Samsung Smart Hub and Applications
Global electronic giant Samsung has offered its customers a platform for Internet-enabled applications, through its dedicated app store “Samsung Apps.”
With this Samsung has helped migrate the “app revolution” from hand-held devices to televisions, opening up unlimited possibilities of how consumers use televisions.
Since launching its television app store in 2010, usage of Samsung Smart TV applications has doubled from last year, showing a clear shift in consumer attitudes toward Smart TV interaction in the region, according to a company statement.
There is a Smart TV app for just about anything - there is an application to keep family and children entertained, manage their social media platforms, keep abreast of news and even keep fit, it said.
“Interest in our TV applications has increased at a tremendous pace since the introduction of Samsung Smart TVs. Specifically we have witnessed a huge interest in localised apps, the Al Jazeera news content app is amongst the top 10 applications being used in the Gulf,” said Vinod Nair, general manager, AV Business at Samsung Gulf Electronics.
Within the Gulf, the company is focusing on developing a variety of tailored Arabic language content and applications, enabling Samsung Smart TVs to offer the richest content choices possible.
Currently, Samsung Smart TVs have over 400 applications available for the Gulf region. Even though most people in the region have access to news broadcasts through satellite TV, Samsung’s top downloaded local application is the Al Jazeera news content app, which offers hours of high quality video content at the click of a button.
Another highly downloaded local application is Istikana, an Arabic video content app. Users get access to thousands of hours of premium Arabic TV and film content suitable for the whole family.
Samsung now also offers a wealth of child-friendly content that kids can access and parents can control and monitor.
Educational apps that are of interest to children include ‘WordWorld’, a learning programme that helps children to read English with over 20 e-books to choose from.
Designed for children aged 3-6, ‘WordWorld’ provides the building blocks for English reading development in a fun, interactive and visual way.
ABC Puzzle is another great education application that helps kids learn English words through a puzzle game. Now children can also begin learning the foundations of mathematics by playing with Kiddy Maths.
As Samsung Smart TVs grow in popularity in the region, so does its use as a gaming platform, the company said. Apps in the gaming category are being downloaded in droves. This includes ‘Angry Birds’ app. This game has seen over 1bn downloads and is now available at the Samsung App Store where gamers can utilise Motion Control technology to play with just the wave of a hand.
‘AirForce’ is another game which is a flight simulation shooting game where one takes control of a fighter jet and eliminate as many enemies as one could.
Using Wi-Fi users can sync their Android mobile devices to use as a flight controller, adding a new element to the gameplay.
‘Fitness VOD’ is an on-demand exercise and lifestyle channel offering 24 hours of content through a premium selection of exclusive clips, workouts and exercise demonstrations brought to life in your living room.
The watching of its 100 videos and this app will help one get into shape and stay healthy without needing to join the gym, according to a company official.
‘Yoga Helper’ is a new lifestyle application that is popular with Smart TV consumers.  This app takes one step by step through all the yoga poses and coaches one in how to develop a strong mind and body.
‘Red Karaoke’ is a new application that falls under the Family Entertainment category and offers budding popstars over 100 songs with backing tracks to bring out the singer in each person.