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First Smart TVs Powered By Firefox OS On Sale In Europe, Worldwide Soon

Posted by samzenpus on from the brand-new dept.

An anonymous reader writes: The first smart TVs powered by Firefox OS have gone on sale in Europe. Panasonic's line of Viera smart TVs includes six that are powered by Firefox OS — CR850, CR730, CX800, CX750, CX700 and CX680 — including their first curved LED LCD TV. The full global launch of the TVs is expected “in the coming months.” From the Mozilla blog: "We’re happy to partner with Panasonic to bring the first Smart TVs powered by Firefox OS to the world,” said Andreas Gal, Mozilla CTO. “With Firefox and Firefox OS powered devices, users can enjoy a custom and connected Web experience and take their favorite content (apps, videos, photos, websites) across devices without being locked into one proprietary ecosystem or brand.”

6 of 119 comments (clear)

  1. Updates by Teun · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Yes it is nice to have another Linux system available on TV's.
    But more important is for how long, if at all, the manufacturer will support security and other updates.
    Most important is if we can install a system of our own choice.

    --
    "The likes of Facebook and WhatsApp are free to those whose privacy is of zero value."
    1. Re:Updates by thegarbz · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Most important is if we can install a system of our own choice.

      Who cares? No really outside of a few geeks who are likely already running out and buying dumb TVs due to the typical anti-corporate agenda type anger at company developed software, who really cares? The average consumer doesn't, and the average geek has shunned smartTVs for the ultra slow, ultra crap "smart" experience they typically bring.

      The vast majority of people barely know how a SmartTV works and are happy enough when the program guide correctly displays.
      The small minority who do use the Smarts are happy enough to get a weather update and youtube.
      The only people who care have already completely given up on the worthless steaming pile of excrement that is the TV vendor's software and will run Kodi, Apple TV, Chromecasts or similar such small devices.

      I would go one step further and say the single most important feature that Panasonic TVs and Firefox OS can bring: A TV which actually turns on in under 30 bloody seconds. Everything else security included (who would be dumb enough to attach a smart TV to the internet after every vendor has been caught out attempting to screw their customers).

    2. Re:Updates by Barsteward · · Score: 4, Interesting

      i'm hoping for Adblock to work on commercial TV

      --
      "The hands that help are better far than lips that pray." - Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899)
    3. Re:Updates by 605dave · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Well I bought a Panasonic TV two years ago and have to go through a "Home" screen before I get what I want. Oh, and there are ads on this home screen. But the worst part? Ads would occasionally appear over the content when using the volume controls. That's right, hit volume up and get an ad from United Airlines!

      I did manage to turn off the ads but swore I'd never buy another Panasonic.

      --
      Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a difficult battle. - Plato
  2. Hope it's better... by Sooner+Boomer · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ...than my android powered LG 47G2 "smart" TV - it SUCKS! Google updated android in spite of everything I tried to prevent it, and broke a LOT of functions. And there's no way to back out of the "upgrades". I called LG and they blame google. Google says it is an issue with LG. I bet the same thing happens with Firefox OS and these new TVs.

    --
    Chaos maximizes locally around me.
  3. Just what I needed...? by lopaka1998 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Just what I needed... a TV that...

    * updates automatically every few weeks whether I want it to or not.
    * sends *anonymous* viewing data to "improve the experience", against my will.
    * changes the interface on the tv, and meanings of the buttons on the remote every 3rd or so update.
    * that I will need to install adblock plus on to get rid of ads or keep them under control.
    * that I will spend needless hours trying to find how to activate the power button after an update reconfigures the power button to require the auxillary button to be pushed down at the same time.
    * requires that I install plug-ins that also self update just to get the tv to operate the way I want it to.
    * that requires a unplug/ replug every few days as it runs out of ram and slows down channel switching and video output to a crawl.
    * that as an organization, doesn't listen to it's user base and does what it wants instead.


    NO THANKS, MOZILLA!!!