LG Magic Remote gives your TV Siri natural language skills!

 

Meet the next-generation LG Magic Remote, the smart TV controller with a twist. It’s still packing all the motion control skills it had before, but now it can boss around other gadgets, and even understand natural language commands.

We’re just weeks away from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where all the gadget giants reveal their new kit for 2013, but LG has jumped the gun and announced the new LG Magic Remote early. It can now be used to control all sorts of LG home AV equipment, from your smart TV to your Blu-ray player and even your sound-bar.

The big addition however is extra voice smarts. You could already use the LG Magic Remote to command supported smart TVs to change channel, but now it understands natural language commands. You don’t have to remember a specific word or phrase to change a channel – you can just say “show me Gangnam style” and it’ll search all your smart TV apps to find the video. It’s the difference between Windows Phone’s voice commands and Siri’s ability on the iPhone to answer questions no matter how you phrase them.

The new LG Magic Remote will ship with LG’s flagshiop Cinema 3D Smart TVs, while a larger version without backlights will come bundled with its standard Cinema 3D Smart TV models. Is this the Kinect killer you were hoping for? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments

www.tell-me-first.com

Christmas 2012: The smart TVs with the apps you’ll actually use

 

There’s still time to stock up on tech prezzies before Christmas, but if you’re not sure which, don’t worry: help is at hand. In today’s gift guide, we’re looking at the smart TVs with the best apps to suit your needs – or whoever you’re buying for. Read on, and we’ll break them down for you.

What’s on Samsung?

Samsung’s smart TV platform might just be the most advanced out there, simply because it’s taken a leaf out of Apple’s iPhone App Store book and outsourced to developers. Instead of taking ages to make each new service itself, its app store is open to others, and as a result filled with must-have apps from YouTube to BBC iPlayer and Lovefilm. You can even find games (Angry Birds) and music (Spotify) on board: if it’s breadth of content you want, look no further than a Samsung smart TV.

Easy set up with Sony

Sony’s Internet TV platform lacks the app smarts of Samsung, but the complete package out of the box and ready to go might tempt you: from YouTube to Skype via BBC’s useful News and Sports apps, you’ll find lots on here ready to go. And because Sony smart TVs have Wi-Fi as standard, you won’t have to mess around with Wi-Fi cables or rejig your entire living room so your flatscreen is near your router. Go this way if you’re already in the Sony eco-system: its Music Unlimited service for mobile also works like a dream on its smart TVs too.

Movies with LG

If you’re a movie buff, LG smart TVs are the way to go. You won’t find as many TV catch up services built in, but you will find Lovefilm, Netflix, Blinkbox and Acetrax (think a la carte streaming rentals, rather than subscription) on there: right now, you even get £50 worth of Acetrax rentals when you buy an LG smart TV. LG’s service lacks the apps of rival Samsung, but when it comes to input it’s more than smart: you can use your phone as a remote, or even just gestures and voice using built in motion control.

The one under your TV already

If you can’t stomach the price tags of any smart TVs, don’t worry: the chances are you’ve already got one already, you just don’t know it. You can use everything from your phone to a Nintendo Wii to pipe through internet video on demand: we’ve got a handy guide on just how to do that right here

www.tell-me-first.com

Which smart TV set-up is right for you?

 

Which smart TV set-up is right for you?

TVs have been going crazy of late, with streaming, apps, and games all relatively recent additions. So how do you know which set-up is right for you? Break out the popcorn, as we take a quick tour through the different options on offer. And please, turn your phones off.

Smart TV set

Smart TVs are a new breed, bringing the internet and apps to your lounge. Which sounds great on paper, but in reality they’ve been slow to take off, with Google TV failing to win over couch potatoes. So what’s been the problem? Too many companies, like LG and Samsung, have tried to launch their own app stores, so there’s been no standard set so far. And that means less choice. Like any new technology, they’ve been expensive, too, but the price will come down. Having said all this, you haven’t lived until you’ve played Angry Birds on a 65-inch screen.

PVR

One huge advantage PVRs have over smart TVs (and all these other set-ups have over smart TVs, for that matter): you won’t need to buy a new telly, which will save you a bundle. And will mean you’re not stuck with an eyesore of a gogglebox for years if you find actually you don’t like it. Freeview+ HD boxes let you record shows and movies from the TV in HD, and they won’t break the bank either; you won’t need a subscription, and prices start from around £160. Or if you want something a little extra, and are prepared to pay a bit more, why not go for YouView? The boxes are a little more expensive, but there’s still no monthly fee, and it’s a doddle to use, especially compared to the mostly clunky and overly complicated smart TV menus.

Media streamer

These do what they say on the tin. You can enjoy all the movies, music and TV shows stored on your computer, but on the big screen TV in the lounge. Which is handy, as you can sit on the sofa instead of that uncomfortable desk chair. The only downside? You’ll need Wi-Fi set up, as it all works wirelessly. Apple TV is probably the easiest of the bunch to use, but Roku runs it a close second.

Games console

If you’re only using your console for games, you’re only using a fraction of its potential. Hook it up to the internet, and you can watch a host of films and TV shows. The PS3 has its Video Store, offering films, and you can access services like iPlayer and 4OD on it. The Xbox 360 also offers lots of films and TV shows, as well as catch-up services like 4OD, iPlayer and Sky On-Demand. You will have to pay for films, and some TV shows though, so be prepared to cough up if you’re a telly addict. And if you don’t own a games console already, it wouldn’t make sense to buy one purely for watching films and TV.

Media centre

In many ways, a media centre PC is the best way to watch TV. It’ll have far more storage than any other device, so can hold more movies and shows. It’ll play more file types than other home cinema kit too, and you won’t be tied to one particular online store, so you can pick and choose from all the films and TV shows on the web. But media centres are bulky, expensive beasts that look unsightly in a lounge, and with noisy fans that can get annoying. Look for one with a built-in Blu-ray/DVD drive though, and it’ll be all the home media systems you need.

Which smart TV set-up is right for you?

 

Which smart TV set-up is right for you?

TVs have been going crazy of late, with streaming, apps, and games all relatively recent additions. So how do you know which set-up is right for you? Break out the popcorn, as we take a quick tour through the different options on offer. And please, turn your phones off.

Smart TV set

Smart TVs are a new breed, bringing the internet and apps to your lounge. Which sounds great on paper, but in reality they’ve been slow to take off, with Google TV failing to win over couch potatoes. So what’s been the problem? Too many companies, like LG and Samsung, have tried to launch their own app stores, so there’s been no standard set so far. And that means less choice. Like any new technology, they’ve been expensive, too, but the price will come down. Having said all this, you haven’t lived until you’ve played Angry Birds on a 65-inch screen.

PVR

One huge advantage PVRs have over smart TVs (and all these other set-ups have over smart TVs, for that matter): you won’t need to buy a new telly, which will save you a bundle. And will mean you’re not stuck with an eyesore of a gogglebox for years if you find actually you don’t like it. Freeview+ HD boxes let you record shows and movies from the TV in HD, and they won’t break the bank either; you won’t need a subscription, and prices start from around £160. Or if you want something a little extra, and are prepared to pay a bit more, why not go for YouView? The boxes are a little more expensive, but there’s still no monthly fee, and it’s a doddle to use, especially compared to the mostly clunky and overly complicated smart TV menus.

Media streamer

These do what they say on the tin. You can enjoy all the movies, music and TV shows stored on your computer, but on the big screen TV in the lounge. Which is handy, as you can sit on the sofa instead of that uncomfortable desk chair. The only downside? You’ll need Wi-Fi set up, as it all works wirelessly. Apple TV is probably the easiest of the bunch to use, but Roku runs it a close second.

Games console

If you’re only using your console for games, you’re only using a fraction of its potential. Hook it up to the internet, and you can watch a host of films and TV shows. The PS3 has its Video Store, offering films, and you can access services like iPlayer and 4OD on it. The Xbox 360 also offers lots of films and TV shows, as well as catch-up services like 4OD, iPlayer and Sky On-Demand. You will have to pay for films, and some TV shows though, so be prepared to cough up if you’re a telly addict. And if you don’t own a games console already, it wouldn’t make sense to buy one purely for watching films and TV.

Media centre

In many ways, a media centre PC is the best way to watch TV. It’ll have far more storage than any other device, so can hold more movies and shows. It’ll play more file types than other home cinema kit too, and you won’t be tied to one particular online store, so you can pick and choose from all the films and TV shows on the web. But media centres are bulky, expensive beasts that look unsightly in a lounge, and with noisy fans that can get annoying. Look for one with a built-in Blu-ray/DVD drive though, and it’ll be all the home media systems you need.