Cable Forum - VOD Are TV apps failing?

Cable Forum (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/index.php)

- Virgin Media TV Service (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/forumdisplay.php?f=11)

- - VOD : Are TV apps failing? (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/showthread.php?t=33705060)

Re: Are TV apps failing?

If you have an Android Smart TV, it's on there - I have it on my 1 year old Sony.

Re: Are TV apps failing?

One of the reasons I wouldn't buy a smart TV is that I know it won't get updated after 18 months once the manufacturer doesn't care about it any more.

Re: Are TV apps failing?

When I come to buy a new TV if it happens to have Smart TV on it, all well and good, but it won't particularly factor into the equation.

Having said that, I guess by this time they'll all have it thrown in as standard!

Re: Are TV apps failing?

Personally I've always bought for picture quality and design first, sound second and smart TV last.

Re: Are TV apps failing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35914646)

The link that Hugh posted says that Spotify was removed from all LG TV's last month!

---------- Post added at 21:21 ---------- Previous post was at 21:16 ----------

It looks like you're right SP. They appear to be gradually removing apps instead of updating them from what others have posted.

If this is to be the norm, i'm beginning to lose my enthusiasm for Smart TV's as a cheap box/stick may be a better option.

Thanks Richard as the reason we bought a LG TV was because it had the main 3 streaming apps all in one place which is extremely convenient for our family.

Re: Are TV apps failing?

I have never once used any of the smart TV apps or features on my TV.

I can access all I need on my laptop/Xbox One and tablet/phone. All AV equipment routed through my AV amp anyway so no use for smart TV stuff.

Re: Are TV apps failing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35914821)

Thanks Richard as the reason we bought a LG TV was because it had the main 3 streaming apps all in one place which is extremely convenient for our family.

Hence, Den, why I have been going on about having Amazon on the V6.

We are in serious danger of agreeing on something here!:) If Netflix and Amazon were both on the STB, all programmes on your watchlists could also be bookmarked under 'My Shows' as well as having your streaming services in one place. Now you can't do that with your smart tv!

Re: Are TV apps failing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35914839)

Hence, Den, why I have been going on about having Amazon on the V6.

We are in serious danger of agreeing on something here!:) If Netflix and Amazon were both on the STB, all programmes on your watchlists could also be bookmarked under 'My Shows' as well as having your streaming services in one place. Now you can't do that with your smart tv!

Sadly it won't happen one suspects OB.

---------- Post added at 10:45 ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35914839)

No certainly not OB.

Re: Are TV apps failing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35914842)

Sadly it won't happen one suspects OB.

Not if reports that Liberty Global vetoed the Amazon launch on Virgin Media, anyway. If that turns out to be true, my loyalty to VM will vanish and I will be looking elsewhere for my services when my V6s have had their day.

As that will not be for another five years, I'm not sure what would replace my existing services, but I would imagine there will be more choices available by then. I have an alternative plan mapped out right now, but I want to find a better fit. However, I'm very nearly there now.

Re: Are TV apps failing?

Saw a message about something else being removed that moved too quickly for me to read properly on my Samsung TV yesterday, anyone know what's being taken off this time?

Re: Are TV apps failing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen (Post 35914828)

I'm pretty much the same. I have a Tivo, Xbox ONE s and smart TV. I also have a smart phone and tablet. The apps I use are mainly on the mobile devices. I do use iPlayer and Youtube on the Tivo. The only app I used to use regularly on the smart TV was Netflix, as I have a 4K HDR TV, and that was the only version I had that supported 4K..

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35914646)

It looks like you're right SP. They appear to be gradually removing apps instead of updating them from what others have posted.

If this is to be the norm, i'm beginning to lose my enthusiasm for Smart TV's as a cheap box/stick may be a better option.

The problem is, from the software provider's point of view, it costs them money to continue development for each version. Even if they develop a common version for different platforms, requiring some sort of runtime or framework to run it (as the BBC apparently does with iPlayer), they still require people to develop and test the updates required.

The likes of Spotify, Netflix et al will carry on developing for different platforms if it can be proved they will make enough money.

I think part of the problem is app-fatigue. I think most users are probably getting tired of apps popping up on different platforms, and assuming they use them at all, they tend to stick to one or two devices, ignoring the apps available on other devices..

Re: Are TV apps failing?

I have to say I use the smart apps on my TV a lot. Amazon, Netflix, you tube and i player are all lined up next to each other, I find it very convenient.

Re: Are TV apps failing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwaysabear (Post 35962188)

I have to say I use the smart apps on my TV a lot. Amazon, Netflix, you tube and i player are all lined up next to each other, I find it very convenient.

Re: Are TV apps failing?

Same here. Navigating BBC on demand content on Sky is a chore!

Re: Are TV apps failing?

The problem with Smart TV apps is that the manufacturer often stops supporting the platform after about a year and then you get no further updates without replacing the device.