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Panasonic, Mozilla team up to develop next-generation smart TVs(Japan Economic Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Jan. 7 -- (Kyodo) _ Panasonic Corp. and Mozilla Corp. said Monday they have agreed to form a partnership to develop software for next-generation Internet-capable "smart TVs." Under the deal, the two companies said they aim to create a new Firefox operating system, an open-source platform developed by U.S.-based Mozilla, enabling consumers to access smart TVs through smart phones and tablets. These TVs are expected to hit the market within fiscal 2014. Instead of developing its own OS for smart TVs, Panasonic, whose TV business has been struggling in the very competitive global market, has decided to team up with Mozilla and make use of the U.S. firm's Firefox OS platform. It will be the first time for TVs to be equipped with the Firefox OS which has been developed mainly for use with smart phones and computers. In the long run, the launch of the new Firefox OS is hoped to eventually lead to developing software which can operate home appliances and other items through smart TVs, the companies said. "Through Panasonic's partnership with Mozilla, we will create further innovation in smart TV technologies and features, which will take consumers to a whole new level of interaction and connectivity inside and outside of the home," Yuki Kusumi, director of the TV business division of the AVC Networks Co. of Panasonic, said in a press release. (c) 2014 Kyodo News International, Inc. |