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Tag: smart TV

  • Android TV 13 might reduce power consumption for smart TVs

    Android TV 13 might reduce power consumption for smart TVs

    With Android 13 on the way, we’re expecting many important new features to arrive on all devices that are part of the ecosystem, not just smartphones and tablets. Cars and TVs that use Google’s OS are likely to receive their fair share of improvements too, including some that might reduce consumption.

    Obviously, your car won’t consume less fuel or electricity for using Android Auto, but your smart TV might, at least according to a new report by Esper’s Mishaal Rahman. Apparently, Android TV 13 will include a new “low power standby” mode that will prevent some functions to keep running in the background when your smart TV is in standby mode.

    While the low power standby mode is enabled, wakelocks are disabled and network access is blocked. The feature will be disabled by default just in case you want to continue to receive notifications while your smart TV is in standby mode.

    In the same piece of news, the cited report highlights another interesting improvement that Android TV 13 is expected to bring to smart TVs: expanded Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode. With Android 13 TV, PiP windows can be set to less than 1:2.39 or bigger than 2.39:1. Also, despite the fact that Android TV does not support multi-window features except from PiP, Android TV 13 might actually add a “pseudo-split-screen” mode with docked, expanded PiP windows.

  • Apple Music app arrives on Samsung Smart TVs, owners get free subscriptions

    Apple Music app arrives on Samsung Smart TVs, owners get free subscriptions

    Samsung has just announced that its Smart TVs are now compatible with Apple’s Music app. If you own a Samsung Smart TV launched in the last two years, you’ll be able to download and install the new Apple Music app, but you’ll need a subscription to use it.

    The Apple Music app can be found in the Samsung Smart TV App Store and requires users to sign in to an existing account with their Apple ID. Those who don’t have an Apple Music subscription can apply for one directly from their TV. More importantly, all Samsung Smart TV owners can try Apple Music for free for 3 months. The deal applies to individual, family and student subscriptions.

    Apple Music subscribers will get access to Beats 1 radio station, a global live stream with exclusive shows by popular artists like Nicki Minaj, The Weeknd, DJ Khaled, and Elton John, as well as “At Home With Apple Music” content that offers editorial playlists, group FaceTime chats with artists and more.

    Keep in mind that besides the option to stream over 60 million songs ad-free, Apple Music subscribers can also watch original shows, trending concerts, as well as other exclusive content directly on their Samsung Smart TVs.

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  • Samsung cooperates with Apple

    Samsung cooperates with Apple

    Samsung Electronics is teaming with arch-rival Apple to enable its smart TVs to access video, audio and other programming from iTunes. It is the first time the two have cooperated on content. The partnership was announced Monday. Beginning this spring, Samsung smart TVs will have iTunes movies and TV as a default option, along with YouTube and Netflix. For customers with older versions of Samsung smart TVs, the service can be added with a software update.

    Apple’s new movie and TV streaming service is set for official introduction in March. Samsung Smart TVs will be the first non-Apple devices to have access to the service.

    Another feature to be made possible on Samsung TVs is AirPlay 2, a function that allows for wirelessly access to movies, photos, podcasts or music from Apple devices.

    Until recently, before Chinese manufacturers became smartphone leaders, Apple and Samsung competed intensely for domination in the market.

    The two were also embroiled in a seven-year patent battle that was only concluded last year.

    Despite the rivalry, they have continued to do business with each other. Samsung has supplied Apple with smartphone chips and displays.

    At an event held in Las Vegas Monday before the Consumer Electronics Show 2019, the president of the Samsung visual display business, Han Jong-hee said that the collaboration is a “win-win” for both companies while customers will benefit from a wider range of choices.

    “For now, the collaboration will be about content. But in the future, I expect there to be other fields in which we can work together as well,” said Han. According to another senior executive at the event, the project was initially suggested by Samsung.

    The company suggested that it is open to partnerships with other companies as well, saying in a press release that it aims to minimize the barriers between products and providers to offer a “rich selection of content.”

    For Samsung, Apple programming will give it an upper hand in attracting customers.

    The war in the TV market is now as much about what is available on devices as it is about brighter, more colorful and slimmer panels. How TVs seamlessly link to online resources is one of the major battlegrounds.

    The partnership also reflects how Apple is increasingly putting weight on services instead of hardware – the reason it came up with the iTunes video streaming service. Global iPhone sales are falling short of expectations as customers don’t change phones as frequently as before and many are being turned off by the high prices.

    Samsung brings with it the strength of being No. 1 in the global TV market, with more than a 40 percent share.

    “We look forward to bringing the iTunes and AirPlay 2 experience to even more customers around the world through Samsung smart TVs, so iPhone, iPad and Mac users have yet another way to enjoy all their favorite content on the biggest screen in their home,” said Eddy Cue, senior vice president of Internet Software and Services at Apple.