LAS VEGAS — Given the prevalent push towards Internet-connected TVs at CES 2011 this year, it’s no surprise that Panasonic is along for the ride. But Panasonic is shuffling its brand a bit with a name change for Viera Cast.
Now dubbed Viera Connect, the service is intended to be personalized, and it will host the Viera Connect Market with a “wide range” of third-party applications. The IPTV platform will be open to app developers and middleware technology will be available to connected device manufacturers.
Some of the already planned apps that will be optimized for display on Viera HDTVs include programs from MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Ustream, BodyMedia, Withings and Hulu Plus.
To match the new Viera Connect platform, Panasonic also introduced the Viera Tablet. (You knew one was coming.) However, this one isn’t like most of the slate PCs we’ll see debuted at CES 2011. The Android-based tablet works in conjunction with Viera Connect
as a smart terminal by providing access to variety of cloud services via Viera HDTVs. Expected to launch to the global market “later this year,” the Viera Tablet will sport an LCD display in variety of sizes ranging from four to 10 inches. 
Related coverage on ZDNet:
- CES: Panasonic rolls out slew of HD camcorders ready for 2D, 3D recording
- CES: Panasonic announces trio of SD camcorders with 78x zoom
- CES: Panasonic 16MP Lumix FH25, FH27 pocket cameras sport Smart touch screens
- CES: Panasonic intros entry-level Lumix S1, S3 digital cameras
- CES: Panasonic debuts ‘fashionable’ Lumix FP5, FP7 with touch-control LCDs
- CES: Panasonic unveils Lumix FH2, FH5 cameras with Leica DC lenses
