Samsung making joint platform for TVs, phones
updated 06:05 pm EDT, Wed October 20, 2010
Samsung hints Bada may reach TVs as well
Samsung's Visual Display VP Kyungsik Kevin Lee today said in an interview that the company is developing a unified platform for both TVs and smartphones. The executive didn't have a timetable as it was still early, but he noted to Reuters that Internet-capable TVs were growing quickly. Shipments would be just five million this year but should double in 2011.
The strategy hints that company may expand the use of its Bada OS beyond just the pseudo-smartphones it makes, such as the Wave. It has had relatively limited success persuading buyers to pick Bada over its more popular Android models but would have the unique advantage of a platform where apps for a phone could be ported to or even run directly on a a TV.
Google TV is based on a mobile OS of its own, Android, but it won't support downloadable apps until Android Market is available early next year. Its current apps are also specifically optimized in the TV, and it's unclear if there will be direct compatibility with Android's phone and tablet apps.
