Convenient Smart Home

I swear, Samsung’s The Freestyle spells freedom

The projector-slash-smart-TV makes you want to watch shows wherever, whenever possible

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Anyone in their late 20s who just finally broken free from the asylum that raised them would know that settling for a small, tight space would be better for mental sanity.

Getting away from my parent’s clutches meant bidding goodbye to a capacious living room. There’ll be no more monstrous TV that I can watch on while I rot on the sofa bed.

You can’t have the same luxury in a 40 sqm condominium space. When you’re moving out, you have to let go some of the stuff that made you… you. But it gives you an opportunity to create a new identity, armed with the freedom of making decisions on your own.

Freestyle for those who just earned their freedom

Taylor Swift’s speech at the NYU Spring 2022 graduation ceremony resonated with me as I pack my bags and boxes.

“The scary news is: You’re on your own now. The cool news is: You’re on your own now.”

It’s scary to be on your own. No fallbacks; no safety net. But I revel in the freedom of making decisions that won’t be disapproved by my parents.

Instead of opting for the familiar rectangular TV, an unconventional projector such as Samsung The Freestyle took over my chamber.

I didn’t have to worry about mounting a TV on bare walls I haven’t decided how to decorate or setting a TV stand that would cramp my already tight space.

I’ve had my hands on it a few years back, which makes me familiar with its capabilities as a Smart TV. Now, it’s on its 2nd-generation, and this portable TV just got even better.

Learning to adjust and adapt

Samsung’s The Freestyle is easy to set up, and it’s even easier if you have a Samsung device that allows you to control everything through the SmartThings app.

While I have the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, I still managed to set everything up using my iPhone. My Samsung account, after all, is still logged in on my Safari browser. (I am deeply sorry, Samsung)

The beauty of having a Smart TV is how everything just works. It connected easily — on my WiFi, signing in my accounts, and accessing my favorite streaming apps.

It took me less than 30 minutes to set the whole thing up. From unboxing the device to figuring out the setup and finding the right angle.

It keystones automatically, which meant adjusting the screen to a perfect rectangle regardless of the angle you’re projecting on. This makes it easy to watch on a wall or on a ceiling — depending on your preference and watching behavior.

And more importantly, the remote control works even if you don’t point directly to the device. I tried pointing it at the screen and on a different wall, and the Freestyle just works flawlessly — even its voice assistants such as Samsung’s Bixby.

Whatever situation it finds itself in, the Freestyle just knows how to adapt and give you the best experience. I’m still learning to do the same.

Drawn to a whole new world

The first thing I did was watch my comfort anime, One Piece, and feel free like a kid again. The picture quality — whether on daytime or at night — is superb, vivid, and crisp.

Even at the scorching noon time reaching a heat index of almost 50-degrees Celsius, the sunlight is no match for the Freestyle’s projected screen. It’s like looking at a phone screen with almost 3000-nits peak brightness.

Netflix has just added the Enies Lobby arc, which is the storyline that made me fall in love with the anime. Having no friends growing up like Nico Robin makes me burst into tears every time I re-watch the scene where she screamed wanting to be live and be saved.

It didn’t help that the built-in speaker projects a 360-degree sound making me feel as if Nico Robin is screaming within my apartment.

To refresh my tears and regulate my emotions, I shifted to watching my favorite Disney movies since I just came back from Hong Kong Disneyland, and the magic’s still inside me.

I relieved my memories by playing my favorite films such as Aladdin, Frozen, Tangled, and Little Mermaid. Singing to my childhood songs made it magical, and the Freestyle just makes the experience spectacular.

Since the Freestyle can be connected via Bluetooth and/or HDMI to another sound system, I linked it to my JBL PartyBox Encore Essential, which immersed me and my whole space — making me feel like I’m back in Disneyland.

Of course, I almost burst into tears again.

To endless possibilities

I had a lot of fun using the Freestyle. Sometimes, I’d stand in front of the projector while playing some of Ariana Grande’s music videos, acting as if I’m starring in my own music video. Honestly, there are plenty of ways to experience and enjoy the Freestyle.

It’s portable, lightweight, and I bet it would make a great tool for traveling — especially on camping and road trips. I haven’t found ways to do that since I’m preoccupied with moving in and out of my new home.

Looking back, I would have loved to own the Serif as I dream of decorating my own space with my own aesthetic. But the sudden life change didn’t give me the space and the budget to make me build my dream space.

Nevertheless, it came with an unconventional solution. One that gave me endless possibilities as I try to explore who I am becoming. The Freestyle suits those with creative minds; it’s just as versatile as I am. Simply plug it in and find the right angle to experience a new way to watch your favorite content.

Maybe we don’t get what we want, but the universe will always give us what we need at the moment. Everything is still in perfect alignment. That’s my conclusion from the whole ordeal with the moving out process and having to only take the Freestyle with me in my new space.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

I’m a big fan of Samsung’s Lifestyle TVs. Most of the time, they’re unconventional and fits a certain aesthetic and — of course — lifestyle.

Samsung The Freestyle fits those who are in love with freedom, wanting to watch their favorite shows in YouTube, Netflix, or Disney+ whenever, wherever possible. It’s a smart projector and TV in one that won’t require you to use your last three brain cells, because it just works.

Samsung The Freestyle (2nd Gen) is currently available at an introductory price of PhP 34,999. Its predecessor retailed for PhP 48,999.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Freestyle: On-the-go smart entertainment hubSamsung The Serif: What’s it’s like to watch on an artistic TV? | Samsung The Premiere: Turn any space into a private cinema

Computers

Samsung’s SECRET That Made OLED Even Better

Say hello to the new QD-OLED Penta Tandem display tech by the Korean giant

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Samsung Display just unveiled QD-OLED Penta Tandem technology. This is a next-generation display structure that stacks five emission layers to improve brightness, efficiency, and overall OLED performance.

In this video, we simplify what Penta Tandem actually is, how it works, and show you two monitors that already have the technology — specifically from MSI and Dell.

For more details, check out Samsung Display here.

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Convenient Smart Home

Spotlight: The Tech Behind Every Screen You Use

It’s Not Who You Think!

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TCL CSOT SID Display Week 2026

TCL CSOT is one of the world’s largest display panel manufacturers. However, most people have never even heard of them.

At SID Display Week 2026 in Los Angeles, they unveiled the APEX Pixel Technology across three categories:

  • Super Pixel for smartphones
  • Real Stripe RGB (IJP OLED) for monitors and automotive; and
  • RGBC for TVs
TCL CSOT SID 2026

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Also, THE Michael Josh takes you inside their booth at the Los Angeles Convention Center to break down:

✅ The world-first Super Pixel mobile display (clarity, lowest power, 165Hz refresh rate)
✅ The World’s First Foldable & Portable IJP OLED Monitor Display (28″)
✅ Intelligent Cockpit Display Suite 3.0 — sliding + curved
✅ The World’s Highest Image Quality WHVA Ultra LCD TV Display (85″)

More so, what does it mean when your phone uses Real RGB instead of sub-pixel rendering? Why is inkjet-printed OLED the next big thing in display manufacturing? And what’s a fourth color sub-pixel?

Know all of these in our Spotlight on TCL CSOT’s Display Technologies.

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Convenient Smart Home

Giving up counter space for reverse osmosis: Living with Waterdrop M6H in NYC

A 7-stage filtration system

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Waterdrop M6H

Living in New York City means two things when it comes to the kitchen: constantly negotiating with counter space and having the best drinking water in the country.

That’s exactly where a countertop reverse osmosis system like the Waterdrop M6H finds its place. It fits into apartment life surprisingly well, though not without tradeoffs.

Peace of mind

New York City is known for having some of the best drinking water in the country, and for most people, straight-from-the-tap is perfectly safe and dare I say: tastes the best, too. 

But using a reverse osmosis system isn’t necessarily about fixing bad water. It can also take already good water and filtering it down to a much finer level.

The Waterdrop M6H uses a 7-stage filtration system, which goes beyond basic filtration to remove things like heavy metals, chlorine, PFAS, and microplastics, which you might not think about daily but are still present in trace amounts. It also has UV sterilization, adding another layer of protection by targeting bacteria that may not be caught in filtration alone.

That extra layer of filtration becomes especially helpful when you have guests or family visiting. My parents, for example, have more sensitive stomachs, so even small differences in water quality can matter.

One tradeoff with reverse osmosis is that it also removes naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium. In practice, it shouldn’t be a major concern for most people. Food, not water, should be the primary source of these nutrients.

Built for apartment living

One of the biggest advantages of the Waterdrop M6H is how easy it is to set up. There’s no installation, no need to touch your plumbing, and if you’re renting: no back-and-forth with a landlord. 

It sits on my counter like any other appliance. It’s roughly the size of my super automatic coffee machine, which makes it feel familiar and non-invasive. And just like my coffee machine, I get access to great drinking water with just a few presses.

For apartment dwellers like me, that plug-and-play design is a huge win. I could be living in my current home for years, but will likely still need to move out at some point. That means I can take the M6H with me no matter where life takes me.

Compact is both good and bad

That small footprint is what makes it viable in a city kitchen, but it also introduces the biggest inconvenience. 

Because the unit is compact, the water tank isn’t huge, and neither is the wastewater capacity. The built-in 135oz water tank capacity is large enough to get you through a good portion of the day. 

In practice, that means you’ll be refilling clean water and emptying the waste tank regularly, sometimes more than two times a day depending on usage. 

It’s not difficult, but it’s definitely more hands-on than a built-in system that runs continuously in the background.

Eats up precious counter space

Beyond just physically occupying counter space, the machine changed how I use my kitchen. 

The spot it takes is often the same area I would use for prepping food, whether that’s chopping vegetables, rolling or kneading dough, and plating meals. It’s also the same spot I use for putting dirty dishes before they get washed.

So while it technically fits, it reduced my working surface in a noticeable way. In a New York kitchen, losing even a small section of prep space can have a huge impact on one’s daily routine.

Bottle compatibility can be hit or miss

Another noticeable drawback of its compact size is the height clearance under the spout. If you tend to use taller insulated bottles, especially the narrow ones, they won’t always fit comfortably underneath.

I have a combination of tall and short ones, and so that means having to tilt the taller ones or filling them in stages, which interrupts an otherwise convenient experience.

Well thought-out experience

Where the Waterdrop M6H really stands out is in how easy it is to use. The touchscreen is intuitive without feeling overdesigned, and the preset buttons for coffee and tea temperatures are more than welcome. Thanks to its instant heating, I’m never waiting around for hot water when I want a comforting cup of tea after a chilly day out.

One of my favorite features is the ability to customize how many ounces of water you want dispensed. You can set it, place your glass or bottle underneath — as long as it fits — and walk away while it fills because it stops on its own. It’s a small detail that makes drinking clean water convenient.

It’s just a bonus that I’m more conscious of the amount of water I’m drinking on a daily basis.

The detachable glass pitcher is another thoughtful touch. You can take it off and pour directly to your vessel of choice, store it in the fridge for cold water, or use it directly for cooking.

Better than a filter pitcher

If you’ve used a standard filter pitcher before, the difference is immediate. 

With something like a Brita, you’re constantly refilling and waiting for water to slowly drip through the filter before you can use it. The Waterdrop M6H produces purified water much faster and on demand.

Even though I have to refill the tank daily, it’s still far less frequent, and far less tedious, than topping off a pitcher multiple times a day. 

Cost-wise, it also evens out over time. Instead of repeatedly buying smaller filters, you’re replacing one larger filter less often, with a more advanced level of filtration to show for it.

Is the Waterdrop M6H your GadgetMatch?

Even in a city with excellent tap water, a reverse osmosis system like the Waterdrop M6H can be helpful. It makes the most sense if you’re renting but still want better-than-tap filtration without dealing with permanent changes. 

While not as inconvenient as a Brita pitcher, it still requires daily maintenance. It is not the best fit if you’re already tight on counter space, cook frequently and rely heavily on your prep area.

A permanently installed reverse osmosis system will always win when it comes to pure convenience, and Waterdrop has great options for that. It runs continuously, requires less day-to-day interaction that you just forget about it, and it doesn’t take up precious counter space. 

For my current setup, the Waterdrop M6H is a practical middle ground. It delivers many of the same benefits in a flexible, renter-friendly form.

The Waterdrop M6H retails for US$429 before tax. Maintenance is straightforward: the replacement filter costs $79.99 and lasts about 12 months or roughly 1,100 gallons of water.

It isn’t cheap, but you can think of it as a long-term investment in your health. Its benefits aren’t immediate or obvious day-to-day, but something you’ll likely appreciate over time and thank yourself for later.

Buy the WaterdropM6H on waterdropfilter.com

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