14 DAY TRIAL // In a world where Apple TV and Google TV try to build as much hype as possible around their interactive TV platforms, Samsung manages to surprise us all, the company just announcing the 1 millionth TV application has been downloaded from Samsung Apps, the company's HDTV-based application store.
Even more impressive is the fact that Samsung managed to reach this milestone in less than a year after the initial launch of Samsung Apps, the store coming with only 200 TV applications for its users to download.
Although many will laugh at the small number of applications available, all the big names are available such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, Twitter, Pandora, Blockbuster or Vudu.
Furthermore, going with a smaller number of apps also means that users will have an easy time finding what they are after.
According to Samsung, the most downloaded apps until now were Hulu Plus, ESPN Next Level, CinemaNow and Texas Holde, thus covering a wide area of user interests, from sports to movies and games.
“The evolution of television in recent years has been astounding as consumers seek technology that enhances their viewing experience, and their lives,” said Mr. Boo-keun Yoon, President of Samsung’s Visual Display Business.
“Integrating the traditional TV experience with applications and features like 3D bridges the gap between simply consuming programming and interacting with it. We are seeing that consumers are embracing these new experiences with their TVs.”
According to the research firm The NPD Group, Samsung took over 66 percent of the US connected TV market in the first half of 2010, more than 50 percent of Samsung's 2010 TV line-up coming with Samsung Apps, the company being the current market leader in global LED TV, LCD TV, and plasma TV sales.
Samsung says that further information regarding its Smart TV strategy will be discussed during CES 2011, finalists of the “Free the TV Challenge” app developing contest also showcasing their applications at the show.