Lenovo SmartTV K91 with Android 4.0 review: Hands on
Chinese company enters TV market with Android 4.0
Why you can trust T3
The Lenovo SmartTV K91 Android TV, the brand's first TV set, is also the first very first to pack Android Ice Cream Sandwich
The Lenovo SmartTV K91 Android TV is the Chinese manufacturer's very first TV and will be launched in its native land. However, this isn't just any old connected, 3D TV set, it's the first to have Android Ice Cream Sandwich added to the mix, bringing a range of apps from the Lenovo store, voice control and motion gaming.
With the LG Google TV making waves this week, could Lenovo's bespoke Android offering actually showcase a better alternative? We went hands-on with the SmartTV K91 with Android 4.0 to find out.
Lenovo SmartTV K91 with Android Ice Cream Sandwich: Build
The Lenovo SmartTV K91 is a 55-inch offering with Passive 3D TV tech built-in. And while the TV itself is attractive enough by modern standards, it's obvious that Lenovo hasn't lost too much sleep worrying about creating an ergonomic miracle to rival the Samsung sets or indeed the super-thin LG 55-inch OLED 3D TV we also clapped eyes on.
The device will arrive with two controllers, a game pad for playing games from the Lenovo Store and a touch, motion and voice enabled remote control similar to LG's Magic Remote.
Lenovo SmartTV K91 with Android Ice Cream Sandwich: Features
Before we get into the user interface on this Android-flavoured telly, lets chat about some of the basic specs. The Lenovo SmartTV K91 has a 1080p IPS, LED display with a refresh rate of 240Hz. Basic enough specs for a TV, right? Well here's where things get interesting.
The SmartTV K91 has a 1.5GHz Qualcomm processor, which you would see on a tablet, that powers the Android operating system. There's also 1GB of RAM to ensure everything ticks along at a rapid pace, along with a 5-megapixel camera built-in at the base of the bezel, which integrates with the on-board facial recognition tech. Our demonstration showed this working in a parental control capacity, before downloading movies or apps with mature content.
Of course, the big news is having Android Ice Cream Sandwich built-in. Lenovo says it has taken the source code and completely rebuilt it in its own image. It has developed a 'Sandwich' interface, which as well as standing for Android 4.0, also explains the three menu approach which allows users to swipe between screens using the touch-sensitive remote control. It works really well.
As there's no Android Market in China, Lenovo has included an Android app store of its own called Lenovo Store. The TV comes with over 100 apps built into the device, including high-profile "console quality" games like Asphalt 6, which have been optimised for the 55-inch screen. More on those later.
Lenovo, which only plans to launch the device in China, has also agreed deals with some of the country's biggest content providers in order to bring 3D movies and videos.
The company has also announced some AirPlay-like tech which allows media content to be shared over any of the company's tablets or ThinkPad devices. It's pretty neat and works extremely well.
Overall, the Sandwich UI offers a unique take on the Smart TV genre that's decidedly different to Google TV.
Lenovo SmartTV K91 with Android Ice Cream Sandwich: Performance
It appears that the television wasn't quite optimised for visual performance, and may have been a prototype design, but we were still able to experience some of the neat Passive 3D options on display. There's easy 2D to 3D conversion, which allowed us to play the non-3D Asphalt 6 in three dimensions. There's also Left Eye and Right Eye settings and 3D to 2D.
Playing games was an enjoyable experience thanks to the game pad which comes with the device and also through the Wiimote-esque motion sensing remote. Playing a tennis game was no different to playing Wii Sports.
Lenovo SmartTV K91 with Android Ice Cream Sandwich: Verdict
While Google TV has been making some headlines with LG's Smart TV range at CES, Lenovo has shown that the Android itself can be a viable alternative to the official platform, with an innovative take on the Android operating system, backed up by the same tech that brings high-end Android tablets to the market. We'd like to see the visual aspect of the set properly optimised to showcase the IPS display in all its glory, but the Lenovo SmartT K91shows real promise.
Lenovo SmartTV K91 with Android Ice Cream Sandwich availability: April (China). No plans for UK and US yet
Lenovo SmartTV K91 with Android Ice Cream Sandwich price: TBC
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Chris Smith studied journalism at Liverpool John Moores University, graduating with a First Class degree. He joined T3.com as video producer and editor, but you can also find articles written by Chris on the topics of gaming, wrestling, phones, future tech, mobile payment systems, tablets, streaming services, apps, and much more.
-
This is the exact date you should turn your heating on, reveals energy expert
Heat your house while keeping your bills down with these heating tips
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Amazfit T-Rex 3 review: The affordable adventurer’s answer to Garmin
Adventure-ready and budget-friendly with just a few software setbacks
By Matt Buckley Published
-
Evie puts women’s health first with its new smart ring
This women’s health smart ring from Evie is the most stylish tracker I’ve ever seen
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
LG DukeBox is OLED-powered, weird and could change music systems forever
DukeBox is a digital jukebox with a transparent OLED and valves
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Raspberry Pi 5 is twice as fast and ideal for my next retro console build
Raspberry Pi 5 will be available from October for a super low price
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Lenovo Yoga Pro 9 review: style and power combined
The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9 is an ideal laptop ideal for creators - except for in a couple of areas, as we'll analyse in this review
By Andrew Williams Published
-
Razer x Lamborghini laptop is the unlikely crossover I never knew I needed
Why not combine the two?
By Andy Sansom Published
-
The Fujifilm GFX100 II gives you more camera for less
If you're on the lookout for a medium format camera, this one is choc full of features
By Sam Cross Published
-
Want an M3 MacBook? You might have to wait a little longer
While the new MacBook models are set to be the most powerful yet, they may not arrive too soon
By Sam Cross Published
-
MSI Raider GE78 HX: a great among gaming laptops
Is there anything that can compete with the MSI Raider GE78 HX?
By Andy Sansom Last updated