Yahoo! launches TV Widgets

Posted by Alisa Zykova on January 8, 2009 at 9:42 PM

Internet giant Yahoo! announced it will team up with electronic manufacturers LG Electronics, Sony, Samsung and Vizo to offer TV widgets for a new model of television sets that are Web-linked, Web Pro News reported Thursday.

"Consumers are increasingly looking for a richer TV experience, including the ability to integrate personalized Internet content and interactive experiences on the screen," Gartner's Research Vice President Allen Weiner said.

"Those companies who succeed as leading TV 2.0 portals will be those well positioned to make the connected TV a reality through strong global partnerships, innovative technology and expertise in creating open platforms. Developers will have the tools to bring the best of the Internet to TV, thus increasing the amount of Internet-enabled content and services available and ultimately transforming the TV viewing experience for millions of consumers," said Weiner, according to Web Pro News.

The Widget Engine will allow users to access social networks, send Twitter messages, receive updates on news content from numerous fields like sports and financial markets as well as use Yahoo! features like Yahoo! News. Firms involved in the partnership include USA Today, Showtime Networks, YouTube, Flickr and eBay, Xchange reported Thursday.

The TV sets that will feature the widgets may be available in early spring 2009, according to Web Pro News.