Google made some waves yesterday when it announced the new Google TV platform, backed by major players like Sony, Logitech, Intel, Dish Network, and Best Buy. Built on Android and featuring the Chrome browser with a full version of Flash Player 10.1, Google TV is supposed to bring “the web to your TV and your TV to the web,” in Google’s words. It’s a lofty goal that many have failed to accomplish, but Google certainly has the money and muscle to pull it off.
Info for Consumers
- * With the Sony television sets, hardware will be integrated.
- * For non-Sony HDTVs, external hardware will use HDMI.
- * Hardware will be available exclusively from Best Buy.
- * Once you buy the hardware, the service will be free.
- * Google TV will eventually integrate with Sony Playstation.
Tech
- * Google TV is more robust than web TV or Apple TV; it’s not just a browser or a guide.
- * Instead of a “guide,” you’ll be able to search for and navigate both TV and online content.
- * You’ll be able to download and run Android (Android) apps from your TV.
- * You’ll be able to control your TV from your Android mobile device, including voice-activated searches.
- * Required bandwidth will depend on the kind of content you consume, but good performance can be expected from 3MB/s connections.
- * The technology “stack” is the Android OS (2.1 to start) with the Chrome (Chrome) browser.
Timelines
- * Developers can work on Google TV projects starting today.
- * Google TV will be available to consumers by fall 2010 in the U.S.
- * Aggressive international expansion is planned for 2011.
- * Android Market (Android Market) for Google TV will launch in early 2011.
- * Google TV APIs will be available in early 2011.
- * In summer 2011, Google TV will be open sourced.
