Definitely the Smartest TV

Last two weeks ago, I was invited by Samsung to spend a night at Hotel H2O to try their Smart TV.  I was pretty excited and flattered that they included me in their list of invitees: 1. I've been curious why it is the "smart" TV; 2. I've been having a hard time booking a stay at Hotel H20 for our son---I was even planning on spending his 2nd birthday there last June but it was sooooo fully booked!


You can read about our stay in Hotel H2O here and here.  For this post, let me talk about the Samsung Smart TV, which I have definitely fallen in love with ;)

First, you just gotta love how thin and slim it is:

Next, the frontal view.  Notice that you can hardly see the bezel (or what we call the TV frame).

Kang Yunje, Vice President of Samsung’s TV Design Group, perfected an aesthetic that bears tremendous purpose.  “We wanted to remove the barrier between the real world and the TV that is visually distracting: the bezel,” Mr. Kang said. “The design concept centered on the television. If we see the real world in three dimensions, and the TV offers three dimensional images, then everything we see has the potential to be in three dimensions. Designing a slim bezel was about removing the frame that limited our view of the three-dimensional world.”
Since Mr. Kang joined the company in 1994, it has been his dream to create a television without a bezel. In 2008, Samsung embarked on a journey towards this goal. In two years, they managed to whittle down 54 millimeters to 28 millimeters. After Yoon Boo-Keun, President of Samsung’s Visual Display, set out a mission to create a bezel-less TV in 2010, it only took them a year to turn the dream into reality.


“We were told that reducing the bezel slimmer than 7 millimeters would be impossible, and that the image quality would be lost as the bezel became thinner,” Mr. Kang said. “We ran numerous trials to see what worked and what did not but eventually pulled ourselves through the toughest period.”


After much trial and error, the development team was slowly inching its way to the ultimate goal. In 2011, the creation of the LED D8000 proved that an ultra-slim bezel was indeed a possibility. The LED D8000 appears slimmer, yet it maintains a superior viewing experience—the perfect marriage of design and technology.

Now, the test!  We tried watching regular TV shows first, and we love how even if the show isn't in HD yet, it feels like it already is!  The LED has MicroDimming technology that works on playing the cleanest whites, the darkest blacks, and the most vibrant hues.  

We took it up a notch by trying out their featherweight 3D glasses.

These glasses, along with the LED's built-in 2D to 3D conversion system, can make flat 2D movies or pictures appear life-like in real time!  Amazing, isn't it?   Not only that, we are amazed with the stock sound system that comes with the Smart TV's 3D Sound Effect and 3D HyperReal Engine.  No need to buy and install those extra speakers ;)

It's so smart, right?  And there's more!  We tried tinkering what else this baby has to offer and went to this screen.  See the small screen on the top right? That's your TV/movie screen, which means you can still watch while you surf the net ;)

The Samsung Smart Hub is a media portal to the world wide web.  It's could be overwhelming at first glance, but it's pretty easy to use.

Samsung Smart TV is, no doubt, the start of what future TV's will become.  More than just your TV, its offerings include what computers/laptops offer---making it the smartest TV indeed!  Mr. Kang and the rest of Samsung's TV Design Group are definitely cooking up even better smart TVs.  “Samsung believes in pushing the company to its limit, if there is one,” Mr. Kang said. “We innovate and change paradigms. From the top executive to our engineers, we take risks for good design and befitting quality products.”


Read more about Samsung Smart TV here.


We had a great time staying at H2O hotel, most especially with the Samsung Smart TV in the room for us to play with :D I've already told hubby that this is part of my holiday wish list ;) 


Thank you, Ms. O of Samsung and the rest of the Samsung PH team :D

Thin, Lean and Bright

I recently had lunch with Ms. O of Samsung and her colleagues, and this is what was on my mind when they presented to me (along with Jenni Epperson and Isha Andaya of Stylebible.ph): There’s a new laptop in town. It’s sleek, sexy and powerful and it just might give that “other” laptop a run for its money.

The Samsung Philippines team proudly showed off their latest baby, the Samsung Series 9 Notebook, as the world’s thinnest measuring only 16.3mm (0.64 inches) in depth, with a screen size of 13 inches. It’s also the lightest, weighing only 1.31 kg. (2.88 lbs.), with a ‘SuperBright Plus’ display screen with LED technology to boot, making it the brightest. And the packaging? The Samsung Series 9 Notebook is encased in the most advanced duralumin metal alloy (that’s only used in specialized aircrafts) that makes it durable yet stylish and ultra light.

Along with the much-awaited release, Samsung has commissioned three of the country’s best designers in coming up with a special collection based on the brand’s latest notebook.

Randy Ortiz will be presenting a set of gowns based on the “thinnest” aspect, with the red carpet theme in mind: “Every time I choose a gadget, the first thing that attracts me is the aesthetics. The Samsung Series 9 Notebook is very fashionable and stylish. So, I was inspired to do the thinnest collection which consists of stunning silhouettes and beautiful flow of garments.”

Rhett Eala’s collection is all about feeling light. He uses soft fabrics such as tulle, lace and chiffon, obviously inspired by the multi-awarded movie, Black Swan. "Using the Samsung Series 9 Notebook is an experience itself. And I wanted to capture that experience in my collection. My collection will make you feel good, beautiful and sexy, the same experience as using the Samsung Series 9 gives," explains Eala.

Fitness is his latest obsession, which is why Rajo Laurel worked with brights for his athletic-inspired set. “The emotion that I want to evoke is FUN. I want this collection to be happy, vibrant, and energetic. We're about to hit summer so I want to be able to capture that excitement."

"Truly only the best for the best in Samsung. Samsung has focused its efforts on ensuring that its laptops offer truly comprehensive mobile experiences," said Hannah Francisco, NPC Product Manager of IT-SEPCO. "This is why we are creating not just the best in design with the country's top designers but the best in display offering our customers a complete and comprehensive notebook that meets all of their needs with one premium device with the series 9."

Too bad I wasn't able to attend this fabulous show, as I had other duties that night.  It's always a treat to see designer shows :D  It was so nice of Samsung's digital arm, Propel Manila, to send me this link below.

What do you think of the laptop and the clothes? :D

F21 x Samsung Corby ii Winners

Yesterday, at 3PM, we drew 10 winners from our Samsung Corby ii giveaway raffle draw (which was held over the opening weekend)

Mr. Arni of DTI was there to witness it, along with Dentsu team Spyro and Rei, with me and Au (F21 Marketing Coordinator)

Congratulations to the following winners :D

You all get to bring home a Samsung Corby ii phone each. 

See you at the store soon! :D


Thank you, team Samsung for the fab phones :)

Imagine No More

Remember my post on the Samsung/FnH contest last year? Well, they've chosen the winners :D

The Samsung I Imagine Shout-out Making Contest was done online where over 10,000 entries from students aged 15 to 25 registered and posted their shout-outs about the three categories Talk, Play, and Love. Winners of the contest get bragging rights as their shout-outs will be printed in cool and hip Folded and Hung hoodies which will be sold in Folded and Hung stores in Mall of Asia, Robinson’s Place Galleria, Unimart, SM San Lazaro, Southmall, Market Market, Shangri-La Plaza, Robinson’s Place Ermita, SM Megamall, Trinoma, Glorietta 2, Eastwood Mall, SM North The Block, and Alabang Town Center. The hoodies will be available starting on the first week of January 2010, proceeds of which will be donated to Samsung Hope which sends kids back to school.

The campaign culminates in an installation event dubbed as “I Imagine” featuring the visuals of renowned fashion photographer Ronnie Salvacion. TALK is represented by Erin Torrejon (DLSU), Jessica Mendoza (ADMU), Marc Catubay (Southeast Asian College), Melissa Gohing (DLSU) and Simon Atkins (DLSU) while Migo Llamas (Colegio de San Juan de Letran), Tricia Gosingtian (ADMU), Jasmine Maierhofer (Adamson University), Riki Flores (UP), and Elmer Espiritu (UE) poses for his lenses for PLAY. A video installation on LOVE with Andi Manzano (Miriam College), Jai Reyes (ADMU), Monika Sta. Maria (DLSU), Nico Salva (ADMU), and Joshua Webb (DLSU) completes the categories. Here are some of the photos that were on exhibit that night:

Melissa Gohing: “I Imagine we can be one with the world.”

Joshua Webb: “I Imagine love being infinite. There’s no right or wrong.

Once it’s there, it’s just there. And I quote my mom in this, ‘All is fair in love and war’.”

Erin Torrejon: “I Imagine everyone helping out to restore our forests and the marine life.”

Simon Atkins: “I Imagine everyone valuing education

because it is really the only asset that you can have.”

Migo Llamas: “I Imagine that I’m cheering for a good cause.”

Jasmine Maierhofer: “I Imagine that after several years, Philippine fashion

would be at par with Paris, Milan, London and other international fashion districts.”

Riki Flores: “I Imagine public service for the greater good of the people

and not for the greater good of the ego.”

Andi Manzano: “I imagine love inspiring me to be better.”

Jai Reyes: “I Imagine love is like a three-pointer. You just have to take the shot.”

The winners of the Samsung I Imagine Shout-out Making Contest were awarded and their shout-outs, unveiled. The shout-outs were judged according to Relevance to the Chosen Category (40%), Creativity (40%), and Total number of online votes (20%). On TALK, Isabella Martinez from University of Sto. Tomas (UST) wins with her shout-out, “I imagine and I will make it happen.” On PLAY, Guillermo II Francisco also from University of Sto. Tomas (UST) wins with his shout-out “I Imagine our generation united in one beat.” Lastly, on LOVE, Phili Jacinth Dayupay from Rizal Technology University bags the prize with his shout-out “I Imagine total peace in 3, 2, 1”. I like all three of them, can't decide which of them I love the most :D

Aside from proclaiming their shout-outs to the world of fashion through Folded and Hung, the winners also took home exciting prizes such as P30,000 cash, the Samsung Corby mobile phone, Samsung ST500 Dual LCD Camera, Samsung CLP-315 printer, Samsung LapFit LD190G TV, 5 Samsung “I Imagine” hoodies to keep or giveaway, and P10,000 worth of gift certificates from Folded & Hung. Their schools also received a Samsung LCD TV.

Congratulations, and here's to working on making our imaginations come true!

Prizes up for Grabs

I got curious as to what the prizes look like. Do you want any of these? :)

Samsung Corby mobile phone

Samsung ST500 Dual LCD Camera

Samsung CLP-315 printer

Samsung LapFit LD190G monitor

Plus, Samsung “I Imagine” hoodies to keep or giveaway, and P10,000 worth of gift certificates from Folded & Hung.

AND P30,000 cash prize. All of these are up for grabs, and it's easy to join the contest. No need to shell out money, you just need to rack your brain and work on your creative juices. How? Read my next post (below) to find out :D

Be Heard and Win!

Had a short intimate dinner (and chikahan) with Samsung and Folded & Hung peeps last night at The Establishment, The Fort. These two powerhouse brands have teamed up to inspire the youth in following their dreams and making them into reality. How? By this contest that has prizes such as cash, gadgets, and your slogan (entry) being printed on F&H hoodies such as the one below.

Read below to find out how you can join:

With its “I Imagine” campaign, Samsung focuses on the young generation’s passions, concerns and outlooks. Encouraging the Filipino youth to speak-up and voice-out their opinions, thoughts, feelings and ideas, the leading innovator in digital electronics media creates a dynamic force that just brims with sheer ingenuity. Logging in on www.samsung.com/ph directs you to a world filled with bright promises!

Metro Manila college students, currently enrolled this school year, can register and create their own I Imagine slogan by completing the statement: “I Imagine…“. Aside from being your own shout-out creator, you can also vote for other “I Imagine” shout-outs posted on the site. The shout-outs, whether in English or Filipino, must fall under one of three categories: Talk, for shout-outs that express emotions, ideas, thoughts, dreams, hopes and ambitions; Play, for shout-outs that express how life is experienced through love of music, sports, fashion and the arts; and, Love, for shout-outs that express how bonds are formed with family and friends through shared interests and passions. Only one slogan can be accepted for each category. Submissions will be accepted until November 30, 2009.

Samsung amplifies the Filipno youths’ voice as the winning statements will be printed on Folded & Hung exclusively designed Samsung “I Imagine” hoodies available at participating Folded & Hung stores in the Metro. Individual winners (one per category) will take home exciting prizes such as P30,000 cash, the Samsung Corby mobile phone, Samsung ST500 Dual LCD Camera, Samsung CLP-315 printer, Samsung LapFit LD190G monitor, 5 Samsung “I Imagine” hoodies to keep or giveaway, and P10,000 worth of gift certificates from Folded & Hung. Likewise, the schools of the respective winners will each receive a Samsung LCD monitor.

Criteria for judging will be based on the following: Relevance to the Chosen Category (40%), Creativity (40%) and the Total number of online votes (20%).

What’s more, all who register to the campaign, whether to upload their own shout-out or simply vote for posted shout-outs will entitle them to a chance to win cool Samsung gadgets. Each registration is equivalent to one raffle entry which will be drawn on December 15, 2009. Up to 500 Samsung I Imagine hoodies, 20 Samsung phones and 20 Samsung DVD players are also up for grabs.

Overflowing food and drinks were provided; with laptops for us to check out the contest website.

I was able to catch up with old colleagues from ABS-CBN Publishing. Nana of Chalk was seated (photo above).

Below: me with Steph Cabal and JJ San Juan of Inquirer 2BU, with Rey Ilagan of Garage magazine.

Me with Samsung Marketing gal Odette Velarde, or who we fondly call Ms. O!

Sexy name, right? :) I miss this "ate" of mine.

Samsung and F&H are going on campus tours to promote this campaign and contest of theirs. So, watch out for them: November 11 at UP Diliman,, November 12 in San Sabastian College, November 13 in Ateneo de Manila University, November 16 in San Beda College, November 17 in Miriam College, November 18 in De La Salle Univerity, November 19 in University of Sto. Tomas, and November 20 in Far Eastern University.

Good luck, everyone! Keeping my fingers crossed that one of you readers will win any of the prizes ;)