Skip to main content

Survey: Many people want to use their smart TVs for more than just watching shows

Smart TVs are great. They remove the need (in most cases) for a remote, a fact that will appeal to anyone prone to losing their remote between the cushions of the couch. But the way smart TVs integrate into the home could use a bit of improvement. They tend to be stand-alone devices; while smart assistants can control the home, tell the weather, and order pizza, most smart TVs are simply for media consumption. A YouGov survey shows that many people want that to change and would like to see their smart TVs to be more integrated into the rest of the smart home, rather than on an island all their own.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

According to the survey, 79% of those surveyed expressed interest in controlling their home through their TV, including being able to change the lights or display a security camera on screen. This expounds on the idea that TVs aren’t just for TV anymore. People use them for a variety of functions, like streaming music, displaying cooking recipes, and most of all, gaming.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Though people watch content through a variety of other devices, 48% reported that a smart TV was their main way of consuming media. The survey also found that 38% of those surveyed still used a traditional TV. Interestingly, a smart TV doesn’t necessarily streamline the process of finding something to watch. People spent an average of four minutes finding content when they knew what they were searching for, or an average of 11 minutes when they did not.

Recommended Videos

There are several reasons for this, but one of the main ones is the often-slow interfaces of smart televisions. Casting directly from a mobile device or a computer is faster, but the fastest way to find content is through voice control — so much so, in fact, that 61% of people surveyed said they prefer to search for media with their voice instead of a physical interface.

And on top of it all is the increasing struggle of finding all the content you want to watch on a single service. Popular shows were already divided between the “Big Three” (Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video), but with the upcoming arrival of Disney+ and a slew of smaller streaming services, 40% of people report frustration that multiple services are required to access all of the content they want to watch.

With luck, this survey will have an effect on the next generation of smart TVs and lead to better integration into the Internet of Things. One thing is clear: Smart TVs have the potential to be used for much more than they currently are.

Patrick Hearn
Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it's a…
This tiny robot vacuum can do more than some full-sized competitors
The K10+ Pro cleaning the floors near a sleeping dog.

SwitchBot might be best known for gadgets like the SwitchBot Curtain 3 and quirky SwitchBot Bot, but the company is quickly making a name for itself in the world of robot vacuums. Its catalog is growing a bit more enticing today, as the brand has officially revealed the SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro -- an upgraded version of the existing Mini Robot Vacuum K10+. With enhanced suction and some cool new features, it packs in more functionality than many of its full-sized rivals.

The K10+ Pro retains the small size of its predecessor, clocking in with a diameter of just 248mm (compared to 340mm found on the SwitchBot S1 Plus) and a height of just 9.2cm. If your home has lots of chairs, furniture, and other obstacles, this footprint is more compelling than larger robot vacuums as it easily sneaks into tight areas.

Read more
Echo Spot vs. Echo Show 8: Which is best for your smart home?
The content gallery on Amazon's Echo Show 8 displays a news item about Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

The Echo Spot is the newest edition of the Echo lineup. It serves as a smart alarm clock and is built for small spaces, while sytill offering lots of functionality despite its compact size. That's a stark contrast to the Echo Show 8, which offers a sizable eight-inch display and is designed more as an entertainment center. It's more expensive than the Echo Spot -- but is the Echo Show 8 worth its price tag, or should you opt for the more affordable Echo Spot?

From pricing and design to display quality and available features, here's a closer look at these two smart displays to help you find the right one for your home.
Pricing and design

Read more
Echo Spot vs. Echo Show 5: Is the new Echo Spot the better smart device?
The Amazon Echo Show (3rd Gen) on a table.

The Echo Show 5 is one of the smallest smart displays on the market. However, the new Echo Spot also boasts a tiny touchscreen -- though it's more of a smart alarm clock than it is smart display. But if you're seeking a compact and connected display for your home, is one a better option than the other?

Here's a closer look at the Echo Spot and Echo Show 5 to help you decide which is better for your needs.
Pricing and design

Read more