One key consequence of these TVs is the elimination of boxes, such as the Playstation 3, that previously served this purpose.  In their first XBR9 TV, Sony took the interfact software from the PS3 and installed it in the TV along with key features such as streaming media from a local PC, Amazon on Demand and Yahoo Widgets.  Here is one of the first reviews:

CNet review of the Sony KDL-52XBR9 which includes Amazon on Demand (premium video delivered straight to the TV via broadband).

Review of the Yahoo Widgets which will add new types of services and applications to Connected TVs.

According to Parks Associates, 33% of US households with broadband are interested in  connected set top boxes.  Later this year, awareness and interest may continue growing as connected TVs, no set top box needed, are launched (connect the TV to the router and start using those widgets, streaming video etc).

What’s interesting is that Gen Y, the up and coming generation of information consumers, are interested in the social media features – chat and recommendations both faired well in their interest.  This may go up if, as the new connected TVs are rolled out, these types of widgets are well executed. 

What this all means is that instead of Web video and social media killing TV, TV stands to continue to be major means of communicating with major audiences.  As often happens, changes in the media ecosystem tend to be an evolution and not a revolution.  Communicate with people through TV will not die away but will evolve.

• Casual games through Accedo Broadband (www.accedobroadband.com) — Accedo’s popular casual gaming service, Funspot(R), allows viewers to play a variety of fun games from the comfort of their favorite armchair. Games include Texas Hold ‘Em Poker, Sudoku, and QuizzMaster.
• Video through Blockbuster OnDemand (www.blockbuster.com), Amazon Video on Demand (www.amazon.com/vod), and Neflix streaming services (www.netflix.com).
• Pictures from Flickr (www.flickr.com)
• Music from Pandora (www.pandora.com) and  Rhapsody (www.rhapsody.com)
• Web widges from Yahoo!’s Widget Engine with well-known content providers already developing TV Widgets for deployment include CBS, Showtime(R), TwitterTM, The New York Times(R) and MySpace(R).

We’ve been waiting for this to happen, it’s just good to see Vizio bring it all together.

But the most pleasant surprise was in the remote control – a full qwerty keyboard.  After a year of seeing the ability to browse the web and message with friends on a TV (mainly via video game consoles), we’re finally seeing a remote that will make it practical.  We can tell people about messaging capabilities all we want, but until we put the capability in the consumers hand, literally, it will be difficult for people to adapt.  Similar to how cell phones designed for music spurred music usage, remote controls designed for web and communications apps will spur more usage.  I just hope this becomes standard.

I’ve been testing out a few plug-ins that cover both these categories that enable me to use Skype as an application portal to manage communications, collaborate, share media and, when we need a break, play a few games. 

If you go to Skype tools and do more you’ll find the extras section with categories of plug-ins.

• Collaboration to get a web conference going with people you’re talking to.
• Virtual PBX so you can manage phone calls (how people are greeted, where calls go.
• Media sharing tools to send video, sharing media and work together through shared desktops.
• Multi-player games
• Ways to find people and communicate as groups

Even if you’re not a Skype user I suggest browsing the extras on Skype’s site – https://extras.skype.com/.  These plug-ins are great examples of different ways developers are combining digital media and communications for both business, personal and entertainment purposes.