All of Panasonic’s 2011 TVs will have VIERA Connect on board, rather than the current VIERA CAST system. The change is not a mere cosmetic one. Unlike VIERA CAST, VIERA Connect is an open platform, which means it will be available to developers of third-party content to promote the expansion of IPTV services and applications.

This will be collected into a new VIERA Connect Market section, where users will be able to select individual apps to personalize their IPTV portal.

Apps include Netflix, Amazon VOD, Napster, Pandora, Facebook, CinemaNow and Skype functionality. Other content includes the ability to play 3D games online through Gameloft.

Fifteen new flat-panel TVs models (42- to 65-inches) are compatible with this service, on release in the US market this spring.

The company expects to drive its IPTV sales up to 70% of its total television sales in the global market by 2012.

VIERA Connect is also shared with Panasonic’s first tablet device, shown in prototype. Few details were available about the VIERA Tablet but it will be capable of streaming content from a VIERA HDTV onto the tablet device, allowing users to effectively take their TV programming with them throughout the house. Samsung is showing a similar functionality on its Galaxy tablet and smart TVs.