LG's "smart tv" on a 4K screen. The TV looks like it was photoshopped in, but it is just a thin bezel frame, look closely. (via LG)
In efforts to create a non-proprietary development platform for connected TV apps, LG Electronics, TP Vision, Toshiba created the Smart TV Alliance. The group wants to standardize a developing environment where programmers can do what they do best, innovate without the need to find individual manufacturers’ requirements or compliance processes. Seems like a very smart thing to do since legal barriers and disputes have blocked Google TV from accessing programming by any Viacom subsidiary including NBC, ABC, CBS and Hulu.
President of the alliance, and founding member of LG, Richard Choi, described the groups goals, “Smart TV Alliance members are repairing a fragmented market for app developers and television manufacturers, creating the best Smart TV experience for customers.”
At CES, the alliance announced new members, which strengthen the group more than ever before. Panasonic, ABOX42 and consultants IBM and Specific Media have all joined the team, finally making the Smart TV world interesting. These companies are joining TechniSat, Obigo, Qualcomm and YuMe in the Smart TV Alliance.
In 2013, Smart TV owners can expect to find 3D video, MPEG-DASH support for more audio and video quality with less stuttering and freezing and more content including more popular choices. Media or content owners will see updated digital rights management features.
Developers will see that the new SDK for TV apps includes updated debuggers and emulators to ensure apps work with all televisions manufactured by Smart TV Alliance members. This will allow for faster and easier development and distribution of apps across many common brands. Also upgraded versions of HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, the latest trends and features will be supported or found on the new SDK.
Panasonic has not announced much concerning their 2013 smart TVs other than a new feature called Home Screen. This feature will allow for set up of individual accounts or profiles that can customize the content displayed on the Home Screen. If you get a Panasonic webcam for you Smart TV, it will recognize who is watching and select the right profile automatically. Panasonic also said 32 new TVs will be launched this year, half LED, half plasma. With new features like these and compatibility with a multitude of apps from the Smart TV Alliance, Smart TV is starting to live up to its name.
Panasonic’s president, Kazuhiro Tsuga is delivering the opening keynote speech at CES Wednesday. More will surely be revealed then. A technical presentation detailing the Smart TV Alliance’s new SDK will be held Wednesday as well.
If we are luck, WebOS will be the driving operating system for all these TVs. Some of us still hold some hope for the lost OS.
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