By
Rob ScottJune 16, 2011
- Sharp announced it will launch new Internet-ready TVs next month in Japan that can interact with its smartphones.
- The new Aquos L Series will enable Internet access via a new online platform called Aquos City.
- The platform plans to offer “news, entertainment and weather forecasts, among other content and services.”
- The TVs will also link with Sharp’s Aquos cellphones and smartphones (but not with non-Sharp handsets).
- “Users will be able to take videos with their mobile handsets and send them to the TV, for example.”
If successful, will we see this in the US? Or will adoption be contingent upon interaction with other devices?
Nick Nero provides some interesting perspective in this month’s Connected World Magazine regarding which smartphone OS will become the dominant global platform by the end of the year. The short answer according to Nick: Google’s Android.
The article provides an interesting overview regarding the progression of RIM’s BlackBerry, Apple’s iPhone, Windows Mobile devices — and the growing worldwide adoption of Android devices. It further points out that Android will continue its dominance throughout 2011 based on several key factors: Open Software Architecture (“arguably Android’s biggest competitive advantage”), Open Marketplace (consumers recognize “the benefit of a free-market approach to smartphone apps and this will continue to push Android to the head of the pack”), and More Partners (Android “is available on devices from practically every carrier in the country”).
Nick offers these final thoughts: “By the end of this year I expect Android to have a very comfortable lead in the smartphone OS market unless Apple begins to open up its model a bit. I wouldn’t bet on that happening given that a very pretty walled garden is essentially Apple’s business model. I don’t feel too sorry for Apple though — it does extremely well in the high-quality experience niche it occupies in the Macintosh space.”
Related CNET article: “Gartner: Android leads, Windows Phone lags in Q1” (5/19/11)
Related ReadWriteWeb article (including videos): “The Future of the Smartphone: Holograms & Folding Screens” (5/18/11)
Related Gadgetbox article: “PlayStation phone coming to Verizon Wireless” (5/17/11)
Related Mashable article: “Smartphone Sales Up 85% Year-Over-Year” (5/19/11)
Related ReadWriteWeb article: “iOS Ad Impressions Up Nearly 50% this Year, says Millennial Media” (5/19/11)