Sony and Google today announced an alliance to provide a range of new and rich entertainment experiences that combine Google's Android OS with Sony's expertise in technology and product design.
As the first step in this collaboration, Sony will introduce Sony Internet TV, the world's first TV to incorporate the Google TV platform. Through an easy-to-use interface, consumers will be able to search and access content from their TVs and across the Internet. Sony Internet TV is scheduled to first launch in the U.S. the Fall of 2010 with the lineup featuring both a standalone TV model and set top box-type unit incorporating a Blu-ray Disc drive.
Google TV Partners
In addition to Sony, Google TV is initially supported by the following companies: Intel, Logitech, Best Buy DISH Network and Adobe.
Google TV is based on the Android platform and runs the Google Chrome web browser. Users can access all of their usual TV channels as well as a world of Internet and cloud-based information and applications, including rich Adobe Flash based content. When coupled with the Intel Atom CE4100 processor, Intel's latest system-on-chip designed specifically for consumer electronics, the new platform aims to offer home theatre quality A/V performance.
Sony and Logitech will be delivering products based on the new Intel Atom processor and running Google TV later this year. While Google TV is designed to work with any TV operator, at launch the user experience will be fully optimized when paired with DISH Network.
The Google TV experience is complemented by the ability to watch streaming video from leading content platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, and YouTube. Google will also have the capability to run apps from the Android Market.
To navigate the array of content that will now be available through a single device and on a single screen, Google TV introduces an integrated search experience to help viewers easily find relevant content across over-the-air and pay-TV channel listings, DVR, and the Internet, as well as a picture-in-picture layout to access multiple windows simultaneously. Google TV also features an innovative home screen to help viewers quickly organize their favorite content and personalize their TV viewing experience. Some of these features are only available with advanced integration from DISH Network.
Logitech will introduce a companion box that brings Google TV to existing HDTV home entertainment systems, easily integrating with any brand or HDTV and set-top box. The companion box will incorporate Logitech's Harmony remote control technology, and will include a controller that combines keyboard and remote control capabilities. The company also plans to introduce an HDTV camera and video chat for Google TV, along with additional choices for navigation and control, including apps to turn a smartphone into an advanced controller for Google TV and home entertainment systems.
Finally, Adobe Flash Player 10.1 will be integrated directly into the Google Chrome browser on Google TV, enabling viewers to experience tens of millions of Web pages with rich Flash content including games, animations, applications, videos, audio and more.
Google also announced that they will soon release a set of TV specific APIs for web applications, encouraging Web developers to begin building unique Web applications for use on television sets. Later this year Google will also release an updated Android SDK, which will support applications built for Google TV.
Google also plans to open source the Google TV platform to help spur innovation in the industry and so that other developers can benefit from the project. The long term goal is to collaborate with the entire developer community to help drive entertainment in the living room forward and to introduce the next generation of TV-watching experience.
For more information about the project, visit Google TV.
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