Smart TVs offer the web browsing and application capabilities of a smartphone with the spectacular display of a HD television. Currently internet enabled television sales are growing fast. These new televisions are pushing the boundaries of conventional pay-per-view TV and enabling far greater consumption of online video content. Many traditional television and cable networks are scrambling to meet demand for IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and online pay-per-view content.
We have seen apps such as Angry Birds and Spotify literally blow up in popularity across mobile devices and the same potential is there for Smart TVs. IP-delivered services will become hugely popular via Smart televisions. Ordering shopping, pizzas and paying utility bills using your television will become common place within the next 5 to 10 years.
Families will use TV apps for cooking, gaming, music and anything else they find interesting. Even businesses across the world will use television apps to work together in a variety of ways. Cloud based services for businesses which are accessible from a television could be very beneficial for global business, the potential is enormous.
New Smart TVs
Panasonic has launched a range of Smart TVs called “Smart Viera”, which focus on consumers being able to communicate better using services such as Skype. These new televisions will also offer Facebook access, various apps and games. The new models will come in 2D and 3D. One of the first apps to be released includes a fitness game which comes with Body Media Fit accessory. The accessory acts as a health and food monitor which can be synced with an online account specific to your needs and to help you along as you go.
Samsung have also launched their own versions which allow access to Facebook, Twitter and full web browsing along with 2D and 3D viewing capability. The new Samsung range incorporates what it calls a “Smart Hub” interface to easily navigate and use social networks and other well-known portals. The electronics maker has also designed an easy to use touch screen remote for surfing the net, watching TV and playing games. The “Smart Hub” interface enables viewers to find and download music and movie content. Samsung’s marketing manager, Corrie Labuschagne said “Samsung expect to sell 12 million Smart TVs in 2011 alone”.
The next generation TVs offer benefits to parents because they allow for tighter parental controls to protect children against unsuitable content. Using a wireless router you can set parental controls to restrict access to social networks, adult, illegal content and video sharing sites. You can even only allow access to sites such as Facebook during a certain time of the day and change access controls from anywhere with an internet connection.