Enhanced Smart TV Remote Control with Gesture Recognition and Voice Interaction
Samsung just announced the 2014 Samsung Smart Control, which is an updated version of its Smart TV remote control featuring faster and more accurate control features, better content selection, and an improved design. The remote combines gesture-recognition with a new button console and touch pad to provide frequent Internet video users with more accurate content selection and faster focus movement.
The 2014 Smart Control also includes Voice Interaction functionality, enabling users to find Web or video content quickly and conveniently using natural language. Users can speak directly at the remote to navigate immediately to their desired content.
Samsung has also evolved the remote’s design from industry’s traditional flat rectangular shape to an elongated pebble-like oval design that fits more naturally in the user’s hand. A circular touch pad including the directional buttons is located on the center of the remote, naturally reachable with the user’s thumb when gripping the device. This new ergonomic design minimizes the need for hand movements while encouraging users to use gesture and voice recognition to control their Smart TV.
The touchpad on the new remote is also over 80 percent smaller than in the 2013 version and has been designed for easier use, including short-cuts to frequently used functions.
On the Movie/Drama/App menu listing on the Smart TV screen, users can easily shift between menu items via gestures. Users can also select and access their content more accurately by using four directional buttons. When using the Samsung Smart Hub panels or accessing content listings spanning multiple pages, users can use the remote’s touchpad to flip from page to page with a similar motion as turning the pages of a book.
The 2014 Smart Control also conveniently includes separate buttons for “Multi-Link Screen”, a function enabling users to watch multiple contents simultaneously on a single screen, as well as “Soccer Mode”, which allows viewers to optimize viewing for soccer programs with a single button. The new remote also brings up the virtual remote keyboard more easily and quickly.
Price and Availability
TBD.