Samsung Electronics America’s upgradeable TV – which will continually enhance users’ experience through a combination of hardware and software upgrades – may be one way to slow down “TV churn.”
In order to lock-in its TV customers, Samsung has introduced an evolution kit that will give Samsung TV owners the opportunity to update their models without having to buy a new set. Samsung’s 2012 TVs, for example, can be upgraded to 2013 functionality.
“The TV that consumers buy today will transform into the TV of tomorrow,” said Joe Stinziano, Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics America. “Thanks to the Smart Evolution Kit, consumers will have the latest features and they won’t be left behind.”
The Evolution kit, which will retail for $299, fits into a slot on the back of the 2012 Samsung 7500 and 8000 Series LED TVs, as well as the Samsung Series 7000 and 8000 Plasma TVs, and updates them with some of the latest features and functions included in the newest Samsung models.
The 2013 Smart Evolution kit includes a quad-core processor, GPU and memory for faster processing and multi-tasking, the updated Smart Hub and the latest picture display software. The Smart Evolution Kit is packaged with the 2013 Smart Touch Remote, and will be available in May.
Samsung’s 2013 TV offerings include the F8000 series LED Smart TV, which will be available this year in size classes ranging from 46” to 75” at varying price points. Samsung’s F8500 Plasma TV will be available in several size classes ranging from 51” to 64” at varying price points. The 2013 F7500 LED and above and F8500 Plasma TVs also include a Smart Evolution slot.
