Along with the likes of Panasonic and Samsung, Sony have unveiled their own technology to bring the internet directly to your TV screen.

Sony's 'AppliCast' technology connects the latest range of BRAVIA TVs through a built-in Ethernet port to provide internet connectivity.

Along with others manufacturers developing similar technology, AppliCast does not provide full blown internet access but allows consumers to access 'widget' like applications to subscribe to RSS feeds, look up stock quotes, check the weather etc.

The technology to bring the internet to your TV has been around for a while and the likes of Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic now believe that consumers are ready to embrace the internet through a medium they previously reserved for TV programmes or movies.

Sony have confirmed that AppliCast will be integrated into a number of their 2009 LCD TV's which include the W5500 (32/37/40/46/52-inch), E5500 (32/40-inch), E5300 (22-inch) and V5500 (32/37/40/46/52-inch).

Panasonic's desire to integrate the web with their TV's has seen the introduction of 'Viera Cast' internet-enabled flat panel TV's. They enable consumers using a dedicated cast interface to easily browse and watch free videos from YouTube and view photos from Picasa Web Albums. These IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) enabled screens will eventually offer a whole host of streaming services over the internet and will arrive in Europe in Spring 2009.

With the arrival of their Series 7, 8 and 9 LCD TV's, the Korean manufacturer Samsung has introduced InfoLive. InfoLive streams up-to-date information (news, weather and stock information) through RSS feeds, working in partnership with Yahoo!. The InfoLive service is operated direct from the TV's remote control and has been designed so as not to 'swamp' the screen with content. A tickertape of news items, share prices or weather forecasts runs in tandem with the current TV programme.

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