Sony Internet TV Comes with Google TV
With its eyes on the connected TV space, Sony has introduced Sony Internet TV, powered by Google TV. It is claimed to be the world’s first television with the ability to watch HDTV, enjoy apps, and browse the Internet seamlessly on one device.
The company believes that the combination of Sony’s hardware and engineering expertise and Google’s understanding of open software provides a unique user experience, merging multiple content sources in one easy-to-use interface.
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From broadcast to streaming video from the Internet, Sony Internet TV offers the ability to quickly search and watch content from wherever, whenever, says the company.
But Sony is not alone in the TV+Web hybrid game. A slew of companies are trying to gain a foothold in this emerging market.
Hillcrest Labs, for example, has unveiled the latest version of Kylo, the free Web browser for television, with many new features for consumers who view online content on their PCs or Macs connected to the TV.
Kylo lets users access sites across the Internet, with a browser that was specifically designed to be viewed from a distance in the living room, family room or dorm room. (Read: Kylo Comes as Free Web Browser for Television)
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Veebeam, a wireless company that offers to bring Internet video content to TV, has announced a 1080p HD media player named Veebeam.
It allows consumers to wirelessly stream anything from their laptop to their TV. Internet-delivered movies, sports websites, photos and more can also be shared on any HDTV. (Read: Veebeam Media Player to Show Web Movies on TV)
And GlideTV, which introduced handheld wireless touchpad – the Navigator, says it has released the beta version of its What’s On visual guide to online entertainment and a big screen web browser specially made for the living room.
The free online service and downloadable software allows users to see what shows and entertainment are available across the entire web in a single glance and browse them by category and genre. (Read: What’s On Guide Offers New Fun for Internet TV)
Netflix has gone a step further to deliver TV content to mobiles. It has introduced its free Netflix App, allowing Netflix members to instantly watch TV episodes and movies streamed to their iPhone or iPod touch. (Read: Watching TV Episodes, Movies on Your iPhone)
And DISH Network, a pay-TV provider in America, has announced a free app for the Apple iPad: DISH Remote Access. It is claimed to be the first and only app from a TV service provider designed for the iPad that allows users to control their televisions remotely. (Read: When Apple iPad becomes a Remote Control)
“Sony Internet TV is the world’s first HDTV that combines the big-screen impact of television and full Internet search to deliver an unrivaled entertainment experience,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of Sony’s Home Division.
“Finally, you can seamlessly search your favorite TV programs and web sites on the same screen, at the same time.”
Featuring both integrated television models and a Blu-ray Disc player, Sony Internet TV is built on the Android platform. It runs the Google Chrome browser and includes Intel Atom processor offering the ability to search across Internet and television content for entertainment and information.
The models also feature Dual View, allowing users to watch television while tweeting about what they’re watching, checking their fantasy football scores, or finding related content on the web.
They also deliver a personalized entertainment experience with the ability to bookmark content for easy access and add applications from the Android Market (coming in early 2011).
The models feature Sony’s premium streaming service “Video On Demand powered by Qriocity” as well as pre-installed apps including CNBC, Napster, NBA, Netflix, Pandora, Twitter, and YouTube.
The intuitive hand-held RF QWERTY keypad remote incorporating an optical mouse makes it easy to navigate content, type in search terms, and control the TV’s user interface, informs the company.
Additionally, you can select mobile devices such as an Android phone and control the TV with an app that will be available for download from the mobile Android Market later this fall.
Built-in Wi-Fi makes it easy to connect to home broadband networks to access web content. Additionally, the company says that Sony Internet TV is ready for the future and is fully upgradable through system updates.
It connects to select HD DVR devices from Dish Network to include previously recorded content in the search results and control DVR functionality from the set’s user interface.
Featuring four LCD HDTVs with Google TV built-in, the Sony Internet TV line includes the 24-inch class NSX-24GT1 ($599.99), the 32-inch class NSX-32GT1 ($799.99), the 40-inch NSX-40GT1 ($999.99), and the 46-inch NSX-46GT1 ($1,399.99).
The Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc player with Google TV built-in, NSZ-GT1 ($399.99), also allows users to enjoy all of the powerful features of Google TV on their existing HDTV.
Sony Internet TV and the Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player are currently on pre-sale at www.SonyStyle.com and www.BestBuy.com.
They will be available for purchase at Sony Style on October 16 and at Best Buy shortly after.
Photo courtesy: Sony
