San Francisco –
formally
revealed at its Android developer conference Thursday that it is working in
collaboration with Intel, Sony, Logitech and others to develop and market
Google TV-enabled products, which will be based on the Android software
platform.
Planned devices include TVs, Blu-ray players and a set-top box that
will bring Google TV capability to existing devices.
The open platform is said to integrate the Web with television
using Flash-compatible hardware.
Google TV is scheduled to arrive in set-top boxes and televisions
this fall, the company said.
Sony will sell Google TV-enabled HDTVs and Blu-ray players while
Logitech will sell a set-top box that connects to existing TV sets.
In addition, the Dish Network said it will offer a Google TV-powered one-click DVR recording feature on set-top boxes for its satellite-TV
service.
Best Buy was named a launch partner for all three products.
The system offers a powerful user interface that melds Web
content with traditional TV programming delivered by cable and satellite-TV
service providers.
In searching for specific TV shows viewers are presented with options
available for that program and similar program via traditional service
providers or from online services such as Hulu, Amazon and Netflix.
By using Flash viewers will have access to a wide range of Web
video content, as well as games and streaming music sites such as Pandora.
Google said selections will be made via a single remote, which is
expected to incorporate some form of keyboard or softkey system, which will be
displayed by manufacturers in their finished products.
Google TV devices will also be capable of accepting input from Android-based mobile phones. Search commands can be dictated into an Android phone and
relayed to the Google TV device via Wi-Fi.
Video programs on the phones can also be sent to a Google TV for
playback on a larger screen.
Like an Android phone, the Google TV devices will also support
some non-phone-specific Android Apps such as the Pandora music streaming, video
games and other media.
Specific pricing and models have not been disclosed by the
various manufacturer partners.
