(SYS-CON Media) - Opera Software announced that it has now entered the realm of home automation. Kocom, a Korea-based leader in digital home networking, has selected its AJAX Based Opera browser for its new Wall Pad KHN-U881, the latest addition to Kocom's family of home networking products.

Designed for use in large residential communities, Kocom's Wall Pad will allow users to access any Web site from the device screen. This will enable community news and important announcements, along with favorite Web pages, to be communicated immediately to all residents.Kocom is also using Opera to deliver the user interface to the device. With Web technology, user interfaces can be updated as quickly and easily as a Web page.

"We required a powerful Web browser for our new Wall Pad in order to provide a seamless Web experience as well as a Web-based user interface, and Opera proved to be the browser maker who could meet and exceed our requirements" says Ihnguen Nam, Director, Kocom Co. Ltd. "Opera is a versatile tool that enables us to update the Wall Pad system quickly and dynamically, which is important to our customers."

Kocom's Wall Pad KHN-U881 is designed to meet the needs of modern residential communities, providing security through visitor identification and convenience with the built in telephone and Web browser. The first deployment of Kocom's Wall Pad will be in the Korean market.

"Home automation is an exciting new market for Opera, and we are delighted to be working with Kocom to deliver our browser to their Wall Pad," says Scott Hedrick, Executive Vice President of Device for Opera Software. "As more devices are now connected, we see an increased interest in adding a Web browser as well as using Web technology to create user interfaces and deliver Web-based services. The combination of Opera and Web technologies can dramatically reduce time-to-market and reduce project costs while increasing the dynamism of the solution."