Internet access on TV: Sony Applicast
Sony describes Applicast as an 'exciting new feature that lets you access and interact with a range of applications right on your Bravia screen'.
When you buy a set with the Sony Applicast system implemented, you'll have access to three Applicast applications before you've even connected your TV to the internet.
Additional applications can be accessed once your TV is plugged in to your phoneline through an Ethernet cable, although on the surface it only seems as though two of the applications available seem to justify an internet connection.
Sony Applicast on Bravia TVs
The three applications that you'll have access to when unconnected include a How to use Applicast tutorial, an analogue clock and a calendar that allows you to plan your week.
Once plugged in, access is granted to an alarm setting application, a calculator application and an international world clock which allows you to keep track of the time in other time zones around the world. Why exactly you need to be online to use these features is a bit of a mystery to us.
Fortunately, the Applicast service also provides an RSS feeder, allowing views to keep track of updates being made to their favourite websites.
Geotagging photos for Yahoo! PhotoMap
There's also PhotoMap, which is an online way of looking through your digital photographs, which are attached to a Yahoo! map of the world. Not all photos can be uploaded and viewed through this method, however, as the photographs need to be geotagged.
Geotagging is a function that affixes the GPS coordinates of where a photo was taken to the image file. Some digital cameras are slowly introducing this function, and it's also beginning to feature on the spec sheets for some mobile phones.
On the whole, the offering seems a little meagre from Sony at present, and is certainly behind in the attempt to provide consumers with extra viewing content from the likes of YouTube or Eurosport.
TV reviews and TV deals
We expect to see the number of widgets available increase by then end of the year, however, when Sony upgrades it higher-end TV line up.
For help finding the best TV, check out our LCD and plasma TV reviews.
To find the best deals on TVs, go to Which? Compare, our free price-comparison website.
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