Smart electronics are gaining global attention as people look for a more convenient life centered on convenience.

Smart electronics ― ranging from tablet PCs, smart TVs to 3-D TVs ― are clearly the global trend, as seen at the international electronics trade show, the IFA, held in Berlin, Germany, from Sept. 3-8.

What was surprising was that tablet PCs, especially Samsung Electronics’ new 7-inch Galaxy Tab, was the overall hit, rather than the smart TVs expected to steal the show.

Samsung’s Android-powered tablet PC, which weighs 380 grams and supports voice calls, was unveiled for the first time, putting an emphasis on portability.

“Consumers can have the freedom to choose optimal mobile devices for any place and occasion,” said Shin Jong-kyun, chief of Samsung’s mobile business. “It’s the answer to the demand of customers who (wish) to enjoy all types of media while on the move.”

Visitors try out a video game on a Samsung Electronics Corp. Galaxy Tab tablet computer, connected to a larger monitor, at the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) consumer electronics trade fair in Berlin, Germany on Friday. (Bloomberg)

When compared to Apple’s already-popular 9.7-inch iPad, the new Galaxy Tab is smaller in size and can make voice calls ― a feature the iPad does not carry. It is projected to be launched in early October, with a goal of selling over 1 million tablet PCs in the local and global markets this year, according to Shin.

Other international companies like Japan’s Toshiba and Dell of the U.S. also revealed their new tablet PCs, both running on the Android operating system, at the event.

Toshiba’s Foilo 100 is about 10 inches in size and 760 grams in weight. It also supports voice calls and face-to-face video conferencing and can play moving pictures as it is equipped with the Adobe Flash Player.

It is expected to be launched in the European market this year.

Dell’s 5-inch Android tablet Streak is supposedly a hybrid device that is positioned between a smartphone and a larger tablet PC.

It is designed to access entertainment and social media services and play the role of an organizer.

What should be noted, however, is that the gadget’s screen is merely an inch bigger than Samsung’s newest smartphone Galaxy S, leaving many doubting if it can actually be classified as a tablet PC.

The smart TVs, which were projected to draw the most attention, failed to meet expectations as Sony ― partnering with Google, Logitech and Intel ― did not release details or give any test demonstrations involving the new Google TV.

In a closing keynote speech at the global trade show, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said that Google TV was on track for a fall release and that the service will be launched across the world next year.

In a related effort, local electronics giants Samsung and LG Electronics introduced their Web TVs, or smart TVs, using their own operating systems.

Apple Inc. also released a smaller and cheaper version of its Web-to-TV device called Apple TV in a bid to secure better control of the digital living room last Wednesday.

Smart TVs are cross-functional devices that incorporate television and the Web, offering TV applications and other interactive Internet services like online shopping, games and Internet voice calls.

“The future has been defined by new technology markets. Our announcement creates a central theme to create smart lives for our consumers,” Yoon Boo-keun, president of visual display business at Samsung, said at the event last week.