Samsung is trying to do to the HDTV what Apple has done to mobile devices such as the iPhone. But do people want to surf the Net and make phone calls on their televisions?
Samsung thinks so. The TV maker yesterday held a coming out party for its plan to add content apps to televisions and other TV-related devices such as Blu-ray players.
Inviting developers to attend the first 'Free the TV Developer Day' in San Jose, Samsung hopes that the TV will become a 'Smart TV,' enabling viewers to perform a variety of tasks in addition to simply watching programming. (Other TV makers are developing their own versions of the Smart TV.)
"2010 is a momentous year for the television industry and for transforming the viewing experience of people worldwide," Samsung said in a statement. "To vitalize the Smart TV market, it is crucial to provide quality local content tailored to consumers of different countries."
Samsung says it now offers more than 200 applications in close to 120 countries including such popular iPhone and iPad apps as Pandora, Twitter, Google Maps. Select new Samsung HDTVs also come with Hulu Plus, ESPN Next Level and Skype.
See Swanni's commentary below:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/samsung090110.htm
