14 DAY TRIAL // There aren't many web-connected TV models on sale right now, and consumers haven't gotten a real taste of them yet, but like many things, this is set to change over the course of 2011.
As one would expect, now that the end of 2010 is nigh, companies and analysts are making predictions about what 2011 will bring.
One of the more recent reports implied that touch panels, even despite makers' efforts to double their capacity, won't be in sufficient demand next year.
True or not, the prediction alone was enough to highlight how far such panels have come and how quickly the market segment is evolving.
Something partially similar has now been forecasted for the market segment of TV sets equipped with web connectivity. though they won't be in tight supply.
Currently, such devices do not exist in high numbers, both as far as models go as well as shipped units.
Nevertheless, they have genuine advantages in terms of content availability and functionality, while not carrying to high a price premium.
That said, it is the belief of Strategy Analytics, according to X-bit Labs, that 2011 will be a year of solid expansion for this field, in terms of market share.
Basically, web-connected TVs will end up accounting for 25% of all TVs sold worldwide.
Meanwhile, the so-called “TV apps” market will also improve, even though developers aren't exactly sure which business models and genres, besides games, weather and gambling services, are going to be successful.
"2011 will also see the battleguns aligned for future dominance of connected TV technology platforms," reads the prediction by the market tracking company.
"Facebook is already the leading repository for user generated content in the cloud, and we expect Facebook to join Apple, Google and Microsoft in the race to develop TV gateways to online television shows and movies."