UK: Google TV Launches, coming to more countries worldwide.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

UK: Google TV Launches, coming to more countries worldwide.

"Two years ago, we launched Google TV in the U.S. to bring the best of Google and the Web to your TV, and we’ve been improving it ever since," Google wrote.


"YouTube’s been tailored for the big screen; Google Play now offers thousands of mobile apps and hundreds optimized for TV; the Web is now at your fingertips with Chrome; and you can search whatever you want—all on top of enjoying the great entertainment available on TV," it listed the main benefits of Google TV.

The two new devices will be available for pre-order in the UK and the US. Sony will start selling them in other countries, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico and the Netherlands this year.

The two new Google TV devices will sell for £200 ($300, €248) and £280 ($436, €347), respectively in the UK. Apple TV sells for half that in the UK, £99 ($154, €123).

You can expect the devices to sell for less in Europe, UK prices on hardware are generally significantly higher than in the rest of Europe, not to mention the US. €200, $250 and €280, $352 is what Sony is going for in continental Europe, most likely.

In any case, the devices are not exactly cheap. Considering that people haven't been warming up to Google TV, it's hard to see the new devices selling in any great numbers.

Still, Google and Sony may have better luck in the UK since they're starting from a clean plate. Google TV was mired with problems when it first landed in the US and those problems may have put off buyers even if they are now fixed.


A video below explains Google TV:

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Sony�s first Android-powered Google TVs

Sony�s first Android-powered Google TVs seamlessly integrate Web browsing with a more traditional television experience.

Sony literally took the wraps off of the first HDTVs featuring Google TV on Tuesday. And by literally, we mean Sony execs took a cloth off a 46-inch Internet TV to show it to the assembled press in Manhattan.

Sony stressed this is the first HDTV that�s seamlessly integrated to the Internet. You can watch a show, tap the split-screen button on the PS3-inspired remote, hit the search button and the Chrome browser appears � and you can surf to your heart�s content. You�re not limited to sites as is the case with many other �Internet-enabled� HDTVs.

There were no Blue Screens of Death during demos, or embarrassed suits making excuses for flawed gear. In fact, the sets are available for pre-order on SonyStyle.com now and will be available this weekend. Best Buy will have them the week of October 24. There are four screen sizes available: 24, 32, 40 and 46 inches. The model numbers are NSX-24GT1 ($599), NSX-32GT1 ($799), HSX-40GT1 ($999) and NSX-46GT1 ($1,399).

The three larger screens feature edge-lit LED backlighting but they only have 60Hz refresh rates, not the 120 Hz of sets that handle motion so well. Sony specifically said these sets are not for hard-core videophiles, just younger consumers who live on the Internet while watching TV. That�s why they have Intel Atom processors and 8GB of storage, to help them surf more quickly. Since the HDTVs feature Google TV with the Android OS, there are several apps available now, and many more are expected in early 2011 when the Android Market is up and running. All of the HDTVs have built-in Wi-Fi to easily connect to your router. As noted, the remote has a PS3 controller feel to it, but it also has a built-in QWERTY keyboard, and an optical mouse.

The sets have Sony�s Video On Demand service, Qriocity, as well as pre-installed apps such as Netflix, Twitter, YouTube, Pandora and others. Many more are expected next year, and Sony said they�re extending an invitation to all developers for the platform.

Sony NSZ-GT1 Blu-ray Player with Google TV

While the sets did work very seamlessly watching TV, the system falls down on the job with the new Internet Blu-ray player with Google TV built-in also announced today (NSZ-GT1, $399). When you�re watching a BD movie, you cannot search, or use the split-screen. This seems foolish as it seems you�d want to search while a movie is playing, not leaving it entirely to a separate screen. Guess things aren�t so seamless�

Still this is the best integration of the Web and HDTV we�ve seen, and the real key is you�re not limited in any way as to the content you can access. We�ll still keep using our iPad while watching our plasma TV, thank you very much, this is a major step forward.

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Other Google TV goodies : Logitech officially unwraps Revue

Logitech becomes the first manufacturer to bask in the warm embrace of Google TV with the Revue set-top box, a mini controller, and an HD webcam for videoconferencing.

Logitech�s foray into set-top boxes with Revue was certainly no secret, but on Wednesday the company finally released the concrete details on its first batch of Google TV hardware, making it the first on the market. The line-up includes the Revue set-top box, a bundled keyboard controller, a separate mini controller, and an HD camera to enable videoconferencing.

As expected, the Revue box connects via HDMI to both a TV and cable box, serving as an intermediate controller for cable or satellite programming, and a gateway to Web-based content like YouTube. The $299.99 bundle includes both the box itself and a full-size keyboard with integrated touchpad, which serves as the controller.

In case the concept of a foot-long keyboard hanging around the sofa doesn�t fly in some households, Logitech has also reworked its old diNovo Mini to serve as a more comfortable, palm-sized controller. The six-inch-long controller features a smartphone-like QWERTY keyboard and thumb controller. Unlike the $149.99 diNovo, it will retail for $129.99.

Since the Revue will come with videoconferencing capabilities, Logitech has also released a set-top camera, the Logitech TV Cam, to enable it. Bearing an uncanny likeness to its HD Pro Webcam C910, the TV Cam also boasts Carl Zeiss optics and 720p capture capabilities, along with 5x digital zoom. Rather than using Skype, the Revue box will work with Logitech Vid, which comes preinstalled. Folks on the other end will need to download the free Vid client for Mac and PC. The TV Cam will retail for $149.99.
Besides Vid, the Revue box will also come with Logitech Media Player preinstalled, for playing media files over a home network, and Logitech has already released Android and iOS apps that will allow smartphones to control the box. Future Google TV apps should open up even more possibilities.

Check out our exclusive sneak peek at Logitech�s Revue, and stay tuned for an even more in-depth look at the first Google

Related articles

• If You Can Think It, You Can Watch It: Logitech Delivers Google TV to Living Rooms Across the U.S. (eon.businesswire.com)
• Logitech's Google TV-powered Revue up for pre-order today, $299.99 (venturebeat.com)
• Logitech's Google TV-Powered Revue Up for Pre-Order Today, $299.99 (nytimes.com)

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