The Smart TV App Revolution Is Coming: Here's What You Need To Know

[KoKo]

(We have a ROKU box and we use it for International news and US News which we can't access here in US because we have Basic Cable. So, we switched over to it a couple of years ago (to ditch CNN/Faux) and we do have one "Samsung Smart TV" which was promised to be an Internet TV but we found hooking our Roku up to it worked better. We can use an HDMI for our I-Phone to download You Tubes to it because the Samsung remote was too difficult to use and Roku doesn't have an App that works with You Tube. Think the article is interesting because more and more people want to watch media content that THEY have control over THEIR way...rather than the CABLE/SATELLITE way of paying for what you never watch)

Anyone HERE have RoKu or other Box they use?


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The Smart TV App Revolution Is Coming: Here's What You Need To Know

Why is an apps-enabled living room so exciting?

Consider the market:

There are some 800 million pay TV households worldwide, according to MRG.

In America, the average person still spends more than four hours per day watching TV, and more than five hours per day engaging with all screens, according to Nielsen.

TV also still represents the majority of worldwide ad spending: $350 billion last year, or 63% of all ad spending, according to Nielsen.



Innovation in the TV space is inevitable:

Consumers want it: A survey by Nielsen and YuMe found that 17% of Internet connected TV users plan to decrease or cancel their cable subscription in the coming year.

TV is ripe for app-led innovation: The old guard, represented by cable and entertainment conglomerates, will not be able to fend off improvements and user experience innovations like those that apps are bringing to mobile phones.

The devices are there: the Smart TV revolution will not just be led by new TVs with built-in Internet connections. Consumer will also adopt less expensive game consoles and set-top boxes like Roku and Apple TV, which transform traditional TVs into Smart TVs with access to app stores. At least 20% of U.S. consumers already have their TVs connected in one of these ways.

The operating systems and app stores are there: TVs would offer mobile-based apps a new screen to conquer. Apps would be able to sync across PCs, tablets, smartphones, and TVs. Smart TVs and set-top boxes will likely run on mobile operating systems, iOS and Android.

The players are in place: Apple and Google seem like logical smart-TV leaders — Apple through its skill of designing and marketing great platforms, and Google through its prowess in digital video and advertising. Also, pay attention to Samsung and Microsoft, among others. But consumers won't gravitate to smart TV apps until the app stores are stocked with well-curated collections of great software.

NOTE: "Business Insider" just wants to sell you the report on this...so unless you want to buy it just ignore and read the rest of the article which highlights the possibilities.

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-smart-tv-app-revolution-2013-10?utm_source=House&utm_term=RR&utm_campaign=RR

[hlthe2b]

1. I'm in market for a Roku... Which one do you have?

Seems the latest (3) is about $100. Is it worth it?

[KoKo]

3. I have the Roku L1, $50. on our 16 year old TV. Have the Roku 2 on Samsung Internet

Flat Screen. Both work great. We hooked it up Roku L1 to our old TV in a few minutes and have used it for 2 years with no problems. We got the ROKU 2 for the Samsung and it has more storage for our Favorite Channels and Netfix Movie Pop Up Menu.

Here are a couple of Links. Roku makes four boxes now...and we didn't need headphones or gaming so the $50. and the $79. ones are perfect for us.

But, if you are into wanting more the first link has the comparisons for all the boxes.

CHOOSE YOUR ROKU:
http://shop.roku.com/

Roku 3 Review - Watch CNET's Video Review
The Roku 3 nabs CNET's Editors' Choice Award for streaming-video boxes, with tons of content sources, lightning-fast performance, and an innovative remote with
reviews.cnet.com/roku-3/

[hlthe2b]

4. Hey thanks, Koko!

[KoKo]

5. Here's another link with all that Roku offers to Viewers...

It's from Wiki but it's a good read if you want to get wonky of all you can get on the box and seems up to date from my view.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roku

The other thing about Roku is the "Private Channels...(where you put in a code to Nowhereman TV to get lots of extras and my international news, Bill Moyers Archives, C-Span Archives Classic Movies (free) and tons more. I'll see if I can find that listing and post it on the thread when I have some more time.

[hlthe2b]

6. Oh, please do... I'd love to access your International news sources

thanks

[KoKo]

7. Here's NoWhere TV Link and other Private Channels to add.

I think if you hit "Details" on each one it will give you a description.

http://streamfree.tv/apps/roku-private-channels/

[KoKo]

9. Here's Official Link to RoKu "Free Channels" ...

LOL's...I'm probably posting to much but it would be good to have these links available in the this Media Group, Anyway.

ROKU FREE CHANNELS:
http://streamfree.tv/apps/roku-official-channels/all/

[DinahMoeHum]

2. It's gotta have SPORTS in it, or else No Dice. . .

Right now, the absence of sports channels ala ESPN or Universal Sports on Roku or Hulu is the stumbling block to my getting those and ditching Cablevision once and for all.

[KoKo]

8. Well...here's a little bit in links of what they have:

But, unfortunately Cable is still the way if you are a Sports fanatic.

Digital Sports Streaming Expands on Roku, Boxee and PlayStation 3

http://inventorspot.com/articles/digital_sports_streaming_expands_roku_and_boxee_40438

ROKU adds more Sports Content:
http://gigaom.com/2010/04/26/roku-adds-more-sports-content/

[Blanks]

10. I have a Roku. We don't use it anymore...

Because my son got us a Sony DVD/blue ray for Christmas.

We used it to watch Netflix and Hulu and there seemed to be new channels all the time. It looks like they're adding stuff to the menu frequently.

Among the coolest things (on my Sony-I don't know if its on Roku) is the 'new YouTube app' which allows you to transfer a video that you're watching on your handheld device onto the big TV. Set up the TV and Push a button, pretty cool.

I don't have any cable. The only sporting events I watch are the ones that come through the rabbit ears. It makes it easier to choose which games to watch.