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Google TV Gets Its Formal Unveiling

SAN FRANCISCO — Google took
the wraps off the future of its expanding
product portfolio when it formally
introduced a collaboration with Intel,
Sony, Logitech, Rovi 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
HDTV’s and Blu-ray players while
Logitech will sell a set-top box that
connects to existing TV sets.
Best Buy was named a launch partner
for all three products.

In addition, Rovi said it is working
on a version of its interactive program
guide to run on the platform, and
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.

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
programs 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 — 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 nonphone-
specific Android Apps such as
Pandora music streaming, video games
and other media.

Specific pricing and models have not
been disclosed by the various manufacturer
partners.

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