Google has officially announced Google TV platform at the I/O Conference. The new TV platform will be available as standalone set-top box or will come integrated directly into the TV set.
Google’s aim is to combine the world’s largest watched medium with internet and Google TV helps the search giant to fill the void. With an Intel Atom CE4100 CPU onboard, the platform can run Android OS and bring full web to the TV with built-in Chrome browser and Flash 10.1 support and run apps available from the Android market. Users can even search for their favorite program and Google TV will search the latest results from the internet, YouTube.
The first TV range powering Google TV platform is expected by Sony in fall of this year that will include a standalone TV model and set-top box like unit with integrated Blu-ray drive.
Additionally, Logitech will introduce a companion box in the same period that will enable any HDTV to take advantage of Google TV.
Other partners include DISH Network, Best Buy and Adobe.
These are exciting times! When Paul Otellini talked recently about Smart TV being the “biggest change since the move to colour” it looks like he meant it! Sony+Google is huge! And then there is the recent UPC announcement http://bit.ly/cktXaq (they’re the biggest cable guys in Europe), and the Orange announcement http://bit.ly/9BWutj and the Telecom Italia announcement http://bit.ly/aCtP0V … it looks like Smart TV is going to be impressive. (@connectedtelly)