CES 2009: Samsung debuts LED TVs with Yahoo Widgets, promises UK launch this spring

Samsung will introduce a range of high-performance LED-backlit LCD TVs into the UK this Spring. The new screens, which comes in three flavours, dubbed 6000, 7000 and 8000, will also be the first TVs in the UK to offer Yahoo's TV Widget service.

'Using LED rather than Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps gives us the ability to not only improve black levels and colour reproduction; we can also make this models thinner and lighter than any before,' says Samsung's Darren Petersen.

The sets also feature the brand's Ultra Clear Panel tech which reduces reflections from ambient light and, on the 8000 models, a 200HZ 'Auto Motion Plus ' picture refresh rate for reduced motion blur. The 7000 and 6000 Series, sport 100Hz picture processing.

Yahoo Widgets - the next big thing?
However, it's the introduction of Yahoo Widgets which will undoubtedly attract most attention. Hooking the 7000 and 8000 models up via a broadband connection will allow viewers to access content from a variety of sources. In the US, this means the TV can be used to watch YouTube, read Yahoo news, browse Flickr images and more. All the internet functionality is controlled via a standard remote control via a simple user interface and scrollbar. Content partners for the UK introduction have still to be announced.

Samsung plans to offer it's own selection of widgets, alongside those from Yahoo. Viewers can browse and add new widgets from an online library as they become available.

While several brands announced Yahoo Widget capable TVs at the CES, Samsung's Rob Shaw says his company will be the first to bring them to the UK. 'We have an exclusivity window on the technology,' he told HCC. 'The Yahoo platform brings a whole new dimension to using the TV. It's very exciting.'
Naturally, the sets can also stream media from connected network sources, such as a PC or server, as well as access and play music and video via USB.

Because the screens are so thin, Samsung has also developed new wall-mounting technology.
Amazingly, tthey can be hung in much the same way as a picture frame. This reduces the gap between the TV and the wall to around 0.6 inches. Design is also high on the list of the set's attractions.

The LED series TVs, feature a piano black bezel that fades into chrome. The neck of the stand is a transparent 'crystal,' to give the illusion that the set is 'floating.' UK prices have yet to be announced.

Yahoo Widgets will also be introduced on other screens in Samsung's 2009 lineup, including plasma models. More details to follow.