Linux - The next TV Operating System
TOKYO — Sony, Matsushita and three other Japanese electronics makers plan to develop a join standard for new Internet televisions that will make it easier for people to see video available on the Web, a Sony spokeswoman said Thursday.
The TVs aim to make accessing video and similar online content easier than with computers, spokeswoman Mina Naito. The other companies involved are Sharp Corp., Toshiba Corp. and Hitachi Ltd.
The companies plan to start selling the new televisions as early as next year, the Nihon Keizai newspaper reported, without saying how it got its information. Naito said the timelines and other details of the products have not been disclosed.
The five rivals set up a joint company last month called TV Portal Service Corp. to develop a common standard for connecting the Web, Naito said. Sony and Matsushita are the lead shareholders, each with 35 percent stake. The others have 10 percent shares.
The Internet TVs will features a remote control that allows online access with the touch of a button and will also eliminate the need for a personal computer keyboard to make the gadget more user-friendly, the Nihon Keizai said.
The new televisions will use Linux operating systems instead of Microsoft Windows, it added. That feature is aimed at cutting the time needed to boot up and reducing the risk of virus infection.
Together, the five companies expect to sell 10 million to 20 million units by Japan’s 2011 changeover to terrestrial digital broadcasting, according to the report.
By HANS GREIMEL Associated Press Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press