This guide provides an introduction for web developers looking to create applications for Samsung TVs. It will cover getting started with the Samsung TV SDK, the structure of TV web applications, valuable APIs and features, and methods for testing your applications.
This guide is designed for developers already familiar with web application development. Prior experience with Tizen web application development is helpful. To begin, you’ll need the Samsung TV SDK.
If you encounter any questions while using the SDK, the community forum is a valuable resource for finding answers and sharing experiences.
Designing Web Applications for Samsung TV
When designing a web application specifically for Samsung TVs, several factors must be taken into consideration to optimize the user experience and ensure compatibility:
- Performance: Samsung TVs have varying processing power. Optimize your application for smooth performance on lower-end models.
- Remote Control Navigation: Users primarily interact using a remote control. Design the UI with simple navigation in mind, using clear focus states and intuitive layouts.
- Screen Size and Resolution: TV screens are significantly larger than mobile devices. Ensure your application scales appropriately and displays correctly on different screen sizes and resolutions. Use responsive design principles.
- User Interface (UI) Consistency: Maintain a consistent UI throughout the application. Use clear and concise text, and avoid overcrowding the screen.
- Platform Differences: Be aware of differences between the TV platform and standard web browsers. Some features and APIs may behave differently or be unavailable.
Implementing Samsung TV Application Features
A Tizen web application comprises HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, along with a “config.xml” file. This structure is essential for the application to function correctly on the Samsung TV platform.
The “config.xml” file is mandatory in the root directory of all Tizen web application projects. This configuration file uses XML elements, with <widget> as the root, to define application information like version, features, and required privileges. This information is crucial for installation and execution. For more details, refer to Configuring Web Applications.
Here are some key features that can be implemented in your Samsung TV application:
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Sandbox Attributes: Only these sandbox attributes are available:
allow-same-origin,allow-scripts,allow-forms,allow-top-navigation. This restricts the app’s access to resources for security. -
iframeRestrictions: Tizen and Samsung Product APIs cannot be used withiniframeelements. -
No Frame Flattening: The “frame flattening” feature, available in Tizen mobile web apps, is not supported on TVs.
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Emulator Limitations: On the emulator,
iframeelements for remote sources may not function correctly. -
Web Storage and TV File System: You can store application content and user data using web storage and the TV file system. Refer to Using Web Storage and Managing File Operations for more details.
Important: To publish your application on Samsung Apps TV, ensure all user login information is deleted upon uninstallation. Reinstalling the app should not reveal any previous user data.
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TLS Support: For secure data transmission between web browsers and servers, Samsung TV supports TLS (Transport Layer Security) versions 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is not supported.
Testing Your Samsung TV Applications
During development, testing is crucial. You can use the TV simulator and emulator tools provided within the Samsung TV SDK, or test directly on a physical Samsung TV device. Testing on a real device is highly recommended to get the most accurate representation of the user experience.
