A model holds the new Samsung Evolution Kit at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show. Photo: Samsung
In the ever-changing world of television technology, some are willing to abandon sets they just bought two or three years prior. Samsung's newest device could help buck that pattern and combat e-waste.
The Evolution Kit, unveiled at this month's 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show, acts as an upgrade to Samsung televisions between the purchase of sets. The small box can be plugged directly into the back of Samsung’s 7000, 8000 and 9000 Smart TVs models purchased in 2012 and upgrades them to offer the same features provided in 2013 models, including app and internet access while watching television. In following years, 2012 sets could perform like 2015 sets with the Evolution Kit upgrade.
It’s a way to go green in the short term, provided consumers responsibly recycle their old Evolution Kits, but it’s also a brilliant marketing idea by the South Korean technology purveyors. Consumers buy a new television about every seven years. The Evolution Kit allows Samsung to keep reeling in profits from consumers that want to keep up to date without making the splurge on an entirely new television.
Samsung has yet to release pricing for the Evolution Kit, though some projections peg the device between $200 and $500.