Initially getting a rather lukewarm reception, internet content through Widget TV technology has begun to capture the public's imagination.
Yahoo's approach to internet access through the TV has been well publicised but until recently has not had any great impact within the consumer electronics domain. With its implementation on a growing number of LCD TV's this is changing.
Samsung, Sony and LG have all implemented Widget technology on some of their current or forthcoming LCD TV's, with other manufacturers likely to offer their own take on this innovative method of accessing internet content.
Yahoo widgets are in fact a much broader concept than internet through the TV, the technology being a comprehensive development platform developed by the search engine company to provide internet based content for a wide range of entertainment devices.
According to Yahoo, more than 300 separate developers "are interested in developing" widgets, from individuals to large content publishers. The recent introduction of Samsung's B650 'Widget' enabled TV's has demonstrated the convenience of the technology, which allows viewers to browse content provided by Samsung's own internet portal - a portal which has recently become much more interesting with the addition of YouTube and Flickr (the photo storage/exchange site). Other widgets on the B650 include Yahoo Finance (pictured), Yahoo News and Yahoo Weather.
Having made a connection to the internet (through an Ethernet cable or an optional wireless dongle) Samsung's B650 series presents its selection of widgets in a dock at the bottom of the screen. Once a widget is selected, the content overlays the main picture down the left side of the screen and can then be resized.
Although the responsiveness of 'Widgets' is an issue, the convenience of accessing internet content through the TV is beginning to interest a growing number of viewers. In particular, entertainment sites such as YouTube offer a much more satisfying user experience viewed through the big screen and in addition, groups of people (friends and family) are more inclined to share experiences in front of the TV.
It is this 'social' aspect of accessing internet content through the TV which could very well lead to the technology becoming an essential component of modern TV's. Although serious internet users will undoubtedly stick to their PC's, widget technology looks like becoming an interesting entertainment/information niche in the short term and could quite possibly develop into something much bigger in the long term.
Of course, the success of Widget technology also depends to some extent on the quality and usability of devices which implement it. Samsung's LB650 range of LCD TV's have quickly gained an excellent reputation for overall performance, which has had a positive effect on Widget technology. Most consumers are buying Samsung's widget enabled TV's on their picture performance credentials and see the Widget technology as an interesting additional component. Most like the general concept, although the Achilles heal at the moment is sluggish response - if yahoo can speed things up a little, the concept could take off in a big way.
Read a review of the Widget enabled Samsung LE40B650
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