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Showing posts with label do i need a smart tv. Show all posts
Showing posts with label do i need a smart tv. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Quality Waterproof Outdoor TVs

Watching TV is the first thing coming to our mind when we wish to enjoy our time, eating delicious sandwiches, and feeling happy in watching the favorite movie! The good news is that television industry is expanding rapidly, along with inventing new technical items to enhance the quality.

Getting involved with all types of outdoor entertainments is not an easy at all. Yet, one must consider that the age of digital technology is demonstrating rapidly, which has its fans all around the world as well.

Focusing on the fact that there is recently a huge demand on TVs, especially which are corresponding with outdoor, one must keen with the smart choice and the wise purchase too. However, there are those TVs that can be operated in the external environments, which are known as outdoors. As an example, one could watch the favorite program on TV, while he/ she is relaxing in the garden enjoying the sunshine.

On the other hand, going out to cafes or restaurants, one should look at the waterproof outdoor TV; say to follow up the championship of his beloved football team. Moreover, there are many involved benefits from getting this smart device. Speaking about Quality Waterproof Outdoor TVs may involve a bit of information about what is meant by "Waterproof" in this issue. In fact, waterproof here refers to the easy design of certain units, in order to allow the user to operate the device safety, especially in certain wet environments, such as oil industries, beverage, and food firms. Therefore, the waterproof TV is considered an ideal technique, which m ay be used widely in outdoors, including any place where water or damp is a challenge.

No doubt, that the quality of the selected device will be the most important issue, which everyone should interest in it. In order to get the highest quality of the waterproof TV, considering getting this good value for the spent money, one must be keen with certain specifications and/ or items of the selected items.

These specifications and/ or items could include the approval of IP 65 or IP 68, the industry standard. In addition, the availability of DVB-T tuner will assist in receiving and watching all free radio and TV. There is as well the element of the ability to integrate the Virgin Media or even Sky Media. There are also certain elements included in getting one of these waterproof TVs, such as the waterproof remote control, the high quality sound, the selection of three various finishes, black, white, or mirror, and especially the embeddable or the wall mountable.

Even though the challenge is that the price is not cheap at all, still the waterproof outdoor TV cost five times that of plasma one. Nevertheless, according to experts, this incredible device deserves your attention.

The waterproof outdoor Television is available in everyplace around the world. You can check its availability online too.

'Proof Vision' is a UK based company offering a wide range of waterproof TVs and products related to screens and water areas. Visit their website for further information: http://www.proofvision.co.uk

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Smart Home Appliances

There are appliances that will network directly with your home wireless network without the need for fancy technologies or "bridges" like the Z-Wave bridges, or special gateways for communication. Smart TVs have been around for a while, using either a hardwired or Wi-Fi connection to communicate with Apps such as Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, Hulu etc... Same thing for game consoles, the PS3 and PS4, XBox and Wii all will connect to the internet and stream movies, music and TV shows for you.

Samsung, Whirlpool and several competitors have recently released "Smart Appliances." These appliances monitor their own power usage, cycles and temperatures while sending your phone or tablet updates and information about what they are doing or the attention they need.

Fridges can now keep track of their temperatures, the items in them, their power and door alarms, and if necessary they can send you an email alert or "nudge" to remind you that they need attention. GE has an oven that will network and allow you to preheat it, change temperature and set cook times through an app should the need arise while Whirlpool has a washer and dryer set that can be monitored, started or stopped remotely. LG Even has a fridge that keeps track of expiration dates, helps write a grocery list and can network with it's same brand oven to get it preheated or cooking temperatures right for that brand new recipe you always wanted to try.

The important thing to remember with these major brand appliances is that they work via your WiFi connection in the house and NOT through the z-wave technology your outlets, lights, sinks, doors and security might communicate via. This just makes networking them into one larger smart home a little bit more difficult, but in no way impossible to do.

Ultimately you may find that it's better to have your appliances on one network communicating with each other and your small household systems on another, it's easier to keep track of and you know what they are doing. Using one app like Revolv and another like the LG ThinQ will let you keep track of your whole home system pretty easily and monitor energy usage, system settings and home security without compromising cost or convenience. The last thing anyone wants to do is have an extreme number of apps, logins buttons to find to control their Smart Home. Home automation systems are designed to improve efficiency and help make life easier. Not become a headache of wasted time and energy keeping track of a large number of systems.

Smart Home appliances can be just the thing if you're forgetful or like to have complete control remotely over your energy, alarms and even dishwasher and oven. For more information check out http://www.smarthomeinfo.net for great insight into how these systems can work and what options there are.

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Another Smart Addition - Meet the Talking Teddy Bear

Let's do the counting: Smartphones, Smart pads, Smart TVs, SmartWatches, Smart pens and many other smart-gadgets are filling the smart-device market all around the world. This market gets tightened with one more spot as Smart Teddy Bear makes its entry. Teddy Ruxpin will be children's next favourite toy.

However, while we all think of children when a teddy bear is mentioned, the company which stands behind this innovation believes that it's gadget will be used by adults, as well.

It's made just like Apple's personal assistant Siri. Teddy Ruxpin has been created by a company that specializes in robotics in the United Kingdom. This smart teddy will be able to talk to you by answering questions, read bedtime stories for your kids and make phone calls. This toy could easily become the most popular teddy bear among kids and highly desired by each and every one of them.

It seems that Ted the movie was the true inspirations for the toy creators, Karsten Flugge and Ashley Conlan, to make this smart bear. These two have a quite an impressive background with Chabot Al. Back in 2011, they have created Siri's competition Jeannie which was supported by iOS, Linux, Mac, PC and Android. This toy was described as Jeannie's baby in physical body.

This teddy bear runs on application that is supported by both Android and iOS. There is a connection on Teddy's back which enables you to connect your phone device to an audio jack. In order for Teddy to respond to your requirements or questions, you will need to open up the app on your phone and Teddy's built-in microphone will hear you. The interesting part is that it includes robotics that syncs the mouth to its spoken works. The company equipped this smart teddy bear with a micro USB port under its tail which can be used to charge your smartphone while using the toy.

Teddy has a learning ability and could easily learn what you like. According to the company's post on Kickstarter, there will be several other features which will be developed in the future. At this moment, they are focusing on Teddy's mouth movements. Both developers expect to expand its robotics range and make him move his head, arms and legs.

Expensive as it sounds, this teddy bear won't cost a fortune. It has a price tag of £42 or $65 I'm predicting a very successful holiday season for the teddy bear toy, if it manages to come out on the market right before the shopping season starts.

Keeping up with the latest technology can be very time consuming. We have staff reviewing all the resources as soon as they become available and then pass on the information to you. Please visit http://www.onlinegadgetstore.com to read about all the latest gadgets.

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Smart TV Explained

Smart TV is very common at the moment but many people still have no clue as to what it really is. Smart TV is basically a television application that can be connected to the internet giving you access to multimedia applications, games, catch-up services, social networking and much more. Smart TV can also give you access to content stored on your home computer such as photos, movies and music. Let's have a look at some of the services offered by Smart TV.

Multimedia Applications - Like apps on a Smart Phone you can download and enjoy apps on your television. Some systems come with some apps already downloaded such as BBCiPlayer, YouTube and Facebook. Like on a Smart Phone some of these apps will be free and others you will have to pay for. The applications available will vary between brands. Samsung will have different apps to Panasonic for example.

Games - Interactive games from a range of genres are available from the app store. Whether you like to gamble or just play for fun there's sure to be something for you.

Catch-up Services - Video On-demand is a great way to catch up on missed shows or discover something new. BBCiPlayer, 4OD and ITV Player let you watch a range of programmes from the past seven days, but you can't record any of the content onto a DVD or hard disc. You can even stream movies with rental services like Love Film and AceTrax. If you use these you'll have no more late fees, posting DVDs or trips to the rental store.

Social Networking - Connect with friends through Facebook and Twitter. You can also share photos with apps like Picasa and Flickr. Some brands like Samsung have added Skype so you can catch-up with friends and family without ever leaving the couch.

Browsing the web - If your Smart TV has a web browser then you can surf the web in addition to all the other fantastic features.

Sharing Content - Want to watch videos stored on your computer on your TV? Well now you can! Many Smart TVs include DLNA which allows you to connect to your home computer and view files on your TV.

To access all of this your Smart TV will need to be connected to the internet. Before you do this you may want to check your download limits as streaming and downloading on your TV will eat into this. In addition to this to be able to stream content without those annoying jerks and jumps a minimum 2Mb internet connection is needed. If your ethernet cable won't reach to the TV and you can't use a wireless connection don't panic. A wireless dongle can be used to connect to your home Wi-Fi, simply plug it into a USBport on your TV. However, make sure the dongle and TV are compatible to avoid disappointment.

To learn more about Smart TV take a look at this endorsed website Smart TV

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LED TVs Have Raised Standards In Home Entertainment

When the first color televisions hit the scene in the 60's, the first people on the block to own them were considered high-class. When big screen televisions started being manufactured, those with thousands to shell out for the things were the best thing since sliced bread.

Not so long ago flat panel and plasma televisions came on the market and retailed for as much as 25,000 dollars. Today the technology has become affordable for many more people and the technology is advancing again in the form of the LED TV. Unlike plasma televisions, LED sets are a form of LCD technology that utilize LED backlighting instead of the cold cathode fluorescent lights or CCFL's that are used in traditional LCD sets.

Manufacturers have started using this process for making TV's because it allows for a saving of space and less energy consumption. Although many LED televisions sold in stores are correctly termed as such, they are not true LED displays and still use parts of more traditional LCD technology. LED televisions come in a few different forms which are dynamic RGB LED's, white edge LED's, and full array. Dynamic and full array are both positioned behind the screen of an LCD television whereas the white edge are placed around the perimeter of the set. The white edge is one of the most common applications for LED television technology.

LED technology is relatively new and as such, LED models tend to be a bit more expensive than their traditional counterparts. The variance however is not drastic and they remain as affordable as plasma or traditional LCD televisions. For example Samsung LED televisions range from about 1000 dollars to 2000 dollars depending on size and specific features. Most models made by this leading manufacturer come with full HD capabilities, 1080p resolution, range in size of 32 to over 60 inches and are wall mountable. The newest generation of televisions are something called Smart TVs, this enables the TV to display content from the internet making the TV the hub of home entertainment.

It seems there will not be a time in the near future that having the latest television set won't make you the envy of the neighborhood. From huge heavy color TV's that came out in the middle of the 20th century to the ultra thin models of today, manufacturers continue to find new and innovative ways to deliver televised content to millions of consumers around the world.

Johnny is an expert in LED TV and writes informative article and reviews about the leading models of TVs on the market, including the Samsung LED TV range.

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The Next Evolution of E-Commerce-Smart TV

The rapid development of mobile technologies has enriched the notion of e-commerce and expanded the 'place' of purchase and revenue streams for merchants. Consumers can now shop and pay not only in a shop, but also at home, work, on the bus, and on the hoof. The smartphone and m-commerce have in that manner blurred the limits between the on- and offline worlds.

Time has become an extremely valuable commodity, and to a considerable degree defines the choice of products, services and retailers. Convenience is another significant factor for consumers. Experts say that TV commerce (or t-commerce) is an area for the new smarter shopping and a path for merchants to engage with consumers in new ways.

Connected TVs or smart TVs, which have functions such as connection to the Internet and streaming, are becoming standard among TV brands. According to some industry sources, the penetration rate of connected TVs was 20% in 2010, and will increase up to 50% in 2013. In addition to that, such platforms as Google TV, Apple TV, and Roku for viewing video on demand (VOD) are getting increasingly popular. Television is therefore entering an entirely new era, bringing more opportunities for advertising, marketing, revenue generation, and viewer participation. What are the key features of t-commerce?

Making purchases. T-commerce solutions allow TV-viewers to respond directly to offers delivered on the screens of their TVs, and instantly purchase products by using their existing remote controls and set-top boxes.

Request for information. T-commerce apps enable TV viewers to request more information on products, services or events directly from the content they are watching on the television with a few simple clicks on the remote control.

Voting and polling. T-commerce solutions provide additional opportunities for the viewer to interact with programs, advertisers, and networks. Thus, viewers can vote on their favorite shows, programs, news reports, game shows, sporting events, etc.

The immediate response. The instant feedback from the viewer means immediate response for the merchant. Businesses gain thereby valuable customer data for further research and targeted marketing.
The paradigm of t-commerce has the potential to change TV sets into a powerful business tool enabling merchants to conduct business over television. T-commerce makes it possible to reach new and existing customers through increasingly popular Internet-connected TVs and set-top boxes. The entire shopping can be performed with nothing more than a series of clicks on the remote control. Consumers usually respond very positively to businesses that take the time to understand their needs and offer excellent customer service.

Elinext Group
Visit our Website: http://www.elinext.com
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With over 15 years of experience and over 300 professionals on board worldwide, Elinext Group is a global supplier of IT solutions for various industries, including advertising, accounting, banking, education, finance, healthcare, hospitality, real estate, retail, tourism and others. Elinext companies specialize in custom software development, mobile development, web development, TV app development and game development.

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Plasma TVs - A Guide

Gamers mainly like employing a Plasma TV because that they can get higher graphic detail and sharper pictures which aid to strengthen game play, and to help make it more pleasurable. Another advantage to owning a Plasma TV is usually that coloration look better than on some other TV sets or monitors.

Having high-end color generates a greater picture, which is more crisp, concise and creates pictures that seem more real, an excellent feature for movie enthusiasts of course.

Greater colors and far better contrasts boost viewing pleasure, as well as the capacity to watch TV and movies in wide screen. Many folks are better satisfied with Plasma TVs since they require much less space compared to the conventional sets. You no longer have to plan the furniture structure around the spot where the TV is placed. Modern sets have a fairly small width and a broader screen which helps it to be seen from practically any angle or distance inside the room.

Regardless of where you sit in your room, you should be able to clearly see your favourite shows, which is an additional bonus on the Plasma TV. They vary in size from the regular twenty inch models, all the way up to more than 70 inches wide. Bear in mind however, that the bigger the screen is, the greater the price is likely to be.

Plasma TV's work particularly well if are intending to set up your own home theatre, couple it with a great surround sound set-up, and you have all the features of the theatre with out all the company!

Resolution also affects the price of the set you choose. The higher resolution, the clearer and sharper the picture, however the more of the dent it'll put in your wallet. You might be better suited by purchasing a well known brand name Plasma TV, as you are likely to get improved service from a reputable manufacturer.

A great price is essential for the obvious reason but never forget that many times you get what you pay for. If you buy from a merchant just because they are inexpensive you can be setting yourself up for troubles in the future. There are several resources offered on-line to aid in your choice of TV. Ensure you have a good look around before buying a Plasma TV.

In recent years the addition of Smart TVs to the marketplace has really improved the quality and functionality of home technology. Now can have a complete home media experience from your Smart TV.

You can find some good information and reviews of the latest sets at Smart TV Reviews

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The World of Changing Views Creates Cheap LCD TVs

Important news in the television industry is channeling different views on LCD TVs that could reduce the cost dramatically. Although the electronics vertical is seeing no reduction in growth the biggest maker of televisions is shifting its view from LCD flat-screens to OLED displays. Could this mean cheap LCD televisions will be more readily available as Samsung tries to offload its current stockpile of televisions?

It would seem more top players of the industry have followed suit including Sharp who is decreasing production of LCD displays. When the industry shifts in such a manner from declining profits the winner is the consumer who will receive benefits from both ends. Not only will warehouses be trying to offload older models there will be more competition for targeted consumers looking to buy cheap LCD TVs.

Samsung has had a rough year with its LCD TVs division. After losing over $666,000,000 last year it looks like they are cutting their losses by utilizing an affiliate with 750 billion won (Korean currency) in investment capital. This should mean that market share and brand awareness will come into play to create lower costing products for the consumer in the beginning at least.

As the scope of the market changes and consumers start to go nuts over LED televisions this does not mean quality of LCD TVs is going to go down. Philips is actually announcing moving in the other direction by releasing higher quality cheap LCD televisions in Europe as entry level and midrange displays. However these televisions will not have the smart TV capability of LED models.

So why would LED TVs be the one getting so much love while the LCD televisions are seen as the redheaded stepchild of the industry? Well from what we are seeing it seems that the appeal of LED and smart TVs has driven the market towards desiring those models. If you can live without Google on your televisions which most of us can then you should be able to opt in for the cheap LCD TVs that we plan to see in the near future.

As it has in the past LCD TVs market share will grow as the price becomes more competitive and it is already forecasted to grow 7% in 2012. With an already large growth of 11% in 2011 and less production of the product it looks like competition will start to brew. This makes 2012 a good year to find cheap LCD TVs online.

Online will probably see the biggest increase in LCD television market share since it will have the lowest prices. With production already down and distribution being reduced it would only seem right that online vendors can corner the cheap LCD TV market online. After all it is easier to shop online and a wider selection draws in many buyers.

The world of changing views seems to be placed in LCD TVs as they become more affordable for the masses to purchase.

Brian believes in frugal discount shopping for cheap stuff online. He writes to bargain shoppers about how to utilize the internet for finding the lowest prices on everyday items such as cheap LCD TVs online.

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Latest Trends in Smart TV - Could Apple Win?

Smart TVs are television sets that can retrieve content from the Internet and offer built-in applications for streaming music and movies, apps for social networking, apps for news, weather, sports, games, YouTube and more. In addition to using apps, one of the most appealing factors for tech-savvy consumers is voice activation technology to control TV sets.

According to DisplaySearch, a leading provider of reliable information about the display-related industries, connected TVs are forecast to grow to over 123 million shipments in 2014 (at a 30% compound annual growth rate). The market is now developing beyond mature regions like Western Europe and Japan. Emerging markets play a major role in this growth. With the improvements in the broadband infrastructure, the adoption of connected TVs is a natural next step in TV feature innovation. Eastern Europe is expected to grow from 2.5 million connected TVs shipped in 2010 to over 10 million in 2014. In addition to that, 33% of flat panel TVs sold in China in 2013 will have the Internet capability.

DisplaySearch also forecasts that the connected TV market will become fragmented and increase in complexity. One group of TV sets is supposed to feature basic video on demand and appeal to consumers who expect television to remain a passive experience. Those who want something more substantial will find interesting other TV sets offering configurable apps, sophisticated search and navigation engines, as well as advanced user interfaces.

The main contemporary connected TV platforms include Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Mitsubishi Stream TV, Panasonic Viera Connect, Sony Bravia, Toshiba NetTV, Apple TV, Google TV, TiVo, Liberty Global's Horizon and Yahoo! Connected TV. Samsung, with around 20 million apps downloaded by the end of January 2012, is the segment leader, followed by Panasonic and LG.

However, the biggest shake-up in the television industry is going to cause Apple's much-talked-of TV set. It promises to revolutionize television like once the iPad hit the market. Steve Jobs was quoted in his official biography saying that he "finally cracked the case" of an integrated TV. The new iTV (alleged name) is expected to be completely easy to use, seamlessly synced with other Apple's devices and with the iCloud. At the moment Apple with its $99 set-top box Apple TV seems to be doing very well, with 2.8 million units sold in 2011.

We are constantly hearing rumors related to the expected Apple's product, its features, price, and release date. CLSA Group views Apple TV hardware as a 2013 event. According to the estimations of ITG Industry Investment Research, the new iTV set could increase the company's market cap by 10%, or $60 billion. Apple, already the world's most valuable company, has recently hit the $600 billion level.

Analyst Peter Misek from Jefferies, a global securities and investment banking group, doesn't expect the device to be called iTV. He suggests the new television could be called "iPanel" which can reflect its potential as a hub for gaming, media and more. The iPanel name also follows the "iP" format of other Aplle's products, like the iPod, iPhone and the iPad. However, it is just a guess from the analyst. Misek expects that an Apple television will have a $1,250 average selling price.

The success of Apple's products, like the iPod, the iPhone, and iPad, are much about the design. The iTV (let's take this name) is supposed to have superior quality and excellent design. The list of possible features includes the following ones:

An aluminum construction;
FaceTime video calling;
Siri-based remote voice control;
42-inch HD screen;
iOS operating system;
iCloud support;
Control from the iPhone or the iPad;
Access to Netflix, YouTube, Flickr, etc. (same as on the existing Apple TV);
Content sharing and media streaming from Apple's devices.
Obviously, we'll soon witness the appearance of a new smart TV from Apple that is going to bring new changes to the TV market. And, yes, Apple may win!

Industries and Technology Areas:

Industries: mass media, television

Technology Areas: Smart TV, connected TV, Smart TV applications, TV application development, software development

Elinext Group

With over 15 years of experience and over 300 professionals on board worldwide, Elinext Group is a global supplier of IT solutions for various industries, including advertising, accounting, banking, education, finance, healthcare, hospitality, real estate, retail, tourism and others. Elinext companies specialize in custom software development, mobile development, web development, TV app development and game development.

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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

LG Smart TV Vs Samsung Smart LED TV

Smart TVs have the potential to replace conventional TVs. This innovative gadget offers a lot of features a conventional TV set could not give, taking things a step further. It is equipped with advanced computing technology which includes internet integration, a set-top box, gaming console, Blu-ray player, local hard drive storage, and other devices. In other words, a smart television is the ultimate one-stop home entertainment center.

Many renowned electronics manufacturers have tried their hands at making their own smart TVs. Some companies even join hands to manufacture this amazing entertainment gadget. Logitech, Sony, Intel, and Google, for example, are working together to produce an Android-based Google TV. Two giant electronics manufacturers LG and Samsung are currently at the forefront. Both companies also produce their own signature smart televisions. A lot of people tend to compare products from LG and Samsung because they are both Korean based companies and both target the same market.

The LG Smart TV features four exciting options: the Launcher Bar, Premium Content, TV Live, and TV Apps. Premium contents for this TV are provided by partners CinemaNow and Netflix. In addition, LG also provides a vast collection of apps ranging from educational to gaming purposes. The Smart Share feature in this product allows the users to wirelessly stream videos and listen to music from compatible devices of from their computer. To access the content without using the computer, the user should only activate the embedded web surfer. In addition, users can also access Picasa Photo Viewer, Google Maps, YouTube, Amazon VOD, AP, and Twitter as well. On top of that, the LG Smart TV is more affordable than most smart TVs sold in the market

The Samsung Smart LED TV, on the other hand, offers more exciting features. At least five smart options are available: Smart Search, Smart Chat, Smart Video, Smart Design, and Smart 3D. And like the LG Smart TV, the features provided in this Samsung TV also enable the users to access various movies, music, TV programs, videos, and games, not to mention online contents and social networking sites. Smart 3D is probably the best feature of Samsung Smart LED TV. This state of the art gadget also boasts vivid image and excellent color qualities unlike other television displays. This TV is more expensive than the LG Smart TV. But if you are looking for an excellent image quality, this is the perfect smart TV for you.

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What Is Smart TV?


The very latest waves of Flat Screen Digital TVs hitting our shores this year are being marketed as "Smart TVs". What does this mean, and what benefits do they have? Let's try and explain this concept in a simplified manner.

First - A very quick history on TV evolution

Television technology has advanced rapidly over the years, progressing from the basic "Square" 4:3 Analogue CRT Tube. The introduction and sharp rise in popularity of DVD then saw the implementation of widescreen TVs to suit this format. As the trend towards viewing movies in widescreen digital became the standard, similar steps had to be made for day to day Television viewing. So the integration of digital set top boxes began, and our Television networks began to broadcast our TV programs in digital to coincide with that. As the public began to embrace the "cinema" experience, the next natural progression was larger screens, so Plasma, LCD and later LED panels were introduced. In the years that followed, besides obvious improvements in clarity, sound & design, the only major change made to TV technology was size - demand called for bigger and thinner TVs. Over the last year or so, the introduction of 3D Technology was the next "big-thing", as well the call for more eco-friendly panels.

So we've seen TV's develop from a bulky, square Picture Tube with a choice of five stations to view in analogue, to large, ultra-slim, Full High Definition panels capable of displaying 3D images, and a choice of over twenty channels broadcasting many programs in widescreen digital. Add to that a very sharp decline in price, and an ever increasing focus on environmentally friendly performance - we've certainly come a long way. So where to from here?

Introducing Smart TVs...

The internet is now a dominant part of our daily existence. Our mobile phones have now evolved from devices used just for making phone calls into "Smart-Phones" - basically mobile phones with internet accessibility. The same technology has filtered through to our TVs, and coined the phrase - "Smart TVs". Today's new waves of Smart TVs have a very large focus on online interactive media such as Internet TV, media streaming, social networking and web browsing. In a Similar way to how internet browsing, web widgets and software like games or applications are integrated in today's smartphones, the same trend towards such connectivity has now become part of today's TVs, creating a convergence between computers and Digital TV. Smart TVs allow viewers to search for and find movies, video clips and photos on the internet, stored on a home hard drive, through to your TV, using your remote control.

Smart TVs will eventually change the way we access media in our homes

This convenience will eventually change the way we access media in our homes, or more precisely, from where we access our media. One example would be not having to run down to our local video stores anymore just to rent a movie. By pressing a couple of buttons on our TV remote we suddenly have access to hundreds of movies available for streaming from the comfort of our lounge. Applications (or "Apps" as they are commonly referred to) add yet another facet for us to explore. There are a limitless number of apps that can be created. If you are an I-Phone user, you will already have encountered dozens upon dozens of ingenious applications that you now find hard to live without. There are apps for everything, ranging from live weather and news forecasts, to TV Show catch-up episodes, the latest sports news for your favourite team as well as live scores, and of course the whole social media forum such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. These are now right at your fingertips, transforming TVs into a very diverse media network. The ability to Skype call is also an option, with the aid of a brand-specific Skype camera. While a small number of these features, in some form, have been available over the last year from some television manufacturers, in 2011 we will see the introduction of unrestricted web-browsing in some models. This opens up a limitless array of possibilities by transforming your TV into a fully functional web browser.

Smart TVs - Bringing the internet into your lounge room

There is a distinct advantage of not having to take the effort to boot up your PC, which is usually located in another room, to perform tasks such as purchasing items on eBay, checking your E-mail, or to Google something that has just taken your interest on TV. With large high definition screens, and web pages fully optimised to suit, there is certainly a distinct advantage in browsing the internet from the comfort of your lounge instead of through a little laptop screen or sitting at your computer desk. Even if you have photos, music, movies or video files stored on your home computer, you can access all of these wirelessly through your Home network and stream them directly to your TV.

So, in summary...

Smart TVs are the next generation of Flat Screen Digital Television, merging your TV and computer's functionality into one.

With the ability to stream high definition movies, connect with your friends using Facebook and Twitter, stream TV Shows, and get instant access to news, sport and weather - all from the comfort of your lounge and on a large High Definition TV screen. Some of the higher end Digital TV models will offer built in web browsers - opening up unrestricted web browsing directly to your Television Set. As Plasma and LED Screens have evolved to become thinner, more energy efficient and providing us with stunning Full High Definition clarity. We now have a limitless array of media applications opened up to us, providing us with versatility and cross functional capability like we have never had before.

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The Smart TV Revolution

What is a Smart TV?

Smart TV's offer the capabilities of a computer, from a television set. It offers a multitude of services that ordinary TVs can't. These TVs, also called connected TV or hybrid TV, is the name given to any technology that connects the features of the web to a television set. It offers access to apps, games, web browsing and Internet Protocol Television, or iPTV.

iPTV allows users to view streaming video from the internet; either video clips or continuous channels. Smart TV offers the ability to access the same content that is on the web from the comfort of the living room. The concept of connecting the internet to a television set isn't entirely new, but technological advances are bringing the idea alive and making it easier than ever. The technology doesn't require the purchase of a new television set when they may have just recently purchased one; it is possible to connect to a set top box, game console, blu-ray player, etc.

Why do I need a Smart TV?

The devices allow users to download music or videos from the web and access them directly from their television, eliminating the need to create CDs or DVDs. There are numerous video streaming websites available that offer video clips, television show episodes, full-length movies, and live continuous feed. Netflix users can easily access movies and TV episodes on their smart TV. Now, instead of crowding around a small computer screen to watch an online movie, everyone can gather together on the couch instead. Sites like Hula, Roku, Boxee, and Apple TV also offer an abundance of available videos that can be accessed via a smart TV.

Internet gaming enthusiast will love the accessibility of their favorite game on a wide screen HDTV. Gaming will be transformed into a more comfortable and visually pleasing experience.

How does it work?

These TVs use an Ethernet cable, some can even go wireless. The process of setting up a smart TV is very similar to setting up a laptop. They run on an operating system, similar to regular computer, only made specifically for use with a television. This allows for the use of the apps and features, either pre-programmed or available for purchase and download. The TV can be controlled with an android or apple smart phone, or even wirelessly.

The future of the Smart TV

Television sets are being transformed from an object in the home used for watching video to a truly interactive experience that the whole family can enjoy. TV manufacturers are working with internet companies to provide better services for their customers. These manufacturers will continue to improve the operating systems they offer so that customers will continue to get the best from their TV. As with any new technology, companies will compete to offer the newest and greatest versions, which mean there will always be something new to look out for.

Who makes Smart TVs?

Below are a few manufacturers and some of the models they provide.

Samsung offers:

Plasma series
51" Plasma 7000
59" Plasma 6500, 8000

LED series
40" LED 6500
46" LED 6450, 6500, 6900, 7900
55" LED 6000, 6300, 6420, 6900, 7000, 7050, 8000

LG offers:

42" models 42LV3700, 42LV5400, 42LV5500
47" models 47LV3700, 47LV5400, 47LV5500, 47LW5600*, 47LW5700*, 47LW6500*
55" models 55LV3700, 55LV5400, 55LV5500, 55LW5600*, 55LW5700*, 55LW6500*
65" model 65LW6500*
* These TVs have 3D capabilities.

Sony offers:

Sony Bravia
32" KDL32EX523, KDL32EX720
40" KDL40EX523, KDL40EX720
46" KDL46EX523, KDL46EX620, KDL46NX720, KDL46EX720, KDL46HX729, KDL46HX820, BNKDL46EX523
55" KDL55EX720, KDL55NX720, KDL55HX729, KDL55HX820, KDL55EX620, XBR55HX929
60" KDL60EX720

For more on the Smart TV Revolution, visit our site for regular updates Smart TV Guide

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A Technological Revolution Through Smart Televisions


Televisions are no longer ordinary viewing electronics with plain viewing and frequent need of adjusting the Ariel. Technology has spread its wings over to televisions and introduced smart televisions. Just as the name indicates, this is not an ordinary television with ordinary programs and features. There are a few features and qualities that make smart televisions a better choice for purchase.

Advanced features

With the smart television, you can easily access the movies, videos and music from your smart phone without having to connect wires and devices which is made possible through the entertainment network. They also have energy saving features whereby you can dim the lights according to the scene hence consuming less energy. Some companies make their smart televisions with a unique feature that projects the onscreen lighting hence falling on the wall behind it which creates a dramatic viewing experience.

Multiple command

The best smart televisions are controlled via remote controls but not exclusively. They can also be commanded through hand gestures and your voice. This makes your work much easier especially during those times when you just can't seem to find the remote.

Extra ordinary Accessories

Some of the latest smart TVs come with more than one pair of 3D sunglasses. Some also come with more than one remove for convenience and an easy time in case one gets lost or damaged.

Unique screen

It is about time technology got rid of the large frame that surrounds ordinary televisions. Smart TVs are technologically up to date and this means that they have a screen that is so thin hence almost invisible to the naked eye.

Though this might need some enhancements for support, some additional features of smart TVs include;

a) Time shifting - This allows you to control over when you get to view your favorite programs which extends to the freedom to pause, play, stop, fast forward and rewind a program freely. All this can be done in the midst of a live broadcast with no restrictions at all. No other TV gives its users this kind of luxury. This means that you can leave your favorite program recording, come back later, watch it as many times as you wish and still have full control over it.

b) Recording - One of the many features that make smart TVs the best choice is the fact that one can record their favorite show even in their absence. There are various ways that you could record your favorite shows for later viewing; instant recording whereby you get the chance to record the show live as it is being aired, by show whereby you set it in the on screen television setting and it is done automatically and by time whereby the smart TV automatically starts recording immediately at a specific set time. This is where the smart part of the television comes in.

Smart televisions offer more than just ordinary viewing experiences. They all rounded to offer full home entertainment with no limit. A smart TV with HD allows you to watch movies in 3D as well as having a two player gaming mode. The best smart televisions can easily be connected to the internet meaning that you can handle your business right in the comfort of your home without using a computer. Alternatively you can operate your computer but use the TVs screen for viewing.

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Internet Connected TVs - The Idiot Box Smartens Up


Smart TV evolution

The expectation of our TVs have changed - we now expect our set to do a lot more than just flick through broadcast TV channels. Consumers have been given a taste of a vast array of online content made available through TV sets, allowing the viewing of programs that may have been missed through apps such as Plus7 and I-View, and "renting" of new release streaming video straight from the TV from apps such as Bigpond TV. Content that we traditionally only accessed on our PC is now made available to us through our TV sets, Blu-Ray players and Home Theatre systems - closing the gap between internet and TV.

Movies

One of the most attractive capabilities of Smart Televisions is the ability to stream movies via the internet straight onto our big screen. This has revolutionised the manner in how a lot of people are accessing their movies, with the video store rental industry starting to really feel the pressure. In fact Samsung have just announced they have signed a deal with blockbuster to bring more movies to Samsung devices. The new Blockbuster streaming service is expected to land in the US and Europe in early 2012, and in Australia by September.

Bigpond Movies has been available on Samsung and LG TV's for a couple of years now, and this represents a collection of thousands of new release and back catalogue titles which are streamed to your TV via the internet. No more leaving the house to go to the video store, or amassing late fees for that disc you forgot to return.

Quickflix has been available on Sony TVs and Blu-Ray players previously, and thanks to a recent deal Samsung join Sony in partnering with the online DVD subscription service and developing an app that will allow Australian users to stream video content to their Samsung Smart TVs.

Sony also bring us their own streaming service - Video on Demand, offering late release movies in the option of HD or a cheaper SD version - for those of us who don't have the fastest internet speeds available or just tightening our wallets.

Consumers are also beginning to take up services such as Telstra's T-box and Optus' similar service FetchTV, over traditional cable or satellite connections from Foxtel and Austar. This has developed into a billion dollar industry in Australia - with nothing but growth forecast into the near future.

There is also a plethora of Multimedia devices available on the market such as Apple TV, Boxee and WD Live so we now have the widest option of internet content made available for us to watch on our TV screens than we have ever had before. Two of the more powerful Media centres have emerged from Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox, with the latter also recently able to stream a wide selection of Foxtel channels including movies and sports via the internet. Both also have movie streaming services available.

Television

Smart connectivity also opens up many options for us with regards to television channels. Almost every major television manufacturer has ABC's popular I-View app pre loaded into their menus. ABC iview is a catch up service featuring the best of ABC TV. You can watch your favourite programs in full screen at your leisure. Most shows are available to watch for 14 days and new programs are added every day.

Another ever present app in any Smart TV's arsenal is PLUS7. Plus7, from Yahoo and Channel 7, offers video streaming of full length episodes as seen on Seven, 7mate and other content partners. High quality, full screen videos are available for immediate streaming. New episodes are added daily and are available for up to 28 days after the air. You can pause, forward and rewind programmes, and all available to watch on your TV in full screen. PLUS7 also includes an email reminder service so you don't miss out on watching shows before they expire. There is also the option to share videos with friends via email and Facebook.

BBC's Iplayer is another Video On Demand service which provides access to the bulk of the BBC's massive television archives, with over 1000 hours being available at launch and "hours" of additional footage being "regularly added". Content available include BBC News, Documentaries, Entertainment, Drama, Science and Nature, as well as Family and Kids, Music and Culture and Comedy and Lifestyle. There is also a collections of the BBCs best exports such as Dr Who, Little Britain, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, Absolutely Fabulous and more.

Bigpond TV is available through LG Smart TVs and Samsungs connected TVs (with internet at TV function). This is also the same service made available through Telstra's T-Box. Bigpond TV is a TV channel streaming service which provides us with channels like AFL TV, NRL TV, Bigpond News, Bigpond Sport and Bigpond music and more. According to a study undertaken by independent telecoms research company Telsyte, One in ten subscription TV services in Australia are delivered via broadband, and they predict that by 2015, one third of all Pay TV services will be over broadband networks.

This is an obvious concern for cable subscription companies Foxtel and Austar. Austar, in particular, has had a big dip in fortune as it faces increasing competition from cheaper Internet TV rivals like FetchTV, iiNet and Internode - available from as little as $10 a month. With the streamed Internet TV content available from Smart TVs like movies and new release TV shows, as well as many new free-to-air digital channels - compared to a cable subscription which starts at $45 a month plus possible fees for the box, consumers are voting with their wallets en masse.

Music

Television giants Sony and Samsung will both have music streaming services available on their Smart TVs, with Samsungs soon to be released "Music Hub" set to revolutionise the connection between our music and our devices like never before.

Samsung's Music Hub gives us access to shared music without the need to download and transfer content from one device to another, with the service becoming available on Samsung smart TVs, Samsung smart home theatres and smart Blu-rays by mid-December. The music hub offers owners of Smart TVs, Smart Home Theatre and Smart Blu Ray players access to more than 10,000 music videos with the premium subscription.

The technology stores music playlists in a cloud, and music can be accessed from individual devices anywhere in Australia where there is an internet connection available. A neat function is the "follow me" feature, which allows users to begin listening to stored music through a mobile phone, before picking up the same playlist again when they get home through their TV.

Sony's Music unlimited has been available for a couple of seasons now, on phones, Bravia Smart TVs, PlayStation 3, and Sony PCs and tablets. Over 10 million songs are available on demand, from independent artists to blockbusting superstars. Thousands of new songs are added weekly, and you can create and edit an unlimited number of playlists, as well as listen to any song you want as often as you want. There are internet radio channels categorised by Genre, Era or Mood. You can "Like" or "Dislike" tracks to customise channels to your personal taste, and you also have the ability to create new channels based on your favourite artists.

How Smarter will Smart TVs be this year?

Viewers will be able to control their TV using face recognition, plus gesture and voice controls and move away from the traditional TV remote control - in a similar vane to Microsoft's XBox Kinect. LG and Samsung both demonstrated Voice and gesture controls in their next generation televisions at CES 2012.

Samsung's new 8 series TV, the ES8000, has gesture recognition integrated - via a camera which recognises hand-gestures prompting it to change channel, adjust volume, move an onscreen cursor and more.

Samsung and LG both introduce voice control in some models in their 2012 line up. Current LG Smart TV owners may be familiar with the Magic Motion Remote, which allows you to control a cursor on the screen in a similar fashion to how a Nintendo Wii controller works. This year will see an upgrade to the Magic Motion remote which now delivers voice recognition functionality. A microphone in the remote sends your voice to your Smart TV - allowing the user to web-search, tweet and make Facebook posts all with spoken words.

Panasonic have developed a new "flick" technology, and they believe it will open up brand new ways of displaying content from our mobile devices in perfect picture quality on a Viera TV. This will revolutionise the connectivity between our devices, allowing us to simply "flick" content to remotely transmit photos, videos, and webpages from Android or Apple products directly to the TV.

Another important feature coming is the ability to upgrade your TV with future functionality, without the need to buy a new TV. This will basically be in the form of an upgrade slot at the back of the TV and you will be able to purchase upgrade "kits" as they become needed and available.

Google have announced that LG, Sony, and Vizio will be parading Google TV devices at CES 2012, with Samsung coming out with Google TV later in the year, with Apple also rumoured to be manufacturing TVs ranging from 37" - 50", and reported iTV features such as Siri-powered controls, iOS app support, AirPlay, iCloud support and deep iTunes integration.

Sony have announced two Google TV add-on boxes in the form of a Blu-ray player and a network media player. These will ship in America and Europe shortly, and other parts of the world can expect them to roll out afterwards. Both boxes have a completely new remote, featuring a backlit QWERTY keyboard with touchpad. The remote can also work as a universal remote for other devices, while the Blu-ray player also supports voice search.

Death of the idiot box

The aim and vision of television manufacturers has now progressed far beyond just delivering us a great picture quality. The ability to seamlessly link our media, whether it be on our phones, tablets or computers, with our Home Televisions has become of paramount importance. A plethora of new content, in the form of applications brimming with Movies, Television and Music is shifting us away from the traditional way we consume such content - placing heavy pressure on industries such as the traditional Video and Music Stores, and Cable / Pay TV companies like Foxtel and Austar. What we used to have to leave the house for, we now have at the wave of our hand. The days of the missing remote are fast disappearing, in fact the days of using a remote control are disappearing altogether. The idiot box has finally smartened up!

Visit our Articles & Features section of our website to learn about Digital TV technology topics such as Refresh Rate, HDMI Cables, differences between LCD and LED technology, 3D Technology and much more.
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Interactive Digital Signage: New Smart TVs Will Create New Opportunities for Interactivity

It wasn't too long ago when a digital sign consisted of a TV set and a VHS deck or DVD player. In what seems like a flash, tube TVs are passé, and VHS cassette players are beginning to look a little like antiques.

Driven largely by the overwhelming popularity of HDTV in America (recent research from Leichtman Research Group finds high-def sets are now in two-thirds of U.S. homes), flat panel displays are achieving ubiquity. Along the way, they transformed the look and appeal of digital signage.

As striking as that change has been, digital signs appear to be on track to see an equally dramatic change over the next few years, once again driven by the consumer television set. At the recently concluded 2012 International CES in Las Vegas, several television vendors rolled out their vision of what a "smart" TV should look like.

Among them were Samsung, LG, Sony and Lenovo, each with their own versions of smart TVs. Google already has taken a run at this market, and Apple is long rumored to be working on its own smart TV with a consumer interface similar to its Siri personal assistant for the iPhone 4S that would let owners control their TV with their voice. Samsung, too, reportedly is at work on adding voice and motion control to new televisions.

For the interactive digital signage industry, these new smart TVs will open doors to greater possibilities for digital sign-based interactivity and further reshape consumer expectations. How long will it be before we see digital signs that allow a hotel guest not only search a list of available restaurants from a digital sign in the lobby but also make reservations simply by speaking to the screen?

Beyond voice interaction with smart TVs, what other benefits might this new generation of televisions bring to digital signage interactivity? Perhaps, these TVs will lead to easier syncing with personal smart phones and tablets offering the public interactive takeaways from the sign. Or, they might make it possible to migrate the digital signage experience from outside the home into the living room -sort of an offshoot of the TV Everywhere concept being promoted these days by pay TV operators, such as cable TV companies.

To be sure, my crystal ball is no clearer than anyone else's. However, it seems obvious that this next-generation television technology will open up new and exciting possibilities for those who communicate via interactive mobile devices. I'm not suggesting these opportunities to employ a higher degree of interactivity will be available in the short term. But when they do come, what it means to communicate with a digital sign will undergo a dramatic transformation.

Where we are today and where we might be headed in the not-too-distant future with this new technology might be as stark of a contrast as the difference between Tom Hanks feverishly plugging in numbers to an early microcomputer in his role as astronaut James Lovell in "Apollo 13" and Leonard Nimoy as Spock saying from his science station aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, "Computer, compute to the last digit the value of pi," and the computer replying: "You're kidding, right?"

David Little is a charter member of the Digital Screenmedia Association with 20 years of experience helping professionals use technology to effectively communicate. For further digital signage insight from Keywest Technology, visit our website for many helpful tips and examples. For more in-depth research from Keywest Technology, download our free digital signage white papers and case studies.

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Smart TVs - Do I Need a Smart HDTV?

The clear picture quality of an HDTV can offer numerous functionalities that are never before conceived in a regular TV. You can connect your devices in order to get a larger picture of the videos you are watching. Some models can even allow you to directly plug a flash drive to access music, pictures and compatible video files, using the remote controller to navigate through the directories.

But as functional HDTV might already seem, it might be interesting to know that you can even achieve better functionality with it. You won't be using an ordinary HDTV though, but a special version that is capable of mixing display options with wireless technologies well.

Why is it Called Smart HDTV?

A Smart TV is technically a TV that is integrated with features that you would normally see on computers. For example, an HDTV that is installed with a custom web browser can be roughly considered as a Smart HDTV. In addition to computer functionalities however, Smart HDTV's might also feature automatic and suggestive options and interfaces that can be used to simplify access and menu navigation. The development of Smart HDTV's was highly influenced by the current trend of integrating most of our electronics technologies to modern computers. If you see an HDTV that is slightly more geared towards internet or network based media (having access to streaming and online interactive audio and video files), then it is most likely a Smart TV. Another general term that is used to refer to these appliances is "Hybrid TV".

Advantages and Disadvantages of Smart HDTV's

Added media functionality of course is the primary advantage of a Smart HDTV, but this advantage can be subdivided further into these separate positive points:

Direct internet access. You no longer need to connect an HTPC, a laptop, or a desktop computer to the HDTV before you can use it for web browsing.
It has perfect compatibility with Internet TV services. Supporting the first point, having access to internet means having access to streaming media. For instance, you can watch YouTube videos as if they were "channels" from a satellite TV service.
It can be used as a simple computer. Smart HDTV's might have crude (and sometimes clunky) operating systems, but it should be sufficient to navigate through a home network or to access media files from external devices when needed.
Moving onto its negative points, some of the disadvantages of Smart HDTV are as follows:

It can ironically be more confusing to use. With all of the added options, some people who are not used to highly functional HDTV's might not be able to navigate efficiently through a considerable number of buttons and links.
Has a significantly larger price tag. Since it is installed with other technical hardware to have computer-like functionality, it would definitely be a lot more expensive. A lot of Smart HDTV's are usually near to twice the original price of an HDTV of the same size and screen technology.
It holds a higher energy consumption rate. This supports the second negative point, and is also quite easy to notice (due to added hardware), though usage rates are not comparatively as high as its price difference.
Assessing Your Need for Smart HDTV's

Before getting excited over a Smart HDTV, it would be wise to first assess you actual need for the electronic appliance. First and foremost, if you don't exactly have plans on using it to surf the net, or would much rather just connect it to your current computer then the Smart HDTV would most likely be just a wasted investment. We have to remember that HDTV's are quite expensive, and you would not want to waste a huge amount of money on something that would just be used like any other normal TV.

However, if there would be a direct need for its versatile connectivity options (Having multiple subscriptions to different streaming media services for example), then a Smart HDTV could then be your ultimate entertainment investment, allowing you access to almost any kind of media file from any device, interface, network, or website on the planet.

If you are looking for a Smart TV set, I recommend you to visit Samsung Smart TVs and Panasonic Smart TVs.

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Smart TVs: Are They Smart?

I've been working in the tech industry for long enough to see some real clunker products along the way. From PCs shaped like fish to messaging clients that relied on slow GSM networks, there have been some memorably dud products. One that stands out in memory as a particularly odd product was LG's Internet Fridge, a $17,000 food cooling device that also included an internet-connected computer in the door.

It didn't sell well. Technology-improved versions of gadgets haven't typically set the world on fire, largely because the costs have generally been high -- why would you spend seventeen thousand dollars on a low-rent PC tacked onto a fridge when you could spend a couple of thousand on a large fridge and the same on a laptop -- and feature sets haven't exactly enhanced the experience of using the device. I may be a fan of social networking services such as Twitter and Facebook, but that doesn't mean I need to update my status while I'm grabbing some milk.

Oddly enough, LG's having another crack at the Internet Fridge concept again, with models announced at this year's CES trade show back in January, but that was a minor concept next to the next big thing to get a tech makeover, that being the concept of "Smart" TVs. Most of the major TV vendors have a Smart TV platform now, offering up social networking, light internet browsing, some games and access to catch-up TV services from the ABC and Channel 7. There's support for developers to make TV-specific applications, but as yet there's no central standard for those applications, which means the features and apps available on one manufacturer's TVs may not be available on the other.

The Smart TV concept probably has more legs than the Internet Connected Fridge, Wireless Toaster or MixMaster-With-Inbuilt Fax (not that those last two actually exist) simply because they've largely been priced at the same kinds of price points we're used to seeing TVs priced at, so you're not spending too much extra for those features. More critically they're better because the features they offer make a certain amount of sense. When I'm watching TV and want to check something, the option to quickly bring up a web page makes sense. With the addition of a camera, the opportunity to hook up a video Skype call with the entire family sitting on the couch makes sense. If there's a brief pause for some advertising, I'd probably rather while the time away with a quick ad-hoc game than being told why I should buy this year's rustbucket. You get the idea.

It's early days for the Smart TV concept. What do you think? Will your next TV purchase be a Smart TV, or will the concept go colder than the Internet Fridge?

Anthony Hill - Geeks2U

Australia's leading provider of on-site computer repairs and technology support for home and business, Geeks2U delivers prompt, no fuss, same day services to customers nationwide, seven days a week.

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