Yahoo’s Widget Channel debuts on new Samsung Internet-connected TVs

by Steve O'Hear

March 30th, 2009 | Posted in Net TV | Comments

Unveiled at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Yahoo’s “Widget Channel” for Internet-connected televisions has debuted on high end sets from Samsung, reports CNet.

Re-branded by Samsung as “Internet@TV”, the feature enables users to install mini-apps referred to as “widgets” that offer access to a range of Yahoo services — news, stock quotes, Flickr photos, weather — along with those from third-party services, such as Twitter and eBay.

Compatible Samsung TVs start at $3,000 for a 46-inch screen, up to $3,800 for a 55 incher. That’s quite a lot of money to spend during the downturn but these are high end models and, along with Internet-connectivity and other media center functionality, feature cutting edge LED screen technology. I wouldn’t upgrade for widgets alone, but if the OLED screen on Nokia’s N85 mobile phone is anything to go by, and I could afford it, I’d certainly be tempted.

Samsung, Yahoo

last100 is edited by technology journalist and consultant Steve O'Hear. Aside from founding last100, Steve has written for numerous publications, including The Guardian, ZDNet, ReadWriteWeb and Macworld, and also wrote and directed the Silicon Valley documentary, In Search of the Valley.