How to boost your content on Smart TVs
Avoid the common pitfalls of launching apps on these fast-growing platforms.
Streaming video via a Smart TV app is having a huge surge in popularity right now. We’ve seen plenty of companies make fundamental mistakes that cost them time and money because developing for Smart TVs is fundamentally different from working with other devices.
It can be frustrating, but in time you learn to love it. So here are a few words of wisdom on how to avoid joining their ranks.
Be mindful of Smart TV’s limited computer power
Smart TVs are constantly upgrading their technological capabilities, but they are a long way off having the computing power of a device like Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV. This means they can’t support the kind of animated graphics and dynamic menus that are used on apps for IPads or top-end Android mobile devices.
Build a unified experience across different devices
Consider the huge difference between using a remote control to operate an app and interacting on a touch‑screen device. Designing for the big screen, and in particular apps with a remote-control interface, requires a different approach. While voice control is obviously growing in popularity, it’s still a long way off being fully usable for most audiences, and for many languages, so remote control navigation is going to be here for a long time to come. And yet it’s still unfamiliar to many app designers and developers.
Take into account your users’ devices
It’s tempting to always be chasing the next cool feature for your streaming service, but new features often require newer, faster hardware. The vast majority of consumers don’t change their TVs nearly as often as they change their mobile phones or laptops. So, when you’re developing a streaming app for Smart TVs you need to consider those customers whose devices are up to ten years old. You can create a really cutting-edge app that only works on the most recent models, but you risk annoying a huge chunk of the viewing market.
So it’s important to strike a sensible balance between supporting older devices (where you know you can reach plenty of users) and limiting your reach to new televisions with the cool new tech. This is where testing becomes essential. Look for a development partner that’s got a wide range of legacy devices to use when they’re testing your app for performance and compatibility.
At Streann we believe the secret to a seamless Smart TV app is rigorous testing. And even though it may not be rocket science, doing it right requires lots of expertise. We have the required set of skills to help you build the best platform for your users.
About Streann Media
Streann Media®️ is the world’s most innovative and interactive content creation, distribution, engagement, and monetization streaming platform. With Streann, content providers can create live streaming content and build next-generation Netflix or Spotify business models, with more than 150 proprietary features. Established in Miami, Florida, the company has won several industry awards for its innovations and has Millions of Active users in 141 geographies. For more information, visit www.streann.com.
