Podcast #877: Predictions for 2019

Predictions for 2019 Time for the HT Guys to look into our crystal ball and try and predict the HDTV and Home Theater landscape for 2019. Our crystal ball isn't as clear as a good HDTV but we faithfully give it another shot nonetheless. MicroLEDs Make a Macro Splash MicroLED are an emissive display technology similar to that of OLED. Likewise, they can, theoretically at least, produce perfect blacks, excellent color, and near-perfect off-angle viewing. But unlike OLEDs, they claim to be even brighter, thinner, immune to burn-in, and in time, less expensive to make than other technologies. Look for at least one MicroLED TV to come to market in 2019. Interactive TV comes to a Screen Near You Thanks to companies like Roku, Apple, Amazon, and Google, many of us have a smart box connected to our sets. In fact, many TVs have the same smarts built into them. Look for at least one manufacturer incorporate interactive TV into the programs being watched through their devices. Participate in fan polls, voting for your favorite contestant, or just chatting with other viewers all from the comfort of your couch! LG Releases a Roll Up OLED Last year at CES we talked about an OLED TV screen that was so thin that it could bend. This year we double down on this technology and bet that LG releases a rollable OLED TV. The screen itself will roll into a box that is about the size of a sound bar when not in use. In fact the same box can house the electronics as well as the speakers truly making it a Home Theater in a box. Home Security Will Drive Home Automation Demand Home security surveillance and monitoring will become the driving force behind home automation acceptance. Compelling ads similar to the ones run by Ring Doorbell will push many to dip their toes in the water surround home automation. Once you have your outside lights automated it's a simple step to automate your inside. And so it will begin for many. Smart Mirrors Look for a company to release a smart mirror that is affordable for "most" of us. Imagine getting ready in the morning and looking into your mirror to interact with  your social media feeds, watch news and and get weather updates.You will even be able to control your home all from your bathroom! Voice Control of our Home Theater Will Become a Reality Whether it be the Echo, Siri, or Google Home you will be able to control your home theater with your voice. And not rudimentary control, we're talking Tell your TV exactly what you want to do and it will be done. Alexa, watch A&E Channel on SlingTV. Or Hey Siri watch the LA Dodgers on the MLB app.