HDTV apps help you expand your set’s capabilities
One feature which is becoming more and more important to a great HDTV experience is internet connectivity. Some sets are already connectedyou can also add internet connectivity with certain Blu-ray players and set-top boxes. Why should you do so? Mainly, to access the increasing number of apps that help to turn your HDTV into an entertainment behemoth.One of the most popular apps is Netflix, which offers unlimited instant streaming of a variety of movies and television shows for 7.99 a month. There are other (more expensive) plans that add an offline component, letting you pick and choose from DVD and Blu-ray selections that are sent to you in the mail.Pandora Radio is another app frequently mentioned. After gaining popularity on personal computers as a great new way to find new music or rediscover old favorites, the app has also struck a chord with HDTV audiences. Simply access the site and enter a band or song name, and Pandora will play similar artists and songs. Put it on in the background of a party or while doing work. You can listen to 40 hours of the free, ad-supported service per month, or pay an annual fee of 36 for unlimited listening.There are other well-known apps as well (notably Hulu Plus, the premium version of the popular free streaming service), but don’t ignore the variety of lesser-known options available in various companies’ app stores. These function just like the stores for popular devices like the iPhone 4 or the Windows Phone 7. In particular, Samsung should be noted for its Free the TV Challenge winners, announced at the 2011 CES event. Fourteen finalists and four winners in particular were singled out from the more than 300 apps available in the Samsung HDTV Apps store. The winners include:
- WeDraw: Developed by Movl.com, this is a game that allows users with a smartphone to draw a picture while other players watch the TV set and try to guess the subject.
- TheGymbox: This app provides access to on-demand weekly workouts, including exercises in step aerobics, pilates, kickboxing, treadmill, yoga, and more.
- Armchair Astronaut: Taking advantage of 3D content, this app sends users on a trip through outer space that is both visually astounding and educational.
- Numote: Combine social media and television for a new kind of viewing experience. Numote shows trends for TV listings and awards badges based on your favorite shows.
We’ve known that the possibilities for online experiences have been growing. Who would have thought, though, that it would be on your TV?
