Samsung Evolution Kit makes 2012 smart TVs smarter

The Smart Evolution kit will completely update the Smart TV experience of select 2012 Samsung TVs to 2013's interface and processing power.

(Credit: Samsung)

Last year Samsung promised that certain of its 2012 Smart TVs would get an upgrade called a "Smart Evolution Kit," and now the company announced the upgrade would be available soon.

Buyers of the LED-based UN75ES9000, UNES8000, and UNES7500 LED TVs, as well as the PNE8000 and PNE7000 plasmas, will be able to buy the kit for $299 in May. It installs by simply sliding into a slot on the back of the TVs.

The kit is basically a brain transplant for the TVs. It includes a new A15 quad-core 1.35GHz processor that offers a maximum 3.6 times increase in speed versus last year’s dual-core processor systems, according to the company. The speed bump, which also comes with increased GPU speed and more memory, should make Web browsing and app use a good deal zippier.

Once the kit is installed it will replace the 2012 user interface with an entirely redesigned 2013 version. According to the press release: "The new 2013 Smart Hub shows five different panels where consumers can enjoy a wide range of content including Live TV programs, VODs, apps and Internet."

Samsung also promises to enhance the voice and gesture control portions of these TVs. Judging from what I saw in 2012, it could certainly use improvement.

Samsung assured us that the kit will continue to be made available "years down the road" so buyers can keep re-upping, if they want.

Updated March 21 with official pricing and availability.