Casinos and gambling are what come to mind when you mention Marina Bay Sands, but on May 20, a new association was created with the popular integrated resort (IR) complex – LG.
It was the day the Korean electronics giant officially opened its first iconic store in the world. The 4,058 sq feet compound at the 2nd basement of the complex showcases a full array of interactive devices for work and play, with products, some of them not yet available commercially, ranging from TVs to smart-phones and even washing machines.
After the chaebol’s (conglomerate)Vice-President for Sales and Marketing, Arthur Huang, gave his address, he took the opportunity to give UrbanWire a sneak peek at the mainstays of the store.
A viewing room equipped with LG 3D projectors offered viewers and potential buyers a chance to experience the vibrant colours and realistic 3D image projection they provided using 3D glasses. “These glasses are as cheap as those you find in cinemas,” Mr Huang remarked, referring to the fact that a pair costs no more than $20.
And if you don’t have a spare wall that big, there’s the option of ‘downsizing’ your experience with 3D TVs. Touted as flicker-free, glare-free and with a wide viewing angle, these LG Cinema 3D TV sets had been launched in early May.
For consumers looking to experience more interactivity, the ‘Living Room’ section of the store saw more than 5 different sets of TVs hanging on the wall – with touch pens included.
Mr Huang, highlighted the LG Pen Touch TV to UrbanWire. A staff member demonstrated its ease of use and how its users could express their artistic flair, not with a palette and brush, but with a battery-operated stylus.
“This is the future of the kitchen,” Mr Huang proclaimed at the Kitchen section He explained how space constraints in modern homes are an issue and how LG’s innovative approach to making the most out of limited space led to a breakthrough in kitchen design.
“Refrigerators can be built into the kitchen cabinet set-up, saving external space,” he beamed, as he opened 2 doors conspicuously concealed in a corner. The appliance’s doors were magnetically attached to those of the cabinet, opening outwards gently.
Given the sweltering hot weather and the humidity of Singapore, Mr Huang directed us to a must-have device in all homes – air conditioning.
With operational noise levels at 19dB, the quietest air-conditioning units in the world looked like best sellers. But what Mr Huang’s next words left us disappointed. “These are not for sale… yet.”
And cleanliness wasn’t something LG forgot. In an enclosed patio lay the Hom-Bot, a robotic vacuum cleaner with the ability to manouver its way through obstacles in a house without bumping into them and damaging sensitive equipment parts in the process.
As if to demonstrate consumers’ keen anticipation of buying the showcased products, Mr Huang told of how a middle-aged man wanted to purchase the 6-motion washing machine on display. “He liked the fact that it was transparent, so he could see how well his clothes were washed,” he chuckled.
By providing sneak peaks into its upcoming products, LG LIVE @ Marina Bay Sands will no doubt stay a hot attraction for geeks and homeowners alike.