Samsung recently presented at CES 2024 in Las Vegas a range of products that revolve around the home, both inside and outside. On the occasion of the Mini Mountain Mash, the event organized in the Dolomites to reward the best snowboarders in the Slopestyle contest, Samsung brought to the sponsors’ village the new The Freestyle 2, a projector for outdoor activities, the outdoor TV capable to resist bad weather and an example of union between technology and furniture.
The Freestyle 2
A team that wins doesn’t change, but improves. This seems to be Samsung’s motto for The Freestyle Gen 2, the second generation of an apparently niche product, yet appreciated by an ever-increasing number of users. Either because its projection capabilities are also appreciated on the move, or because not everyone wants a TV at home, Samsung’s portable projector is starting to make its way, and with Gen 2 the design does not change.
The characteristics have been confirmed starting from the sensors for automatic image adjustment, because today’s projectors must be “smart” and not bulky devices suitable only for geeks.
The technology is DLP with LEDs that promise 30,000 hours of useful life and Full HD resolution. Furthermore, the brightness, 230 ANSI lumens, and the noise, reduced to just 30 decibels, are also important. The projected area varies depending on the distance, ranging from 30″ if we position the projector less than one meter from the wall (minimum 80 cm) up to 100″ from a distance of 2.7 meters.
With the new generation, the integrated Smart TV is confirmed, a move that has convinced many to replace the actual TV. Here too, however, there are updates, both in the hardware (now the interface is more fluid to consult) and in the software, with the Gaming Hub which includes a series of services for playing our favorite video games via the cloud without having the console or PC: there are Xbox, Ge-Force Now, Utomik and Amazon Luna.
Music Frames
Music Frame is the example of integration between home and digital. Samsung had already turned its TV into a painting with The Frame, a nicer-looking TV that, when turned off, looks like a painting (we can choose from several works of art).
The next step is that of Music Frame, a real frame, which will eventually also be able to show our photos and which includes an easily replaceable front, which hides speakers and woofers for home entertainment.
It must be powered, it’s true, but by including it in our renovation/construction plan, the cable becomes invisible, and we can say goodbye to speakers that take up space on the floor or on furniture. Obviously we are not talking about the same product category, but for those who do not have extreme needs, Music Frame can be a pleasantly different alternative.
The Terrace
This isn’t exactly new given that it was announced already in the summer of 2023, but The Terrace fits well into the outdoor context because it is an outdoor TV.
Seen for the first time live at Samsung’s mountain stand in Madonna di Campiglio, on the other hand the price does not make it easy to find around given that the 75″ version is just over €5,000 in the list price, The Terrace is pleasant because it manages to contain the thickness of the front part of the frame. Obviously the side section is bulkier than the classic OLED home TV, but here it is essential to have an element-proof case with enough space for cooling the internal components.
The result is a 4K TV at 120 Hz with IP56 certification against dust and water, HDR 10+ support and an anti-glare panel. The possibility of separating the connections is intelligent: an Ethernet cable arrives at the TV which starts from the receiver to which the various devices are connected and which can be positioned inside the house, protected from the elements.
The context
Samsung has chosen to show its products at the Mini Mountan Mash, the event which has the car manufacturer as its main sponsor and which the Koreans have associated with given the outdoor vocation of some of the products. As a sponsor, the unmissable presence of Bruno Marnati, head of the Italian Audio/Video division, in the photo during the award ceremony for Matilde Pizzuto (second place in the women’s Slopestyle event).