What is a Smart TV?
Posted by Becky Vickman on Mon, Aug 08, 2011 @ 11:23 AM
Given the popularity of smartphones, Netflix’s streaming service and social media sites, it was just a matter of time before the concept of a “connected device” translated to TVs. Major TV manufacturers are taking advantage of this technology shift by adding a layer of web-enhanced features to a traditional TV creating smart TVs. But what is a smart TV and what does it do?
What does smart TV mean?
A smart TV operates in a similar manner as a smartphone. Like a smartphone, a smart TV offers a number of Internet-connected services that normal TVs cannot offer. These TVs have adapted the popularity of apps, media streaming, web browsing, games, and news and information from sources like ESPN, AccuWeather and Yahoo.
Click here to see a sneak peek of a smart TV.
What can I do on a smart TV?
A smart TV is a lot like a computer. It allows you to browse the web, watch YouTube videos and catch up on the news. Some of the smart TVs are preloaded by the manufacturer, so it is not entirely like browsing the web on a standard computer. On these TVs, the manufacturer will periodically send updates for additional predetermined locations so you can continue to receive the latest technology. However, if you are a movie watcher, Netflix and Vudu are available on the majority of the TVs. A number of smart TV platforms come prepackaged, or can be optionally extended, with social networking capabilities. This feature allows users to get updates and post their own updates on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and more. Smart TVs also use a system called DLNA which lets you stream media from computers or smartphones to your TV. If you currently download a lot of music or video from the web, then a certain smart TV can access that content directly without being saved to a disk.
Can I use apps across TVs or devices?
Unfortunately, all of the different TVs have their own unique operating environments, and they cannot translate apps from one device to another. There are multiple versions of mobile operating systems currently available. Some of these systems were specifically designed for smart TV usage. However, most smart TVs have their own remote applications on the Android and Apple app stores that will enable you to control the TV from anywhere in your home. While this is all great technology and some TVs have built-in wifi capabilities, it is recommended to directly connect the TV via an Ethernet cable to your router to provide the best results.
Smart TVs are gaining popularity at a fast rate. New research shows half a billion web-enabled TVs will be in our homes by 2015. As of this year, over 25% of TVs have some form of connectivity. Will you be one of the millions purchasing a smart TV in the future?
