Yahoo Smart TV
| Company type | Platform |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consumer electronics, Smart TV |
| Predecessor | Yahoo! Connected TV |
| Founded | August 20, 2008 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Smart TV platform, TV Widgets, Yahoo! Smart TV Store |
| Owner | Yahoo! |
Yahoo! Smart TV—initially known as Yahoo! Connected TV—was a Smart TV platform crafted by Yahoo!, utilizing the Yahoo! Desktop Widgets (Konfabulator) framework. Unveiled on August 20, 2008, at the Intel Developer Forum, this platform merged the Yahoo! Widgets Engine with a television-centric interface designed for internet-enabled applications accessible via a 10-foot user interface. Over time, manufacturers gradually discontinued support, leading to its deprecation; while new Konfabulator-based applications were no longer accepted after March 30, 2018, existing applications continued to operate, and HTML5-based apps remained unaffected.
Development
In 2007, Yahoo! initiated the adaptation of the Konfabulator Widget Engine for embedded Linux through collaboration with Intel, culminating in the announcement of the Widget Channel in August 2008.
On January 4, 2009, Yahoo! and Samsung revealed that certain Samsung HDTV models would incorporate the TV Widget service. Shortly thereafter, on January 7, Yahoo! broadened its alliances to include leading manufacturers such as Samsung, Sony, LG Electronics, and Vizio.
By January 2010, additional partnerships were forged with Hisense, ViewSonic, MIPS Technologies, and Sigma Designs during CES 2011 events, thereby expanding the platform’s footprint within consumer electronics. In September 2010, Yahoo! collaborated with Vestel Group to introduce Yahoo Smart TV across European markets, while Toshiba also integrated support for the platform.
On November 2, 2011, Yahoo!, alongside Sony and Toshiba, launched the Yahoo! Smart TV Store, providing developers a venue to sell applications priced between $0.99 and $99. The store later extended availability to VIZIO in late 2012, coinciding with the rebranding of “Widgets” to “Apps.”
On January 9, 2012, Yahoo! and Sony unveiled Broadcast Interactivity technology tailored for Sony BRAVIA televisions. Subsequently, on March 2 of the same year, Yahoo! announced it would cease support for the Desktop Widget Engine to concentrate efforts on Smart TV innovation. Later that year, on November 5, Yahoo! and Samsung expanded their collaboration to incorporate Broadcast Interactivity features.
From 2012 onward, Vizio remained the sole manufacturer utilizing Yahoo!’s platform. After Verizon acquired Yahoo! in 2017, the platform was discreetly phased out. By 2018, Vizio transitioned away from Yahoo! in favor of its own SmartCast system; however, this change was not reflected on Yahoo!’s official site until October 2020.
ADK
The creation of television applications was facilitated through the Yahoo! App Development Kit (ADK), which could be downloaded from the Yahoo! Smart TV website. The ADK was primarily designed for Ubuntu Linux; Windows users needed to operate Ubuntu within a virtual machine environment. Official compatibility was restricted to Ubuntu version 10.10, although other versions and similar distributions often functioned adequately.
Widget Distribution
Following purchase, TV Widgets were delivered via the Yahoo! Smart TV Store launched in Fall 2011. Serving approximately 135 countries worldwide, this store enabled distribution to millions of compatible Samsung, Sony, Vizio, and Toshiba television units. All transactions were managed by Yahoo!, with widget prices ranging from $0.99 up to $99. Developers retained 70% of revenue after deductions for taxes and currency conversion fees. Each widget underwent an approval process conducted by Yahoo! prior to being made available for download.
Technology
The TV Widgets were developed utilizing HTML, XML, and JavaScript, operating on the Yahoo TV Widget platform integrated within the television's Linux-based operating system.
See also
- Apple TV
- Boxee
- Google TV
- Hillcrest Labs
- Home theater PC
- Interactive television
- Internet television
- Kylo
- Roku
- Smart TV
- Tivoization
- TV Genius
- WebTV
- XBMC Media Center