The 3rd Screen

posted by Bryan Rhoads on February 25, 2008

third screen n. A video screen that a person uses as often as their television and computer screens.

It’s a concept that has been around for at least ten years now. And one that generally comes from the mouths of ad-hungry marketers in search of more media buys and eyeballs.

But the oft touted “3rd Screen” will become a mainstream reality in 2008 as Intel’s Silverthorne and Diamondville processors are making it not only possible, but powerful.

Some will argue that the introduction of the iPhone last year brought us our first true 3rd screen experience… granted it’s a compelling argument. But as most iPhone addicts will attest, most 3rd screens are still the lesser cousin of our other two screens (your TV and your laptop/desktop). It simply hasn’t been the “full experience”… yet.

What’s different this time around? The difference: A perfect storm of affordable, energy-efficient, and high performance processors that enable the innovative design of these new mobile devices.

Or maybe as this video implies… our 3rd screens are destined to be our 1st.

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4 Responses to The 3rd Screen

  1. Justin says:
    February 25, 2008 at 10:54 pm

    Agreed that this is an older concept, so I performed a quick Wikipedia search that offerd no “Third Screen” results… That’s a rarity. No Wiki page.

  2. June Adams says:
    February 25, 2008 at 11:00 pm

    For most people under 25, TVs are the third or fourth screens. The primary screen is the computer because of the Internet, and then the second screen is mobile.

  3. Bassem says:
    February 26, 2008 at 10:31 am

    The third screen concept is new (generally) for those who are over 30-years old. But for people under 25, it’s more natural and is really more of a second or first screen.
    It will be interesting to watch what devices are coming our way.
    Thanks!