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'Connected TVs' Still Not Very Connected
Few Use Them For Anything Other Than Video

Owners of so-called "connected TVs" (usually with an Ethernet connection and over the top embedded video services) continue to avoid using the sets for anything other than watching television, according to new data from the NPD Group. According to a company blog post, just under 60% of Connected TV owners use the TV to watch embedded over the top TV options from the likes of Netflix or Hulu. Few if any Connected TV owners use the sets to videoconference, jump on the Internet or use social media websites like Twitter.

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According to the NPD Group, consumers are being bombarded with too many options when you factor in game consoles, stand alone video devices like Roku, smartphones, tablets and Blu-Ray Players. Those devices tend to see hardware and software revisions more frequently than televisions as well.

There's also the fact that the embedded software on many televisions simply isn't very good.

"OEMs and retailers need to focus less on new innovation in this space and more on simplification of the user experience and messaging if they want to drive additional, and new, behaviors on the TV," said NPD's John Buffone.

The firm seems to beat around the bush when it comes to the fact that many people simply want their television to act as a monitor, and don't feel the need for the TV itself to be particularly "smart" or "connected."

Most recommended from 37 comments


big_e
join:2011-03-05

2 recommendations

big_e

Member

The right tool for the job

Using an internet enabled TV for browsing the web is like using a chisel in place of a screwdriver. It might work for some purposes, but not very well, nor very ergonomically. For tasks such as reading people simply prefer the display a few feet away from their faces, not 10 feet way as the case with a TV. People also like good input devices, not cheaply built IR remotes/keyboards. Lastly, why would people use their TV to send twitter messages when they already carry a smartphone that is more capable of performing the same task.