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Samsung has unveiled a television that rotates between horizontal and vertical orientations that’s basically a cultural statement for younger generations.

Samsung Sero TVs at the Samsung booth during the CES tech show, January 2020. The TVs can rotate to play vertically or horizontally. Picture: AP.
Samsung Sero TVs at the Samsung booth during the CES tech show, January 2020. The TVs can rotate to play vertically or horizontally. Picture: AP.

Samsung has unveiled a television that rotates between horizontal and vertical orientations that is basically a cultural statement for younger generations.

In landscape mode the Samsung Sero is like any regular TV. You can watch free-to-air content and streamed media, and access TV apps such as Netflix and YouTube. However, with a single button press, the TV rotates 90 degrees into portrait mode.

This vertical orientation isn’t great for watching movies, as you’ll get black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. But it’s fantastic if you’re into social media, especially Instagram, which features mostly portrait images and personally shot video.

Samsung’s rotating Sero television will come to Australia in the first half of 2020.  Picture: Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson
Samsung’s rotating Sero television will come to Australia in the first half of 2020. Picture: Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson

This will suit the millennials and Gen Zers to a T. In addition, the Sero has different display options for when it is not in use. You can activate the TV’s motorised pivot with the remote control, or simply mimic the rotation with your Samsung smartphone to whirr the motor into action.

Personally, I’m not a fan of shooting video in portrait mode as much of the adjoining action to a scene occurs on either side of the focus, such as the people and scenes beside you as you walk down the street, rather than what’s above and below you. However, vertically oriented media is popular.

Samsung achieved success last year when it rolled out the Sero in South Korea. It’s now bringing Sero to several global markets in 2020.

The Sero is mounted on a special stand that enables the rotating mechanism to work. You can’t independently mount it onto a wall.

Samsung Sero TV . Supplied
Samsung Sero TV . Supplied

Unfortunately, the Sero comes in just one size, 47 inches, so you’ll need to be content with a TV that isn’t that big.

The Sero was on display this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas where it won a “best of innovation” award, and Samsung says it will be available in Australia sometime this year. Pricing is yet to be confirmed.

Chris Griffith attended the CES global technology show in Las Vegas courtesy of Hisense.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/pass-the/news-story/214721543185e393515fb6937f632bde