Panasonic, Google Team on Internet TVs
January 08, 2008 | by Geoff Duncan
Google and Panasonic have teamed up on televisions that will directly access Internet content like YouTube and photo-sharing service Picasa.
Folks who want their Internet and their TV too may want to note a new partnership between Internet titan Google and Matsushita's Panasonic business unit: the two companies plan to bring the Panasonic Viera PZ850 plasma television to market in the second quarter of 2008, with the capability to directly access YouTube and video-sharing site Picasa without an intervening PC or media server.
"We are thrilled to introduce Panasonic Viera PZ850 series Internet-Connected HDTV's with virtual one-click access to YouTube and Picasa Web Albums from Google," said Panasonic AVC president Toshihiro Sakamoto, in a statement. "This is the first time mainstream consumers will be able to easily enjoy YouTube videos from the living room with the enhanced quality of a fully integrated widescreen TV experience."
Consumers will connect to YouTube and Picasa using Viera Cast, an "elegant" on-screen interface that enables users to browse, find, and display free online content.
Panasonic has provided no other technical or pricing details of the television, although since it's a plasma set we're going to bet it's 50-inches or larger and at least 720p resolution, although the company also makes 1080p plasma units. Reports from CES have the units sporting a 30,000:1 contrast ratio, HDMI connectivity, and an integrated SD slot for displaying digital photos. Matsushita has invested heavily in plasma development for large-screen televisions, only recently investing in LCD technology intended for smaller displays.
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project1007 on Jan 11th, 2008 at 9:29 PM:
I think this is the start of the future in TV innovations. I think consumers will start to realize that we the people need Cable and Internet and can not live without it. I Look forward to buying one these new gadets.