Telly, the new smart television, offers users the opportunity to have a free TV experience. However, in order to use the device, users must consent to have their viewing data collected and utilized by advertisers. This raises privacy concerns, as personal information could potentially be shared with third parties. Nevertheless, for those who are comfortable with this arrangement, Telly provides additional features such as a secondary display for widgets showcasing sports scores, news updates, weather information, and more. The TV also includes a built-in camera, equipped with a privacy shutter, for fitness programs and a selection of pre-installed games.
In addition to its free TV model, Telly has recently announced partnerships with Nielsen, Microsoft, Magnite, and MNTN to enhance its advertising capabilities. Telly aims to collaborate with Nielsen to gather unique viewership and ad effectiveness insights, benefiting both advertisers and TV programmers. Meanwhile, Microsoft, known for its advertising partnership with Netflix’s ad-supported tier, will be working with Telly to power the advertisements on the TV.
Although it remains unclear how many customers Telly is currently shipping its TVs to, the company has stated that those who receive the device will have the opportunity to participate in the public beta program. This means they will gain access to several features that Telly is introducing at launch, including integrations with popular platforms like Spotify, LiveOne, and Zoom. However, it is worth noting that Telly does not come with pre-installed streaming apps. Therefore, users will need to rely on third-party devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV to access their preferred streaming services.
Telly’s CEO and founder, Ilya Pozin, expressed excitement about shipping their smart television to consumers, claiming it is the most advanced television ever built. Pozin highlighted Telly’s disruptive ad-supported business model, which provides a free television experience for consumers. Additionally, he emphasized the technological advancements that enable Telly’s dual-screen television to continuously improve with regular updates.
While sacrificing a portion of one’s privacy may be a concern for some, the allure of a free TV may be too tempting to resist. Within one month of opening its waitlist, Telly garnered the attention of 250,000 individuals, and this number is likely to have grown exponentially since then.
In conclusion, Telly offers a unique proposition to consumers—a free smart TV experience with the understanding that personal viewing data will be collected and utilized by advertisers. Despite potential privacy concerns, the TV provides users with additional features, including a secondary display for widgets, a fitness camera, and built-in games. Telly’s partnerships with Nielsen, Microsoft, Magnite, and MNTN further enhance the advertising capabilities of the TV. While the exact number of shipped TVs remains unknown, Telly’s public beta program allows selected users to enjoy integrations with popular platforms. Although Telly lacks pre-installed streaming apps, its disruptive ad-supported business model and commitment to technological advancements make it an appealing choice for many.
