Panasonic presents new UHD TVs running updated Firefox OS

Pic Courtesy: AFP Relaxnews

Panasonic is showing off a new line of DX900 UHD TVs at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), running an updated version of Firefox OS. Instead of trying to push its OS further into the smartphone sector, the Mozilla Foundation is continuing its collaboration with the Japanese tech giant.

The latest version of Firefox OS (2.5) helps users find their favorite channels, applications (e.g., Vimeo, Atari, AOL On, Giphy), videos and websites quickly, as well as pin favorite content onto the TV's home screen.

The first Panasonic TVs to come loaded with Firefox OS were presented back at CES 2015, in the firm's new series of Viera 4K smart TVs.

The 2016 line-up comes at a tricky time for the Mozilla Foundation, which announced in December 2015 that it would be halting development on its free, alternative mobile operating system (Firefox OS) for smartphones. Launched less than three years ago, it's currently available in around 40 countries in primarily budget handsets sold by local cellphone networks. However, the system hasn't managed to find a place for itself in a market heavily dominated by Android and iOS, which account for 98% of sales according to Gartner's figures.

Although conscious that the platform doesn't offer an optimal user-experience after several years of development, Mozilla has decided to continue experimenting with its system in connected devices such as TVs.

CES runs through January 9 in Las Vegas. Website: cesweb.org