Samsung Smart Hub 2013 – a new internet TV experience
Samsung Smart Hub 2013 – what is it?
If you’ve got a Samsung smart TV, you’ll access the internet functions through the Samsung Smart Hub, which has been revamped for 2013. The new Smart Hub has re-arranged apps and content into five different screens that you can scroll through and is designed to give a more intuitive experience for users.
Visit the TVs at CES 2013 news page for the latest on TVs due for release in 2013 – see our CES 2013 news page for updates on all products announced at the world’s largest technology trade show.
The following is not a review, but our first impressions of the product based on a short time using it. Pricing and availability is tentative and subject to change.
Samsung Smart Hub 2013 – what are the key features?
- Five screen split The smart TV options are split into five difference screens, so it’s easy to flick through and get to what you’re after. You’ve got On TV showing live TV; Movies & TV Shows with on-demand content; Photos, Videos & Music where you can organise files from linked devices; Social to keep up to date with updates from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and finally Apps – the more traditional smart TV content.
- Personal recommendations Samsung’s introducing something called S-Recommendation technology, which should highlight programs based on what you’ve watched and user ratings, including live TV, but also video-on-demand and social content too.
- Evolution Kit – This is something we’ve heard about it before from Samsung, but it’s finally a reality – an upgradeable TV. If you’ve got one of Samsung’s flagship 2012 models you’ll have this feature that allows you to insert the Evolution Kit box and get the new smart TV features. You will have to pay to do so though, and pricing has not been announced yet.
Which? expert first impressions
Samsung kicked off its press conference at CES by saying that devices need to become more intuitive and the new Samsung Smart Hub is clearly aimed at doing so. Though smart TV is becoming a standard feature on all but the cheapest models, I do wonder how much it’s actually being used in homes apart from the odd catch up show. This should go some way to making them easier to use, though.
The five panels here make navigating the smart TV functions much like swiping through screens on your smartphone. The fact that the panels are dynamic to, showing live thumbnails and updates means you can use it without feeling like the TVs out of action until you select something. It certainly feels like Samsung has taken a giant step forward in terms of usability. It’s great to see the promised Evolution Kit arriving too, though I’ll be very intrigued to see how much it costs…
Catherine West – Senior Researcher
CES 2013 FAQ
What is CES 2013?
CES is short for Consumer Electronics Show – it’s the largest tradeshow of its type in the world and the place where major technology brands announce their new products and discuss the future of technology.
Why does Which? attend?
It gives us an insight into what’s coming in the year ahead, so we can ensure we’re testing the right products in the right way. We also use the time to speak to technology companies to ensure they’re listening to consumer needs.
How can I find out more?
Visit our CES 2013 page for our first impressions of all the major new products from the show. Click the links below to find out more about specific products:
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geoff irvine
I would like to educate myself to understand enough to decide between gadgets like Apple TV, file sharing over wifi from PC to TV, Powerline mains networking, etc, etc.
Can you suggest magazines or online info sources?
mw
All very snazzy and techno-exciting, but will they suffer from the same problem (feature?) that has affected both Samsung ‘Smart’ TVs I have had, namely that, once logged in to an encrypted wireless router, they cannot re-connect to the internet once they have been switched off, unless the router WPA/WPA2 passcode is (laboriously) re-entered, each time. Samsung make otherwise very satisfactory equipment, but seem unable to rectify this one aspect. To have constant internet connection, the alternative is to use a wired (Ethernet) link.
china1958
will the Evolution kitwork with the 46 inch ES8000 2012 TV?
Catherine West
It certainly will! Still no word on price yet I’m afraid but we’ll know you know as soon as there is.
Robert
Be nice if Samsung got round to making ALL the catchup TV channel apps available on SMART – still no 4OD or Demand5 . Oh and I wish I could get rid of the clutter of all the built-in apps I never use.
Don
Apart from BBC iplayer my smart TVs Smart feature is never used. ITV player has yet to arrive on my model.
Rather disappointing Samsung.
Charlie
I’ve been studying which? reviews on 3d tv’s and I’m torn between two Samsung tv’s in particular UE40ES6800 and the UE40ES8000. the primary reason i want a 3d tv is for gaming and I almost decided upon the Samsung UE40ES6800 because it’s in my price range, it’s a 70% best buy tv, it uses active 3d, and has 5* sound. But then I read that the UE40ES8000 has this samsung evolution kit so the tv just (in theory) gets better and better! And now I’m thinking do I get the UE40ES6800 which very much suits my tv needs, and budget? or do I spend a bit more and get a TV that “evolves” and therefor lasts longer? are there going to be features added like “dual play” instead of split-screen or multi view instead of… watching crap tv that the girlfriend wants to watch? because they are two very awesome features that currently the tv doesn’t have. Because if there’s a good chance or at least no reason you can think of why these features couldn’t be added to an “evo kit” for the UE40ES8000 in the near future then I’d seriously think about spending the extra cash?