Samsung considering a switch to Android-based HDTVs

By Ryan Fleming September 8, 2010

Samsung, the world leader in HDTVs sold, is looking to stay on top. With the television market evolving faster than consumers can keep up, and once hot fads being replaced by things that were not even considered a few years back (streaming Netflix to a TV, for example), choosing the proper path will have consequences for years to come. If a report from Bloomberg turns out to be true, Samsung might be banking on Android as the best chance for the electronics giant to remain on top — at least for now.

A new version of Apple TV is coming, Sony has been working with Google to integrate Google TV into its upcoming sets, and others have followed suit. It now looks like Samsung will be stepping up its Internet-ready TV presence, and could soon be shipping all of its TVs with Android built in. Currently, about 50 percent of Samsung’s 3D TVs do offer Web browsing features, but they run on Samsung’s proprietary Bada operating system. Samsung smartphones, however, do use Android.

The company is currently considering a switch to all Android, but a Bada-based operating system that will connect TVs and phones is said to be in development. If a decision to switch to Android is reached, it is unclear whether Bada development will be discontinued, or just dramatically changed. It will mean scrapping several years worth of work, but it could help Samsung retain the top sales spot.

Some analysts suggest that Web-connectable TV sales will increase roughly six times from where they were in 2009, and by 2013, 87.6 million sets are expected to have been sold.

If Samsung intends to take on Apple TV and Google’s upcoming Google TV, plus compete with Sony and other TV manufacturers such as LG, Sharp and Panasonic, a switch to Android could give the company the edge it needs to stay on top.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ryan Fleming is the Gaming and Cinema Editor for Digital Trends. He joined the DT staff in 2009 after spending time covering…

Audio / Video

Rare deal drops this 75-inch QLED from Samsung to $850

The Samsung Q60C QLED 4K TV against a white background.

One of the best QLED TVs around, the Samsung 75-inch Q60C, is currently on sale at Crutchfield with a $550 discount. Usually costing $1,398, it’s down to $848 which is a fantastic price for such a huge TV. One of the better TV deals around at the moment, we can’t say how long it’ll stick around for at this price, so here’s a quick look at why you should buy now.

Why you should buy the Samsung 75-inch Q60C
When buying a TV, you should always consider a Samsung TV as it’s one of the best TV brands out there. You simply can’t go wrong with Samsung thanks to it making many of the best TVs. With the Samsung 75-inch Q60C, you get Quantum Dot technology which provides 100% color volume with full color and brightness. There’s also support for Quantum HDR aka HDR10, HDR10+ Adaptive, and HLG, so you get superior contrast and brightness. There’s also an edge-lit Dual LED backlight which combines cool tone and warm tone LEDs for improved picture contrast and less light leakage, while frame dimming further enhances contrast.

Audio / Video

Reserve Samsung’s new Frame TV now and get a free 65-inch TV

Samsung's 2024 The Frame QLED 4K TV.

Preorders for the 2024 model of Samsung's The Frame QLED 4K TV have started, and there's already an offer that's worthy of a place among the best TV deals in the market right now. If you reserve the 65-inch Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV for $2,000, you'll get the 65-inch Samsung TU690T 4K TV, which has a retail price of $530, for free. There's not much time left on this bargain though -- it expires on April 11 -- so if you're interested, you're going to have to complete the transaction as soon as possible.

Why you should buy the 65-inch Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV
The 65-inch Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV is a special addition to any home. Beyond the 4K Ultra HD resolution that promises sharp details and QLED technology that enables more accurate colors and incredible brightness, its Art Mode transforms the display into your personal exhibit. When activated, the TV will show artwork or your personal photos on its screen. You can access new and classic pieces of art from Samsung's Art Store, or stream 20 complimentary pieces of art from a free two-month trial with every purchase.

Audio / Video

The 5 best soundbars for Samsung TVs in 2024

samsung hw q990b atmos soundbar review ry 9

If you own a Samsung TV, the best way to upgrade your home theater is with a Samsung soundbar. These two types of devices tend to play nicely together, allowing you to get up and running in minutes without having to worry about some of the issues that come with mixing two different brands. However, Samsung produces a vast array of soundbars – and that can make it challenging to find the right one for your needs.

To help you with your search, we've scoured the entire Samsung catalog to find the best soundbars for Samsung TVs. Keep in mind that most soundbars offer an improvement over your built-in TV speakers, but if you want to get the most value (and don’t want to run into compatibility issues), these five soundbars are the best for Samsung TVs.