4waytechnologies

Top 5 consideration before developing Samsung Smart TV App

As being, in the 21st century, we all know the world is evolving technically every day. There are new discoveries every day be it in Smart Home, Smart Phones, Smart Watches or Smart TVs. The growth of digital technologies offers never-ending opportunities to develop outstanding products and applications that are both appealing and automatic. Companies want to stand out of the queue with their latest “smart technologies” that’s their main focus is a brilliant end user experience. Smart products are not all about functionalities now,  but also about the kind of experience they provide to the customers. Apart from the background processes, the front-end design is also into the main attraction. Speaking particularly about Smart TVs, the TV ecosystem has emerged as one of the biggest markets in the last decade. Viewers used to watch only broadcasted programs or media over the television, but now the viewing li9st is never-ending. Smart TVs, as the name suggests comes with the built-in OS that too with enhanced features and users can view desired data at their own comfort level. Companies are now focusing more on Smart TV App Development, as the demand for Smart TVs is increasing among the globe. 

And as being one of the biggest SMART TV giants, SAMSUNG provides developers to develop TV app for it. 

And here, in this blog, we’ll help you with the 5 important considerations that will help you clear your mind before going to Smart TV App Development.

You must know about the origin and the endpoint of the Samsung Smart TV application.

          The Samsung Smart TV application always has an origin and the finish point. If you don’t start and terminate your application accordingly, the chances of crashing the application are high. Before using the required commands for starting and terminating the application there are some widgets provided by Samsung that you need to import. 

• You must know about how to create media content on the Samsung Smart TV.

•  The Samsung Smart TV supports some basic functions for the TV, and it also sponsors some functions to play the media content o0n Samsung Smart TV. You can easily develop an application to play the media content, but before developing the application you should be aware of the type of media content you want to use. 

• User Environment for Samsung Smart TV

1. The normal gap between the TV and its viewers must be 3 meters (10ft).

• Usually, people prefer to lean back and relax or even sometimes to lay while watching TV. They don’t prefer complex screen layouts and controls.
• TV screens are larger than mobile devices and desktop computer monitors so are viewed from a larger distance. Clarity must be considered for this much distance. The size of text and other elements must be adjusted accordingly.

1.  The standard Remote is the fundamental TV control.

• Navigation needs to be achievable using only selection, return, and exit application.
• Since the application is used at a distance, the control feedback must be instant and distinct.
• When applying a Pointing navigation system, the pointer must be large enough on the screen for the user to easily see it from the distance of at least 3 ft. Complex and detailed navigations must be avoided. The blocks that can be aimed at must be large and distinctly identifiable.

1. The TV is viewed or used by more than one person.

• You should consider all the scenarios of one more than one person watching the TV. 
• For applications that may show personal information, privacy alerts must be provided before displaying the information. 
•  For applications that require a sign-in or log-in, the name of the sign-in user must be mentioned on the screen. When required, it must be easy for signed-out users to sign back in.

• User Experience Principles for Designing Applications for Samsung Smart TV

1. a) Simplicity

• It’s not necessary that the betterment of the application depends on its complexity. The design should be user-friendly with transparent, easy to access features that are arranged in a convenient way.
• The layout should be simple. Unnecessary, unrequired screen levels should be avoided. Going into different levels and getting out again must be comfortable and accessible.
• Applications should not require a separate guide or a manual.

b) Clarify

• The most critical part while designing a TV application is to include transparent and perfect navigation for user operations.
• If navigation is vague, users will feel disoriented and anxious. They are likely to close the application, and never use it again.
• Users should always know exactly where they are inside an application. Move, Return, Enter, and other basic navigation functions must be apparent. The users should be able to use the operations they want with these actions.

c) User Control

• The control method must account for the control device, and an automatic layout must be provided accordingly. In order to achieve this, the button names and icons on the remote control must match the actions that occur on the screen.
• The actions that happen on the screen must be in the way anticipated by the user. There should be consistency in actions specifications.

d) Consistency

• Consistency is closely related to advancements in usability and learnability. When using a new application, experience with an already existing similar application will guarantee fast learning
• It's not recommended to use the same UI for every application, because each application has unique qualities. Ensuring the flexibility of the components detailed at the end of the TV screen, though, allows users to become familiar with common controls, and to use applications more comfortably.

1. i) Consistency of Controls

There are no significant limitations on the buttons, voice control, and motion assignments. But following the common function guidelines, should help users to quickly and easily learn how to operate an application.

1. ii) Consistency of Screen Layout

The screen should be laid out to efficiently provide information in each application. Maintain the screen layout prescribed as per the Guidelines for the content type and application characteristics to ensure familiar and great user experience.

iii) Consistency of Navigation

The application must be consistent overall with all of the required basic navigation features such as four-directional navigation, going into levels, or returning to the previous screen on the content list.

e) Feedback

• When showcasing items that can be selected using the focus, the status of the items must be displayed in a manner that permits the users to easily identify the difference between an item that is focused on, or one that has been selected by a remote control operation, such as pressing the ENTER button.
• If it takes a bit longer to load or open the application,  loading animation must be displayed to provide visual evidence that the screen will soon change according to the user's request.

f) Aesthetic Considerations

• The aesthetically delightful design makes applications look easy to use, while also enhancing the chances of them being used again in the future. Moreover, it's a powerful approach to gain positive user reviews.  
• Applications designed especially for use on a TV should pay particular attention to the linked TV-specific design factors such as colour, resolution, and screen composition, which differ from those used while desktop computers and mobile device development.

5) How to Facilitate Easier Use for a Better User Experience

1. Focus

• Focus is the component that highlights a selectable component and signifies the user’s current on-screen location.
• A clear and extremely visible Focus helps the viewers to quickly identify their current on-screen location and reduces navigation.

1. Navigation

• Navigational movements must be anticipated.

1. Minimize Screen Transition

• Frequent screen changes will make the viewers lost and make the application difficult to operate. Screen transitions should therefore only be included when they are absolutely essential.
• If the applications category and the corresponding contents list is made into two levels, then it is recommended that flat navigation (where the up and down buttons switch between categories and the left and right buttons navigate the content within each category) is used. 

Conclusion 

Here, all the important points are being mentioned that are needed to be considered before you begin your Samsung TV app development. Hope this helps.