By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Black+Decker, a brand best known for tools and appliances, is now offering Smart TVs through a partnership with India’s Indkal Technologies.
“With over 100 years of innovation, BLACK+DECKER continues to expand its portfolio to meet the needs of our evolving consumers,” said Amit Datta, Commercial Director Licensing, Stanley Black & Decker. “We are excited to lead the way by bringing the first Next-Gen Smart TV featuring Android 14 technology to India.”
Black+Decker is stepping into the television sector for the first time, offering the newly accounced A1 Series Google TV. Indkal and Black+Decker say the new TVs will “redefine the way we experience entertainment at home, with a four-side frameless body, cutting edge smart technologies, and a host of intuitive features.
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“The 4K TV promises to deliver an unparalleled viewing experience,” the partners say.
Black+Decker has been in operation since 1910, and was the inventor of the first portable electric drill with a pistol grip and trigger switch, a design that has become almost universal around the world. At the time, Black+Decker was a small machine shop in Baltimore, Maryland, but grew and diversified to become a global manufacturer and licensor, offering not just tools, but also a wide range of other products for the home.
Black+Decker’s partner in its television venture is Indkal Technologies, a consumer tech company founded in the city of Bengaluru in 2020, which produces a wide variety of consumer electronics and appliances for the massive and rapidly growing market in India.
The A1 Series is a premium TV that features an ultra-high-definition 4K display with HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision, ensuring vibrant visuals and deep contrasts for a cinematic viewing experience.
Equipped with a 120Hz VRR and MEMC technology, the A1 Series provides smooth, lifelike visuals, making it ideal for sports and fast-action scenes. The immersive audio experience is powered by 36W speakers and Dolby Atmos, enveloping viewers in high-quality sound.
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The smart TV runs on Android 14, offering seamless navigation through apps with Google Voice Assistant and AI Picture Optimisation. It also includes cutting-edge connectivity options like Dual Band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and HDMI 2.1.
The set offers a minimalist design to fit into any decor, and includes a premium polycarbonate stand.
“We are extremely excited to introduce Black+Decker’s first-ever television to the Indian market,” said Anand Dubey, CEO of Indkal Technologies. “This launch marks a significant milestone for us, as it brings a globally recognized brand known for its innovation into the highly competitive TV space.
“The combination of stunning 4K visuals, next-gen smart features powered by Android 14, and immersive Dolby Atmos sound makes this TV an ideal choice for home entertainment. We are confident that the Black+Decker A1 Series televisions will become a must-have product for technology enthusiasts and home entertainment lovers across India.”
The licensing partnership was coordinated by LicenseWorks, a leading brand licensing agency in India, on behalf of Stanley Black & Decker.
“We are proud to have facilitated this licensing partnership between Stanley Black & Decker and Indkal Technologies, marking a new milestone for BLACK+DECKER in the Indian consumer electronics market,” said Rishabh Singla, Managing Partner at LicenseWorks added, This launch demonstrates the potential of licensing partnerships to combine local expertise with global brand expertise and innovation”.