There will be 1 billion web-enabled, stationary consumer electronics devices in operation worldwide by 2015, predicts US research firm In-Stat, who calles these devices ‘smart TVs’.
“Smart TVs” and Blu-ray players (that support online apps) will constitute over 50% of all web-enabled CE device shipments worldwide in 2015,” said Keith Nissen, principal analyst, in a statement. “North America and Europe will remain the primary regional markets for web-enabled, stationary consumer electronics devices. Over the next five years, both the North American and European markets will exhibit a 23% CAGR and will account for nearly 70% of the global market.”
Recent research findings include: the popularity of over-the-top (OTT) video is creating interest in enhancing the IP video capabilities of cable, satellite, and IPTV set top boxes. This is creating a growing market for hybrid STBs.
The vast majority of Blu-ray disc players and recorders shipped will be both network-enabled and web-enabled devices. The Asia/Pacific region will favour mobile consumer electronics devices over stationary devices but will still show a 20% CAGR in web-enabled stationary devices over the forecast period.
There are many different TV application platforms. Yahoo! Widgets is the major TV app platform in the industry (at least according to In-Stat), though Philips, Sony, Samsung, and others have developed their own proprietary platforms. Look for Google TV’s App Store and the Apple TV Apps store to shake things up.