Harking back to time of GCSE science, I tend to reflect of the term ‘application’ normally meaning ‘practical usage’ as the exceptionally annoying section of these seemingly countless worksheets we had to pack out, just so we might set ablaze to something. The ‘application’ part was the spot where you needed to say what (if any) world, practical value your experiments had, which, because it seems, wasn’t usually a great deal in my case. I remember a classmate pretty maliciously soaking a spider in hydrochloric acid once, but I doubted, even at age fifteen and three quarters, that it would turn into a well-liked type of pest control.

As Led Zeppelin have now been telling us since the 1970’s, you realize sometimes words have double meanings. In the case of software design and programming, there's also a lot of words that have now been co-opted to be able to denote something, usually only partially similar, to what the word actually means. So, applications, or ‘apps’ as we hip, swinging cats refer to them, don't have anything at all to accomplish with GCSE science and all to do with cutting edge consumer technology.

An app is essentially a computer program developed to help the parent device carry out a specific function. Apps are like mini programs that were originally designed for portable devices like iPods, Smartphones and Tablet PCs. Apps range from the sublime, (such like the app that can track traveling whales in real time or the one which shows you the exact position of all the stars and heavenly bodies from anywhere in the world) to the totally stupid, but amusing anyways (the app where it is possible to punch a cartoon cat in the face, Angry Birds). Apple consumers alone have access to on 60,000 downloadable applications, most of them are totally free to use.

Smart TV, obviously, has its individual set of downloadable apps. I should indicate right now that these are not as esoteric as a wide-ranging applications accessible for your phone or Pc tablet, yet. So far Smart TV’s list of apps can be a mostly practical one. Here is a look at some of these applications you’ll be able to acquire for the Smart TV (NOTE: Different applications are accredited to various manufacturers - so if you’re distinctively after a TV for its applications, it pays to do your homework, that is, in its own way, a bit like GCSE science).

Netflix - The extension of a online movie rental company (and proud sponsor of our iFanboy comic book conversation show, I hasten to add) is an app which supplies you the choice to stream ‘rented’ movies over the Web for a little cover fee.

Amazon - From Amazon, you can download content. So if you’d prefer to purchase a film or Television show, you are able to simply click on the link and it will be sent directly to your hard drive. It’s less expensive than purchasing discs and far simpler to store.

BBC iPlayer - This is a small version of the iPlayer site; there’s also a BBC News and sports application.

Youtube - You’ll also discover other video sites accessible as apps. Dailymotion and Vimeo have become properly accessible from your television. 

Along with these apps, you’ll find Sports applications which will record every game and applications for specific channels, making them available as individual networks as opposed to part of a cable/satellite package.

Whichever apps you want, ensure they are doing what you think that they do and they’re available for the TV you choose, before you buy. That way you may avoid disappointment.