How smart does a TV need to be considered a smart TV? A smart TV is a television that has built-in internet access and can stream content from the internet. With the proliferation of streaming services, accessing content from the internet is almost a necessary evil for modern TV viewing.
So, if a smart TV needs internet access, it goes without saying that a TV without internet access must be a dumb TV. You can make a TV smart by adding an external device, such as Apple TV or Google Chromecast. This is a quick and easy way to smarten up a TV at little cost.
The last few TV's I have purchased have purported to be smart but have fallen short in either performance, apps, or a user-friendly interface. As a result, they have been disappointing in function and features, and it has been necessary to attach a set-top box to get the online content I want.
For a TV to be smart, it needs the following basic requirements:
- Performance - it needs sufficient processing power to run apps without delays. I don't have the patience to watch spinning wheels on my TV.
- Easy to use interface - needs to be intuitive and easy to follow, with as few steps as possible to find and play content. A pointing device wouldn't go astray.
- Apps - there is nothing more frustrating than finding that your main sports streaming service doesn't have an app for your smart TV.
- Integration - would be nice if my TV could integrate with my existing smart home network.
Though TVs are consistently getting smarter, I think they still have a little way to go.