With people already accessing email and doing activities such as social networking and online shopping on smartphones and tablets whilst watching television, I am uncertain about the uptake of similar applications on Smart TVs. Over one quarter of adults in the UK use the internet daily whilst watching television, according to Ofcom, and much of this activity will be related to social networking.

One reason people do this is that they are activities people can easily switch from and to whilst watching television. For example, they do not require one device to be switched off or their settings to be changed. Other similar though more long lasting activities whilst watching TV include reading, ironing, and exercise. A fifth of people report reading books, newspapers or magazines daily and one tenth report exercising daily whilst watching TV, according to Mintel.

One activity generally not suited to multitasking whilst watching TV is listening to music in the main living room (unless via headphones, with only 5% of people reporting doing this daily). People tend to do either one or the other, and so the television tends to be switched off when they listen to music. This is one reason why I am quite positive about music services via Smart TVs.

Cue news released today that Samsung will be the first TV manufacturer to bring Spotify to Smart TVs, with the launch of a new application later this year. Oncee people have downloaded the app, Spotify will synchronise Premium users music, and offer new users a free trial period to encourage take up.

In particular, people who already stream music stored on their games devices will be interested in this, because they are already in the habit of using their TVs as part of their music listening routines.

Image courtesy of Endgadget