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| Nair: focus on Smart TVs |
“Between 2009 and 2011, Samsung sales in Qatar saw an average growth of 40% year-on-year,” Vinod Nair, general manager, TV Business, Samsung Gulf Electronics, said.
The significant increase highlights Qatar’s transition into a more dynamic technology infrastructure as well as consumers’ preferences and adaptabilities towards new technologies.
Samsung has the highest market share in Qatar in terms of value and volume and is the number one in the Smart TV LED market with 34% in global market share, he claimed.
“We expect TV sales to continue growing along with an increased growth for the Smart TV industry, solidifying our market leadership in this category,” Nair said.
In 2012, the Smart TV sector will see a bigger demand for regionally relevant content as well as diverse applications and features that enhance a user’s everyday life.
“We will also see local Qatari content streamed across the globe through our Samsung Smart TVs soon as we continue to partner with regional companies to develop applications and regionally relevant content,” the official said.
Earlier this year, Samsung witnessed high demand from regional companies who are looking to develop new applications and technologies to reach audiences at home.
“Given this growing interest, Samsung will continue securing business partnerships in 2012 with the aim of providing locally tailored content and services to regional consumers,” Nair said.
“Samsung will also continue to focus on how Smart TVs truly enhance consumers’ everyday lives by providing solution-based applications and entertainment applications to suit consumer lifestyles.”
The global consumer electronics major will introduce more video on demand applications, where users can enjoy whatever content they want, on Smart TVs.
“This way, users will not be limited to content offered by conventional satellite and broadcasting companies, since they will have access to a wide array of content sources via Samsung’s Smart Hub that enables easy browsing and availability of rich content.
“And, as technology advances, we expect to see a growth in connected televisions, where content from TVs can be streamed onto handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets,” Nair said.
The Samsung Gulf official said glassless 3D TVs will take a few more years to hit the retail market.
Earlier this year, Samsung showcased a 55-inch glassless 3D TV prototype at the Flat Panel Display show in China. “However, more research needs to go into glassless 3D TV technology as we would like to provide the best experience for our consumers,” Nair added.