Samsung launches smart TV with Aussie accent

SAMSUNG has launched the first voice-controlled TV that responds in an Australian accent.

SAMSUNG has launched the first voice-controlled TV that responds in an Australian accent.

The technology company developed its system with linguists at Macquarie University to determine a database of about 250,000 questions people might ask their television, from what Tom Cruise movies are on tonight to what time does the football start on Friday night.

The televisions are programmed to respond with one of 18,000 recorded answers, with people choosing between either a male or female Australian voice.

Samsung Australia's director of AV Brad Wright said people were used to speaking to technology by typically issuing specific commands, unlike the natural language of this system.

"And really importantly, (the TVs) will be speaking back in Australian English."

Mr Wright said the natural language system had the potential to change the way people found what to watch on their TV.

"There's lots of content out there. I went to that TV today and said 'is there any sport showing tonight?'," he said.

"I think it's a genuinely different and unique way to interact with technology."

The language system, which will be in Samsung's new high-end smart TVs, was part of a package of announcements made at a national launch in Sydney, including the launch of the $40,000 ultra high-definition 85-inch Samsung S9 that will go on sale next month.

Philip Newton, vice-president of Consumer Electronics for Samsung Australia, said the top end 4K TV was the biggest TV Samsung has ever released in the Australian marketplace.

"It's not designed for everybody," he said.

"No doubt in the future we will have UHD products at affordable price levels, that's not where we are now.

"But it is the emergence of a new technology."

Mr Newton said there were more than a dozen people already wanting to buy the $40,000 TV in Australia.

Mr Newton also announced new content available through its smart TVs through a range of optional apps, including a sports app which he said would give people access to 90 percent of all globally televised sports.

The Samsung Foxtel app currently allows people to watch Foxtel content on their smart TVs. Samsung will launch a Foxtel Go app in June which will let those customers watch Foxtel content on Samsung tablets and smartphones.

Samsung said the smart TV penetration in Australia grew by a third last year.