The big screen smart TV market segment is slowly gaining traction among Filipinos, especially upon the entry of smaller and more affordable brands that allow the budget-conscious Pinoys to still enjoy the capabilities of a connected big-screen TV without breaking their wallets.

Haier is one particular manufacturer who is trying to capture a chunk of the growing smart TV consumer base with its K5000 series LED smart TVs. The series was recently launched here in Manila and should soon be available for purchase on select consumer electronics store.

For more information about the Haier K5000, do read their press release below.

When Haier Asia Co., Ltd executives said early this year that they were going to take the region by storm, they sure meant it. Haier is ready to bring out its best innovations yet, starting out with its K5000 LED Smart TV series.

Launched at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Manila, the K5000 is Haier’s first range of Smart TVs, offering its technology and internet savvy customers something new to get their hands on. The series is a total standout with a sophisticated design that features an ultra-slim frame, brushed aluminum finish, and stylish metal stand. 

It also boasts LED edge-lit backlighting, a 5,000,000:1 mega dynamic contrast ratio, and an IPS panel to enjoy crisp realistic pictures in wide-viewing angle. Its three built-in HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) ports also make it possible to send audio from the TV to an ARC compatible device via an HDMI cable, without the need for an additional audio cable. 

Available in 32”, 40”, 50” and 55’’ models, the K5000 series includes 2 USB ports (USB recorder, Timeshift for real-time TV broadcast recording, and USB video), DLNA, 1 RJ45 connector, integrated Wi-Fi, 3 CEC HDMI ports (1.4a) including 1 ARC-compatible port, 1 headphone socket, 1 PC D-Sub15 socket, 1 optical/ digital output, automatic volume limiter, powerful invisible loudspeakers, hotel mode, CI+, A energy rating.

If that’s too much tech talk for you when all you really want to know is how smart this Smart TV is, then let us tell you that this new range is everything you need to stay updated and keep connected. The K5000 TV has a YoutubeTM button that directly connects the user to their favorite YouTube videos. It also includes a hub with a multitude of catch-up TV applications, VOD, entertainment features, and news. It allows users to surf the net via an integrated easy-to-use web browser and keep in touch with friends and loved ones through email, and their favorite social media platforms. The K5000 series is also ISDB-T ready for receiving digital channel signals which is now available with the use of digital antennas and/or set top boxes. 

With its classy design and a heap of high tech features, the K5000 series is truly the ultimate package that promises an excellent entertainment experience. Now if you think this new product exciting, wait ‘til you hear about the cutting-edge devices and appliances that Haier has in store for everyone scheduled to hit the stores in the near future. We just can’t wait! Can you?

Hello everyone, the tech world is once again buzzing with anticipation as we are only a few hours away from the opening of the world’s largest consumer electronics show – CES 2013. This annual event is held in the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada and is the place where manufacturers of electronic goods show off their latest creations to the public.

This year, over 3000 exhibitors are expected to flaunt and introduce their newest products straight from their top secret mad labs. From the newest generation of TVs, mobile phones, computers and portable devices, CES is definitely the place to be for all tech lovers out there.

So what are we expecting to see this year? Here are a few things that have already leaked on the internet a few days and hours ago before the official opening of the event.

DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY – a hot topic in CES this year are about how manufacturers are pushing the boundaries in terms of display technology. One particular innovation that’s making waves is Ultra HD displays. In fact, Toshiba has already announced an 84-inch Ultra HD 4K TV a few hours ago. There is also news that TV screens are going to get bigger this year with displays exceeding the 100-inch mark.

Moreover, there will also be a more diverse selection of TVs as more and more manufacturers are adopting OLED displays for their TV lineup. And because of this, OLED and LED displays are expected to be relatively cheaper compared to previous years.

GAMING AND COMPUTING – of course CES wouldn’t be complete without the latest on gaming and computing. A recent newsmaker in this field is Nvidia with its announcement of two very interesting product – The Tegra 4 mobile quad-core chip and an Android Game controller called Project shield. Based on reports, the Tegra 4 chip will be the world’s fastest mobile processor which features 72 GPU cores and an ARM Cortex-A15 quad-core CPU. This chip is also scheduled to power the SHIELD portable gaming console which features an advanced sound processing technology and connectivity options to allow game relaying from a computer connected to a network.

Other PC, tablet and smartphone manufacturers are also expected to show off their latest devices, specifically their latest android and Windows 8 powered gadgets. Lenovo for example has already spread the word about its Yoga 11S Windows 8 convertible device.

PRACTICAL LIVING – Last but definitely not the least is the practical living section. According to reports and press conferences, this year’s CES will feature several companies and brands involved in the development of practical living technology. That is, the particular sector of the IT industry involved in the invention and innovation of products that help people become more efficient and more productive such as home automation, motion-based technology and even self-driving cars.

So there you have it everyone. What types of technology are you most excited to see at CES? Do tell us by leaving a comment below. You can leave your messages and shout outs on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google Plus. Lastly, please do subscribe to our blog for the latest and freshest stories on Filipino lifestyle. Until next time!

In part 1 of this week’s Tech Tuesdays we talked about everything there is to know about Google’s developer conference. The Nexus Q, the Nexus 7 Tablet, Project glasses and Android Jelly Bean all made news last week. But there are other headlines last week that’s as important as Google I/O.

Here’s another round up of last week’s gotta know things about gadgets and technology.

The Organic LED collaboration

Sony and Panasonic collaboration rumors turned out to be true as the two companies announced that they will be working together to manufacture OLED panels to develop a new generation of OLED technology which will enable the mass production of large, high-res OLED TVs and monitors.

If all goes according to plan, the two companies will share their resources and tap into each other’s expertise to fast track R&D efforts for OLED panels. The production of the first set of this new generation of OLED TVs is scheduled to start in 2013 and will be sold separately by each brand using different chipsets.

Lawsuits and Legalities

Facebook quietly pulls out their “Find Friends Nearby” feature and claims that it was just a test for a new feature they wanted to add in their mobile app. Friends Nearby, which was first called as “Friendshake” according to Facebook developers aims to use your device’s GPS to locate known friends that are near you which in Facebook’s mind will help people in setting up impromptu hangout sessions.

However, another company called Friendthem, who makes a similar app that uses the same GPS technology in finding friends, threatened Facebook with a lawsuit for possible patent infringement a day after the feature rolled out. According to Friendthem CEO, Charles Sankowich, the company is still planning to pursue legal actions against the social networking giant even though the feature was already removed in Facebook’s mobile app.

On other legal related news, Google’s thunder at Google I/O was abruptly stolen as US District Court Judge Lucy Koh, granted Apple the preliminary injunction in an ongoing patent battle with Samsung. This effectively blocks the sale of the Jelly Bean powered Samsung Galaxy Nexus in the United States. As a consolation prize for Google, the injunction is only temporary and was only made possible after Apple posted a $96 million bond to cover for possible damages Samsung might have incurred from loss of sales in case the ruling favors the Nexus.

Nevertheless, it just proves how Apple sees Google’s Nexus brand as a big threat to their iOS devices and their dead serious in winning this legal patent battle.

Profit Loss and Possible Collapse

Canadian smartphone and tablet manufacturer, Research in Motion (RIM), suffered once again a big loss last Thursday as their Quarter 2 reports showed a jaw-dropping 48% loss in sales compared to the previous quarter which also translates to a 28 cent loss per share.

And if that’s not enough, RIM CEO Thorston Heins, also announced that the release of their BlackBerry 10 smartphone line will be delayed until next year. And on top of that, financial analyst are also predicting that in order for RIM to get back on the game, an estimated 5,000 employees might need to be sacked in order to save enough money to keep the company afloat if their sales won’t change for the better.

Localization and Local News

On local news, Apple has made the iTunes available to several Asian countries including the Philippines. This localization has given iTunes users as well as iOS device users the power to download multimedia content such as songs and videos from iTunes itself. It also provides the iMatch feature that was once only available to iOS and iTunes users abroad.

HTC on the other hand officially welcomed three new models to its Android smartphone line. The product launch was held at The Block in SM North EDSA in Quezon City and featured the HTC One S which completes the current HTC One family alongside the One X and One V.

The Desire family also added new members to its roster with the HTC Desire C and the Desire V. All three models will come with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as well as HTC’s own Sense UI v4. The One S will have an SRP of Php25,000+, while the Desire C and Desire V will start at Php10,000 and Php16,000 respectively.

And that concludes this week’s episode of Tech Tuesdays! Tune in again next week for the hottest and latest news in the tech world. See you next week. Sayonara!