Smart TVs Steal the Show at CES 2012
Before, it was merely mobile phones that were considered “smart”, as the popularity of the iPhone and other devices helped the term “smartphone” enter the vocabulary of the average consumer. Based on some of the exhibits at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, the “smart” television set just might become a staple of many households in the not-so-distant future.
Samsung, Sony and LG are among several manufacturers with smart TV exhibits at the CES, and so far these offer an interesting glimpse into the future of television. The Google TV, originally launched in the second quarter of 2010, is also hoping to rebound from its earlier struggles. The Internet giant has teamed up with some of the world’s leading television makers, and as a result, many of these smart TVs on display are Google TVs.
Voice-activated controls seem to be the most common feature being highlighted. Samsung, LG and Lenovo all have TVs utilizing this technology and Samsung, in particular, is vigorously hyping its Smart Interaction interface.
This is a voice and motion-activated interface that allows users to change channels, picture settings and the like by literally speaking to or gesturing at the TV. Other partnering companies are also working with TV makers to integrate interactive games, access to popular applications and social networking sites and streaming media, just to name a few.
The smart TV has yet to become a hit with consumers. Furthermore, with all these amazing features, you can’t expect these televisions to come cheap. If the TVs to be unveiled at the CES are any indication, it won’t be that long before the smart TV becomes the average consumer’s entertainment system of choice.
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