Say Hi to 4KUHD

Of the idiot box, we are not even left with cables. The new TVs are not only beautiful (and in some cases discrete), but also have gained a level of intelligence that allows you to enjoy audiovisual content as never before. This was made clear at last year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

CES is a key event because manufacturers show their new products for next season and we get an overall idea of what the latest technologies hold in store for us. In the case of television, it seems clear that the new standard will be 4K in HD and not 3D which made a very discrete appearance. As well, Samsung showed off their new technology that supposedly provides images more faithful to reality.

So, the top manufacturers have shown their preference for f increasing resolution of the screens to standardise Ultra HD, also known as 4K UHD. After years of erratic sales, they now want to win over consumers with the promise of greater immersion and interactivity from screens with increasingly realistic images. UHD, which exploded in the 2014 edition has approximately four times higher resolution than the current Full HD, and displays splendidly on the new curved formats. These models are being introduced gradually with the idea of expanding the options available to viewers, giving them the feeling that there is always something new.

However, while the 4K format is accepted unquestionably (although the possibility of solving this content is currently very limited), where there is little agreement, if none at all, is choosing what operating system should be used in these intelligent screens. There is a wide variety: WebOS (LG), Android (Philips, Sony and Sharp), Tizen (Samsung) and Firefox OS (Panasonic). Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but all have in common, thanks to hooking up with the Internet, applications and content on demand.

Amazingly, the new generation of TVs are able to identify for themselves which user is viewing at a particular time and to offer suggestions based on viewing history, usage and preferences. They can be controlled easily -as simple as talking to them or with a hand movement, great for when the remote mysteriously disappears- but they also have a plethora of settings and programs for more advanced users.

South Korean company LG showed off its line of 4K resolution TVs consisting of a flat curve line which is slightly flexible in models up to 77 inches

Sony introduced several models, with one even thinner than a mobile phone. With a thickness of only 4.9 mm, the Bravia X900C images seem as if they are directly on the wall. Feared rival Samsung, showed an innovative system with new materials that will provide even higher definition than 4K.

The island of Mallorca [www.conselldemallorca. net] will follow on from Catalonia's commemoration of the tricentenary with its own commemoration of the ending of the War of Succession of the Spanish throne, in 1715. [1714.mhcat.cat]. After the fall f the kingdom of Valencia in 1707 and the principality of Catalonia in 1714 [tricentenari.cat], the island fell to Borbon forces in 1715 and was governed by the Decret de Nova Planta [ca.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Decrets_de_Nova_Planta], the new ordinance decreed from Madrid. The organising commission of the commemoration [www.1715tricentenari2015.cat] has chosen to focus on the future, choosing as the theme of the commemoration: “Del Decret de Nova Planta al dret de decidir.” (“From the Nova Panta Decree, to the Right To Decide”) Troops loyal to King Felip entered the city on July 11, 1715, completing the conquest of the island, the Pitiüses had surrendered just one week earlier. From 1708, Minorca was controlled by the English until it became part of the Kingdom of Spain in 1802 [cime. es/Contin ut.aspx?IdPub=1246]. The tricentenary organising committee with important help from the Obra Cultural Balear [www.ocb.cat], wishes to promote “the knowledge of events which caused great turmoil in the life of the islands and the inhabitants and the history of Mallorca”, and of which, little is known. For this reason they are organising a number which will help people learn about the War of Succession and its consequences for the islands, especially in Mallorca. Members of the committee include well known public figures and academics and is open to public participation.