LAS VEGAS, Nev., Jan. 9,
2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic, a leader in Full HD and Smart
TV technologies, in its effort to re-define the TV experience,
announced today at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show
a new wave of applications(1) and features that will debut on its
VIERA Connect™ Smart VIERA HDTV platform including more robust
options for streaming video content via leading global distribution
platforms, unique social networking features, a fully-integrated
music app, and unique apps for children, as well as intuitive and
broader search features designed to make the user experience fast,
easy and more accessible.
VIERA Connect is Panasonic's connected TV platform which enables
owners of VIERA Connect-enabled HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc Players and
Home Theater Systems access to a wide range of internet-based
video-on-demand content and applications covering everything from
news and fitness, to social networking and online gaming.
VIERA Connect™ requires no external box or PC(2) and is
accessed via a single button on the television remote control.
New Apps for 2012
Panasonic's 2012 additions will feature exciting new apps for
children, music enthusiasts, on-line shoppers, and movie/TV lovers
adding to an already robust line-up of interactive apps.
- Myspace TV – Exclusive to Panasonic VIERA
Connect™-enabled Smart VIERA HDTVs, Myspace TV is a new service
that makes the television experience social, putting viewers in
control by allowing them to discover, share and comment on their
favorite television programs virtually. Initial channels on Myspace
TV will be music-focused, leveraging Myspace's unparalleled music
rights and leading library of 100,000 music videos and 42 million
songs. Myspace TV will expand beyond music to encompass
movies, sports and reality channels, with a growing lineup of
today's most popular broadcast and on-demand content. The
service fully integrates social and television in new ways that
adds a dimension to content discovery and evolves the traditional
television experience.
- Disney Publishing Worldwide – Disney Publishing
and Panasonic are in negotiations to launch an app on Panasonic
VIERA Connect™ Smart TVs, which would give families access to a
library of interactive stories and comics featuring Cinderella,
Mickey Mouse, and more.
- YouTube™ on TV – YouTube was among the first apps
available when Panasonic's IPTV feature debuted in 2008 featuring
access to select areas of YouTube. In 2012, VIERA Connect
will feature a completely new UI and redesign with full access to
the YouTube user experience previously enjoyed only via the
web. VIERA Connect-enabled TVs will now give users access to
YouTube's full library of user postings, music videos, movies, and
100 channels of original programming.
- Flixster -- Movies and TV shows stored in the cloud can
now be easily streamed directly to VIERA Connect-enabled HDTVs and
Blu-ray products through a new Flixster application coming this
year. Through the app, consumers will also be able to access one of
the world's largest databases of information on movies and TV
shows
- Miramax – The Miramax App will be one of the new apps to
join VIERA Connect in 2012, enabling users to access Miramax's
library of critically-acclaimed films. The Miramax App will
include special social features such as clip sharing, games, and
bonus content to enhance the viewing experience of Miramax's
one-of-a-kind library. VIERA Connect's growing library
already includes Amazon Instant Video, Netflix and Hulu™ Plus.
- HSN – The HSN Shop by Remote® app for Panasonic VIERA
Connect-enabled devices offers consumers the opportunity to browse
and shop from thousands of brand name products. Utilizing
HSN's patented Shop by Remote technology, this highly advanced
shopping app allows viewers to get detailed product information,
read customer reviews, watch video demonstrations and then make a
purchase, all with just a few clicks of their remote from their
VIERA Connect-enabled HDTV or Blu-ray Disc player.
- SnagFilms – The new SnagFilms app on VIERA
Connect-enabled devices provides hundreds of movies, on demand, for
free, from SnagFilms' acclaimed library of independent films.
Film fans can choose from a broad selection of movies -- from
documentaries to dramas, comedies to thrillers, award-winners to
rare finds, all free to view.
New Features and Technologies for 2012
In addition to expansive new apps, VIERA Connect will also offer
a range of exciting new features which will offer users greater
flexibility, expansion of current features and ease-of-use in
locating specific content. Highlighting VIERA Connect's new
features in 2012 will be:
- Web Browser – In 2012 VIERA Connect will offer users an
optimized-for-TV web browser that will add a new dimension to
the IPTV experience.
- VIERA Remote App Version 2.0 – The VIERA Remote App lets
you use a smartphone or tablet device as a remote control. In
addition to the intuitive tapping and flick-based operations of the
previous version, Version 2.0 links with new browsers and content
while text input is easy via familiar keyboard operation.
- Expanded Social Network TV – In 2011, VIERA Connect was
the first to launch a Social Network TV feature which enabled
viewers to watch TV while also using their Twitter and Facebook
feeds simultaneously on the same screen. In 2012, VIERA
Connect will expand this unique feature further by introducing a
similar function for Skype which will allow users to watch live TV
while also using the VIERA Connect Skype video calling feature in a
split screen format.
- TV.com – New for 2012 is CBS Interactive's TV.com, a
search and recommendations feature which will give users a way to
quickly find the best way to access the video content they desire
and begin viewing it via VIERA Connect™. TV.com also enables
users to learn more about specific video content and the actors
involved and recommends additional titles based upon a user's
search criteria.
- Ooyala – In 2012, VIERA Connect will include Ooyala, a
leading provider of digital video technology, analytics and
services, which will enable video publishers to easily reach
viewing audiences through the Panasonic VIERA Connect Smart TV
platform. Building on its universal syndication solution that
quickly and cost-effectively delivers content to smartphones,
tablets and other devices, Ooyala now gives premium video
publishers seamless access to connected living rooms. Ooyala's new
syndication platform also enables connected TV providers to easily
scale distribution of new custom content offerings.
- Brightcove – In 2012, the VIERA Connect Smart TV
platform will integrate with Brightcove Video Cloud online video
platform, enabling more than 3,600 Video Cloud customers around the
world to extend the reach of their online video initiatives to
Panasonic devices and provide consumers with direct access to a
range of high quality video content in their living room.
"Year after year Panasonic's VIERA Connect Smart TV platform has
continued to expand rapidly but with a singular focus to deliver to
our Smart VIERA HDTV and Blu-ray Disc Player owners an extremely
robust and interactive connected TV experience that can be
customized and enjoyed on their large-screen HDTVs," said
Merwan Mereby, Panasonic's Vice
President of Interactive Content & Services. "In 2012,
Panasonic is proud to strategically partner with cutting-edge
developers, brands and technologies that will take the VIERA
Connect Smart VIERA platform to new levels of connectivity, content
access, and engaging experiences for consumers."
An Already Impressive Line-up of Apps
First introduced in 2008, Panasonic's VIERA Connect offerings
already include a robust collection of many of the most popular
applications for social networking (including Skype™ voice and
video calling(3), YouTube™, Facebook, and Twitter), video content
(including Amazon Instant Video™, Netflix, Hulu™ Plus, and
Ustream), professional sports (including FOX Sports, MLS Matchday
Live, NBA Game Time, and NHL Game Center), gaming (Accedo Funspot,
Gameloft, and PlayJam), fitness (including BodyMedia, iFit, and
Withings), music (including Pandora and Shoutcast), news and
information (including AccuWeather, Associated Press, and WSJ Live)
and more.
VIERA Connect Availability
More than 60% of Panasonic's 2012 line of VIERA HDTVs will
feature full or limited access to VIERA Connect features.
Full VIERA Connect access will be available on a wide range
of VIERA® HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc™ Players and Home Theater
Systems including:
- VIERA Plasma HDTV -- VT50, GT50, ST50, and UT50 Series
models
- VIERA LED HDTV -- WT50, DT50, ET5, E50, and E5 Series
models
- Blu-ray Disc Players -- DMP-BBT01, DMP-BDT500, DMP-BDT320,
DMP-BDT220
- Home Theater Systems – SC-BTT490, SC-BTT195, SC-BTT19
USB connectivity on VIERA Connect-enabled HDTVs also enables the
addition of a wireless LAN adaptor (802.11b or faster), a keyboard
for more efficient navigation and communication, and USB memory
which supports AVCHD video and JPEG photos. There is no fee to use
the VIERA Connect functionality(4).
Developer's Portal
To promote third-party developer participation, Panasonic
introduced in 2011 the VIERA Connect Developer's portal where VIERA
Connect™ SDK and API are provided to third-party developers who
wish to apply to submit apps for inclusion on the VIERA Connect
Smart VIERA platform and Panasonic's Middleware technology is also
made available to connected device manufacturers.
In 2011, Panasonic also unveiled VIERA Connect Market™, a
service which allows consumers to personalize their VIERA Connect
experience via a rich catalog of apps from third-party application
developers. The VIERA Connect Market was also among the first IPTV
platforms to sell products including Panasonic LUMIX Digital
Cameras and Camcorders, and SD Memory Cards as well as third-party
peripherals including game controllers.
For information on Panasonic's VIERA Connect™ Smart TV platform
visit www.panasonic.com. You can also learn more about the
new apps and features for 2012 by visiting
www.panasonic.com/presskit.
About Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America
Based in Secaucus, N.J.,
Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America, a Division of Panasonic
Corporation of North America, the
principal North American Subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE:
PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and
R&D operations, offers a wide-range of consumer solutions in
the U.S. and Canada. The Company's portfolio of innovative
consumer products ranges from VIERA Full HD 3D Televisions, Blu-ray
players, LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Audio, Cordless
Phones, Home Appliances, Wellness and Personal Care products and
more.
Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the
earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the
company's Eco Ideas programs. Panasonic was the only Consumer
Electronics company to be listed in the top ten brands on the
Interbrand Best Global Green Brands 2011 ranking. Follow Panasonic
@panasonicdirect, and additional company information for media is
available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
Notes
- Specific go-live dates and availability details for 2012 VIERA
Connect™ applications will be announced at a later date. Some
2012 VIERA Connect applications will only be compatible with 2012
VIERA Connect-enabled Panasonic VIERA HDTVs due to specific
technology requirements required to activate certain
applications.
- Access to a broadband Internet connection is required to access
VIERA Connect features.
- Skype video calling requires a Skype-enabled camera available
from Panasonic, sold separately, to make video calls.
- There is no fee to use the VIERA Connect functionality however
some services have a separate fee structure to view movies and
sports events and certain apps available via VIERA Connect Market
require an additional fee.
SOURCE Panasonic