The first Firefox OS-powered Panasonic smart TVs are available in European markets following a CES 2015 debut, with models including the curved 4K 65-inch CR850 and 55-inch CR730, and the flat CX800, CX750, CX700 and CX680.
The OS features an interesting UI based on a series of "decks" collecting apps, games and favourite channels, and is HTML5 optimised for "strong" web app performance. Customers can also cast content from smartphones or tablets connected to the same wifi network, and access familiar video-on-demand apps of the Netflix, Hulu and YouTube variety.
“We’re happy to partner with Panasonic to bring the first Smart TVs powered by Firefox OS to the world,” Mozilla says. “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.”
As for the actual TVs, Panasonic includes a wide colour phosphor "4K Studio Master" engine for professional colour accuracy (via industry-standard 3D look-up tables, apparently), HDR and 10-bit colour capability for more subtle colour gradations.
