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This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Internet of Things, The: How Smart TVs, Smart Cars, Smart Homes, and Smart Cities Are Changing the WorldInternet of Things, The: How Smart TVs, Smart Cars, Smart Homes, and Smart Cities Are Changing the World

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This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Internet of Things, The: How Smart TVs, Smart Cars, Smart Homes, and Smart Cities Are Changing the WorldInternet of Things, The: How Smart TVs, Smart Cars, Smart Homes, and Smart Cities Are Changing the World

Learn More Buy

Considering Smart TV Operating Systems

All smart TVs and smart TV devices are like mini computers, in that they include a built-in OS and the appropriate software or middleware to run the necessary apps. Now, these devices don’t run a full-blown consumer OS, such as Windows, but rather smaller, more stripped down OS’s developed specifically for these purposes.

NOTE

Middleware is a layer of software on a device that acts as a bridge between the OS and the main apps.

There are a number of smart TV OS’s in use today, many proprietary to a specific company or device. These include the following:

  • Android TV, used in the Google Chromecast and selected Sony smart TVs
  • Fire OS, used in Amazon’s streaming devices
  • Firefox OS, used on Panasonic devices
  • iOS, Apple’s mobile OS used in the Apple TV box (and iPhones and iPads, of course)
  • Roku OS, used by Roku
  • Tizen, a Linux-based OS used by Samsung
  • webOS, a Linux derivative used by LG

NOTE

webOS has an interesting history. It’s a Linux kernel-based OS initially developed by Palm back in 2009 as a successor to their once-popular Palm OS platform. Hewlett Packard (HP) acquired Palm in 2010, and webOS was considered one of the key assets in that transaction; HP intended to use the OS in a variety of new products, including smartphones, tablets, and printers. That didn’t really pan out, and by the end of 2011, HP had halted all webOS development. In 2013, HP sold webOS to LG Electronics, which uses it as the company’s primary smart TV operating system.

This proliferation of OS’s means that no two brands of smart TVs look or work exactly alike. While all these OS’s do pretty much the same thing, they do it all differently; every company puts its own spin on onscreen menus, navigation, and operation. For this reason, you want to spend some time with a given interface when you’re shopping for a smart TV or device.

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This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

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For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

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Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

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Do Not Track

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Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


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Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
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  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
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  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
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  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
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Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020