The announcement that Ikea will launch a TV range shows what is so wrong and right with the industry. It’s a cliché to say that the TV is more than a gadget but also a piece of furniture, but Ikea has really proved it. Continue Reading
Author Archives: Paul Gray
About Paul Gray
Paul is Director, European TV Research for DisplaySearch. His expertise includes forecasting, investment and R&D decisions, and product strategy.
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Is Apple’s Television the Yeti of Consumer Electronics?
It’s now the second time we have had a refresh of the Apple TV box and both launches have been preceded by increasing chatter about Apple’s imminent entry into the television market. Yet again the faithful have been disappointed. Continue Reading
Broadcom Calls It Quits
It’s no surprise when another TV chip maker vanishes. The latest example is the report that Broadcom has decided to exit the TV SoC and Blu-ray chip businesses. This is an industry where the winner takes all, and the penalty for making the wrong choices (either in featuring or customer engagement) is harsh.
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Smart TV: Think Globally, Act Locally?
Judging from set makers’ positioning statements, different visions of connected TV services are beginning to emerge.
Samsung and Panasonic are really focusing on national diversity and aiming to build a series of nation-specific services in Europe. However, judging from its press conference, Sony is going the other way, with pan-European or even global services delivered by its video “unlimited.” Meanwhile, Samsung has varied portals by country in Europe.
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IFA Day 2: 3D or Not 3D, and Where is Plasma?
Samsung put on its usual impressive show for the press, although it was heavily product focused. Behind the specifics was the repeated assertion that Samsung was listening to its consumers. This comes from a transition in the company from hardware to software and services, according to BK Yoon, head of Samsung’s Visual Display business. 3D was lightly mentioned (in the claim that Samsung had the #1 position in the market). Of course, while new Galaxy tablet products were launched, the fact that Samsung is currently unable to sell them in Germany due to a court judgment was not mentioned, nor was there any mention of the economy.
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