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Feel like accessing the likes of Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Netflix, Twitter and YouTube through your TV? Samsung are leading a growing number of manufacturers offering 'Widget' based on screen content which runs alongside your regular viewing. Yahoo's approach to internet access on the TV through their 'widget' platform has been well publicised, but until recently has not had any great impact within the consumer electronics domain. With its implementation on a growing number of LCD TV's and a rapidly expanding developer community, this is changing.
Vizio, LG, Samsung and Sony are now implementing the Yahoo! widget platform on a growing number of consumer products. Samsung have recently unveiled Samsung Apps, an application and widget store that will be rolled out in the US this spring for its compatible LED and 3D TVs. Samsung have indicated that their app store will be "multi-platform", offering downloads for their mobile phones, TVs, Blu-ray players and possibly other devices. An open architecture, with a developer kit for those interested in creating applications for inclusion in the store will give the concept every chance of gaining momentum.
The recent inclusion of the BBC's hugely popular iPlayer video on demand service as a 'Widget' accessible through Samsung’s Internet@TV enabled screens signals how seriously the platform is being taken. Many of you will point to the fact that content from a PC can be streamed to the TV already; however, it is the convenience of accessing this type of content by the 'layperson' that gives the platform its massive potential. Here in the UK, Sky News are developing a widget that will allow users of internet connected televisions made by Samsung to gain free instant access to news stories. A whole raft of apps are likely to follow in the coming months.
Although the responsiveness of 'Widgets' has been an issue, the convenience of accessing internet content through the TV is beginning to interest a growing number of viewers. Rich entertainment sites such as YouTube offer a much more satisfying user experience when viewed through the big screen and in addition, groups of people (friends and family) are more inclined to share experiences in front of the TV.
It is this 'social' aspect of accessing internet content through the TV which could very well lead to the technology becoming an essential component of modern TV's. Although serious internet users will undoubtedly stick to their PC's, widget technology looks like becoming an interesting entertainment/information niche in the short term and could quite possibly develop into something much bigger in the long term.
News Source: http://hdtvorg.co.uk>