Google has confirmed that it is working with Sony and Logitech to include its open TV platform in televisions, Blu-ray players and set top boxes.
“Imagine turning on the TV and getting all the channels and shows you normally watch and all of the websites you browse all day — including your favorite video, music and photo sites. We’re excited to announce that we’ve done just that,” Salahuddin Choudhary, Google TV Product Manager, explained in an official blog post.
“With Google Chrome built in, you can access all of your favorite websites and easily move between television and the web. This opens up your TV from a few hundred channels to millions of channels of entertainment across TV and the web. With the entire Internet in your living room, your TV becomes more than a TV — it can be a photo slideshow viewer, a gaming console, a music player and much more.”
According to Choudhary, Google TV leverages search to give viewers an easy way to navigate television channels, websites, apps, shows and movies.
“For example, already know the channel or program you want to watch? Just type in the name and you’re there. Want to check out that funny YouTube video on your 48” flat screen? It’s just a quick search away.
“If you know what you want to watch, but you’re not sure where to find it, just type in what you’re looking for and Google TV will help you find it on the web or on one of your many TV channels.”
Choudhary noted that Google had already “challenged” web developers to begin designing the “next great web” and Android apps created specifically for the TV experience.
“Developers can start optimizing their websites for Google TV today. Soon after launch, we’ll release the Google TV SDK and web APIs for TV so that developers can build even richer applications and distribute them through Android Market,” he added.
Google TV enabled devices are expected to go on sale this fall at Best Buy stores across the US.
