Skip to main content

Samsung considering a switch to Android-based HDTVs

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

Ryan Fleming
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…
Sony vs. Samsung: Whose TV belongs in your living room?
Samsung S95C Sony A95L LG G3 Best OLED 2023 (18)

For years now, Sony and Samsung have been two of the fiercest competitors in the world of TVs. Each manufacturer prioritizes all the integral elements that go into a world-class display, including resolution, backlighting, picture upscaling, and the smart TV experience. Both brands also produce TVs in many different sizes, ranging from 32-inch sets that are great for bedrooms to monolithic 85-inch-plus models that might be a squeeze for even the biggest living rooms.

Sony and Samsung TVs have a lot in common, but there are also a few key areas where these TV titans differ. This is why we’ve compared both brands to help you decide which is best for you.
Design
Samsung S95C Zeke Jones / Digital Trends

Read more
How to connect your iPhone or iPad to a Samsung TV
A beach scene on a Samsung S95C OLED TV.

Casting content from the tiny screen of your smartphone to a big, beautiful TV makes for a much better experience for viewing photos and watching videos. You can mirror whatever is on the screen of your handheld device. With Apple's AirPlay system, casting audio and video from your iOS device couldn't be more streamlined — especially for Apple ecosystem devotees. But did you know that you can also use AirPlay 2 with an assortment of compatible smart TVs?

Read more
Super Bowl TV deal: Save on Samsung’s stunning ‘Frame’ TV
SAMSUNG QLED 4K LS03B Series The Frame Smart TV on living room wall showing a nature scene.

Just in time for the Super Bowl, Samsung has one of the best TV deals around with big discounts on its much sought-after Samsung The Frame QLED TV range of TVs. These TVs don’t just look gorgeous while you’re watching the big game but they also look like a work of art when you’re relaxing in the same room as it is thanks to them being designed to be like a piece of art on your wall. Right now, you can save $1,000 on the 85-inch model so it’s down to $3,300 as well as $1,000 off the 75-inch model so it’s $2,000. There are smaller savings too on the other sizes available. Keen to learn more? We’ve listed the prices below while we’re also here to tell you a little about the TV.

Samsung 32-inch The Frame QLED TV --

Read more