Samsung TVs to Pack Yahoo Widget Engine

By Geoff Duncan January 5, 2009

Samsung TVs to Pack Yahoo Widget Engine

Consumer electronics giant Samsung has announced that it plans a new line-up of HDTV televisions that will be able to access Internet content via the Yahoo Widget Engine. Dubbed "Internet@TV," the technology will enable lightweight Javascript and XML applications to reside on users televisions and tap into Internet-based content, information, and social services right from a television remote control. The company is showing the televisions at CES 2009, and says the units should be available internationally by spring 2009.

As examples of widget-powered content, Samsung cites staying on top of stock portfolios and headlines news, tracking eBay auctions, accessing video and photo sharing services like Flickr and YouTube, as well as accessing Yahoo’s own weather, financial, and news services.

Users will need to connect the televisions to their in-home broadband-enabled network, either via an integrated Ethernet port of via an optional Wi-Fi enabled USB dongle.

"There’s no denying that the easy-to-use, one-touch of the remote control service successfully provides information simply and effectively," said Boo-Keun Yoon, executive VP for Samsung’s Visual Display Division, in a statement. "The collaboration with Yahoo lets viewers go one step further. This new interface allows them to interact and connect with many of their favorite Web services on a personal level. It’s frankly way beyond just passively watching broadcasts and is no doubt the future of TV."

The companies say the Yahoo Widget platform is open to third party developers, in theory enabling programmers to build and deploy Widgets for televisions using Yahoo’s Widget Development Kit. Yahoo and Samsung have promised to nurture and ecosystem of Widget developers, although its not clear how developers could distribute Widgets for use on Samsung’s televisions: the companies have not announced an equivalent of an "App Store" for televisions widgets, or detailed any distribution mechanisms. Obviously, security, privacy, and malware threats all need to be taken into consideration.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Audio / Video

Best soundbar deals: Save on Bose, Samsung, Vizio, and more

The Samsung Q-Series 11.1.4-channel surround sound system set up in a luxurious living room.

If you’ve been shopping the best TV deals or already have the best TV at the center of your home theater, the experience isn’t complete until you’ve gotten yourself some good audio to accompany it. Whether you prefer to kick back with some sports, news, or want to catch up on the best new shows to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Max, and more, a new soundbar can add an entirely new dimension to the experience. Soundbars make a great way to save as well, with even the best soundbars often seeing a discount. We’ve rounded up all of the best soundbar deals to shop right now, including offers from big brands, such as Bose deals and Sonos deals. You’ll find them below, and if you need further help you can check out our guide on how to buy a soundbar.
Sony S100F 2.0-channel soundbar -- $98, was $130

The Sony S100F 2.0-channel soundbar is as simple as soundbars can come, with two channels -- the standard left and right -- that you can link to your TV through an HDMI ARC connection or to your mobile devices through Bluetooth. It may have a compact design, but it will deliver improved audio quality while you're watching TV shows or movies, and it features Sony's S-Force Pro Front Surround technology that fills your room with sound.

Audio / Video

Best Buy TV deals: Save on QLED TVs, OLED TVs, and 8K TVs

The Vizio V-Series 4K TV in the living room.

Landing some savings on a new TV is a pretty easy feat, as retailers are almost always willing to dish out some good TV deals. This is especially true of Best Buy, which is regularly discounting models by many of the best TV brands. Best Buy currently has a lot of TV deals to shop, and they include picture technologies that include QLED TV deals and OLED TV deals, as well as resolutions that range from 4K to 8K. Below you'll find offers on big brands, such as Sony TV deals, Samsung TV deals, LG TV deals, TCL TV deals and some cheaper options. We’ve rounded up all of the Best Buy TV deals worth shopping right now, so if you’re looking for a new centerpiece for your living room, basement, or home theater, read onward for more details.
Insignia F30 50-inch 4K Fire TV -- $230, was $300

A 50-inch 4K TV is a good size to suit most rooms, and the Insignia F30 has almost everything you could hope for in a TV this size. It presents all of your favorite content in breathtaking 4K resolution, and HDR technology provides a wide range of color details and sharper contrast, making movies more immersive and things like sports more impactful. Versatile connectivity ports make it easy to connect home theater peripherals. This TV also offers smart features like Alexa voice control, DTS Studio Sound, and Apple AirPlay. And because the Insignia F30 is a Fire TV, it will give you instant access to over 500,000 streaming movies and TV episodes, and access to thousands of channels and apps.

Audio / Video

Ends tonight: Save $400 on the 65-inch Samsung ‘Frame’ QLED TV

The Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED TV placed on a wall in an attractive living room.

We always recommend Best Buy for great TV deals, and as one of its deals of the day it's offering $400 off the Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED TV. Usually $2,000, it’s down to $1,600 for a limited time only, so this is your chance to save plenty. The catch is that you only have today to do so. When the day is over, so is the deal. If it sounds appealing, keep reading and we’ll take you through what to expect from your purchase.

Why you should buy the Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED TV
Samsung is one of the best TV brands because it knows how to innovate. Besides being responsible for some of the best QLED TVs, it also creates visual delights like the Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED TV. The best thing about it is that it is designed to be wall-mounted. Rather than being a TV that is meant to take up room on a TV unit, you mount it on your wall and it effortlessly blends into your surroundings. Much of that is thanks to its Art Mode which displays either your images or famous art from the Samsung store so that it looks just like a piece of art on your wall.