UPDATED 06:10 EDT / JANUARY 06 2015

Sony embraces Android TV NEWS

Sony embraces Android TV, Panasonic debuts Firefox OS TV’s, Samsung goes Tizen | #CES2015

Sony embraces Android TV

There’s movement in the TV operating system space at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show is Las Vegas with some new announcements, and a finally delivered product.

Perhaps the most surprising announcement has been Sony Corp.’s decision to abandon its own systems to exclusively use Google’s Android TV.

Sony CEO Kaz Hirai said that along with the exclusive use of Android TV, Sony TV’s will also support Google Cast, which will allow users to “cast” content from Google Play on their mobile devices to their TV, including apps and games.

Other features include a remote with is described a “giant trackpad” that includes a inbuilt microphone that supports voice search.

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Panasonic/ Firefox OS

Over at fellow Japanese manufacturer Panasonic Corp., the company has finally debuted its first range of Firefox OS powered televisions.

firefoxosThe operating system will feature in Panasonic’s next-generation Life+ Screen 4K Ultra HD (CX600, CX650, CX800 and CX850 models) that will go on sale in spring.

The interface is said to allow users to quickly access their favorite content – including live TV, applications, websites and content on other devices. Further, there is allowance for on-screen notifications from applications, and, in the future, from compatible connected appliances.

“We’ve made it easy to find your favorite content and applications or customize the user interface on our Life+ Screen 4K Ultra HD Smart TVs, powered by Firefox OS,” Panasonic’s Yuki Kusumi said in a statement. “Firefox OS uses open Web technologies, which allow us to maximize compatibility with other devices like smartphones and laptops to send content (such as your favorite photos or videos) to your TV.”

The new Panasonic TVs will be the first to offer Firefox OS; previously the OS has only appeared on a small number of phones.

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tizenSamsung/ Tinzen OS

While some are embracing more well known platforms, Samsung Electronics Co. has instead gone in the opposite direction, announcing a range of new TV’s powered by its Tizen OS.

Developed in house by Samsung, Tizen is a Linux-based open source source OS that is a platform for multiple device categories, including smartphones, tablets, netbooks, in-vehicle infotainment devices, smart TVs, and more.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Samsung is widening the use of Tizen to beef up its own internal software capabilities as it attempts to compete better with Google and Apple Inc. in the lucrative market for software and services. In particular it’s being pitched as an alternative to Google’s Android at a time that Samsung’s revenues for mobile devices are declining.

The OS has previously been used in a Samsung smart watch, with promises of Tizen powered mobile phones coming later in 2015.


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