by Dr Pandula Siribaddana

Created on: January 21, 2013   Last Updated: January 22, 2013

A smart TV is a television, which can function as a computer in addition to performing its primary task of producing television images. It has become the newest trend in the television market and many leading television manufacturers have already released their versions of this newest trend. However, as with most novel technologies, there are two sides to every story and this article will look into the pros and cons of Smart TVs in its present state.

Capabilities of Smart TVs

The Smart TVs presently in the market are capable of allowing the users to browse the Internet and perform many other functions that were only possible through a computer or through a modern day smartphone. Thus, the consumers are now able to watch streaming videos, chat through Skype, send and receive emails, do shopping in eBay or even access social networks such as Facebook and Twitter using their Smart TV. In addition, the Smart TV can also be used as a gaming device and will allow the consumer to play web-based games with many other participants from around the world. In addition, Smart TVs also allow its consumers to store large number of movies and data in the television itself while some Smart TVs allow its consumers to make use of a cloud server for further storage. In order to perform many of its tasks, it is necessary for the Smart TV to have sound sensing devices such as microphones and motion sensing devices such as video cameras in its possession in addition to being linked with the Internet via communication devices. Although such tools make the Smart TV what it is, the same tools has the potential to pose a threat to its users privacy at various instances.

Benefits of using a Smart TV

When looking at the capabilities of a Smart TV described above, it is clear that the consumers have been provided with a device, which can make life so easy in the future. With a Smart TV, it is possible for a person to perform these tasks without having to leave the television in the living room and therefore keep an eye on important television programs or on breaking news on TV at the same time. In addition, one could assume that being able to perform these tasks in the comfort of the living room will allow families to be at each other’s company more often than enjoying such entertainment in isolation.

Drawbacks of present day Smart TVs

The technology incorporated into the Smart TV brings to the household its vulnerabilities as well. It was reported recently that hackers were

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