Samsung Touch-Screen Remote Streams TV

Samsung introduced a remote with a 3-inch touch-screen display and the ability to stream TV.

Much hasn't been said about the sleek little Samsung touch-screen remote displayed at CES 2010. However, CNN briefly gave it fifty seconds minutes of fame, labeling it as one of the "CES 2010 quirky finds" showcased in a video here. What makes this device so uber-cool and out of the ordinary is its ability to stream live TV on the built-in 3-inch touch-screen display thanks to an integrated Wi-Fi connection.

Why is that so great? Now consumers can watch TV on the remote while someone else (the resident TV hog, and you know who you are) watches his/her desired program on the main TV. A Samsung representative threw out a good example to chew on, saying that the husband can finish watching the football game while the wife slaps in a Blu-ray movie (although we married folks know that will never happen without the Glare of Death searing our brains out).

Actually, the rep--swiping his finger through various screens--specifically said "two different inputs" in the demonstration, which leads us to assume that perhaps you can watch two separate TV networks: one on the remote and one on the TV although how that will work is currently unclear. Additionally, the remote will supposedly work on a wide range of A/V components as well, and also incorporates infrared technology.

As for the touch-screen, the screen offers simplified commands to make channel surfing easier using an iPhone-like interface. It appears that users can load up a TV listing and choose a program with a tap of the finger. Of course, the device also features the standard volume and channel-changing buttons for old-school channel surfers. Stay tuned as more info is released in the following weeks.

UPDATE: Along with a press image, Samsung sent along a description of its "C-9000" remote. "In another industry first, Samsung developed an easy to use on-board TV display full touch-screen remote control," Samsung said in a press release. "The remote’s color touch-screen makes understanding features and options easy and simple. Its integrated Wi-Fi and infrared technology controls TV and AV devices with the on-screen buttons and QWERTY keyboard. It allows users to watch broadcast content directly on the remote so you can watch the first part of the big game, while a Blu-ray movie is just wrapping up on the large screen HDTV(9000 Series only). You can also browse music, photos, and video files from a DLNA certified PC then swipe the chosen content in the direction of the TV to enjoy on the larger screen (9000 Series only). The remote is the primary remote control for the 9000 Series and a derivative version of it is sold separately as an option for other LED TV models including the 7000 and 8000 Series."

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