Samsung made sure to remind us all during this year’s CES that it’s already making and selling a boatload of Smart TVs — i.e. connected TV sets that can install and run apps, have a web browser and can download and play on demand movies. Consider that preemptive strike number one against a yet unnamed but much-rumored TV from a certain Cupertino-based company.
Preemptive strike number two is Samsung Electronics’ new remote control which features a touchpad and Siri-like voice control functions. Both interesting choices, as the rumored Apple iTV is said to come with Siri voice assistant and the ability to control it using your iOS device’s touchscreen (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch).
The Samsung remote will be released during 2012 and be offered as an accessory for the Smart TV line. As you can see from the image above, there is a minimal amount of buttons on the remote with most functions relying on the touchpad and voice recognition ability. The remote would combine IR and Bluetooth transmission to guarantee better reception on your TV.
It will also be able to control other Samsung devices such as Blu-ray players. The voice recognition function is the same as that found in the ES8000 Smart TV.
[via Techon]
