Are TV apps failing?
 

I've had my Samsung TV for about 15 months.

Not long after I got it, Skype was removed. The other day, a scrolling message said that Twitter will shortly be removed.

I'm wondering if this is because adding apps to TV's has not been a commercial success; I hope not as I find some of them useful and it's good to have a back up too.

Presumably they pay to be on there and have not found it to be cost effective. Has anyone else noticed this drip drip of removal on their make of set?

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Not on our LG smart TV...

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

It's probably a combination of factors.

Skype's removal was due to a complete change to the technology - it's only really the brand that's the same. https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA3...nger-supported

I think the Twitter app was written by Samsung, so it may just be that it's not used enough.

But I think as time goes on, it's clearer that some things just aren't suited to a TV, and it's better that the focus stays on those that are TV suitable. Social Media is difficult to use with a TV remote!

I'd point out that Samsung have added a Google Play Movies and TV app to my 2014 Samsung Smart TV, so it sometimes does go both ways.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Total gimmicks who wants to use the likes of Facebook and Twitter on a TV. When VM first launched TiVo didn't the Twitter app take the full screen up talk about a waste of time that is.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

As you and many others know these are far more responsive and fluid on smaller devices then a TV.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

You don't know a way to permanently remove the message do you? Very annoying on the Samsung, keep getting these messages about apps I don't use, the messages last for months! Looked on the interweb many seem to frustrated by this 'feature'.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Ultimately it's not cost effective or in some cases technologically feasible to update apps for older TV's. None of the major apps on my 2012 TV are supported/function any more. In fact when I originally signed up to Virgin, the Tivo apps were part of the sales rep's pitch for that very reason.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

The manufacturers have no interest in updating apps on old TVs. There's nothing in it for them. They'd rather you bought a new TV.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

No surprise there sadly SP.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Even more reason for VM to push for Amazon on its boxes.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Now you know SP has to keep his lips sealed.;)

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Yes, but it's great to have YouTube, Amazon and Netflix on the TV.

I agree that it's a bit odd in a way to have Facebook and Twitter on the TV, but some find this useful.

---------- Post added at 17:22 ---------- Previous post was at 17:20 ----------

I wasn't angling for an answer, just trying a little subtle influence!

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

The thing is apps like YouTube , Amazon , Netflix , Now TV are more set where Facebook and Twitter posts are being posted there every second and TV's IMO are not really made for those type of apps as the info on TV for these apps would become outdated very quickly.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Facebook and Twitter on a TV especially when the app takes over the full screen are a total waste of time in my opinion.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

iPlayer is the only app I use on my smart TV; and only because Tivo's version is so 'crap'.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

On my Samsung it's Menu > System > Notifications. There is a Delete All option.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Yes that works temporarily, but it always comes back after a few days. Only way I've found to disable is disconnecting the internet which defeats the object of a smart TV.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

I sympathise! The V6 is fine with all the apps, but I'm afraid that the Tivos have always struggled and now the i-Player on the Tivo is virtually unusable.

I know you don't want to move away from the Tivos owing to the way you use yours, but you would be amazed at the difference the V6 makes. Everything on there works like a dream.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Or buy a ROKU they're only small so fit anywhere or you have the ROKU stick which just slots into a hdmi port on your tv.
Yes i know more boxes but it's a good option.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

I think the apps pre installed on smart TV's are better than using them through a STB.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

You wouldn't say that if you had a V6! My apps work perfectly on there, and the search facility enables you to find programmes, whether they are on TV, on demand or Netflix.

What's more, you can bookmark the Netflix dramas in 'My Shows' so that the list works seemlessly with your recordings.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Yes I would, and I can, how can it be better/quicker through a STB than directly through your TV?

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Well for a start you don't have to swap to your TV remote. You use the remote you use for everything else.

And for your favourite shows and searches, TiVo will drop you straight to the episode you're looking for from the streaming provider, rather that you having to search again once you're in the app on the TV.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

That's not the case, if I have been watching something on Netflix, and I go back into Netflix the next evening to continue watching the same series it's already at " the front" so to speak, and your next episode is ready to play, there is no searching for the next episode.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

You are not getting it, my friend.

Yes, Netflix is brilliantly user friendly.

But if it is content rather than brand that is important to you, the ability to search for any programme, whether on conventional tv, on demand, or OTT, then surely, the V6 is the perfect solution! :)

Although, it would be better with Amazon and Now TV on there as well.:grind:

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Just received a message about another removal; Spotify is to be removed from my Samsung TV.

Wasn't this removed from the TiVo some time back?

It's not an app that I use, but I'm surprised that those that do don't appear to be using it to go through their speakers, Soundbar etc.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

I had this too popped up through a fifa match grrr, i use spotifi on my Android box or pc anyway.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

The Samsung TV app on my 2014 TV is an older version, and doesn't show up as a Spotify Connect device. So it's not surprising that it's going, as it doesn't fit in with the Spotify ecosystem they want to build.

Spotify still exists on newer Samsung TVs and the PS4, which support Spotify Connect and have the newer UI:

https://support.spotify.com/uk/liste...on_tv/samsung/

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Removed from a lot of TVs this year.

https://support.spotify.com/uk/liste...-app-on-my-tv/

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

The link that Hugh posted says that Spotify was removed from all LG TV's last month!

---------- Post added at 21:21 ---------- Previous post was at 21:16 ----------

It looks like you're right SP. They appear to be gradually removing apps instead of updating them from what others have posted.

If this is to be the norm, i'm beginning to lose my enthusiasm for Smart TV's as a cheap box/stick may be a better option.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

If you have an Android Smart TV, it's on there - I have it on my 1 year old Sony.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

One of the reasons I wouldn't buy a smart TV is that I know it won't get updated after 18 months once the manufacturer doesn't care about it any more.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

When I come to buy a new TV if it happens to have Smart TV on it, all well and good, but it won't particularly factor into the equation.

Having said that, I guess by this time they'll all have it thrown in as standard!

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Personally I've always bought for picture quality and design first, sound second and smart TV last.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Thanks Richard as the reason we bought a LG TV was because it had the main 3 streaming apps all in one place which is extremely convenient for our family.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

I have never once used any of the smart TV apps or features on my TV.

I can access all I need on my laptop/Xbox One and tablet/phone. All AV equipment routed through my AV amp anyway so no use for smart TV stuff.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Hence, Den, why I have been going on about having Amazon on the V6.

We are in serious danger of agreeing on something here!:) If Netflix and Amazon were both on the STB, all programmes on your watchlists could also be bookmarked under 'My Shows' as well as having your streaming services in one place. Now you can't do that with your smart tv!

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Sadly it won't happen one suspects OB.

---------- Post added at 10:45 ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 ----------

No certainly not OB.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Not if reports that Liberty Global vetoed the Amazon launch on Virgin Media, anyway. If that turns out to be true, my loyalty to VM will vanish and I will be looking elsewhere for my services when my V6s have had their day.

As that will not be for another five years, I'm not sure what would replace my existing services, but I would imagine there will be more choices available by then. I have an alternative plan mapped out right now, but I want to find a better fit. However, I'm very nearly there now.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Saw a message about something else being removed that moved too quickly for me to read properly on my Samsung TV yesterday, anyone know what's being taken off this time?

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

I'm pretty much the same. I have a Tivo, Xbox ONE s and smart TV. I also have a smart phone and tablet. The apps I use are mainly on the mobile devices. I do use iPlayer and Youtube on the Tivo. The only app I used to use regularly on the smart TV was Netflix, as I have a 4K HDR TV, and that was the only version I had that supported 4K..
The problem is, from the software provider's point of view, it costs them money to continue development for each version. Even if they develop a common version for different platforms, requiring some sort of runtime or framework to run it (as the BBC apparently does with iPlayer), they still require people to develop and test the updates required.

The likes of Spotify, Netflix et al will carry on developing for different platforms if it can be proved they will make enough money.

I think part of the problem is app-fatigue. I think most users are probably getting tired of apps popping up on different platforms, and assuming they use them at all, they tend to stick to one or two devices, ignoring the apps available on other devices..

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

I have to say I use the smart apps on my TV a lot. Amazon, Netflix, you tube and i player are all lined up next to each other, I find it very convenient.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

+1

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Same here. Navigating BBC on demand content on Sky is a chore!

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

The problem with Smart TV apps is that the manufacturer often stops supporting the platform after about a year and then you get no further updates without replacing the device.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

We bought our Smart TV 3 years ago and are still getting updates for the apps.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Well, that's not too bad then. I was under the impression that they weren't updated. Maybe it's just the non-video-consumption apps that are dropping off the radar.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

What make is the TV?

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

LG.

Re: Are TV apps failing?
 

Our Samsung is two years old and we have a smart Blu ray in the bedroom that turns an older TV smart. That is four years old and is still supported.