Malcolm Owen
Samsung has released its Lifestyle Smart Monitor, a display range intended for both work and entertainment that includes support for Apple's AirPlay 2.
Launched on Monday, the Lifestyle Smart Monitor collection consists of two model ranges. The M7 series currently consists of a 32-inch screen with a UHD resolution of 3,840 by 2,160, while the M5 range of 27-inch and 32-inch screens have a 1080p resolution.
Both ranges are said to be aimed at both work and play use cases, with the screens offering features that lend themselves to each field. A big element is connectivity, with the ability to cast content from PCs and smartphones to the screen using Tap View, App Casting, or for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, Apple AirPlay 2.
The Wi-FI connectivity also enables other usage, such as being able to run Microsoft Office 365 applications on the display itself without requiring a separate computer. A Remote Access feature will also enable users to wirelessly and remotely access files from a PC or notebook over Wi-Fi.
For entertainment, the screens can stream content from Samsung's Smart Hub, with an onboard app store providing access to apps including Netflix, HBO, and YouTube like a smart television. Bixby is also present, allowing for users to verbally control apps.
In terms of physical connectivity, there are two HDMI 2.0 ports on the rear, along with three USB 2.0 ports on the M7, two on the M5, as well as Bluetooth 4.2 support. The M7 also benefits from a USB-C connection with 65W of power delivery, which can be used to recharge a connected MacBook.
The screens also include HDR10 support, an Adaptive Picture mode to optimize picture quality by automatically adjusting the brightness and color temperature to match changes to environmental lighting, and an eye-s aver mode to reduce blue light use.
Samsung is making the Lifestyle Smart Monitor available in the United States, Canada, and China from Monday, with other markets launching towards the end of November. Pricing details have yet to be released.
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5 Comments
Looking at the specs, its brightness is just 200 nits. Despite the impressive contrast delivered by its VA panel, it can't do much with HDR if that's all the brightness it can manage. I'd be interested in a much higher spec monitor with all these bells and whisles but not, I'm afraid, in this offering.
Agreed. Especially if the new Mac mini is a big hit, there will be a market for Apple-branded quality-but-not-"pro"-level monitors. We can hope anyway.
AirPlay 2 support interesting. I wonder if future monitors,TVs,streaming devices like Roku(already supporting),Fire,etc supports AirPlay 2 than over time besides having better user interface in AppleTV streaming box,it's importance would be less and less unless Apple offers cheaper HDMI dongle..