Video: Yahoo's new widgets in action

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Jan 13th 2009 at 8:48PM

The theme of CES 2009 for the HD industry was the mass adoption of Yahoo Widgets. Never before have we seen so many manufacturers adopt the same technology, and now that we've had a chance to play, we understand why. For the first time ever we've experienced interactive internet TV in a way that is actually useful. Sure you could get the weather or a stock quote on your TiVo for years, but it's always been like six clicks away. And now since everyone decided to use Yahoo's widgets, no matter what kind of TV you have, you'll have the same access to the same great widgets. And best of all they'll be available at the touch of a button. So if you aren't sold on the idea yet, spend a few minutes watching and then tell us it isn't cool.

Filed under: Displays

Tags: CES 2009, Ces2009, Video, Widgets, yahoo

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highly Ranked

RockinOscar @ Jan 13th 2009 9:27PM

lol i was so distracted by Ben's breathing.

Highly Ranked

Jburton @ Jan 13th 2009 10:06PM

What button do I hit to just watch TV?

Neutral

img eL @ Jan 13th 2009 10:29PM

Why no HD channels?

Neutral

freddy @ Jan 13th 2009 10:39PM

This is cool just wait until they put all the netflix,itunes and pandora this is where is headed i love it.

Neutral

Davinder @ Jan 14th 2009 1:03AM

Is there any news of a software upgrade to existing televisions?

I recently purchased a Sony Bravia a few months back and would love to have this updated.

Neutral

Kevin @ Jan 14th 2009 1:09AM

i highly doubt they'll be giving this out as a freebie upgrade.

Neutral

John G @ Jan 14th 2009 9:46AM

Is this another box in my living room? I didn't see how I could search for a You Tube video, bid on Ebay, or select specific information. I'll keep my Tivo which comes with DVR capability where I'll get the majority of my content. It's easier to replace a Tivo than a expensive HDTV. You also failed to mention the 5000 pieces of content already available on the Tivo. Yahoo widgets offer me nothing.

John G.

Neutral

Larry @ Jan 14th 2009 11:02AM

The two widgets that seemed fairly obvious that were not shown were...

1. A TV Listing for those people who do not want a cable box.
2. IMDB so you can look up actors/films while your looking at a show.

Neutral

Vermont Hobbit @ Jan 14th 2009 2:06PM

Well, you asked for it: "This isn't cool."

I am one viewer who is even infuriated by premium channels putting their damn logo in the corner of the screen... the last thing I want is to turn an expensive HDTV into a webpage with more distracting crap on it.

Can you say "Adult ADD"?

Maybe the entertainment industry as a whole should focus on putting some compelling content on so users wouldn't feel the need to websurf while "watching" programming. I sincerely feel sorry for anyone who needs to keep an eye on the Dow while watching their favorite movie/series/sporting event. (Not that I don't believe there are people out there who will do this).

I spent thousands on a 60" HDTV, HD TiVOs, and surround sound system so I could have a true Home Theater experience (within the limits of my living room space)... not so I could turn it into a bad webpage.

Why not just bring up Bloomberg Television so you can have 80 more moving indicators and crawls going at the same time. This is supposed to be fun?? Yucchhh.

Just speaking for those of us who don't see everything that can be done in the category of "should be done". Hope this goes the way of 3D.

Neutral

Loban @ Jan 14th 2009 5:18PM

I sort of agree with you to an extent. To me obviously the quality of the TV itself comes first. But if I can get a good TV and get widget support which can be flicked on and off with a simple button press, that would be fine too.

But in the end I'd take a KURO without widgets over a Vizio with widgets. Hell I'd take a KURO over a TV that made me breakfast in bed. ;)

Neutral

cypherstream @ Jan 14th 2009 8:49PM

Yet another great example of UI innovation on the TV screen. Why can't Comcast do any sort of innovative thing such as this in their piss poor Motorola DVR? How many more examples of modern technology do they need?

Neutral

palehorse @ Jan 14th 2009 10:25PM

show me the Media Center Extender Widget, or one with even better codec support than that for videos, and we'll talk... If my TV could handle -all- of my networked media without a new STB or HTPC, then I'd be f'n STOKED!! Also, let me download skins for the widget interface itself.

SageTV Widget? XBMC Widget?

You get the idea...

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