Google TV To Come To Sony HDTVs?

Google has recently announced its intention to jump into the HDTV market, signing a partnership with Sony and Intel.

Believing in the profitability of internet-enabled HDTVs, the three companies are working on Google TV, a web application platform that will allow viewers to surf for online information and access online video content on their HDTVs just as they normally would on their computers. Indeed, Google TV will transform HDTVs into more like computers - a reverse of the current trend of making computers into HDTV entertainment centers.

Google TV promises to be a full web browser, similar to the Google Chrome web browser. It will make use of Google’s Android operating system and will be powered by Intel Atom processors inside Sony Bravia HDTVs, giving Apple TV some serious competition.

There is also a partnership with Logitech to create the necessary equipment such as a special remote control with a QWERTY keyboard in order to navigate the system.

Currently, Sony Bravias have the most advanced internet applications, with the most number of Yahoo widgets, video streaming from Netflix and Amazon Video-on-Demand and Slacker Radio. Sony is also in the process of launching a new online movie service called Qriocity which will stream HD movies directly to Bravia sets.