Hisense announces new Android-powered VIDAA Smart TVs

While LG looks to WebOS in order to extend the capabilities of its smart TVs, Hisense is taking a more Android-y route with their newly announced VIDAA Smart TVs. This is far from the first time that Hisense has released Android-based Smart TVs, though the newest lineup certainly looks pretty slick.

The new TV range will be offered in 50, 55 and 60-inch LED models and will work using a special TV-optimized custom UI that is powered by an unspecified multi-core CPU. Additionally, the series of televisions will come pre-loaded with apps like Google Chrome, Google Search and the TV guide app, Google PrimeTime.

There’s also support for Google Drive, Dropbox and other cloud storage formats for storing your content, and the televisions will even offer screen sharing technology so you can bring your multimedia content from your mobile device over to the big screen. Better yet, features like “Jump” allow you to easily switch between live TV, Video on Demand, the Media Center and applications — all at the click of a button.

As for controlling the TV set? The VIDAA series of televisions all feature a 30-button remote control with air mouse technology, a pop-up virtual keyboard and natural voice controls.

Sounds pretty good, but the relatively unknown (in the U.S.) brand’s success with the VIDAA series will likely come down to cost. Although Hisense has yet to set pricing, generally their products are reasonably low-priced considering the sheer volume of features they pack.

We’ll know more soon enough, as the VIDAA series is expected to arrive sometime in March.

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HISENSE TRANSFORMS SMART TV EXPERIENCE WITH THE VIDAA SERIES

Las Vegas, NV, January 6, 2014 – Hisense today introduced the VIDAA series TV, a full-featured Android-powered SMART TV with multi-core processing and a stunningly simple, elegant and immensely powerful User Interface (UI). VIDAA redefines the current Smart TV landscape with a vastly improved user experience that does not yet exist in the product category.

The VIDAA series TV Full HD lineup will be available in March 2014 and features three ultra slim LED models, the 65H7 (65-inch), 55H7 (55-inch) and 50H7 (50-inch).

VIDAA simplifies and enhances a passive, lean-back consumer experience with intuitive channel “jumping” across four content experiences: Live TV, Video On Demand, Media Center, and Applications. VIDAA has built-in WiFi, a Chrome™ browser and also supports screen sharing – enabling pictures, videos and music to be simply shared right to your TV screen from most mobile devices. It also features a 30-button remote control with the most sophisticated built-in air mouse technology, a pop up virtual keyboard and astounding natural voice control.

“Hisense has boldly re-invented the concept of Smart TV with the VIDAA series. By combining a sleek and elegant look with the most intuitive UI and innovative remote control, our television is no longer just Smart – it’s simply brilliant,” said Jonathan Frank, Vice President of Marketing, Hisense USA.

Hisense is providing the global consumer electronics community and end-users across the world with the best-balanced coupling of connectivity, functionality and image performance with the VIDAA series. Users can easily navigate content experiences and view them uninterrupted as they slide into view. This new type of user interface was designed to align with the passive nature of the 10-foot, lean back experience, which favors a consumption-friendly experience over complicated interaction.
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