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'Connected' TVs Mostly Used Just Like the Unconnected Kind

Posted by timothy on from the hi-fi-jumprope dept.

antdude writes "The National Purchase Diary (NPD) Group Blog reports that 'Internet Connected TVs Are Used To Watch TV, And That's About All — The Internet connected high definition television (HDTV) screen has so far failed to break beyond the bounds of its TV-centric heritage, with little use for the big screen beyond the obligatory video services. But the connection is being used to provide access to a far wider variety of alternative sources for video content. The latest NPD Connected Intelligence Application & Convergence report highlights that nearly six out of ten consumers who own a connected HDTV are accessing Over-the-Top video services through the device.' (Seen on DSL reports.)" Wired's headline on a story based on the same information puts things more bluntly: "No One Uses Smart TV Internet Because It Sucks."

3 of 217 comments (clear)

  1. walled gardens don't work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I have one of these TVs, and one major problem is that each manufacturer is trying to create a captive audience for their own variety of apps.

    As a result, the number of apps available is pathetic, and almost all boil down to TV stations vanity apps

    1. Re:walled gardens don't work by NIK282000 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      TVs should be a display and that's it. Give it the brain to decode HDMI signals and the tuner for over the air digital but that should be it. Every time a manufacturer tries to put more then that in their TV it just makes it worse. I spent a day at best buy looking at TVs this month, not a single internet enabled had an interface that doesn't make you want to rip out all your hair. Added features shouldn't break the main ones.

      --
      Dear aunt, let's set so double the killer delete select all
    2. Re:walled gardens don't work by NeutronCowboy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Sort of. I have a Samsung Smart TV, and while they definitely have their flavor of apps only available for their TV, that's not really the main problem. The main problem is that the apps that do exist are slow, have a terrible interface, and are filled with bugs. For example: for the first 6 months or so, the Netflix app kept losing my login information. I was this close to just not watching Netflix on the TV anymore, and just go back either jerry-rigging it onto the TV via an extra-long DVI/HDMI cable or to just watch it on my laptop.

      But yes, the Smart TVs are absolutely retarded and a waste of money (or at least, the Internet connectivity aspect is). They need to fix the following problems:
      * no useful apps available outside of Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu Plus..
      * requirements to use specific and approved USB cameras or widgets.
      * Buggy apps.
      * Very slow responsiveness.
      * Terrible, terrible interface.

      The solutions:
      * Swallow your pride. Go Google Play Store or iTunes.
      * Invest into the connectivity, and throw some real processing power onto it.
      * Release a smartphone app that allows you to use its interfaces (voice recognition, touchscreen) to control the action on-screen.
      * Make the USB-connectivity more robust, and accept standard webcams, gizmos and widgets.

      Until then, I will consider Smart TVs a waste of time.

      Oh, and fair warning, dear TV makers: this isn't rocket science, and if Apple is indeed working on an Apple TV, it WILL eat your lunch. Because they will get it right, and people will fall over themselves to get a well-thought out, easy to use, pretty TV that integrates into the Apple eco-system.

      --
      Those who can, do. Those who can't, sue.