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.