B.K. Yoon, president of Samsung's visual display business unit, isn't worried about Google TV or Apple TV. Right now, his interest is in developers and how they're going to help Samsung maintain its edge in TVs.
I got a chance to sit down with Yoon when he came into town for today's Samsung TV Challenge Developer Day, which is expected to attract more than 300 developers. The event says a lot about Samsung's priorities as it looks to build upon its success in the TV market.
While Samsung has been the leader in TV sales, it sees the next big opportunity is in Internet-connected TVs running a variety of applications. Like the market for smart phones, Yoon believes that consumers will want a TV that can offer not just good performance but interactive apps. And to compete on that level, you need developers.
"The smart phone was originally for phone calls but now it's more about interactivity and people are used to that interactivity with their device through applications," said Yoon. "When that familiarity is transferred to the TV, we'll see that trend in TVs too."
Samsung is an ideal choice for developers, said Yoon. He said there are about 40 devices that developers can write apps for including TVs and Blu-ray players. He said that scale should be attractive for developers looking to distribute apps.
Yoon said connected TVs and 3D will both be growth opportunities for Samsung, but the bigger immediate market is for connected TVs. He said Samsung is expected to sell 6.5 million connected TVs in the U.S. this year and 2.2 million 3D sets this year. Connected smart TVs from Samsung start at $1,000 while 3D sets start at $1,099.
Yoon said he's been following the reports of Google TV and rumors of a new Apple TV. He said he's waiting to see the roll out of Google TV this fall before the company decides to participate. With Apple, he's interested like anyone else in what they will unveil tomorrow.
"I believe Apple and Google both have their strengths and it's up to the consumer to see what's most beneficial to them," he said. "Whoever relates to the consumer most will win this competition."
That's why the TV apps are going to be key for Samsung. Yoon believes these apps will need to be able to work in a more social environment, while offering utility in categories like video, games, sports, lifestyle and information. Right now, Samsung is offering 87 apps in the U.S. with plans for 200 by the end of the year.
The current line-up of apps includes lots of video options, from Blockbuster and Hulu Plus to Vudu, Cinema Now and Amazon. Samsung has also worked with ESPN on a unique TV app and is also preparing an application with Dreamworks debuting next month that will show 3D movie trailers and full-length features.
It's interesting to see how critical developers are becoming in this era of app stores. Now that these apps are becoming selling features, it's increasingly a race to lock up as much support as possible. It's been true in the smart phone race and now it's becoming a reality for the TV market.
"Smart TVs are a major trend for the future," said Yoon. "It's very important to offer a diverse choice of applications. If we try to develop the apps ourselves, there's a limit to that. That's why we need to outreach to developers."
Via : sfgate.com
I got a chance to sit down with Yoon when he came into town for today's Samsung TV Challenge Developer Day, which is expected to attract more than 300 developers. The event says a lot about Samsung's priorities as it looks to build upon its success in the TV market.
While Samsung has been the leader in TV sales, it sees the next big opportunity is in Internet-connected TVs running a variety of applications. Like the market for smart phones, Yoon believes that consumers will want a TV that can offer not just good performance but interactive apps. And to compete on that level, you need developers.
"The smart phone was originally for phone calls but now it's more about interactivity and people are used to that interactivity with their device through applications," said Yoon. "When that familiarity is transferred to the TV, we'll see that trend in TVs too."
Samsung is an ideal choice for developers, said Yoon. He said there are about 40 devices that developers can write apps for including TVs and Blu-ray players. He said that scale should be attractive for developers looking to distribute apps.
Yoon said connected TVs and 3D will both be growth opportunities for Samsung, but the bigger immediate market is for connected TVs. He said Samsung is expected to sell 6.5 million connected TVs in the U.S. this year and 2.2 million 3D sets this year. Connected smart TVs from Samsung start at $1,000 while 3D sets start at $1,099.
Yoon said he's been following the reports of Google TV and rumors of a new Apple TV. He said he's waiting to see the roll out of Google TV this fall before the company decides to participate. With Apple, he's interested like anyone else in what they will unveil tomorrow.
"I believe Apple and Google both have their strengths and it's up to the consumer to see what's most beneficial to them," he said. "Whoever relates to the consumer most will win this competition."
That's why the TV apps are going to be key for Samsung. Yoon believes these apps will need to be able to work in a more social environment, while offering utility in categories like video, games, sports, lifestyle and information. Right now, Samsung is offering 87 apps in the U.S. with plans for 200 by the end of the year.
The current line-up of apps includes lots of video options, from Blockbuster and Hulu Plus to Vudu, Cinema Now and Amazon. Samsung has also worked with ESPN on a unique TV app and is also preparing an application with Dreamworks debuting next month that will show 3D movie trailers and full-length features.
It's interesting to see how critical developers are becoming in this era of app stores. Now that these apps are becoming selling features, it's increasingly a race to lock up as much support as possible. It's been true in the smart phone race and now it's becoming a reality for the TV market.
"Smart TVs are a major trend for the future," said Yoon. "It's very important to offer a diverse choice of applications. If we try to develop the apps ourselves, there's a limit to that. That's why we need to outreach to developers."
Via : sfgate.com
