Samsung will equip all of its smart TVs with its new platform built around the Tizen operating system.
The company said that “Tizen, a standardised open-source platform, enables flexibility with even more content and devices, allowing developers to easily create compatible content, while connecting users to a world of limitless entertainment possibilities.”
“Building our Smart Platform around Tizen is a groundbreaking step towards a much more intelligent and integrated system,” said Won Jin Lee, EVP of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.
“Tizen not only enriches the entertainment experience for our customers today, but unlocks great potential for the future in home entertainment.”
Samsung’s platform powered by Tizen allows Samsung Smart TVs to become part of a much larger content ecosystem, and allows collaboration with diverse partners for flexibility and access.
Tizen’s compatibility with other devices establishes Samsung’s smart TVs as the control center of any Smart Home. “Samsung’s new Smart TV with Tizen sets the standard for future Smart TVs, redefining the entertainment experience.”
The redesigned Smart Hub will now be displayed on one screen to enable easy navigation. The new Smart Hub features the user’s most recent content and content recommendations and has a four-direction control to explore other options. The new TVs will also come with Wi-Fi Direct to connect to other devices and sync content from for example a mobile phone to the TV. They also use Bluetooth Low Energy to search for and connect to Samsung mobile devices nearby in order to share content.
Samsung also confirmed that it will start offering Playstation Now, the gaming network from Sony. No Playstation console is needed in order to access the service over Samsung connected TVs. It’s also offering the game Bingo Home, based on the new DreamWorks Animation movie Home. The game, developed in partnership with Yahoo, allows users to use their mobile devices to participate. Other features of the smart TVs include Samsung’s own Milk Video service and Samsung Sports Live to check match and player statistics while watching a sporting event.