14 DAY TRIAL // After hinting two upcoming Android devices, Via Tablet and Via Phone, Vizio is now officially announcing its VIA Plus ecosystem, which is expected to provide consumers with a seamless connected experience.
The most interesting thing about the ecosystem is the fact that it allows consumers to watch on-demand content and download applications across multiple electronic devices including Vizio HDTVs, Blu-ray players, smartphone and tablets.
Thanks to the new service, consumers will be able to search, organize and access their favorite apps more easily.
The VIA Plus experience is a unified, intuitive user interface that allows consumers to quickly group favorite apps by categories, customize the dock with their most frequently accessed apps or switch apps with the multitasking bar.
“The promise of a unified consumer experience across multiple screens and devices has been unfulfilled until now,” said Matthew McRae, chief technology officer at VIZIO.
“With VIA Plus, VIZIO is delivering the first true integrated ecosystem across multiple classes of devices and enabling a simple yet powerful interface for consumers to enjoy their applications, services, and content.”
According to Vizio, VIA Plus HDTVs and Blu-rays will incorporate Google TV and feature a premium Bluetooth QWERTY universal remote with touchpad, dual-band 802.11n built-in Wi-Fi and enhanced on-screen navigation including search and web browser.
Expected to be available this summer, the VIA Plus Phone and Tablet will be based on the Android platform and feature built-in IR blaster with universal remote control app, HD playback with HDMI output.
“We know we have tremendous interest and support from our current distribution for new VIA devices, but always are mindful of what the end user wants. With the proliferation of platforms and apps now available to connected devices, navigating and learning different interfaces can be frustrating to end users,” said Mr. McRae.
“With that in mind, VIA Plus presents a simple, consistent, and elegant interface so users can quickly access the entertainment they seek on devices from a 4" mobile phone to a 65" Theater 3D HDTV,” concluded McRae
Vizio stated that it would demonstrate VIA Plus devices at CES from January 6 to 9, 2011.