TV Widgets

Yahoo! Widgetized TV from Samsung

by Joe Stewart on Thu, 2009-01-08 12:43

Yahoo! is teaming up with Samsung to bring on demand content directly to the television from the internet. The TV adapted version of the Yahoo! Widget Engine is dubbed Internet@TV - Content Service.

TV Widgets will include Yahoo! content (Flickr, News, Weather and Finance), USA Today, YouTube, and eBay. Many other widgets are planned and announced too. Like on many other devices and platforms, a service from Netflix will be available. No word on that widget's features though. Many widgets will fit nicely in supplying information on demand. However, I wonder about those that really require more interaction like Twitter, eBay and MySpace.

Some more information at Yahoo's site - http://connectedtv.yahoo.com/

Samsung and Yahoo! Bring the Best of the Web to Television

January 5, 2009 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Yahoo! Inc. today announced a new Internet-based service to Samsung televisions available in the spring of 2009. Select models in Samsung’s 2009 flat-panel HDTV line-up will be powered by the Yahoo! Widget Engine, a fifth-generation applications platform that enables TV watchers to interact with and enjoy a rich set of “TV Widgets.” TV Widgets make it easy to interact with Internet content and services to complement and enhance the traditional TV viewing experience. The lightweight Javascript and XML applications bring content, information and community features available on the Internet within easy reach of the remote control. The new televisions will be displayed at CES 2009 in Samsung’s booth located at Central Hall, Booth #11033.

Select models in Samsung’s 2009 flat-panel HDTV lines will support the new TV Widget service, called “Internet@TV - Content Service.” The service, which adapts the Yahoo! Widget Engine, enables users to engage in a variety of experiences that traditionally could only be enjoyed on a PC. Not only will users be able to track their stock portfolio and stay on top of headline news, but they may also browse through videos, share photos and interact with friends. Users can access the service by connecting the HDTV to a home network via the built-in Ethernet port or using an optional Wi-Fi USB dongle. Read more