NPD: Consumers Want Content, Not 'Smart' Features, on Their TVs

The Daily Mail is reporting that new NPD research has found that consumers want more access to online video services like HBO Go rather than "smart" features like social networking access on their TVs. The research comes a day after it was reported that Intel was planning to launch a TV service and set top box in 2013 that focused on content.

NPD said that a big problem is that TV owners are confused because too much choice is creating a complex user experience.

'To counter this, OEMs and retailers need to focus less on new innovation in this space and more on simplification of the user experience and messaging if they want to drive additional, and new, behaviors on the TV."

Luke Peters, Editor of T3 Magazine, told MailOnline that Smart TVs will only become mainstream when they're as easy to use as changing a channel. Peters also notes that most Smart TV user interfaces are too complex for most people and that the content isn't good enough and that social networking doesn't make a lot of sense on TVs.

Apple has long been rumored to be interested in creating a TV that focuses on content as well in addition to features that could change human-to-TV interaction with Siri, Facetime and motion control. Apple was also rumored to be in talks with cable services like Comcast and Time Warner Cable in mid-2012, although no content deals have materialized yet.

appletv

Apple, like Intel, has largely had problems negotiating with content providers because of contractual limitations with cable providers, which may be why Apple's TV offering hasn't appeared yet. Although Intel's offering is set to debut January 7 at CES there's no telling if or when Apple's may debut, although recently it's been rumored that Foxconn is currently testing television set designs in the 50 - 55 inch range.

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Top Rated Comments

AirThis Avatar
162 months ago
The Daily Mail is reporting that new NPD research has found that consumers want more access to online video services like HBO Go rather than "smart" features like social networking access on their TVs.

They've got my vote for that. I'm simply fed up of seeing social networking features being poured on top of apps like marmalade.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
baryon Avatar
162 months ago
I think the problem of TV is that 99.9999999% of content is complete crap, and most people just watch TV to turn their brain off and don't care about what is actually happening. People can watch celebrities arguing, people who can't sing sining, or people talking about politics for hours.

I don't think TV can be saved at all, or that there is a need for it in today's world. You can do everything on a computer that a TV could do, and much more, so why do you need a TV? Is it just for the big screen? Then why not just get a bigger computer monitor?

People who grew up with TV are of course addicted to it, but those who grew up with the internet are less reliant on TV. I think and hope that TV will at some point become extinct and replaced by what is already there on computers.

As Daft Punk says, "Television rules the nation"…
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacMan1620 Avatar
162 months ago
I use my iPhone for twitter. I use my tv for content. Pretty basic idea.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
blackhand1001 Avatar
162 months ago
I want a high end tv that focus's on picture quality, number of inputs and controls. Not 3d, smart tv features and other bullcrap.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TripleCore Avatar
162 months ago
Hasn't the whole social media thing played itself out yet?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DakotaGuy Avatar
162 months ago
If I want to "social network" I will get on my iMac or iPad or Droid. When I sit down to watch TV or a movie... I want to watch TV or a movie.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)