Google TV ??
The New York Times is reporting that Google, Intel, and Sony are joining forces to push for a new set-top box called "Google TV." Google TV is looking to bring internet content (and Google advertising, naturally) to your television, through set top boxes and direct integration into TV's.
Interestingly, the boxes are said to be based on Google's "Android" operating system, which is the same one they developed for usage on mobile phones (like mine, the Motorola Droid).
The Google browser, Chrome, will also be running on this Google TV box, even though it does not run on current Android devices.
According to the NYT:
"The Google TV software will present users with a new interface for TVs that lets them perform Internet functions like search while also pulling down Web programming like YouTube videos or TV shows from Hulu.com. The technology will also allow downloadable Web applications, like games and social networks, to run on the devices."
This is a very interesting development, and it will be interesting to see if it is more successful that so many of the previous attempts at integrating the 'net with the television. Remember WebTV anyone?
Also this points up the fact that for anyone who wants to make money with their programming skills, it seems a deep knowledge of the Android OS would be a very lucrative skill to have. Perhaps here on CST we will start learning that, for fun and possibly to build some cool apps.
At any rate, here is more information on this development:
Google and Partners Seek TV Foothold
Google, Sony, Intel Working on "Google TV"
Google Is Taking Over Your TV Too