Smart TVs are to flat panel TVs what smartphones were to mobile phones. A new connected world unfolds on our TVs and Samsung is ready with their new 2011 Smart TV platform. In this article we take a look at it.

Samsung Smart TV
We recently took a first look at Panasonic's new Viera Connect. In this article we take first look at Samsung’s 2011 Smart TV platform and later – when we receive the first Samsung TVs – we will take an in-depth look.

Once you power up the new Samsung Smart TV interface you are met by this introduction screen. From here you can selects Apps, services, web browsing and so on.


Samsung Smart TV

The new web browser in the picture above lets you browse the Internet.


Samsung Smart TV

Samsung is also hoping to expand their App platform further. Samsung already introduced Apps in 2010 and in 2011 they want to attract new developers and focus further on the user generated Apps.

No surprisingly, you can access Facebook, YouTube and Skype. Local services will be available as well, depending on your region.

Social TV
Social TV? Yes, that right. Samsung wants to open a social TV platform. Basically this means that you can load up your twitter or Facebook feed next to your movie, game or whatever.


Samsung Smart TV

Instead of having to switch between different service you can now use this more “picture in picture”-like approach.

Stream to phones and tablets
Another novel feature is the option to stream content from one device to another. This has been possible with DLNA (or AirPlay) in the past but now you can also stream from your TV to your mobile devices.

Samsung demonstrated this function with a Samsung tablet. So, if you want to watch a TV show while cooking, you can bring you tablet to the kitchen and use the integrated tuner in your TV to stream TV content over the home network to your tablet. So far, the feature has been confirmed to work with Samsung’s own Galaxy phones and Galaxy tablets.


Samsung Smart TV

You can also still use DLNA to stream video, music and pictures from other devices to your TV.
 
Control everything with your smartphone
You will not only be able to stream content to and from your smartphone; you can also control the 2011 Samsung TVs with your smartphone. Some of the new Samsung PC monitors will also support the Smart TV interface.


Samsung Smart TV

You know the situation. You have just placed yourself comfortable in your sofa only to realize that the remote control is in the other end of the room. However, most of us carry our smartphone with us in our pocket, and it now serves as a second remote. 

More to come
In this first-look we have just scratched the surface of what is to come from Samsung. Beneath the surface, a new world unfolds and we will get back to that in our reviews.

What we have seen so far from Samsung’s new 2011 Smart TV platform looks very promising. Manufacturers have focused on Smart TV in recent years but in 2011 the real benefits start to make sense.