Apps Move Beyond Phones

Posted on January 14, 2010 in Consumer Goods, Technology

“Apps” aren’t exclusive to smartphones anymore. Technology companies are developing applications for televisions, netbook computers and other Internet-enabled products, as a way to boost sales.

Apps typically cost only several dollars to the consumer, and are an affordable way to improve gadgets. Mobile apps typically allow users to make purchases, share tweets or make updates. The first HDTV-based application store is expected to be launched later this year by Samsung. Samsung is hoping that channel-surfers will be able to order a movie from Netflix, surf the web and use their television as a gaming console without ever leaving the couch.

Ford Motor Co. is also getting in on the craze: the company will make several applications available on its vehicles later this year. One will read aloud Twitter tweets as you drive along. Pandora music service and Stitcher Internet Radio have also signed contracts with the company. Ford will not develop products that might distract the driver, such as video games.

All the new launches suggest that 2010 will be the year for apps, and tech companies are eager to embrace the broader range of products. Consumers benefit too, by getting more uses out of a single product.