IBC 2011 – AMSTERDAM. Opera Software is introducing the Opera TV Store, a solution for developers to build HTML5 apps for connected TVs and devices. OEMs, on the other hand, can take advantage of these ready-made apps and offer them to their customers.
“Apps are a new must-have on TVs,” said Frode Hernes, VP Products, TV and Connected Devices, Opera Software, in a statement. “With the Opera TV Store, developers can easily build cool and useful apps for millions of TV viewers. And, yet again, Opera takes these apps across devices, bringing games, news, video and audio apps to TVs, set-top boxes and Blu-ray players.”
Using the flexibility of the web platform, development and deployment of apps is done in a snap. “Traditionally, the TV has been pretty static as a device. The era when you had to buy more expensive equipment to get new functions in the TV is over,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software. “New approaches to TV software, such as the Opera TV Store, makes it easier for OEMs to implement smarter functions on connected TVs and content providers to reach a wider audience with their HTML5 apps.”
Content providers have been adding apps for the debut of the Opera TV Store, and several leading web services have already published their apps. “Vimeo is excited to be developing for such a great platform as Opera TV Store,” said Andrew Pile, VP of product development, Vimeo. “We’re always looking to expand Vimeo everywhere and with the addition of Opera TV Store, we continue to bring high quality content to a wider audience.” As of today, Opera TV Store is available as trial software for OEMs.
Opera also presents the Opera TV Emulator, a tool that allows developers do all the nips and tucks needed to build various TV apps without leaving their computers, and without investing in expensive bells and whistles needed for TV development.
“Developing applications for TVs could not be easier,” said Andreas Bovens, group leader, development relations, Opera Software. “Opera TV Emulator offers a complete package to develop, debug and deploy TV applications right from your PC.”
