Google Brings Web Browsing to TVs

Posted 05/20/2010 at 12:52pm | by Alan Fackler

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With thousands channels loaded into our current cable boxes, what could possibly add more content to our televisions?  Web browsing, according to Google. 

Google announced the release of Google TV today, summarizing it as, "a new experience for television that combines the TV that you already know with the freedom and power of the Internet".  This announcement set off a chain reaction of excitedly curious comments all over the web, from Twitter to Endgadget.

Google TV is built on an open platform running Flash enabled Google Chrome, allowing users to access any and all of their favorite digital media from the comfort of their living rooms.  This gives users a wide range of options when deciding how they'd prefer to watch their television or browse the web--users can simply type in what they're looking for (the input device will include a keyboard), or utilize the new Google TV Home Screen for quick access to their favorite TV programs and web content.  Android users will find a specificed Android Market for Google TV, and will also be able to use their mobile devices as voice enabled remote controls.  

Google has invited web developers to begin research into creating web and Android based apps tailor built for a television experience.  Google also announced that they're working with Sony and Logitech to begin implementing this new technology into televisions, Blu-Ray players and companion boxes.  The device is slated for a Fall release, and will be sold at Best Buy stores nationwide.  If the hundreds of fan comments are any indication, people seem to be excited.  Gizmodo, on the other hand, questioned whether or not fan-favorite Hulu will actually be a usable feature, as shown in the demonstration.