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How Smart TV Will Change Your Living Room
Get ready for the future of TV, in which your living room becomes a movie set, a communication hub and a gaming zone
Houzz Contributor. I'm a Silicon Valley-based writer, columnist and blogger, covering technology and culture. http://elgan.com
Houzz Contributor. I'm a Silicon Valley-based writer, columnist and blogger,... More »
One delicious anecdote from the recent biography Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson, involved the Apple founder’s decorating problem: It took the Jobs family eight years to buy a sofa.
“We spent a lot of time asking ourselves, What is the purpose of a sofa?” Jobs’ wife told the biographer. To Jobs, the choice about which sofa to buy and where to place it in the home could not be made without a full understanding of exactly what role the object should play in their lives.
While Jobsian perfectionism can leave you with a empty house, his instinct to consider function is a good one. This is especially true of a TV set, because the purpose and role of television in our lives is about to change profoundly.
How the TV's Role in Our Lives Is Changing
When TV first appeared in American living rooms in the 1950s, it usually came in the form of a wooden cabinet housing a screen at about thigh level aimed at a couch. TV had only one purpose, which was to show live broadcasts consisting of news, education and entertainment.
The role and purpose of a TV set is undergoing a total transformation. Within five years, this seismic shift will be complete for most households, including yours.
“We spent a lot of time asking ourselves, What is the purpose of a sofa?” Jobs’ wife told the biographer. To Jobs, the choice about which sofa to buy and where to place it in the home could not be made without a full understanding of exactly what role the object should play in their lives.
While Jobsian perfectionism can leave you with a empty house, his instinct to consider function is a good one. This is especially true of a TV set, because the purpose and role of television in our lives is about to change profoundly.
How the TV's Role in Our Lives Is Changing
When TV first appeared in American living rooms in the 1950s, it usually came in the form of a wooden cabinet housing a screen at about thigh level aimed at a couch. TV had only one purpose, which was to show live broadcasts consisting of news, education and entertainment.
The role and purpose of a TV set is undergoing a total transformation. Within five years, this seismic shift will be complete for most households, including yours.
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Google TV "smarts" come built into some major brands of TV sets, such as this Sony NSX-24GT1.
A TV is becoming nothing more than a computer screen designed to be viewed at a distance, and often by more than one person at at time. People rarely look at PC screens from more than 3 feet away, or TV screens from fewer than 3 feet.
The distinction between the content viewed on a TV and on a computer is now gone. People watch TV shows on their laptops and YouTube videos on their TVs.
But a coming revolution in “smart" TVs will bring even more computer features to the television set.
How the Smart-TV Invasion Will Change Your Living Room
The biggest addition will be communication. TV has traditionally served as a one-way medium. But future television will involve Jetsons-like video conferencing as one of the main uses for the set. And people will routinely do social networking while watching TV and movies, with the back-and-forth chatter appearing on the screen.
The TV as a videophone. The role of the TV as the family’s most important communication device should inform the whole design of our living rooms. Family and friends will be peering into your home in stunning high definition.
The part of your home visible from the TV set will gain importance as it becomes a real part of your public identity. For example, you may choose for this reason to place the TV in the living room rather than the bedroom.
Furniture and lighting will be a lot like Hollywood set design and lighting — because your life will appear as a kind of movie on the TV screens of others.
The TV as a video game arcade. Gaming is another departure for TV. Thanks to innovations like the Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360, gaming has gone wireless and involves physical movement in an open space.
The rise of these gaming innovations may push the couch back a few feet to make room for play. It may be practical to choose a coffee table that’s easily moved — or to go without one.
The TV as a computer. With the TV offering computer-like functions, but from the other side of the room, input devices like keyboards and mice must be reconsidered. Whatever input devices you use for the TV will become central design elements in your room and will probably be in full view all the time.
For those who already keep touch tablets in the living room or carry smart phones, the decision is simple: Just use those devices for input. For major brands like iPhone, iPad and Android-based phones and tablets, you can type onscreen or use voice control. Future smart TVs will all have voice control built in.
Which brings us back to the sofa and the question “What is the purpose of a sofa?” Smart TV will change what you do on your sofa. Beyond lounging, napping and chatting with someone on a nearby chair, you’ll be chatting with someone on the TV screen, gaming, typing, socially networking and generally surfing the Internet.
That knowledge should inform what kind of sofa you choose. In general, you can expect to spend more time in the future sitting up on the couch rather than lying back.
A TV is becoming nothing more than a computer screen designed to be viewed at a distance, and often by more than one person at at time. People rarely look at PC screens from more than 3 feet away, or TV screens from fewer than 3 feet.
The distinction between the content viewed on a TV and on a computer is now gone. People watch TV shows on their laptops and YouTube videos on their TVs.
But a coming revolution in “smart" TVs will bring even more computer features to the television set.
How the Smart-TV Invasion Will Change Your Living Room
The biggest addition will be communication. TV has traditionally served as a one-way medium. But future television will involve Jetsons-like video conferencing as one of the main uses for the set. And people will routinely do social networking while watching TV and movies, with the back-and-forth chatter appearing on the screen.
The TV as a videophone. The role of the TV as the family’s most important communication device should inform the whole design of our living rooms. Family and friends will be peering into your home in stunning high definition.
The part of your home visible from the TV set will gain importance as it becomes a real part of your public identity. For example, you may choose for this reason to place the TV in the living room rather than the bedroom.
Furniture and lighting will be a lot like Hollywood set design and lighting — because your life will appear as a kind of movie on the TV screens of others.
The TV as a video game arcade. Gaming is another departure for TV. Thanks to innovations like the Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360, gaming has gone wireless and involves physical movement in an open space.
The rise of these gaming innovations may push the couch back a few feet to make room for play. It may be practical to choose a coffee table that’s easily moved — or to go without one.
The TV as a computer. With the TV offering computer-like functions, but from the other side of the room, input devices like keyboards and mice must be reconsidered. Whatever input devices you use for the TV will become central design elements in your room and will probably be in full view all the time.
For those who already keep touch tablets in the living room or carry smart phones, the decision is simple: Just use those devices for input. For major brands like iPhone, iPad and Android-based phones and tablets, you can type onscreen or use voice control. Future smart TVs will all have voice control built in.
Which brings us back to the sofa and the question “What is the purpose of a sofa?” Smart TV will change what you do on your sofa. Beyond lounging, napping and chatting with someone on a nearby chair, you’ll be chatting with someone on the TV screen, gaming, typing, socially networking and generally surfing the Internet.
That knowledge should inform what kind of sofa you choose. In general, you can expect to spend more time in the future sitting up on the couch rather than lying back.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
The Apple TV is an easy and inexpensive way to make a "dumb" TV smart and also to prepare yourself for the beautiful Apple TV set that's coming to an Apple store near you.
How to Buy a Futureproof TV
A smart TV works like a computer. It runs apps, connects to the Internet and may also connect to other devices in the house on a home network. Although they exist today, smart TVs are undergoing rapid change. A TV isn’t something you’re likely to buy often, so it’s a good idea to think about tomorrow when buying today.
Some TVs are born smart, some achieve smartness and some have smartness thrust upon them.
Most smart TVs will get their smarts from four sources: Apple, Google, Microsoft or the Asian company that makes your TV. For example, you may buy a TV that’s sold as a smart TV, with the intelligence built in, rather than from a separate plug-in device. This smartness may have been created by the TV maker or by Google and be labeled as a “Google TV."
As an alternative, you could buy a TV that doesn’t have a computer built in, but then add an Apple TV box separately. Buying an Xbox game system turns a regular TV into a smart TV as well. The Xbox connects to the Internet and also has a DVD drive for playing not only games but also movies.
And, of course, you can mix and match. You can buy a Google TV and plug in both an Apple TV and an Xbox. It won’t be any smarter, though.
In general, however, most people will benefit from choosing one of these options and sticking with it for the sake of simplicity.
How to Choose a Smart-TV Brand
Apple. If you’re an Apple user and carry an iPhone or use an iPad, embracing and sticking with Apple TV is a great choice. The company’s iCloud service connects your devices, so for example the pictures you take with your phone can be instantly viewed on the TV.
You should also know that it’s a foregone conclusion in Silicon Valley that Apple will actually manufacture and sell Apple TV sets. These will probably look beautiful, like big iMac machines.
By choosing the Apple TV box today, the movies you buy will remain compatible and easily viewable with the future Apple TV set. The future Apple TV will probably also support FaceTime, Apple’s video conferencing app. But this may work only when other people also have Apple hardware. It’s something to know before you buy.
And Apple gadgets are attractive to have lying around in your living room.
Google. Likewise, if you tend to prefer Google’s Android phones and tablets, you may benefit from a Google TV. Google TV video conferencing will almost certainly take place via the Google+ hangouts feature, which enables 10 people to video-chat at once. This may be more broadly usable because anyone, including those with Apple hardware, will be able to video-chat with you.
Apple and Google will probably offer the smartest smart TV options, because they are likely to have the most apps, which will let you leverage that giant screen in all kinds of interesting and unpredictable ways.
In general, Apple TV is less work, more attractive and more expensive. Google TV is more work and less attractive but less expensive overall.
How to Buy a Futureproof TV
A smart TV works like a computer. It runs apps, connects to the Internet and may also connect to other devices in the house on a home network. Although they exist today, smart TVs are undergoing rapid change. A TV isn’t something you’re likely to buy often, so it’s a good idea to think about tomorrow when buying today.
Some TVs are born smart, some achieve smartness and some have smartness thrust upon them.
Most smart TVs will get their smarts from four sources: Apple, Google, Microsoft or the Asian company that makes your TV. For example, you may buy a TV that’s sold as a smart TV, with the intelligence built in, rather than from a separate plug-in device. This smartness may have been created by the TV maker or by Google and be labeled as a “Google TV."
As an alternative, you could buy a TV that doesn’t have a computer built in, but then add an Apple TV box separately. Buying an Xbox game system turns a regular TV into a smart TV as well. The Xbox connects to the Internet and also has a DVD drive for playing not only games but also movies.
And, of course, you can mix and match. You can buy a Google TV and plug in both an Apple TV and an Xbox. It won’t be any smarter, though.
In general, however, most people will benefit from choosing one of these options and sticking with it for the sake of simplicity.
How to Choose a Smart-TV Brand
Apple. If you’re an Apple user and carry an iPhone or use an iPad, embracing and sticking with Apple TV is a great choice. The company’s iCloud service connects your devices, so for example the pictures you take with your phone can be instantly viewed on the TV.
You should also know that it’s a foregone conclusion in Silicon Valley that Apple will actually manufacture and sell Apple TV sets. These will probably look beautiful, like big iMac machines.
By choosing the Apple TV box today, the movies you buy will remain compatible and easily viewable with the future Apple TV set. The future Apple TV will probably also support FaceTime, Apple’s video conferencing app. But this may work only when other people also have Apple hardware. It’s something to know before you buy.
And Apple gadgets are attractive to have lying around in your living room.
Google. Likewise, if you tend to prefer Google’s Android phones and tablets, you may benefit from a Google TV. Google TV video conferencing will almost certainly take place via the Google+ hangouts feature, which enables 10 people to video-chat at once. This may be more broadly usable because anyone, including those with Apple hardware, will be able to video-chat with you.
Apple and Google will probably offer the smartest smart TV options, because they are likely to have the most apps, which will let you leverage that giant screen in all kinds of interesting and unpredictable ways.
In general, Apple TV is less work, more attractive and more expensive. Google TV is more work and less attractive but less expensive overall.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Something else. The only reason to eschew Apple and Google is if another Smart TV option has something you specifically want. For example, if you’ve got a serious console gamer in the house, you may want an Xbox anyway.
Ready or not, the smart-TV revolution is coming to a living room near you. And it’s going to change everything. It’s best to know what’s coming.
So get off the sofa and get planning!
More:
Apple-Inspired Design at Home
On Trend: Wireless Lounging
Ready or not, the smart-TV revolution is coming to a living room near you. And it’s going to change everything. It’s best to know what’s coming.
So get off the sofa and get planning!
More:
Apple-Inspired Design at Home
On Trend: Wireless Lounging
Ideabook updated on May 1, 2012.
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While I do believe that internet tv will change many things--it sure as heck is convenient--unfortunately, it will not change the American addiction to having that annoying presence everywhere we go. I say, put the television--internet or otherwise--in some small area where it can have all the focus it wants, and try actually talking to one another in the living room.
Great article about the TV though. It is a constant struggle to balance good design with all the electronics.
TVs have been used for two-way communication for decades. At the very least since Zenith introduced the Space Command TVs in the '80s that included a speakerphone so that you could make & receive phone calls via your TV.
And plenty of companies have been including "smart" features in video products for a long time, too...whether in TVs, Blu-ray or DVD players, and even VHS recorders before that.
Convergence is old hat, but making it easier is going to be the difference. Right now, I still think the one thing that makes all of it easier than anything else isn't anything by Apple, but the Harmony remotes by Logitech. It's the one piece of equipment related to all of our A/V stuff that my wife and guests appreciate the most because now they don't have to figure out how to use everything. Babysitting is no longer a scary proposition for the grandparents, yay!
The problem with whatever Apple is going to do to "transform" TV in the future is that, like everything else, they'll make it SUPER-easy...so long as you have other Apple products, but it won't play nice with anything else. Their solution, as always, will be that its the "other peoples' stuff screwing up" and that "if you buy the Apple [whatever] it'll all work much better."
Uh huh.
While Apple TV lets you watch family photos, listen to music, rent movies and TV shows all in glorious 1080p high def, it does not let you play DVDs or Blu-rays, nor can you watch live TV. If you have a bunch of videos you have accumulated over the years in multiple formats like DivX, Xvid, or MKV, Apple will not let you play those either, while a Western Digital box will.
It is frustrating that many of the devices have so much overlap but none of them do it all. I would love to have JUST this shiny black puck beside my TV, and only 1 remote on my coffee table, but were are just not there yet.
That said, it's a fun ADDITION to the other boxes by the TV and the minimalist, stark remote has a happy place among the the other remotes, bristling with buttons.
I havn't had a TV for years now and do everything on my computer via an Apple Cinema screen. I can watch TV , work , skype , send emails all at the same time . This isn't new - its been around for years ?
We control it using a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Also, smart tvs now are introducing twitter and other social networking. Do I really want to know what my "friends" are doing whilst I enjoy a quiet film with my other half, dont think so. Hopefully theyre smart enough to disable these features (forever).
we need to be concern on what we have now might not be effective tomorrow.... so a wise decision is ought to be made, with the best brands that is major count although there are those that weren't to the top list but still greatly accepted, design is a plus, and how it works is very important..... choose wisely ;)
There's tons of stuff on TV that I enjoy, which is likely different than what any other person enjoys. The spice of life, right?
As for the other part of your comment, you're still in a minority. Many, many people don't like watching TV close to a small screen (and, yes, even an Apple Cinema display is a small screen).
I like watching TV & movies in a big space, on a big screen with surround sound.
I like doing e-mail and other "computer stuff" on my computer.
I play most games on the computer, rather on consoles, because I like the more intimate experience of being close to the screen and the accuracy of a kb / mouse. But some games I enjoy playing on consoles because of the size (especially things like racing games, where you can get some pretty breathtaking scenery with current generation consoles).
The point is, entertainment, whether big screen or little screen, and convergence, are individual things. To suggest that people "should" do anything is ridiculous. People should do what they like to do.
What's great about the current state of technology, is there are more options to suit more personal tastes than ever before.
I bought my hubby a Roku for xmas.. after 2 weeks we returned it. Not because it wasn't a great product but all we wanted was the ability to hook our internet up to the tv! We were not interested in spending more money on more subscriptions or downloading movies.. we already pay for Sat. TV.
Its all very confusing... call me granny now.
Also, I might suggest getting a localization company to make sure all the copy on your site is appropriate for English-language customers. Your KB Slim callout says "Write down thing nice." which doesn't really mean anything in English.
The upshot is: If Jobs was really the genius he's made out to be, why is his high end stuff so short lived? It doesn't take genius to create profits by creating programmed obsolescence, just look at 1970s Detroit. Apple products are no more recyclable than PCs, they have no built in recycling program either. Their factories in China are obscene in worker safety and environmental care. And we're still no closer to the ideal that was once suggested: Long life hardware that can be updated with constantly evolving software.
So, I'm glad the TV (and perhaps the mirror) is taking up some of the slack. I have no use for Garage Band, will probably never make my own iMac movie for preview at Sundance; and like my horrid PC, I will probably junk this machine without ever knowing fully what it could do. And I hope that my new tv does email with ease, streams online tv and movies, not to mention Al Jazeera; and loads music and pictures--up and down. If it does, I won't miss this expensively stylish waste of money one bit.
This is just another way to sell a new tv every year just like all the new bells and whistles on the phones, laptops etc.
This is not exciting, it's just the new way to separate us from our money. I've already spent 28 yrs buying a new game system almost every year. If you want to google do,it on your laptop and leave the rest of us who don't care alone. Of course I know I'm just venting. We just had to buy 'another big screen', since most only have a certain length of shelf life time. It seems to coincide with the new ones coming out. I would have rather gone out and tried to buy a new car.
Do people actually crowd around and watch you tube videos? And heaven forbid you accidentally hit the wrong button on the remote. Of course my husband was in heaven. And I have nothing to hide, but my email is like a letter to me and I don't want anyone reading them unless they ask. And is there anyone foolish enough to by 3D. Whatever it takes to get our money. When we left with our new big screen the kid that sold it to use did not like me at all. He knew he had just lost a really good sell. I refused to pay for all this junk until I have to, which will probably be in just a couple of years. If I get lucky that long.
After our 1st we learned on important lesson. Let someone else buy first & do the so called test drive. This television had been given 4 stars. My husband had done his research.
He couldn't wait to speed $3000.00 on a tv with all the doodads 5 yrs ago . Thank goodness we spent the $400.00 yearly protection plan. After barely 3 yrs we could have bought 2 more large screens. And this was a well know name brand tv .Even the repairman didn't have a clue how to replace the motherboard when that day arrived. And heaven forbid you accidentally hit the wrong bottom on the remote.
I do like to watch movies. I don't care for 3d, surround sound. When I want to watch a movie, I just want to watch a movie. I goggle and read my mail from my pad.
When I refused to pay $480.00( the protection plan had gone up), we bought another to go along with the one we had bought to watch when the fancy one was being worked on.
I was mean, I shot it with a paintball gun several times so it could not be refurbished and no on else would get stuck with it.
A year later they were trying to get a class action against it. I was so sick of the thing, I didn't even care to join the class action.
Sometimes to much really is to much.
Want the better bang for your buck? Buy a PS3 or whatever Playstation Sony come out with next. It's already a media device that far surpasses the others except on body movement controls. You really can't beat all the functions it performs while also providing you with loads of storage space.