MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA and ENGLEWOOD, CO – Google unveiled its Android-based Smart TV platform Thursday, claiming that the platform brings the power of the Internet to the television viewing experience.
Google TV merges traditional TV programming with rich web media content, allowing viewers access, control, and flexibility over all forms of digital content. Google also announced a special IP protocol to link to Dish Network set-top boxes, meaning Dish customers can simultaneously search for content across its linear TV channels, the Internet and their DVRs, as well as overlay on-line content related to television shows, movies, actors and hyperlink web content back to multichannel TV.
“We are excited to bring the web to television and enable developers to innovate on the Google TV platform,” said Google chairman and CEO, Eric Schmidt, in a statement. “With Dish Network’s contributions, Google TV delivers a richer user experience and a compelling product for consumers.”
Google and Dish Network began a collaborative trial over a year ago by beta testing the technology with more than 400 Dish Network and Google users. The companies said that they plan to make the optimized Google TV experience available to customers this Fall.
“Dish Network has enjoyed a strong partnership with Google for many years, built on a common foundation of innovative thinking and risk-taking,” said Charlie Ergen, chairman, president and CEO of Dish Network, in the announcement. “Dish Network’s integration of Google TV marks the next evolution in television, and only Dish Network customers will be able to enjoy the best of TV and the web in one platform using their existing HD DVR receivers and a Google TV device.”
According to a story on NewTeeVee, Google TV will be integrated into TV sets, Blu-ray players and companion set-top boxes. Sony will produce a full line of connected television sets that integrate Google TV, as well as a Blu-ray player with the platform available in the Fall, and Logitech will be producing a companion set-top box that will enable users to access the platform. All of those products will be powered by Intel Atom chips and will be available through Best Buy retail stores in the U.S.
