VIDEO: Google Announces Google TV

By Jane McEntegart
published

After weeks, nay months, of rumors, Google today confirmed a partnership with Sony, Intel and Logitech that will see the search giant foray into the TV business in a big way.

At Google I/O this morning, Google announced Google TV, an open source TV project based on a collaboration with Sony, Intel and Logitech. Sony will supply televisions based on Intel Atom CPUs and Logitech is designing remotes and wireless keyboards that will work with the smart TVs. The televisions will run a version of Google's Android OS.

Google is trying to bring the Internet to your living room. It's something that has been done before with widgets and the like but Google wants to do things a little bit differently. With Chrome built in, users will be able to switch from TV or Web and back again really easily. You'll also have the ability to search for shows to find out when they're on and where you can watch them. Google will search your DVR, the channels you have, YouTube and other Websites to find what you're looking for.

Though it sounds like you'll have to buy a new telly to try it out, that's not the case. Google says it's working with Sony and Logitech on a range of device, from TVs to Blu-ray players, to special companion boxes. These will go on sale in the fall from Best Buy stores nationwide. No word on pricing just yet.

Soon after the launch, Google is going to release an SDK so developers can start building applications and distributing them through the Android Market.

Check the video below for a quick preview of what Google TV has to offer.

Who's interested?

Jane McEntegart
28 Comments Comment from the forums
  • dameon51
    I can see this being big if executed properly. Yes you can already watch most anything you want online right now, but resources are mostly scattered. It would be nice if you could just type in what you want to watch and bam, you get it.
    Reply
  • fusion_gtx
    I agree that it could definitely be convenient. However, knowing Google, there will probably be something more in the fine print of whatever Terms of Service contract they make you agree to before you'll be able to use their service. Definitely worth keeping an eye on though.
    Reply
  • Jerky_san
    Yahoo says google isn't anything but a search engine but amazingly they are one of the most innovative companies going right now..
    Reply
  • fusion_gtx
    dameon51It would be nice if you could just type in what you want to watch and bam, you get it.
    It'll be interesting to see how this would work though. It may just be like trying to find something on the Internet now. Just Google it and see what comes up. If that's all it does for you then it's not really bringing anything together. However, if they did collaborate things from all over and have things more conveniently accessible then it would be a major improvement on the way things are done.
    Reply
  • climber
    Allowing internet companies access to every niche and inch of your electronic home via an open invitation as opposed to trying to fight their way through your firewall and anti-spyware, will be big for them, their advertisers but also the government... it's not bad enough the NSA collects 4 PB of data per month from US citizens not to mention spying on everyone else, but there's always the possibility of storing monitoring code on these new TVs as well. At least for now we still have our thoughts to ourselves, as long as we don't go beyond thinking something.
    Reply
  • SAL-e
    Hmm... Boxee vs. Google TV. Who is going to be the winner?! For now I am going to stick with Linux+XBMC.
    www.boxee.tv
    Reply
  • fusion_gtx
    SAL-eHmm... Boxee vs. Google TV. Who is going to be the winner?! For now I am going to stick with Linux+XBMC. www.boxee.tvYes, but what percentage of people do you think will go to the extent of setting this up(Even if they could figure it out). I'm not saying that it is difficult, but then again you have to remember how many people lack any technical know-how what so ever. People would pay for this just for the convenience that it represents.
    Reply
  • freiheitner
    As they say, Web meets TV ... WebTV. It flopped 10 years ago. Maybe now is "the right time" for it? Or will it flop again?
    Reply
  • Partnership with Sony for internet TV????

    I really don't like the sounds of this if Sony is involved, especially if it should be with broadcast content. Cause once everything gets setup and ready for the public, Sony will probably stick a monkey wrench in the viewing contract that'll require the viewer to pay more for internet TV than Cable or Satellite currently costs.

    Just look at how much Sony charges to watch one of their movies online through their viewing service. About $25 a pop which I find is not worth it. You can go out and buy the BlueRay for that price or the DVD for less or better yet, get the BlueRay from NetFlix, then return it or just stream it from NetFlix.
    Reply
  • micr0be
    i say the design of the wireless mouse and keyboard is THE most important part of that entire idea ......
    Reply