Friday, 10 January 2014

The New Obsession: Curved Screens

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The consumer electronics market has been through its fair share of evolutionary cycles, and the latest obsession appears to be curved screens. With a commitment to a better visual and audio experience, LG and Samsung (SSNLF) are leading the market when it comes to televisions and giant screens. The iPhone by Apple (AAPL) revolutionized the smartphone industry, starting a trend of touch phones that concentrate more on media consumption.
Now we have the curved phone that is touted to be both more durable and practical. Its screen won’t break if the phone falls and it is equipped with a phone mic that is closer to the mouth for improved call quality.
Samsung claims that curved TVs are the future: they provide an immersive video experience with reduced glare and “deliver a more realistic experience free of image distortion, regardless of where you look.” We will let users decide if the new curved screens are really the next big thing.

The Curved Phone

Hitting the US in the spring, LG and Samsung’s curved phones have been described as solutions to a problem that really doesn’t exist. However, the phones are said to be more durable, to have better call quality, and are also considered easier to hold.

Samsung Galaxy Round


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The high-end smartphone runs on Android 4.3, and is driven by a 2.3GHz quad-core processor with 3GB of RAM. The Galaxy Round also comes with a “Round Interaction” feature that allows you to view basic information like the date, time, and any missed calls without fully turning on the screen. The new phone is quite similar to the Galaxy Note 3, though at 154 grams and 7.9mm, the phone weighs less. With a faux leather-clad back, and a 5.7in display with curved edges that helps distort reflections, making them less distracting. The phone is also more comfortable to carry and hold than its competition. The Galaxy Round also boasts, as phones must these days, a 13 megapixel camera, and a 2 megapixel front camera.

LG G Flex


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At 177 grams, 6in, and 8.7mm, the G Flex is heavier, longer, and thicker than the Galaxy Round. The LG G FLex comes with a 13 megapixel camera, and a 2.1 megapixel front camera. LG claims the curved phone increases sound levels by three decibels compared to flat phones, and has announced that the new phone has a “self-healing” case made from an elastic coating capable of “recovering from daily wear-and-tear scratches and nicks.” The G Flex also comes with a Rear Key button, previously seen on the LG G2 handset. The button can be used to control volume, and reduces the chances of a user accidentally turning off the phone.

The Curved TV

Said to display the “minutest detail in breathtaking clarity,” the curved TV made its debut last year. With OLED and UHD technology, the curved TVs come at an astronomically high price, and it could be quite a while before they are affordable for the average consumer.

Samsung 105in Curved UHD TV


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Samsung, one tech company which is constantly paving the way for the future, is a pioneer in this field – and it shows. With a brilliant design and a 4k picture, the UHD TV displays incredibly detailed color. It also features the 21:9 aspect ratio used in movie theaters, and has 11 million pixels with a 105-inch screen, the largest curved screen yet. Samsung’s Auto Depth Enhancer technology brings amazing depth to the picture and produces the kind of lifelike viewing experience that has never been seen before. The TV is said to cost around $70,000.

LG Model 105UB9 TV


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LG also showcased their 105-inch curved TV at CES 2014. It too features a 21:9 aspect ratio and 11 million pixels. The UB9 is also backlit thanks to LG’s Thin Film Transistor (TFT) pixel circuit technology. LG has not divulged any details about the pricing of the TV, but all we can say with certainty is that it won’t be cheap.

Hisense H8s Curved Ultra HD TV


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Chinese company, Hisense, also introduced their 65-inch smart television at the CES 2014. Their offering features a 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution and runs on Android 4.2 (codenamed Jelly Bean). The smart TV is also loaded with apps, including YouTube, Netflix (NFLX), and Amazon’s (AMZN) Instant Video. It is even Google Play certified.

Haier 65" OLEDs


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Haier actually introduced their super-thin 55-inch and 65-inch curved TVs just before the CES 2014. When Haier displayed their prototypes, they were subject to a scandal. It was alleged that the company had obtained panels without permission from a Korean maker. The Haier 55in is 4 mm thick, with a 1.5mm bezel.


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