The Samsung TVs also come with a built-in "content library" containing "photo art gallery, games, workout routines, recipes and other interesting digital content."

Two reviews on the Best Buy site did not mention the widgets or the TVs' Internet connectivity.

Despite being called widgets, which are generally defined as snippets of general-purpose code, Yahoo's widgets are actually proprietary mini-apps like Vista's Sidebar gadgets, said Greeson. "It's an icon and a little bit of software behind the icon to connect to the Internet, sitting on your TV," he said. Most widgets will be free but some providers such as Comcast eventually will charge for additional services through widgets, he said.

Thanks to the popularity of icon-based interfaces like the iPhone's, the time is right for widget-based Web TV, according to Greeson. However, most people see widgets as a way to enhance their TV viewing experience, not simply as another way to access the Internet, he noted. "Nobody wants just a browser experience. Nobody wants the Internet just dumped on the TV," he said. Samsung TVs have no general-purpose Internet browser.

A survey of 2,000 broadband users conducted in December by The Diffusion Group revealed that 76 percent would welcome a minimally invasive Internet toolbar on their TV screen. However, the content people most wanted to access was old TV episodes, online TV programs from major networks like NBC, and customized programs that recommended TV shows they might like. Other desirable widgets accessed weather, news headlines, and on-demand movies.