Sony plans to bring the Opera web browser to select Bravia HDTVs, IPTVs and standalone Blu-ray players later this year, which will give the Japanese manufacturer a more reliable browser software partner.
Sony partnering with Opera is curious considering Sony and Google were in a partnership that has greatly disappointed consumers. Google TV was rushed to market too soon, and users clearly weren't ready to begin using software with a poor user experience in the living room. Prior to CES, it was announced that hardware manufacturers would hold back on Google TV product launches while Google worked on software changes.
Opera has branched away from PCs and mobile phones into the living room, which is a wise choice as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and other PC rivals haven't migrated as quickly. Google TV uses Google Chrome as the default web browser, but Chrome has been unable to find another home in the living room market.
Opera and other software companies are finding ways to directly enter the market, but will need to adapt as Microsoft Windows TV is released while similar rivals are in the pipeline.
Sony and other HDTV manufacturers want to align themselves with online services consumers are currently interested in using. For example, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, and other popular online portals have found their way into the living room through HDTVs, set-top boxes, Blu-ray players and game consoles.
Web browsing will remain one of the most important features of connected products, and Opera is still the market leader for mobile phones. The web browser has found its way onto products from Toshiba, Sharp, Philips, Sony, and other manufacturers are expected to jump onboard as Opera learns to better tweak its software away from the PC and mobile phone.
