Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,240
39,044


Samsung today announced its 2021 TV set lineup, debuting a range of new models that have some health-related capabilities. Samsung's 2021 QLED 8K and 4K models come with a "Smart Trainer" feature that's designed to transform the living room into a personal gym, similar to what Apple Fitness+ does.

samsung-smart-trainer-2021-tvs.jpg

The Smart Trainer option uses an added user-supplied camera to track and analyze your posture in real time while you workout, and Samsung says it's "just like a personal trainer." The Smart Trainer is designed to provide feedback on form, plus it counts reps and estimates calories burned.

Apple Fitness+ also uses the TV through an Apple TV to allow for in-home workouts, but it does not have the same camera functionality for monitoring form. It can, however, show progress through a linked Apple Watch that's displayed on the screen.

Engadget had a chance to try out the Smart Trainer feature, which is part of the Samsung Health app on the TV sets. Engadget said that the performance was "impressive," able to track the movements of jumping jacks and squats during a testing sequence. It's not clear how accurate Samsung's software is at judging form, but Engadget found it motivating.
At the end of my very short workout, the system displayed two rings with percentages showing how well I met the target number of reps and overall form. I tried the workout twice and both times my results were 100 percent on quantity, while I scored 96 and 98 percent on quality. While I still have doubts on how accurate the software is at judging form, the rings are definitely motivating and I feel the desire to close them next time.
Samsung Q70A models and higher-end models up to 8K will have this health functionality, and it will work with 24 workout videos at launch from partners that include Jillian Michaels, Obe Fitness, and barre3.

New television sets also include updated accessibility functionality such as caption moving, sign language zoom, and multi-output audio, and by 2022, Samsung will introduce an expanded Voice Guide.

Samsung's latest high-end TVs are "Neo QLED," which take advantage of Quantum Mini LED technology. These mini LEDs are 1/40 of the height of a traditional LED and offer increased luminance to make dark areas darker and bright areas brighter. Samsung is also using a Neo Quantum Processor to optimize picture quality to 4K and 8K output regardless of input quality. There's also a new Micro LED line available in 99 and 110-inch sizes.

samsung-neo-qled-8k-tv-2021.jpg

Samsung today also said that it plans on "going green" with its TV business by reducing carbon footprint and improving energy efficiency, creating sustainable packaging designs, and releasing TVs with solar-powered remote controls that are charged by indoor light, outdoor light, or USB to eliminate AAA battery usage.

Article Link: Samsung's 2021 Q7 TVs Offer 'Smart Trainer' Option That Analyzes Posture in Real Time During Workouts
 
I’d be the one in the back of the room doing bad form on purpose in an attempt to get the camera to see me instead and give them “bad form” warnings 😂
 
  • Haha
Reactions: ArtOfWarfare
While I am not entirely sure whether camera is necessary for workout, it does raise a question. Should Apple make Apple TV with built-in camera? It can be used for FaceTime and 3rd party video conferencing services, double as indoor security camera, and if equipped with LiDAR, extend Apple Arcade and Fitness+ experience with motion tracking.

Apple has been ridiculed for charging $180-200 for Apple TV, and camera (with or without LiDAR) would only increase the price even further. How much would the public pay for camera-equipped version of Apple TV? Camera in itself probably isn't compelling enough. But add a speaker (center channel or soundbar), it may gain wider acceptance at higher price.
 
The hoops they come up to track you!

With such a fancy house you want to spend time with a nice trans like me instead of watching TV! I'm too voluptuous to do yoga though.
 
Knowing Samsung's net security issues, I can only imagine all the people who will have their exercise videos broadcast and shared and captured without them knowing...'Net TV's' are one of the biggest network threats in any home. Attaching a camera to a 'Net TV' may not be a great idea.
 
While I am not entirely sure whether camera is necessary for workout, it does raise a question. Should Apple make Apple TV with built-in camera? It can be used for FaceTime and 3rd party video conferencing services, double as indoor security camera, and if equipped with LiDAR, extend Apple Arcade and Fitness+ experience with motion tracking.
I do not want a built in camera, but would like support for a camera with something like the Microsoft Connect (I am pretty sure Apple bought the company that designed the Connect). I would want it to be a separate thing, so I can put it where it works best, which may not be where I want to put the Apple TV itself. Also, I would rather it be a separate item/purchase so that those who do not want it for price/privacy reasons do not need to have it (or can disconnect it when not in use).
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRobinsonJr
I said that Apple will be releasing this ability on their next Apple TV back in December.

Classic Samsung, rush it out badly.
 
Finally! The next generation of couch potatoes will have perfect postures!
 
that's a reason NOT to get one of these ... don't need someone checking me out while I'm in front of the TV ...
 
I do not want a built in camera, but would like support for a camera with something like the Microsoft Connect (I am pretty sure Apple bought the company that designed the Connect). I would want it to be a separate thing, so I can put it where it works best, which may not be where I want to put the Apple TV itself. Also, I would rather it be a separate item/purchase so that those who do not want it for price/privacy reasons do not need to have it (or can disconnect it when not in use).
If you want camera as a separate accessory, it might as well be iPhone paired with Apple TV via Handoff.

While I understand why you want camera as a separate accessory, that increases both the complexity and cost.

Having said that, I don't think Apple TV is popular enough to be sold at $299 with built-in camera. But if it is marketed as a fitness device (e.g., Apple TV Fitness Edition), perhaps there will be more takers? As Peloton proved, when it comes to fitness, folks are willing to pay.
 
There are ways to secure a smart home. I have my Apple TV mounted to the back of my Sony TV, since the remote uses bluetooth. And I have any smart home devices (Including the Apple TV & HomePods) on a separate VLAN from my main network (so they can't communicate with my main network), as well as my firewall is setup to not allow traffic from the TV or cameras to reach the internet.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.