Google working with Intel, Sony on TV project

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Google working with Intel, Sony on TV project

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc is working with Intel Corp and Sony Corp to develop a new class of Internet-enabled televisions and set top boxes, according to a media report.

The effort, known as Google TV, has been under way for several months and is based on Google's Android software which is currently available in certain smartphones, according to a report in the New York Times on Wednesday citing people with knowledge of the project.

Logitech International is also involved and is developing peripheral devices, such as a tiny keyboard.

According to the report, the partners hope to make it easy for consumers to use Web applications like Twitter on their TVs and to entice software developers to create new applications to run on Google TV.

Google has begun testing the set top box technology with Dish Network, the Times said.

Representatives from Google, Intel and Sony were not immediately available for comment. A Logitech spokeswoman said the company did not have any comment.
 

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Google, Intel and Sony to launch Google TV

The New York Times is reporting that Google, Intel and Sony have all teamed up to create a new set-top box for in-home streaming, called Google TV. The new project, which has been underway for several months already, is said to let consumers browse and stream the Internet right to their televisions.

The trio has also picked up Logitech to design the remote control for the new set-top box, including a tiny keyboard for navigation. The set-top box is said to be Android powered, Google’s popular smartphone operating system, and require an Internet connection.

Although Google, Intel and Logitech all decline to comment on the project, a Sony spokesperson said they were not familiar with the project. However, Intel has posted a job openings for senior engineers with Android development experience to bring their technology, “from PC screen to mobile screen and TV screen.” Logitech has also posted several job openings for Android based developers to bring “audio and video products based on the Android platform.”

Google and Sony have their work cut out for them, entering a market that already has heavy competition, including Cisco, Motorola, Microsoft, Apple, TiVo, Roku and Boxee. Not to mention Yahoo, who demonstrated Widgets on the new lineup of LG HDTV’s.

Intel will be providing the Atom processors for Google TV, while Google will be providing the open-source Android platform, opening it up to developers in the coming months to design and develop applications.

A person who knows about the project said “Google wants to be everywhere the Internet is so they can put ads there.” Google started “Google TV Ads” three years back, where thousands of advertisers signed up for the program.
 
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