It’s pretty clear that the next battleground for app developers is destined to be the television – Both Samsung and LG have already pitched their “Smart TV” offerings this year, and now Panasonic is joining the party with the launch of Smart Viera.
Via the Viera Connect menu in this generation of televisions from the Japanese company, customers will be able to download applications to use on their Panasonic plasma and LCD TVs. The service is live today, but will probably only get really interesting come September, when Panasonic launches the SDK for developers to create their own apps.
Among the apps that are already available are a raft of basic games like Poker and Minesweeper, plus more common apps like Facebook and YouTube. There will also be support for third party accessories, like the Withings Wi-Fi scale.
Initially, all apps will have to be free offerings, with Panasonic set to explore paid apps in the future.
The bigger question is whether or not this actually impresses people? Would the ability to play games or download other apps directly through the TV sway you to buy a particular brand?
Stu
Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 10:30 AMmeh…. I presume this means that the “old” viera cast will no longer be updated? It would be nice if they simply supported their existing products. iview as a minimum would be great to have on the viera cast.
Paul Walker
Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 12:40 PMAgreed. I’ve got a VT20 and I’m not going to upgrade to get this.
BCK
Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 7:11 PMNot to be worried mate.
Panna’s new Bluray recorders have Viera cast in them, so id like to think they will still look after it.
Matt
Friday, May 13, 2011 at 12:42 AMWhyyy..!? So people will end up buying apps in a dead end platform that will be abandoned in 5 – 10 years if not sooner. They are trying to reinvent the wheel when Google have done all the heavy lifting.. ARE doing all the work for them.
ios29A
Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 4:12 PMSomebody got the SDK ?
There is almost no free information for developers, (one guy said that SDK isn’t released yet).
ofcourse, i can buy it, but there no info what i buy. why ?