more, take a look at this official Samsung PR video to showcase that the TV’s also come with single sign on using facial recognition, docking (snapping) of certain applications and multi tasking.
It really does leave you wondering why you wouldn’t rather buy this fancy TV and a PlayStation 4 instead of the Xbox One. Then you really do get the best of both worlds.
Last Updated: June 18, 2013
Happy Hamster
June 18, 2013 at 09:04
i have one of those televisions and it does all i want to and i dont have to lift my ass , call me lazy
Rainman
June 18, 2013 at 09:05
Saw the advert on TV this weekend. The best is you dont even need to be online for it to work.
Brady miaau
June 18, 2013 at 09:40
No, seriously? How do they make it work without the cloud?
Can you copyright your motions? (has been done in the UK)
Lourens Jordaan
June 18, 2013 at 09:50
Funny that you say that, PS4 gamers have a certain motion they perform when seeing a Xbone add: Make a fist, bring hand to crotch, move it away and repeat. Ensure there is a sarcastic smirk on your face.
Argentil
June 18, 2013 at 09:55
But Don Mattrick says they’re ‘over-delivering value’ on this one. They must be right, such unwavering confidence.
creative630
June 18, 2013 at 10:40
If they somehow get a FinalFantasy-killer exclusive RPG, then things will start getting pretty awkward for me.
Argentil
June 18, 2013 at 10:45
I don’t think such an RPG exists. Besides, this is a pretty newly formed studio. I think this would be their debut game. I wouldn’t expect AAA polish on the level of an FF. They could be making something different though. An SRPG with smartglass/kinect functionality. An idolmaster clone to appeal to the Japanese market.
Dean
June 18, 2013 at 09:06
I smell chicken vs egg coming on here. Question should be: is MS getting their ideas from somewhere else, considering the TV’s are out and the XOne isn’t.
Queue obligatory Twilight Zone music
HvR
June 18, 2013 at 09:12
As far as I know Samsung had all those feature in the top of the line unit (R50k+) since end of last year, but since the Xbone reveal a few weeks ago they have been advertising it quite a lot.
It seems everytime I look for a MS related youttube clip I get the guy shutting up the t-Rex ad.
Any case Samsung: We’ve been having it..
oomjan
June 18, 2013 at 09:16
I agree ps4 and a tv like this is like the best option. even a cheaper option without this features will be better.
Rinceyouropinion
June 18, 2013 at 09:20
PS4 and Samsung FTW!
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
June 18, 2013 at 09:21
PS 4 + Samsung TV = One ? … it adds up
HvR
June 18, 2013 at 09:25
one < PS4 + Samsung TV
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
June 18, 2013 at 09:26
Ahh, that makes more sense, I always sucked at maths 🙁
FoxOneZA - X-Therminator
June 18, 2013 at 09:26
So called right-wing investors are calling for MS to sell the XBox division off to Samsung. Samsung have insane distribution services that MS could do with.
Argentil
June 18, 2013 at 09:48
I think there’s a bigger chance of Samsung buying Sony’s Playstation division. I pray it never happens though. Samsung is starting to head downhill, imo.
StickyBob
June 18, 2013 at 09:34
Great article. I was a little worried about the price of the Xbox. Thanks for pointing out that I can get up to 80% of the R7000.00 xbox experience by simply buying a +/- R20000.00 television coupled to a R6000.00 playstation4. Ever considered a role as financial advisor?
Argentil
June 18, 2013 at 09:49
Add another R8 000 on top of that for a decent gaming PC and you’re 100% covered 😛
Spathi
June 18, 2013 at 10:26
http://www.takealot.com/tv-audio-video/tvs-projectors/samsung-40-inch-smart-led-tv,29693725
Thing is, you need a TV for the Xbone anyway. Why would you buy a TV for your TV? Go for the above TV and PS4.
Gavin Mannion
June 18, 2013 at 10:56
Smart TV’s are actually in the market for R7k.. but yeah I’m no financial advisor.. more an experience advisor
Argentil
June 18, 2013 at 10:58
I bought my Samsung series 6 Smart TV for R6999 a year ago. A 40″ should be even cheaper. Motionflow is wonderful.
pseto
June 18, 2013 at 09:38
This is Xbox One in action. It is quite horrible. I’m guessing it will be quite buggy at launch.
It’s just that companies like Samsung, Sony, LG, etc. are making smart TVs for years now. And they are leaping forward each year. Microsoft might expect just to come and swoop them, but I don’t think it will happen…
Besides, if people want smart TV, they are going to buy friggin smart TV. Hell, if they cough up 500 euros/dollars more, they’ll get hell of a big screen. If gamers want to buy a console, they’ll chose PlayStation 4. Especially if they are not in the CHOSEN 21 world markets…
Argentil
June 18, 2013 at 10:18
I saw a newer demo where the TV footage wasn’t lagging horribly. They didn’t have a game running in the background though, so that could be why. I’m really starting to wonder how they are going to have this thing ready for launch in 5 months.
Ultimo_Cleric N7
June 18, 2013 at 09:40
Two things:
1) If the Samsung could only play games I would buy it since it would actually be better than the Xbox1.
2) The girl in the attached video is very pretty.
Jakster
June 18, 2013 at 09:44
1. You will need a 100Hz TV for next gen or else you are going to have lots of blurring and not notice the majority off effects.
2. The Samsung Smart TV camera will record your Kinect recording you.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 18, 2013 at 09:57
Nah. Any tv capable of 60Hz will be fine because the games won’t run faster than 60FPS. If it doesn’t run faster than 60FPS you don’t need more than 60Hz. There shouldn’t be any tearing or motion bleeding.
Jakster
June 18, 2013 at 10:43
Most entry level TV’s are 50hz.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 18, 2013 at 11:27
Really? I’m sure that the industry standard has been changed to 60Hz?
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
June 18, 2013 at 10:02
Samsung FTW
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 18, 2013 at 10:14
The Smart TV’s are a lot more expensive than either the Xbox or PS4 though aren’t they?
If the XBox wasn’t so draconian with DRM then the console actually would be worth it to add smart features to a TV without needing to fork out the price of a smart TV.
Argentil
June 18, 2013 at 10:17
Thing is, you’re getting a brand-spanking new, stunning TV. Are these TV’s 4K resolution?
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 18, 2013 at 10:23
Oh I understand what Gavin is pointing out. XBox is making it sound like they are doing groundbreaking stuff, but they aren’t. The tech already exists.
The thing is though that to get a PS4 + Smart TV is more expensive than getting an XBoxOne + Standard TV (And let’s stick to 1080p standard here for arguments sake)
So, IF M$ had to market their product right and take away the stupid DRM then the Xbox would sell like hotcakes because heck, you can suddenly turn your current TV in to a smart TV for a fraction of the price and game on it all in one go without needing to fork out R10000+ for a smart TV and then R5-6000 for a new console.
It’s all about how you market. If M$ had to say, we offer gaming and turn your TV in t a smart TV and you don’t even need to be online to play games, then it would be worth it.
I don’t like the XBox but I can see what their initial idea was. They just destroyed their only real chance of grabbing the market by forcing silly DRM on to the machine.
So now the only people who would buy it are the elite who probably already have a smart tv and so it makes no difference. They lost out on capitalizing on a market who can’t afford smart TV’s or great internet.
Argentil
June 18, 2013 at 10:43
If you’re rationalising that the middle-lower class might buy this console because they would want SMART TV functionality, that in itself is a flawed statement. I don’t give a rats arse about SMART TV, and I have one. Most of the features are fluff. More importantly, you will need to add an R800 internet subscription to that low-end tally. Middle-lower class are less likely to justify having a line over a MB, depending on the area they live in.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 18, 2013 at 10:18
That’s what happens when you’re dismally out of touch with your fans, and a follower rather than a leader in technology. I’m still trying to work out what exactly Microsoft has innovated in the last 10 years.
Argentil
June 18, 2013 at 10:20
You can attribute some of their confidence to their staunch belief that their fans will support them through thick and thin.
Lardus
June 18, 2013 at 10:28
Heard the advert on radio in the car last week. I was like “MS starting early with PR”, until BAM Samsung! I laughed out loud in my car when that hit hahaha!
Lourens Jordaan
June 18, 2013 at 10:53
I already have a smart tv. It has no “smart” features but it looks very smart in my living room. I’m going to get a smart looking PS4 to compliment it.
Charlie Fripp
June 18, 2013 at 11:08
Actually, it’s more of a case of Samsung imitating Microsoft. Samsung released their first Smart TVs with rudimentary motion control and voice recognition in late 2011/middle 2012. Considering that’s about a year after Kinect was launched, that would have given them enough R&D time. Now with everything else, they have refined it into what is available with today’s latest models. #justsaying
Double-O-Six and a half
June 18, 2013 at 11:39
I have a 2012 Samsung 65″ SMART TV, and its really not all its cracked up to be… it has a wifi connection, but browsing the web is really stupid as Samsung has insisted on only allowing a proprietary keyboard for its smart TV’s so you have to type any web address on a tiny remote sized keyboard… What does work for me is attaching my Alienware M17Rx4 via WiDi to the TV and getting to play Starcraft on a 65″ screen… but I digress…
the point is that MS could have done some market research into just how successful ummm the TV manufacturers were at turning people into a TV remote and my guess is that they would have shelved the stupid “here is my XBone which replaces your current TV remote by allowing you to become the remote which already existed on Smart TV’s which allowed you to become the remote…etc. idea” (insert vicious circle here)
Just as an aside, I have a logitech universal touch screen remote which does a WAY better job of turning on ALL my devices and allowing me full control of everything in my man cave, at the push of that old fashioned thing you might of heard of… a button!!!
DrKiller
June 18, 2013 at 12:10
I also got one of those.. I’ve read it can record stuff (PVR), but I haven’t tried it yet… hmmm..