We recently looked at LG’s Smart TV features and in this article we will take a look at Panasonic’s new Viera Connect internet platform and the Viera App Market that is available in the 2011 TVs.
Viera Connect and Viera Market
If you have a Panasonic TV from 2010 there’s a good chance that you also have the so-called Viera Cast, which is an internet platform. In 2011 Panasonic has the next generation ready called Viera Connect with a Viera App Market. These Smart TV feature will be available in most of Panasonic’s new TVs.
Panasonic Viera Market
The Viera Connect platform has access to a range of services and Apps in different categories, including games. Most Apps are free but some cost. The Viera Market is an open platform in order to attract App developers.
Panasonic Viera Market
Three of the main categories are called video, catch-up TV and music. Different services will be accessible in different countries.
Games on the TV
Panasonic believes that gaming is a growth market. Therefore they have partnered with Gameloft to deliver “cloud” gaming directly to Panasonic’s TVs. The TVs have no built-in processor power but accesses games over the internet from an external server.
Panasonic Viera Market
Above you see a racing game, but Panasonic also demonstrated small, simple games like chess.
Panasonic Viera Market
Control everything with your iPad
At CES 2011 in Las Vegas Panasonic exhibited a tablet prototype. Unfortunately they did not bring this tablet to London but they did bring an Apple iPad to show how Apple’s popular devices can be used to control Panasonic’s TVs.
Panasonic Viera Market
A handy feature is the keyboard. Say you want to search a YouTube clip, then you would typically use an on-screen keyboard. But by using an iPad you can get a full QWERTY keyboard and a large screen.
Feel like running?
If you would rather prefer some exercise Panasonic also has a running App available from the Viera market that can be hooked up to a running machine.
Panasonic’s running App
With the App you can keep track of burned calories, distance and much more. You can even go for a virtual tour in the streets of New York or Los Angeles with the Google Maps integration.
Skype - and other features
Skype was introduced last year and continues on the 2011 models. Only few people own a Skype camera for their TV and that’s why it’s handy that you can also call laptops and smartphones with Skype installed.
Skype on Panasonic’s TVs
More Apps will be added later on. Panasonic has created an open platform with Viera Market. Some Apps will also be available on the 2010 models with Viera Cast but not all, Panasonic says.
A look at Panasonic Viera Connect & Viera Market
