Wednesday, October 30, 2013

6 best Smart TVs in the world 2013

6 best Smart TVs in the world 2013
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1. LG Smart TV

LG's connected TV platform gets the nod largely because of its oh-so-simple design that puts seemingly disparate sources of video onto one home screen. Our favourite part of LG's smarty-pants user interface hasn't got anything to do with apps, but rather with networking. SmartShare software displays any video, photo or MP3 file stored on a networked PC, Mac or NAS drive, USB flash drive or HDD, on the home screen - and as a thumbnail image.
It's beautifully simple, and file support is huge, though for those wanting an even more comprehensive treatment, LG also offers the MediaLink (formerly called Plex) app that adds movie artwork and other data. Beloved of rampant downloaders and networkers it might be, but SmartShare is made complete by a thoroughly decent selection of apps - and that includes a useful 3D World.
The Premium page hosts BBC iPlayer, Lovefilm, Netflix and YouTube, with lesser-known apps comprising Absolute Radio, Red Bull TV, ITN, Autocar, YouTube, Blinkbox, CineTrailer, Cartoon Network, HiT, Picasa, iConcerts, AccuWeather and Box Office 365.
LG announced in March 2013 that its Blu-ray players and home cinemas would also carry an app for Spotify (£9.99 per month) in the Premium Apps section, though it's not been added to its smart TVs. The SmartWorld app store, however, contains little of note aside from Skype.
As well as shortcuts to apps and widgets, and full mastery of the TV, a free LG TV Remote app puts a live TV picture on a smartphone that mirrors what's playing on the TV. Searches for content across its apps and the web result in source-specific results - and it's a search that can be done on some of LG's flagship TVs (such as the LG 47LA860W and LG 55LA740V) by speaking into the Magic Remote pointer-style remote control. It works a treat.
It's not got the most extensive choice of apps, but LG's Smart TV platform succeeds on ease of use - and spectacularly so. This is connected TV at it user-friendly best.

Six LG TVs with Smart TV:

panasonic connected tv

2. Panasonic Smart Viera

While it doesn't quite gel with the TV's central architecture, Panasonic's new My Home Screen user interface is the freshest, newest idea in connected TV. It takes design cues from both LG and Samsung, though the customisation options on My Home Screen are unique.
Numerous pages can be created sporting different layouts and even wallpaper, all with specially created icons and shortcuts to widgets. TV Home Screen, Lifestyle Screen and Info Screen are typical, though you can just as easily create Bob's Apps or Dad's Screen using the free text entry.
Is that kind of customisation really needed? Probably not, but it's a very flexible system nonetheless.
All screens have a a live TV thumbnail, which is crucial. It's fluid, it's smooth, and it's got just enough apps inside it, including BBC News, BBC iPlayer, Eurosport Player (subscription needed), YouTube, BBC Sport, iConcerts, Skype, Netflix, Euronews, Dailymotion, EuroSport, CNBC Real-Time, PlayJam Games, SHOUTcast Radio, Aupeo, Chess Challenge, Rovi TV Listings, Facebook and Twitter. It could really do with Blinkbox and Lovefilm, too.
Part of the new, free Viera Remote 2 smartphone app, Swipe & Share 2.0 can be used to physically push a photo, MP3 or even a (home-made) MOV video from the device's touchscreen to the TV itself. It works vice-versa, too, so that digital files stored on USB flash drives attached to the a Smart Viera TV can be streamed to a phone or tablet. As a piece of connected TV technology, it's mightily impressive.

Six Panasonic TVs with Smart Viera:

6 best Smart TVs in the world 2013

3. Samsung Smart Hub

Now expanded to five separate screens - one each for TV, on-demand films, social media, Samsung's apps, and your own digital media - Samsung's Smart Hub is the only connected TV platform that includes catch-up TV apps for all terrestrial channels in the UK.
As well as Five, 4OD and ITV Player (exclusively so), Smart Hub includes KnowHow Movies, Netflix, Lovefilm (though it's a download from the Samsung Apps store, not onboard as a default), Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, Viewster, Dailymotion, Absolute Radio and some unusual apps such as Curzon On Demand, NatGeo Images, BFI, Digital Theatre plays, TED and TuneIn internet radio.
All Samsung Smart TVs now include S Recommendation, which suggests content from both live TV and its video-based apps based on your viewing habits. It's also a good system for conducting manual searches, though unlike LG it doesn't tell you where each video it's found is being sourced from.
Some of its flagship TVs - such as the Samsung UE55F8000 andSamsung UE40F6400 go further, offering voice and gesture control, though neither is as reliable as it could be.
Samsung's Smart View app can stream a clone of live TV to any tablet or phone, or a different channel to the one being watched on the TV (if the TV has two tuners), while those with Samsung Galaxy devices can mirror their phone or tablet's small screen on the TV's big one using the AllShare Play app.

Six Samsung TVs with Smart Hub:

6 best Smart TVs in the world 2013

3. Sony Entertainment Network (SEN)

SEN-sational? Hardly, though Sony's stab at smart TV has a lush new look. Well organised and with a crisp, modern user interface that floats over live TV, the new list-style menu comes complete with a handy History option showing you the inputs and programmes you've watched most recently. However, press the SEN button on the remote and you just get a long list of all the apps available on Sony's connected TV service.
SEN is built around Sony's own increasingly impressive Video Unlimited and Music Unlimited services, but it also includes BBC iPlayer, Demand 5, Lovefilm, Netflix, BBC News, Sony's Entertainment Television library, BBC Sport, a Sony-branded channel of 3D content, Sky News, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Picasa and Skype. Hundreds of other minor video apps and games apps - as well as widgets galore - also exist.
The Sony KDL-55W905A and Sony KDL-47W805 come with a second ultra-slim remote control fitted with an NFC chip. Tap it against an NFC-capable portable device - such as the Sony Xperia Z smartphone (and plenty of other Android devices besides) to instantly link to the TV. Hassle-free screen mirroring follows.
Sony's free TV SideView app for smartphones and tablets is one of the best presented we've seen to date, though it only deals in second-screen browsing of the TV listings and your digital media (as well as putting your chosen TV show or media file on the TV, remote control-style).
Sadly there's no second screen viewing, so you can't stream video from the TV to your portable device for, say, watching in another room. Voice and gesture controls are sadly lacking on Sony TVs, too.

Six Sony TVs with SEN:

6 best Smart TVs in the world 2013

5. Toshiba Cloud TV

It's been refreshed for 2013, but Toshiba's connected TV package isn't a huge improvement on its previous Toshiba Places platform. Looking like a cross between Samsung and Panasonic's smart TV gubbins, Cloud TV is split between separate screens for Home, Premium Apps and TV & Video.
Those Premium Apps comprise BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Deezer, Blinkbox, YouTube, BBC Sport, BBC News and Viewster (though no Lovefilm or much in the way of non-BBC catch-up TV), while the 'More' tab leads to another page that adds the likes of KnowHow Movies, LIVE Sport TV, Vimeo, iConcerts, Funspot, Woomi, Dailymotion, Aupeo and Facebook. There is no external app store.
The Home page has a live TV area, but much larger is its central Events section that's designed to show your diary (though entering events is painful) above a 'Trending on Twitter' section that expands to an entire page (of nonsense). An Inbox area confusingly shows messages from avatars that contain recommendations of things to watch.
The Premium Apps page also contains video adverts for Viewster, Netflix and Deezer above a banner advert, and so does the TV & Video page that simply groups together all of Cloud TV's video-based apps, adding France 24 and Skype along the way.
The basic remote control app has no second screen functions, while a dedicated Toshiba Cloud TV app is available (for iOS users only) that in theory should make it easier to use the calendar function. However, setting it up and linking devices involves a mess of accounts, passwords and pairing codes. Most users will give up early on.

Six Toshiba TVs with Cloud TV:

6 best Smart TVs in the world 2013

6. Philips Smart TV

Philips' system has a thumbnail that displays - with sound - either live TV or a live video source, a Tweet button and a fresh design that puts all apps along the bottom of the screen. In fact, Philips has created a roomy connected TV interface that borders on looking classy.
That, however, it where the good stuff ends. Sure, BBC iPlayer and YouTube are included, but beyond those two there's little to get excited about.
Twitter and Facebook (combined in a Social TV app) besides, there's National Rail, Picasa, iConcerts, and a link to an App Gallery that includes stuff such as CNBC Real Time, Skype, Napster, Absolute Radio, Aupeo, Viewster, Funspot, Euronews, ebay, MeteoConsult, Foreca weather, the saucy trio of Hustler, Private and Brazzers, and... Tom Tom HD Traffic. Blinkbox and its one-off movie rentals saves the platform from obscurity. Some may miss the likes of the higher-profile Lovefilm Instant and Netflix, but for anyone after the very latest movies, it's Blinkbox you want.
Basic and in need of some content, Philips' smart TV effort - as seen on thePhilips 42PFL6008 - is nevertheless straightforward to use and decidedly uncluttered - though there is an uncomfortable reason for that.
Philips offers its MyRemote app; its Wi-Fi Smart Screen feature puts whatever live TV channel is playing on the TV onto a phone, while SimplyShare streams photos and music stored on a phone (or any other networked device) to be viewed on the TV. Nice, but it's not exactly a second screen.

Six Philips TVs with Smart TV:

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Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch looks good, but doesn't do enough (pictures)

Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch looks good, but doesn't do enough (pictures)
/The good: The Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch is attractive, comfortable, and makes it easy to see incoming calls
The bad: A lack of e-mail and social network support, limited compatibility with other devices, the external charging case, and hit-and-miss voice control seriously limit its usefulness.
The bottom line: Samsung's take on the smartwatch has some potential, and it does get some things right, but its inability to perform truly "smart" functions means it falls far short of expectations.
Your phone is way too big and unwieldy -- what you need is a smaller second screen to let you know what's going on with ease. At least, that's what Samsung reckons. Its new Galaxy Gear Smartwatch lets you take calls, send texts, and perform various other tasks from your wrist without touching your phone.
The Gear has no SIM card or data connection of its own. Instead, it links to your phone over Bluetooth, acting more as an external display so you don't have to fish your phone out every time it rings.
Samsung's Gear is among the first smartwatches we've seen from a major mobile manufacturer and is intended to lead the way in the emerging field of wearable, connected technology. Exciting stuff, sure, but I'm certainly not bowled over by it. With hardly any third-party apps to speak of, its functions are limited to handling calls and texts -- email and social services are not yet supported.
Add to that its $299 price tag and the fact that it's only compatible with the Galaxy Note 3 at launch and you have a recipe for disappointment. Samsung has said it will be updated toward the end of the year to work with the Galaxy S4, S3, and Note 2, but even so, that's very few compatible devices. Those of you who have splashed out on a fancy new HTC One or Sony Xperia Z1 will be out of luck.
Design, build quality, and comfort
I find the Gear's combination of brushed metal, buttonless front, and black rubber strap rather attractive. It's stylish and smart, and wouldn't look out of place poking from the sleeves of a sharp suit. A geek's dream gadget it might be, but there's nothing particularly nerdy about its overall aesthetic. It's available in a range of colours, too, if black and silver isn't your thing.
(Credit: Andrew Hoyle/CNET)
There's only a single button on the watch itself, which acts to power up the display, or fires up Samsung's S Voice software with a double click. Navigating around the watch is done using the touch-enabled display. The 1.6-inch display might be miniature, but its 320x320-pixel resolution is sharp enough to make small text easily readable. It's also vivid enough to let you enjoy the photos you've snapped with the camera in the strap.
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contains the necessary charging components, and also adds NFC functionality. While it helps keep the size of the watch down, you will need to carry the caddy with you if you're going away from home for more than a couple of days. With heavy use, you'll get just a day out of the watch, so leave the caddy behind and you'll find it quickly goes from being an exciting new gadget to a lump of useless metal and rubber strapped to your arm.
(Credit: Andrew Hoyle/CNET)
The strap is easy to resize and comfortable enough for you to happily forget you're wearing it, thanks to the watch's unobtrusive 2.6-ounce weight. Build quality is generally very high, although annoyingly, it's not water-resistant. Everyday tasks like showering, washing your hands, or just going out when it's raining now means you'll have to be cautious about how much liquid is attacking your precious new toy.
Using the Gear
If a smartwatch is going to become part of your everyday life, it needs to be simple to use. After all, what's the point of replacing your complicated phone with a smaller, even more complicated interface? While the look of the Gear's interface is very simple, actually using the thing isn't quite as easy as its simple design would suggest.
It didn't start well. Trying to simply set up a Bluetooth connection doesn't work -- you need to use the NFC caddy. The NFC caddy launches a setup manager that starts the Bluetooth pairing and takes you through some initial setup steps.
Samsung's S Voice software lets you control many of the functions by talking to the watch, but you'll need to make sure you have this setup on your Note before you start. I didn't, and kept being flashed a prompt to activate it on the phone, expecting to see a similar dialog box on the bigger screen. Eventually, I realised I needed to go into S Voice settings on the Note, not the watch.
(Credit: Andrew Hoyle/CNET)
Each time the Gear wakes up -- it does so when you turn it toward your face -- you're met with your watch face of choice, with loads of analogue and digital styles to choose from. Swiping to the left or right takes you through a carousel of functions. Key tools like the notifications panel, S Voice, voice memo, the gallery, the media controller, the pedometer, and settings are all given their own individual tile, or you can scroll to the main apps list.
It's a very minimalist interface to swipe around, and one that seems fairly nippy thanks to the 800MHz processor. Finding the app or menu you want, however, requires you to swipe all the way through the carousel of icons until you get there -- and launching an app from the app list takes even longer. It can be very time-consuming, which is a problem for something designed to give access to tools faster than getting your phone out.
(Credit: Andrew Hoyle/CNET)
When a call comes in, it'll pop up on screen with options to accept or decline the call. If the contact is saved to your phone, it'll show the person's name and a linked image, if you have one. Text messages are handled in much the same way, with an icon and name popping up that you can tap on, or head into the notifications section to read it later, along with other received messages. Texts are clearly defined and you can scroll easily through them to read more of the conversation.
An irritating quirk I found is that if you're walking around wearing headphones (with a microphone) and accept a call using the Gear, it will route the call only through the watch on its loudspeaker, not through the cans plugged into your phone. This is an issue I only found out to my embarrassment while walking through a busy central London station attempting to take a call from my grandmother.
The watch's loudspeaker is loud enough to hear comfortably in a busy office, but walking alongside traffic it becomes more of a struggle. It's also more difficult for the microphone to pick up your voice, so expect to repeat yourself a few times if you're somewhere noisy. You can also expect to feel a little foolish, as you'll need to hold the watch to your face as you speak and up to your ear to properly hear the person who's calling. If you're fine with that, you're evidently much less easily embarrassed than I am.
Placing a call is a fairly simple process. You can either go to the contacts section, which will take you through all contacts saved on your phone, or double-tap the side button to launch S Voice and say "Call Luke," for example. If there is more than one Luke, it will allow you to select which one to call. As the screen is too small for an onscreen keyboard, text messages must be dictated using S Voice.
(Credit: Andrew Hoyle/CNET)
S Voice is by and large good at recognising words, but, like most voice-recognition software, it's far from perfect. Certain names won't be understood -- "Nate" is nearly always heard as "mate," for example -- and similar-sounding words can be confused. I'd say it had around an 80 percent success rate at placing calls, which I don't think is bad at all.
On a normal phone, it's fairly easy to correct small errors in text messages, but relying solely on voice controls had me regularly saying "no" and "cancel" to stop it texting nonsense sentences to people.
As a side note, S Voice will try and teach you a firm lesson about manners by starring out any naughty language you care to use. If it wanted to teach me a proper lesson, it should just send a copy of the message to my mother and let her deal with me.
The connection to your phone must be maintained if you want to be able to do anything useful with your watch, so make sure it's kept nearby -- or in your pocket. At times, S Voice took quite a few seconds to process what I'd asked of it. I'm not sure if this is simply a network issue or not, as there didn't seem to be any discernible pattern as to why it slowed down.
A lack of apps
While the watch might cope adequately with making calls and sending texts, that's about the limit of its socialising skills. Although there is a third-party app store for the Gear, there are barely any apps available, and even fewer that are worth downloading.
The vast majority of all my conversations through a phone are done using WhatsApp or Google Chat via Google Hangouts. As neither app is supported yet on the Gear, I constantly had to pull out my phone when out and about to send and receive messages. Similar apps like Viber and Skype aren't available, either.

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