Samsung smart monitor can stream TV apps, supports AirPlay 2 and more

Samsung is no stranger to releasing original computer monitors, such as last year’s Space Monitor which hinges like the Microsoft Surface Studio desktop. For the end of 2020, the company is releasing the Smart Monitor, which it says is the first monitor to combine premium multimedia services, mobile connectivity and remote PC capabilities. Samsung is launching the M5 line, which consists of a 27-inch waist for $ 230 and a 32-inch waist for $ 280. A 32-inch 4K monitor called the M7 is also coming in and costs $ 400.

It’s not as immediately eye-catching as the aforementioned space monitor, but it makes up for it by having more features. Like the Samsung TV range, the smart monitor runs Samsung’s Tizen OS software and can connect to your Wi-Fi network to stream HDR10 content from apps like Hulu, Netflix, Apple TV, YouTube, etc. without the need for additional connected hardware. You can install other apps from the built-in app store, such as the Samsung Health app.

All variants of the monitor can be mounted on your wall or on a monitor arm via 100 x 100 Vesa brackets. Each has two built-in 5W speakers and includes a remote control with voice assistant support for Bixby 2.0, Alexa, and Google Assistant. They’re even compatible with AirPlay 2, making it easy to stream from Apple devices. Sounds a lot like a TV, eh?

Image: Samsung

If you want to use it as a monitor to get things done, it still has a few tricks up its sleeve. For example, you can connect a mouse and keyboard over Bluetooth 4.2 and connect to Office 365 through a virtual machine without the need for additional hardware. You can also connect wirelessly through DeX, Samsung’s utility that allows your Galaxy S8 or newer phone to power a desktop PC experience on the monitor. You can also quickly mirror your Samsung phone’s display (running Android Oreo 8.1 or higher) by tapping it on the top right edge of the monitor, where its NFC tag is located.

The M7 smart monitor has the richest selection of connectivity options for gadgets. You can connect a laptop via USB-C (capable of DisplayPort video, data transfer, and power up to 65W), and you will have two HDMI 2.0 ports spare (the M5 has two HDMI 2.0 ports without USB-C). You’ll also find three USB-A 2.0 ports for data on the M7. Each of the M5 monitors has two.

Image: Samsung

The M5 Smart Monitor models will be released in a few weeks, with the M7 slated for release in early December. You will be able to purchase them on Samsung.com or from other retailers across the country.