The TV industry has gone through several evolutions in the past decade and keeps moving at a breakneck speed with the introduction of connected TV devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, just to name a few.
Connected TV devices allow you to play music and videos through your television set and control them using your smartphone or tablet. You can use this device to stream online content from Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Spotify, Pandora, ESPN, etc.
Here’s what you need to know to get started with your new device and how to take advantage of all it has to offer.
Table of Contents
What Is Connected TV?
Connected TV, or Internet-connected television (or iTV), refers to a digital media player—such as Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, and Amazon FireTV—allowing consumers to stream online video content directly to their HDTV. In practice, connected TVs can vary in function.
For example, some devices allow users to stream content from apps like Netflix and Hulu, while others are primarily designed for streaming live cable television. Still, others are made specifically for gaming purposes—like Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One.
In short, there’s no one right way to use these devices; they all have different functions that may be better suited for different people.
What Are the Pros of Smart TVs?
Let’s go over some of the best features of smart TVs to help you decide if they’re right for you.
Easy to Use
The layout of a smart TV, with apps and an extremely user-friendly configuration, makes them easy to use. You can look for specific shows instead of flipping through hundreds of channels each time you want to watch something.
Your favorite apps are conveniently displayed on your home screen, so all you have to do is click one to start watching what you love. Plus, smart TVs will remember your preferences and sometimes make suggestions based on what you’ve watched before.
High-Quality
The decision between a smart TV and a normal TV depends on how much you want your television to do for you. Smart TVs come with all the bells and whistles.
Consumers no longer have to turn to other devices or internet browsers to find the content they want—t’s all right there! There are games, social media platforms, and video streaming sites; the variety is incredible.
Hundreds of Apps
The smart TV has been called one of the best inventions ever because it provides users with an endless selection of apps that can be accessed in just a few seconds. You no longer have to connect separate devices or go through multiple steps to find what you want—now it’s all in your living room!
There are games for children, social media sites for adults, and even live video streaming apps, so you never miss your favorite shows again.
Voice Assistant Compatible
With voice assistants built into TVs and compatible with dozens of apps, controlling your TV is easier.
You can get answers to questions like “how tall is Benedict Cumberbatch?,” or skip to the next episode of The Bachelorette. This means less time typing and more time watching your favourite shows!
You don’t need to worry about losing your remote. And they’re compatible with all apps, Just say what you want to see and bam!
What Are the Cons of Smart TVs?
People often think of them as just fancy-looking TV. Sure, they have a better display than your average TV, but there’s more to it.
These things are just high-tech computers, which means they have the same risks associated with any other computer—like hacking or crashing when you need it most. Although these don’t happen too often, it’s best to be prepared for anything. Here are a few downsides:
Apps can Crash
Apps on your smart TV can crash, which can be quite annoying. Usually, updating the software is the only thing you have to do to get back running.
Privacy Issues
Privacy issues are never fun to deal with, but if you’re one of those who avoids Googling things because you’re worried about your data and web history is looked at, buying a smart TV might not be the best option. While many models have built-in privacy features that you can control, it’s probably safest to stick with an old-fashioned antenna or cable box.
Wrapping Up
Connected TV is an internet-powered, modern-day television set enhanced with some great features. Such features include bridging the gap between you and your social world and being an all-inclusive entertainment package for all your watching needs.
