Adobe has announced that its Flash software will soon be available on TV’s and set-top boxes after securing a deal with the main chip manufacturers. The chips that will include Flash are from Broadcom, Intel, NXP and STMicroelectronics. This opens up a new vehicle for developers and content providers to create applications enabling them to deliver their web-based content via TV screens.
Although there currently are TV’s connected to the net, the technology being used is inhibitive to the mass market. Flash on the other hand, which is currently installed on about 98% of PC’s will bring about a huge change in how TV is used. Many of the tasks we use our PC’s for will be available via our TV bringing the latest technology to an even bigger market.
For learning technology providers like ThirdForce this is an exciting time. Integrating learning into TV sets will broaden the base of learners, opening up a new audience who perhaps has previously been shy of using computers. And think about kids, sitting in front of their TV and churning through chunks of learning, using an environment of entertainment. Interacting with the TV rather than passively staring into a screen will provide a far more engaging experience.
It will be much more than the remote control we’ll be fighting over in the very near future!
