Smart TV is quietly changing. In the past, people would care about how many applications they have. Today, the operating system is the key.
All Smart TVs support Netflix and Amazon Instant, which is increasingly homogenous. Therefore, users are more concerned about the quality of the services they can provide.
There are no industry standards in this area, and various smart TV platforms are arguing one by one. LG, Samsung, Panasonic and Sony have adopted different systems, namely webOS, Tizen, Firefox and Android.
Is this a brand new start, or is it just a new bottle of old wine? Next, based on the situation in the UK market, we will introduce four hot TV platforms in succession.
Sony: Android TV
Sony officially adopted the world's best smart TV platform in 2015. As long as the relationship with Android, it will automatically alienate the other half of the world's smart phone users. However, Sony, together with other manufacturers, hopes that the remaining half of the users will accept Google's platform in their own living room.
So far, only Sharp and Philips have taken the same steps using Google's Android TV system. It is difficult for us to determine whether the system will eventually win, but Android TV has performed well and has a good chance of success.
Not just TV, users can also find Android TV in devices like Nvidia SHIELD.
Unlike other new smart TV platforms, Android TV service is not activated via the icon located at the bottom of the screen. After pressing the Home button of the remote control, video titles from YouTube and Google Video will be scrolled on the screen. Below are links to some other media services. Then the TV's input and setting options are available.
Sony's Android TV offers plenty of storage space. The 2015 version has a 16GB size, which is much larger than most smart TVs provide.
With the SideView app, Android phone and tablet users can use voice commands to directly control Sony TV. With Google Cast, users can stream videos and photos to a TV (iOS users can download AirBuddy app to use). The handles from Logitech and Razer are said to provide users with a console-free gaming experience.
So far, Android TV is still a relatively high-end feature that can only be found on the W, S, and X series of Sony Bravia TVs.
In July 2015, all Sony Android TV products will receive firmware updates to add a service called “YouViewâ€. With Sony TV and YouView, the performance of Sony Smart TV is worth looking forward to.
Panasonic: Firefox operating system
Firefox is by far the most beautiful and easy to customize smart TV platform.
In 2015, Panasonic made major updates to its smart TV interface and called the new interface "my Home Screen 2.0." This is actually the Firefox operating system.
Circular icons are displayed directly on the home screen without having to go to other pages to find. TVs, apps, devices, input, and specific channels are all easily accessible via icons. Moreover, this is by far the most easily customizable interface for users, and it takes only a few seconds to add their preferred applications or services.
Although the homepage still exists, the layout is more concise, with only 14 applications on it.
At the front is Panasonic’s app market link, next to pre-loaded apps such as Netflix, Amazon Instant, YouTube, and some TV features and services such as calendars, input, channels, and web browsers – as you can imagine, sure Is Firefox browser.
Since there is no built-in Google Play, the Firefox system cannot be compared with Android TV in terms of content, but Panasonic's Firefox operating system is not subject to regulatory constraints and is very easy to customize. This is by far the most beautiful and easy to use smart TV interface.
Samsung: Smart Center and Tizen
Although Samsung still calls it the "Smart Hub Smart Center," this smart TV platform is completely new to the company's 2015 launch.
Various applications and shortcuts are located in the horizontal dynamic icons at the bottom of the screen. The system can not only track the user's habits, but also recommend new videos and allow proper customization. The “Most Visited†feature on the left side of the screen provides quick access to recently used apps and channels.
Customized screen icons are very good at functioning, and users can place the functions and applications that they need to use everyday.
The smart center's multimedia page not only distinguishes between applications and content, but also differentiates the difference in content sources.
In addition, although it is no longer in a conspicuous position directly in front of it, the Samsung application panel will still list all download applications.
At the same time, the Tizen-based Smart Center also offers a few excellent features, such as browsing applications while watching live shows on a split screen.
LG: WebOS
LG launched webOS in 2014 and completely updated its smart TV. Today, the 2.0 version of the operating system will also be available as a firmware update to all Smart TV products introduced in 2014 and 2015.
Similar to the Samsung Smart Center, the WebOS 2.0 taskbar is located at the bottom of the screen.
The basic functions of a TV, whether it is a content service such as Netflix or HDMI input, are considered applications and appear dynamically at the bottom of the screen.
However, if you want to find some features that are not on the launch bar, users need to work hard and customization is just as difficult. Moreover, the unification of the different versions of WebOS in terms of design is very low, which will cause additional trouble for users.