Web-Based Living Room User Interface Overview

WebKit, CE-2014, and Other Solutions for Web-Enabled User Interfaces

The growth in over-the-top content delivered to the PC has created a rush among content providers and device manufacturers to find a way of extending this new content distribution model’s reach to the living room. Consumer electronics vendors and operators are examining the idea of pushing networking connectivity and HTML-based content services to the TV. This has started what some see as a long-term transition to the integration of Web content within native applications, as well as some use of Web browsers as a way to render user interfaces. At the same time, there are other technology platforms such as Java and Adobe’s Flash and AIR runtime environments that will also affect this growing interest in presenting Web content on different consumer electronics screens. This study examines the different standards involved, and explores vendors’ efforts to integrate Web-based technologies into various user interfaces, as well as tracking the increasing adoption of Web browsers for cons

What Questions Does This Report Answer?

  • How will the user interface for Internet connected consumer electronics devices utilize Web and other UI platforms?
  • What are the major competing user interface platform technologies for Internet-connected consumer electronics?
  • How do Java and Flash fit into the world of Web-enabled consumer electronics?
  • How will the Web browser be adopted in the living room?

Who Needs This Report?

  • Consumer electronics vendors
  • Video service providers and pay-TV operators
  • Set-top box vendors
  • Software vendors
  • Content owners and aggregators

Table of Contents


Section 1.
Executive Summary

Section 2.
Evolution of Web on TV

Section 3.
Main Drivers for Web Browsers and Web UI on TV
3.1. Dynamic UI
3.2. Mixed Native and Web-Based UI
3.3. Browsing on TV
3.4. Web-Content Retrieval
3.5. Native or Web UI for Devices?
3.6. Arguments for Web UI on CE Devices
3.6.1. Interactivity
3.6.2. Web Services and Information
3.7. Arguments Against Web UI on CE Devices
3.8. Alternative Approaches for Web-Connected CE Device UI
3.8.1. Java
3.8.2. Flash

Section 4.
Standards and Technology
4.1. CE-2014 (Web4CE)
4.1.1. CE-HTML
4.1.2. CE-2014 Adoption and Partner Organizations
4.2. DVB-HTML
4.3. Widgets
4.4. WebKit for UI
4.5. AcTVila

Section 5.
Vendor Profiles
5.1. Opera
5.2. Oregan Networks
5.3. ACCESS
5.4. ANT Software
5.5. OpenTV
5.6. Trolltech

Section 6.
Forecast

Section 7.
Company Directory

Section 8.
Acronyms
Scope of Study
Sources and Methodology
Notes



Charts
  • Embedded Browsers in Consumer Electronics and Set-Top Boxes, World Markets: 2007 to 2013
  • TV-Based Browsers, World Markets: 2007 to 2013
  • Game Console Browsers, World Markets: 2007 to 2013
  • Portable Gaming Device Browsers, World Markets: 2007 to 2013
  • IPTV Set-Top Browsers, World Markets: 2007 to 2013

Figures
  • HTML and Browser Technology Standards for the Living Room
  • Living Room Web and Interactive TV Service Initiatives
  • Bluestreak Technology Flash UI for Set-Top Box
  • Home Server Using CE-2014
  • CE-2014 in Internet Content Scenario
  • CE-HTML Browser Combining In-Home and Internet Content
  • Widget Stack for Internet-Connected Living Room Device
  • AcTVila Web Portal Screenshot
  • Oregan Networks Media Browser Block Diagram
  • QtWebKit Integration