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Samsung's HDTV-based app store passes two million downloads
Reaching two million downloads in a year may seem paltry considering Apple's app store delivered 1.5 billion downloads in its first year, and the Mac app store passed one million downloads on opening day. Still, it's the largest number we've seen from a TV maker, and when you factor in that Samsung's store just passed one million downloads back in November, it seems the Korean tech giant has a good thing going. Naturally, we knew the company was serious about apps when it announced the Free the TV contest late last summer to lure developers to the platform, and today the app store is available in over 120 countries and features roughly 380 applications, 259 of which are free. It also doesn't hurt that the brand has already sold boatloads of Smart TVs and plans to ship 12 million more in 2011. The question is, when the store hits the 10 million mark, can Samsung possibly pull off a new interpretive dance that tops its 2011 CES keynote? We certainly hope so. For the full announcement, check out the press release after the break.
Samsung puts up cash, HDTVs for developers in 'Free the TV Apps' contest
Samsung's HDTV-based App Store has doubled in size since it was launched at CES but apparently that's not enough, so it's putting up 500 stacks plus several home theater packages in the "Free the TV Apps" contest. For those skilled in Java, XML and Flash Lite who are interested in getting their app up on TVs and Blu-ray players next to ESPN Next Level, Hulu Plus, a soon to launch 3D Video On Demand app and all the rest, the contest runs from today through November 11, and requires a working app submission and video description. By the end, 14 developers will walk away with between $1,000 and $200,000 each, plus a 3DTV, Blu-ray player and starter kit for each of them . We figure developing for a Samsung Apps platform with a few million network connected devices out there and more shipping every day is a secondary bonus (unless Google TV is where you'd rather be) but check out the video and press release after the break or the competition website if you're still not entirely sure it's worth the effort.
