Smart TVs Dominating 2012 CES But Apps Will Drive the Market

The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was held this week in Las Vegas highlighting the latest trends in electronics, computers and all things digital.  Seemingly making the biggest splash at this year’s show is the coming of smart TVs for which shipments are anticipated to top 130 million by 2015.  This will account for nearly half of all TVs on the market.

In order to differentiate between the countless smart TV sets and standalone boxes coming to market, manufacturers have to offer something unique to customers. It’s the software that companies are pouncing upon. Like smartphones and tablets, apps power the new smart TV ecosystems, and the manufacturers are trying to make apps their own.

Panasonic opened up its Viera connected TV platform on Monday, offering developers the chance to create apps specifically designed for Panasonic’s ecosystem. LG followed right behind, touting its LG Apps TV platform of proprietary applications. And Samsung Techwin debuted a set-top box dubbed InTouch the same day, offering the chance to add apps and “smart” features to any standard television.

Aspiring apps developers now have a whole new world to explore.

For more details see the story: 
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/01/smart-tv-google-apple-ces/