A growing set of consumer electronics devices, ranging from web-enabled TVs, to Blu-ray players and over-the-top set-top boxes support TV widgets.  Among these TV applications are those that enable users to view YouTube videos, access Netflix, or obtain weather forecasts directly on the TV using a broadband Internet connection. The rapid growth of web-enabled CE devices, which market research firm, In-Stat (www.in-stat.com), projects will to 83.4 million by 2014, is the foundation for a vibrant TV Widget Market.

Most consumer electronics (CE) device manufacturers are introducing software platforms that support widgets.  However, In-Stat research indicates only a modest consumer interest in performing PC-centric applications on the TV. Consumers have higher interest in TV applications that enhance and/or augment the viewing experience, rather than simply provide information that is readily accessible via other screens.
 
Other research findings include:

• By 2013, TV applications have the potential to generate over $1.7 billion in annual revenue
• Households with adults under 40 years of age have the highest interest in using TV widgets
• Screen control, news and entertainment information have broad appeal across all age groups
• TV widgets, such as multi-session games, are highly valued by small user segments.  These represent a significant revenue opportunity
• There is substantial interest in TV widgets that enable local online purchases, such as pizza delivery or movie tickets
• Viewing YouTube videos on the TV are favored only by households in the 18-24 age group

With home networking adoption passing 50% of households in North America and 13% worldwide, the consumer network storage market is seeing continued growth. Web-enabled consumer devices, such as TVs and Blu-ray players, are further diversifying the demand and applications for consumer network storage devices, reports In-Stat.

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• The consumer network storage market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 40% between 2009 and 2014.
• 27% of North American consumers that own a network-capable video game console use the devices to watch video that is stored elsewhere on the home network. 
• North America was the largest CNS market in 2009. Starting in 2011, Europe will become the leading CNS market. 
• Consumer network storage capacities up to 1.5 terabytes will peak in 2011, giving way to even higher capacities.

Nagravision is partnering with Samsung Electronics America to provide TV applications that bring more interactive web services and video content to consumers. As a result of the partnership with Nagravision, consumers will have access to more interactive and compelling applications on Samsung Apps, the world’s first HDTV-based application store where users can download and purchase applications from select 2010 Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray Players and Home Theater Systems via the upgraded Internet@TV – Content Service.

Part of a complete solution, Nagravision’s content publishing tools provide simple application templates for creating and publishing applications on Samsung Apps.

Nagravision developed applications using the content publishing tools to deliver video content from Fashion TV and Travel Wizard. Both applications were demonstrated on Samsung’s latest HDTVs at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and they will be available on select Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and Home Theater Systems that feature the Internet@TV – Content Service later this year.

Mobile carrier Orange UK said Tuesday it is working to integrate popular social networking platform Twitter into its own service offerings, including TV as well as mobile and web.

In a pan-European move, but launching first in the UK, Orange will integrate Twitter features into its mobile service, allowing users the ability to upload and share photos with their Twitter followers via MMS. SMS-based tweets will be rolled into the standard mobile plan and users will be able to set times for receiving tweets, chose a maximum number of daily tweets and chose to receive updates in real time, hourly or daily.

Interestingly, Orange has said it will also explore ways of integrating Twitter into its IPTV platform to create interactive Twitter feeds that will run during and alongside programmes and will embed the service within Orange web portals from 2010.

Twitter will be implemented first in UK, followed by France, Spain, Poland in 2009. It will then roll out across the rest of the Orange European footprint in 2010.

The platform will be added to Orange’s social media aggregation service “Social Life” in the UK, “Mes communautés” in France or “My Social Place” in Spain, alongside Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and a range of other popular social sites.