Opera to provide browser technology for Sony's new BRAVIA Internet Video Link

Thursday, August 30th, 2007
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Oslo, Norway — Opera Software, the only company that puts the Web on any device, today announced that Sony Electronics has selected the Opera browser for Sony’s new BRAVIA Internet Video Link, a module that attaches to the back of new Bravia televisions to access select free Internet video content. Opera will be used as the browser technology of the system and enable browsing of the available Internet video content that can be streamed directly to the television from providers such as Yahoo!, AOL and Crackle.

The BRAVIA Internet Video Link is available for a majority of Sony’s 2007 BRAVIA televisions including flat-panel LCD and SXRD and 3LCD micro-displays HDTVs. The module links the television set directly through HDMI and USB connections and connects to broadband Internet service providers via an Ethernet connection. The content can then be accessed directly on the TV without use of a personal computer.

The BRAVIA Internet Video Link module uses the Opera 9 SDK for Devices to bring video from the Web to the TV screen, and allows Sony to perform the integration themselves. Opera’s SDK is a complete toolkit that delivers the power of Web technology to any device, allowing for complete user interfaces to be quickly created and easily updated or customized for customers. Opera’s browser allows users of Sony’s Internet Video Link to easily navigate select Internet video content from the content providers and display it on the TV.

“Sony has realized the potential of Internet video on the TV, and Opera is excited to contribute to this breakthrough product,” says Scott Hedrick, Senior Vice President for business solutions at Opera Software. “Using our SDK, Sony was able to quickly build this compelling solution to bring Internet content into the living room.”

Availability

The BRAVIA Internet Video Link is currently planned for deployment in the United States only. It is currently available at Sony Style, www.sonystyle.com and at authorized Sony dealers across the country.

Links: Sony Corporation; Opera.