Sony and Opera have teamed up to spice up your living room-bound web browsing experience by integrating the Opera Web Browser into Sony BRAVIA televisions and Blu-ray Disc (TM) players (no word if this includes the PS3).
Of course, having Opera on your device won’t replace the one on your PC/smartphone/laptop with the support of a mouse/trackpad/touchscreen, but it’s a positive development considering we spend most of our time online. Just think, no more handing over your PC just so your friends/relatives/etc need to check or update their facebook status. Now with that in mind, will it support flash (for farmville-y folks)? No word on that yet but we’ll update as soon as more info is out.
Tech-savvy users frowning at this development will no doubt see the downside immediately as the browser is usually controlled via an interfaces using a pointer (a mouse and/or a touch surface). This is negligent of course if Sony introduces a Wii like interface but it’s highly unlikely. Regardless of the downside, one can see the benefit of having a modern browser built-in instead of slogging throught a prorpietary market app (like Samsung).
Opera Software today announced to deliver its world-class browser on Sony BRAVIA televisions and Blu-ray Disc (TM) players. Opera aims to deliver more “lean-forward”, interactive components to connected home users by offering Opera’s solution to Sony’s state-of-the-art devices.
The Opera Devices Software Developer Kit (SDK) is the cross-platform, standards-based backbone of Opera for connected TVs and Blu-ray Disc players. As a robust, open platform for creating web-standards-based solutions, Opera Devices SDK forms the ideal foundation for developing full web browsers and user interfaces. Opera brings customization and ease of content distribution to global markets by enabling the delivery of web applications, widgets, full web browsing and emerging standards such as HTML5, HbbTV and OIPF.
Previously, consumers were required to have multiple devices to surf the Internet while watching television. As more connected home electronics devices arrive in living rooms, Internet use is changing. The Internet is becoming more closely connected with people’s everyday life, such as the ability to enjoy video on-demand services on television, exchange opinions with friends through social networks about the program they are watching, and buy online directly from their televisions the items seen on TV dramas.
“The Web as we know it is evolving, and we are committed to making it more accessible across diverse devices,” said Christen Krogh, Chief Development Officer, Opera Software. “Our ability to address key hybrid broadcast-broadband initiatives in numerous markets makes us a natural fit with Sony. By delivering both a global viewpoint and the necessary technology, we are able to stay on the cutting edge of the industry.”
source: Opera