How to Make The Best Use of Your Smart TV

Make the most out of your smart TV

If you own a smart TV, then we can help you make the most of it. Smart TVs have features that make them different from your normal TVs and similar to devices like your smartphone or laptop.

From streaming services to google searches, there is a lot you can do on your smart TV. This article has curated a list of some of the best smart TV apps to enhance your experience. While streaming is the main feature of smart TVs, there are other things you can do.

Stream Your Faves!

Most smart TVs come with default apps installed. However, you have the option to download smart tv apps according to your likes and dislikes. There are multiple streaming services available that you can choose from.

We compiled some of Australia’s top smart TV apps to consider. Globally, there are a lot more apps available but we will highlight the ones that are available in Australia and have the latest content.

Stan

An app that is exclusively available for Australian viewers. Stan has a collection of exclusive US shows that may not be found on the bigger streaming services.

In addition, you have an impressive selection of local media. Furthermore, Stan is a part of the Nine Network so you get a lot of original content as well. As part of Stan, you can get an additional service from Stan Sport. If you’re a fan of Australian Rugby, you can watch a match live and on-demand.

SBS on Demand

Don’t we all enjoy free stuff? For most apps you have to pay for the complete experience, but not for this one. SBS on Demand offers an exclusive collection of local and foreign shows as well as movies. They also have original content for you to enjoy.

Live TV and on-demand sports are also available for free. Every now and then, they have a curated list of featured shows or movies created by an expert. This is the best way to discover a new show or movie without having to look for reviews on different websites.

Crunchyroll

If you are a fan of Anime and Manga, Crunchyroll is the app you want for your smart TV. Established in 2006, this American-made company has managed to bring a huge collection of Japanese shows to your TVs. Available worldwide, Crunchyroll offers over 1000 anime shows and Manga along with a wide variety of East Asian dramas.

Whether you are new to Japanese entertainment or an anime enthusiast, you can get a lot with just this one app. Additionally, like most other streaming apps, Crunchyroll has its original shows as well. So, there is always going to be a new show for you to watch.

ABC iVIEW

ABC iVIEW available to only Australians offers different genres or channels for you to ‘view’. News and current affairs, arts and culture, comedy, regional Australia news, sports and many more channels are available for you.

If you like to stay connected with what’s happening around you, having ABC iVIEW on your smart TV is a good decision. Most of the programmes available on ABC’s broadcast channels are available on-demand. Don’t miss out on your shows, watch them whenever you want.

Kayo Sports

To all the sports fans out there, Kayo Sports is an app you want for your smart tv. Offering channels such as Fox Sports, cricket, footy, sports news, and ESPN, they have all your needs covered.

Furthermore, under Kayo Freebies you can watch exclusive sports programmes for free. Whether you regularly follow Australian Footy, Football, Rugby League or Cricket, there is something for everyone.

Disney+

Disney+ is a great addition to your streaming services. The app has a great collection of movies, TV shows and documentaries that are perfect for the family. More importantly, this app provides enough content for kids as well as adults.

Whether you’re a Marvel fan or just want to watch some Hannah Montana for nostalgia, Disney+ has you covered. If you’re going to download smart TV apps, Disney+ should be on top of that list. It has a good mixture of nostalgic and new content for you to enjoy.

Please note that Disney+ might be available as a default app for a lot of smart TVs but not all. Hence, if you don’t already have the app on your TV, we suggest downloading it for exclusive Disney content.

More than streaming

While owning a smart TV gives you access to many streaming apps, it also allows you to use your TV for other purposes. Watching sports, news, TV shows, and movies is common, but have you ever used your TV for reading or work?

Along with your favourite streaming apps, smart TVs give you the option of downloading apps that you usually have on your phone or laptop. Reading your work files would be easier on a screen bigger than your phone’s.

Additionally, it’s not all about work. File organisation, music apps, games, and fitness apps and so much more can be accessed through a smart TV. Consider your smart TV an extension of your phone. We recommend some smart tv apps to download other than your normal streaming services.

Let’s Groove Tonight!

Yes, it may seem unnecessary to have Spotify on your smart TV but the feeling of having your favourite playlist playing through your TV while you cook is very satisfying. Moreover, Spotify offers various podcasts, news programs, and even language lessons for its users.

Furthermore, the sound systems in most smart TVs are excellent. Hence, you don’t need to buy a separate stereo system to blast music in your house. Let your smart TV take charge of the tunes. Log in to your Spotify on your TV and control the music through your phone from anywhere. This way your smart TV becomes the DJ for your next house party.

Just Google It!

Google has a lot of great functions to offer and all those Google apps can be downloaded on your smart TV. While working on Google Sheets or Google Slides might be difficult, but reading the material and presenting slides will be much easier.

Furthermore, you can get access to your Google Drive on your TV as well. From written documents to your stored photos and videos, it can all be accessed through your TV. More importantly, having the google app installed on any device is useful. You can use Google Search on your smart TV to look for recipe ideas, blogs, styling guides and more.

Stay Fit with your TV!

It should come as no surprise that fitness apps are not that far behind if there are so many apps available for your smart TV. Many smart TVs available in the market are known for having in-built health & fitness apps. These apps are not just for home-workouts but also promote a healthy lifestyle – something we all want.

Home workout routines, yoga, dance fitness routines, cardio exercises, how to plan your diets and more; all of this is accessible through your smart TV. In addition, you can also download meditation apps that can help you focus and relax at the same time.

All of this on one TV. How good is that?

Voice Assistants

Voice assistants make life a lot easier, especially when using your smart TV. Searching for a particular app or a movie can get quite frustrating if you have to type it out using the remote. The process is tedious and slightly time-consuming.

But with voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, you can easily use voice commands to find what you are looking for. Just like a smart speaker, your TV becomes a smart device helping you search for things easily. Furthermore, if you have more smart devices in your home that are connected through these voice assistants, adding your smart TV to the list just makes things simpler to control.
Different Smart TV, Different Needs.

There are different brands of smart TVs available in the market and all of them come with different default apps and operating systems. Keep in mind that you need to have thoroughly researched which brand would suit your needs the best. Smart TVs have most of the streaming services available in Australia but if you have a particular use for your smart TV, it is best to take a look at what each brand offers.