Panasonic VIERA Connect

What Internet Apps are included in Panasonic's Internet TV Platform?

by Sophia Schmidt, Contributor

Panasonic introduced its VIERA Connect IPTV system to the world at the CES 2011 show. Building off of its VIERA Cast IPTV cloud system, Panasonic has a more robust platform. They also improved channel offerings on VIERA Connect from just a few months ago, partnering with many more major content providers to create a well-rounded set of channels. Apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus, CinemaNow, NBA Gametime, MLB.tv., Amazon on Demand, NHL, You Tube and more are now part of the offering. Panasonic VIERA Connect showed off its new channel partner, Skype, by showcasing live video conferencing in a dedicated area on the show floor.

Panasonic is making its platform available to content developers, allowing them to create apps for VIERA Connect. We imagine that monthly additional games will be approved and added to the channel availability with no need for HDTV hardware updates.

VIERA Connect is also targeting the interactive gaming and social networking markets, adding games like Asphalt 5, facebook and twitter to its channel mix. A section of Panasonic's expansive booth presented several racing games, some in 3D, which are visual powerful, especially on Panasonic's plasma 3D tvs. Several game pads are already available for VIERA Connect. And, fitness buffs can use VIERA Connect to do things like use an elliptical while running the streets of Paris or cycling a roadway in Hawaii.

The VIERA Connect system itself is well-designed and organized and easy to use. We counted 50 major channels already available on the system. VIERA Connect will be available on Panasonic 2011 HDTVs and Blu-ray players. In partnership with Panasonic's VIERA tablet, users can view programming on both the HDTV display and the tablet (See our review of VIERA Tablet), which is another distinguishing feature solely in the hands of Panasonic. We anticipate fast followers to the competition.