Smart TV is not just a TV, but a computer with a pronounced television component. An important feature of such a system is the ability to access the Internet (via cable or wireless connection), both for normal surfing the web and access to various online services. And, of course, it is possible to run various applications and games. And for this you do not need to connect any additional devices to the “smart” TV.
Smart TV also includes all kinds of set-top boxes, thanks to which almost any ordinary TV can become “smarter”. Quite a lot of such solutions are already on sale. Most often these are compact computers running on Android. Another example is the popular in the West set-top box Apple TV.
Thanks to Smart TV technology, it is possible not only to watch the usual cable or satellite broadcasting, but also to access various amateur channels on YouTube and other similar video hosting services. Also, the user of the “smart” TV at any time can get information such as weather forecast, exchange rates and stocks. He has access to communication via Skype and various social networks. As well as photo hosting services (for example, Picasa) and various services for listening to music, online radio stations.
It should be noted that Smart TV comes with not ordinary remote controls, but sophisticated manipulators with touchpad, additional keys and gyroscopes. It is also possible to use conventional wireless keyboards and mice originally designed for computers.
This technology is not as new as it may seem. The first attempts to create a “smart” TV were made in the late 90s of the last century. Then the clumsy term Connected TV appeared, which later it was decided to turn into a much more sophisticated Smart TV (by analogy with smartphones). The first devices looked quite comical – they were clumsy CRT TVs, to which special set-top boxes were connected, providing access to the Internet via a modem connection. Naturally, in this form, the technology was simply doomed to failure, like everything that appeared too early.
Disadvantages of smart technology
According to manufacturers’ reports, Smart TV is a very popular technology that is gaining more and more popularity. It is reported that sales of such devices are constantly growing. But in fact, all this is not so smooth. As practice shows, many users simply buy the TV model they like based on its design, diagonal or brand, but not really thinking about how “smart” it is. Accordingly, it is then used almost exclusively as an ordinary device. The number of those who are really interested in Smart TV is not as big as we would like.
It should be noted here that the developers themselves have not yet really decided how best to present Smart TV, how to attract an ordinary user to this technology. And many people simply do not understand why they need another computer (and even with limited capabilities), because they already have a laptop, smartphone and tablet. As for the concept that a “smart” TV will become an excellent entertainment center for the whole family, it is clearly not enough. Especially against the background of the fact that modern families are less and less likely to gather in front of the TV in the evenings.
In addition, there is another problem – Smart TV is perceived by ordinary TV users as something complicated that requires additional study. Indeed, the existing implementations are far from perfect. And as practice shows, it is the simplicity of the technology that contributes to its success.
As for the fans of all sorts of bells and whistles, it will be much more interesting for them to use a TV with a multimedia computer (HTPC) connected to it, often assembled by their own hands. The capabilities of modern Smart TV will be simply not enough for them.
