TBO, people want TV apps on their TV. Like an IMDB, Rotten Tomato, tmdb, youtube, or Netflix. Those are apps that would be useful on your TV. Hardly anyone is checking email, using facebook, or posting twitter on TV. Those are smartphone, tablet, or computer apps.<p>Who wants to get a drunken email from an ex while sitting next to your SO? There are things you want to keep on a 4-inch screen and not blasted out on 50-inches of glory.
People want their TVs to display video and play games. And the apps that do that, they want.<p>I have NetFlix and Amazon's TV service on my TV, and they are nice. Not because the interface is good, or anything like that... But because it's a lot easier than using my computer or game console to do the same. And believe me, the interfaces on those apps need a lot of work.
Apps that enhance the TV viewing experience will be absolutely huge. As mentioned in the article, the functionality to find out more about what you're watching will be popular. Watching an advert and being able to click to be sent info/find out more will become widespread very quickly. Instant polling on news programs ("Tax cuts good or bad? Click your remote now!") or entertainment programs ("Do you like Biebers new haircut?") will be fun.<p>"Social" TV services will emerge, allowing you to share with your friends what you're currently watching, and for interested friends to tune in to the same channel. People will publish lists of recommended shows, and you'll be able to automatically follow their recommendations and have your PVR record those shows, or your set top box will go find the on-demand versions of those shows...<p>I was working for interactive TV companies in the late 90's/early 00's - we were about 15 years too early it would seem. A lot of concepts have been really well fleshed out and are ready to go. I'm excited that it seems as though it is finally the right time for this stuff to go mainstream.<p>(And go look at the UK and their 'red button' services. They're a lot further ahead than the US with this stuff.)
I for one would love a Netflix app on my TV, and maybe a Hulu one. Booting into the XBox or the Wii for Netflix is kind of a pain, and only works on the TV they are plugged in to.<p>Of course, Netflix apps in TVs are already available.<p>As for channel guides and stuff like the article says, how would that even work? You normally need a cable box at the very least anyway.<p>(Edited comment to expand it a bit, before any replies)
Lately my wife and myself have been debating dropping cable and realized just about everything we want from our TV is out there, but none of it is integrated. Here's what we want:<p>1. My wife watches mostly shows from the major networks (ABC and CBS mostly) and we can get them in HD OTA. There are a few on cable networks, but we could always wait until they're released to DVD and have Netflix deliver them to us (either streaming or in the mail).<p>2. I enjoy sports, just about any sports. This time of year I watch NFL (available mostly OTA), NCAA basketball (ESPN3 shows a lot of these games), and NHL hockey (available via NHL internet package). In the summer we both watch a lot of baseball (MBL.TV would work for this). It would suck not having regular ESPN, but I could live with it.<p>3. Movies. We don't get to watch as many as we used to (the things a toddler removes from your life), but we still enjoy sitting down at least one night on the weekend for something.<p>I don't want apps on my TV. Instead I want a way to integrate all the streaming platforms that are already out there. If they're so called "apps", then that's fine, but just put them into a single, uniform package. Right now the Roku is very, very close. It can do Netflix, MLB.TV, and NHL, but it can't do ESPN3.
I built a DVR about 10 years ago for a major media provider. At the time we were all about ATVEF, it was a media driven effort. The interactive TV never amounted to much.<p>Today, there are more software and computery type companies playing in the field, there are more computers in your entertainment center, those are huge steps in the right direction. Then I don't know if you call it Apple's iPhone apps or part of web 2.0 but there is a renaissance in lean, light weight, simple applications with specific tasks. The media companies won't do it but software guys will, apps like netflix are sweet, people love that stuff. Even some apps like the CNN news app, I could very easily see that being on a TV. People don't seem to want full browsers and email on the TV. The flickr and youtube apps? Yep, people like that. Basically simple and small amounts of information to the TV seem like a positive thing and then getting media to the media center. Internet radio apps? Probably things people want.
I want a music playing app on my TV.<p>It's hooked up to an amp with decent speakers - so streaming music (from Spotify, or from a bunch of MP3s) is damn near vital.<p>At the moment I'm using XBMC on an Apple TV to stream them from a NAS drive, but I'd love to get Spotify onto there.
Yes, especially if those apps give them free TV shows. I maintain that BitTorrent or a Grooveshark for video would be Google TV's killer app. The would be freely available on the Google TV Market, but not on Apple TV's app store (both of which are coming)
Just like with cars and other long term appliances, I am worried about these things depending on services that may or may not exist 5/10 years from now. Up until last year, I used a 20 year old tv, my car doesnt rely on google maps (I think there are some that do), and my toaster doesnt tweet.