Panasonic has revamped its existing Viera Cast IPTV (internet-protocol television) platform to become Viera Connect, and also introduced a companion touch-screen LCD terminal dubbed the Viera Tablet, in an effort to capitalise on two of the hottest trends seen at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this year: internet-connected HDTVs and tablet PCs.
Viera Connect
Worried that the previous title of Viera Cast may be too didactic and restricted, the Japanese TV manufacturer decided to change the name of its internet TV portal to Viera Connect to better resonate with consumers looking for more interaction and personalisation from their internet-enabled television (IETV) sets. As a result, 2011 Panasonic HDTV models will sport the Viera Connect rather than Viera Cast platform.
Besides inheriting existing services like YouTube, Twitter, Skype, Amazon video-on-demand (VoD), Bloomberg, Pandora and Netflix from VieraCast, the Viera Connect platform is further bolstered by new web-connected apps such as Facebook, Hulu Plus, Napster, CinemaNow, Ustream and select catch-up sports broadcasts. Also fresh is the Viera Connect Market store, from which users can download third-party applications to customise their Panasonic flat-screen televisions with even more functionalities.
At its CES 2011 press conference, the company demonstrated a 3D racing game (Asphalt 5 developed by mobile game specialist Gameloft) which can be downloaded and played directly on Viera internet-connected TVs even against other online players, and a body weight and fitness monitoring programme from BodyMedia. Similar to what Samsung did with its Smart TV offering last year, Panasonic is inviting application developers to create new TV apps on its open Viera Connect platform.
Viera Tablet
Joining other hardware manufacturers who showcased one tablet after another at the CES 2011 largely due to the runaway popularity of the Apple iPad, Panasonic also unleashed a new portable tablet device on unsuspecting journalists at its CES press event.
Different from other tablet PCs launched at the trade show, the Viera Tablet is meant to be used as a companion device to HD TV displays featuring the Viera Connect interface, instead of as a standalone gadget. Providing access to a variety of cloud-based services on Viera Connect HDTV sets, the Android-based tablet can be used as a touchscreen remote control, or as a secondary display to enjoy web-connected services, partake in social networking activities, stream live TV broadcast or watch multi-angle content (e.g. football replays from alternate angles).
Available in three sizes of 4, 7 and 10 inches judging from the prototypes exhibited at Panasonic’s CES booth, the Viera Tablet will be rolled out globally “later this year”, said the company.
Great… just bought the top of the line Panasonic Plasma and your telling me it’s IP TV is already out of date… thats pathetic!
Viera Cast in Australia was hopless as it was and now it looks like we have all been foolishly waiting for it to expand. Not happy Panasonic…!
Panasonic really needs to up the services on Viera Cast to match Viera Connect, otherwise LOTS of unhappy Viera Cast ‘suckers’ will NEVER buy Panasonic again. You cannot betray your customers who have forked out very high prices for ‘top notch’ products.
Does anyone know whether Panasonic have any intentions of updating Viera Cast? Would be great (in UK anyway) to get BBC iPlayer and ITV equivalent.
Panasonic please help the early investors and adopters in Viera Cast have an upgrade path to Viera Connect. Don’t leave us stranded.
Just bought my V10 model less than 10 months ago and would expect to keep the TV for more than a year. If the life cycle of your products are less than a year then I’ll be shopping for another brand from now on. #keepmefaithfultothebrand.
My BD65 is only 6 months old. If Viera Cast isn’t upgraded to include all the features of Viera Connect it might well force me to needlessly buy a new device.
I promise you it won’t be a Panasonic.
Just updated the software from Vierracast to Vierra Connect market but still no iPlayer etc. Still not happy, thought I’d bought a top of the range TV. Come on Panasonic get your fingers out, could have bought a TV at a third of the price, with better internet facilities.
I bought Panasonic TV with Viera cast 2 years ago in the UK fora LOT of money and hoped that the platform would expand to include more, especially the on line Amazon films which USA can get. Not happy at the change. But for others- I have my wireless router connected to the TV and Freewiew is in the TV. You can then get BBC I player on channel 901. Only tv programmes not radio.
Now, I am not a gaming person, but it seems to me that the best thing to do is buy a PS3. That way you get a market leading Blue Ray Player, Hard Disc Recorder, Catch-up TV and Pay To View Films that can be down loaded rather than streamed…Oh and it has built in WiFi so no need to buy an overpriced Dongle!
Now, who makes the PS3…Sony…Panasonic you are behind the market, losing ground and letting your customers down.
Very happy with my V10 quality wise, but Viera Cast is a major let down.
Agree with the comment to go with a PS3.
What’s a big shame is Panasonic should be responding to blogs like this and getting involved, as this is how brands are destroyed these days…
Looks like a great product, but wait I have a V10 model with Viera Cast which product is dead. I would have to purchase a new TV to take advantage of this. So therefore I did purchase a PS3 to get around this a little bit. But anybody that is thinking about purchasing a Panasonic TV to be able to use the technology, Don’t waste of money because in a year or two they will not upgrade it and you would have to purchase another new TV. I really like the picture quality of the Panasonic V10 that I have but I regret the purchase since I was sold on the Viera Cast over the Samsung. I will not make that mistake again.
I just spoke to Panasonic about upgrading the V10 to Viera COnnect and said it can’t be done. I’m a pissed customer also…will never buy a Panasonic again. 2 Years old and outdated. Even the the Stock Market icon that was there is now gone as they don’t even want want to send daily updates to the TV anymore.
I spent over $2,000 on my Panasonic V10 series Plasma with Viera Cast with the understanding that new apps would be added over time. In fact the sales person’s demo highlighted the “Coming Soon” icons as “evidence that the initial offering would be expanded. Since Panasonic has screwed their loyal customers I would like to suggest that we screw them……I will not allow another Panasonic product to come into my household as long as I am drawing breath. All of you out there should do the same.
Feeling betrayed by Panasonic, I have a 3D TV and a 3D player from Panasonic and like all of the other customers would have been able to update my Vierracast, to Vierra connect. What is coming soon in the vierracast flashing boxes???a scam will not buy panasonic again unless they rectify this situation and take care of thier customers.
I’m very disappointed with Panasonic! With today’s internet connectivity it’s very easy and low cost for Panasonic to update firmware. I have decided that unless Panasonic gets it’s act together, then it’s going to be LG or Samsung when it’s time to change sets.
Premium Panasonic at premium price with bargain basement support!!!