You haven’t heard of VIDAA yet, but this TV tech could change everything

If you own a smart TV, you probably know your operating system pretty well. You’re comfortable with the menus. You like the remote. You know where to go to get to the content that you want. But it is something that you may not have thought about when you were buying that TV. You may have just looked at the price and focused on that when you were picking out a TV — no one’s faulting you for that here.

At the end of the day, if the TV can play what you want it to, why does it matter what the OS is? If you have a TV in the US, you’ve probably focused on one that runs on Roku OS, Samsung Tizen, Google TV, Apple tvOS, or LG webOS. Those are the most common ones found in the country and the most available in all of your stores and online marketplaces.

But these aren’t the only ones available, and they are likely going to be pushed into the marketplace eventually. So, if you are going to buy a TV soon, it’s time to pay attention to what OS the TVs you’re looking at have. There are some hitting the market that could be up your alley even more than the usual suspects.

There are other options out there

VIDAA is incredibly popular globally

While the more common smart TV platforms are usually easier to find, they’re not your only options. It’s worth taking the time to understand what each system’s menus look like, what the remotes offer, and which free channels might come included. Samsung, LG, and Android TV all offer a ton of free channels — one of the biggest perks of owning them. That’s especially important if you’re looking to cut the cord on your cable subscription, since a smart TV with an internet connection can give you access to plenty of content for free.

But as you’re comparing which ones to pick from, consider looking at ones that are popular abroad. VIDAA is one of the most popular options in Europe, Latin America, and Australia. It’s found in TVs from Toshiba and, more commonly, Hisense — both of which are sold in the US. Another one to keep an eye on is Whale OS, a system that’s gained serious traction in Asia and recently entered the Latin American market.

The trick with these “newer” operating systems is that they can offer promotional deals if you’re looking to switch. Whale OS TVs offered 12 months of free Disney+ when they were introduced into Latin American markets.

Why you need to pay attention

Keep an open mind when you’re looking

Credit: VIDAA

There are always innovations happening in the smart TV space. Platforms like Tizen, Roku TV, tvOS, and others are constantly changing and getting better. Roku’s latest updates, for example, include Roku Backdrops, which turns your TV into a piece of artwork when you’re not actively watching something. webOS has introduced AI-powered features to help recommend content tailored to your tastes. And Tizen continues to expand its Samsung Gaming Hub, allowing you to play games directly on your TV… no console required.

For anyone looking to buy a new TV, these things matter. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to features, and you may want more built-in apps rather than having to download them from the included app store. You also may have liked using a Roku earlier in your life and want to continue using that same platform. Having a Roku TV means you don’t necessarily need a smart device along with your smart TV.

What’s nice is that you have your pick of TV operating system, as these other popular ones are making their way around the globe.

Key innovations you should know about

VIDAA and Ventura are spotlighted

Ventura is a new option that is soon to be introduced. It’s looking to make the experience of using a smart TV simpler for both advertisers and consumers. Not only is there a more intuitive menu platform to keep consumers happy, but there are more targeted ads and easier ways for users to find ads that are actually relevant to them. Managing all of your streaming service subscriptions takes place in one area of the TV, so you don’t have to go from app to app to find the content you want.

A similar innovation was just announced by VIDAA. In a partnership with Deutsche Telekom and Hisense, VIDAA has developed the first True Operator Smart TV. This means consumers can buy a Hisense TV fitted with VIDAA OS that includes everything content-wise they might want. Cable subscriptions can be accessed directly through apps on the smart TV. All the entertainment experiences are built-in — so there’s no need for a set-top box. It’s designed to combine live TV and streaming content without requiring extra cables. This also eliminates the need for multiple remotes, giving you all the entertainment you want in one streamlined process.

VIDAA just announced a partnership with Hisense and Deutsch Telekom for an all-encompassing smart TV that requires no set-top box, no cables, no nothing — and it’ll be used for streaming and live TV. I want to highlight how this will affect consumers and what Ventura, which is soon to come and was just highlighted in Variety, want to offer.