I have to admit that even though I’m a tech enthusiast, TV’s have never really been something that I get overly excited about. That is, until recently. It was with the introduction of 3D TV’s when televisions first started to catch my attention. The idea of having a truly immersive television experience within the comfort of my own living room was intriguing. And while 3D TV isn’t taking off as much as the manufacturers had hoped (mostly due to lack of content), it was still a big step for the evolution of TV’s.
Over the past 12 months, yet another step in the evolution of TV’s has emerged. With the integration of “APPS” into the television platform. I think we can credit Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, for inspiring other manufacturers to create a simple user experience by building app-based interfaces. That may sound a bit technical, but really it’s just the idea of providing users with an easy-to-use graphical interface for browsing content. It also symbolizes the evolution of moving away from 1 dimensional content streams being fed to people from cable providers into a rich multi-media experience. With this, people can sift through interactive games, information and social tools directly from their TV’s. Samsung’s series of Smart TV’s is a great example of this.
It’s now possible to chat on Facebook or tweet to your heart’s content from your TV while watching your favorite show. Plus if you have a Skype-savvy Grandma, you can plug in a Skype cam to your tv for a video chat. It’s only a matter of time before the TV’s are sold with built-in infrared rays that will play content based on who enters the room. For example, when Dad walks in, the sports channel comes on or HGTV for Mom. You can imagine the possibilities.
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