TV Meets Web – Introducing Google TV

Google is showing off this week at their Google I/O conference.

A ton of very interesting announcements, collaborations and even acquisitions.

One of the more eye-popping announcements was that of Google TV. Check out video below for all the specifics right from the conference floor.

Hey Apple, are you guys paying attention to this ? That little “side hobby project” the AppleTV that many of us Mac-faithful purchased, well – that may just end up on CraigsList in the not-to-distant future.

Of all the news accompanying this announcement, here are the key topics that I think are fascinating:

• Google TV lets you search TV shows just like you would Google Search. It provides results from the web and from TV. You can tune in directly to your show.
• Google TV lets you search through the entire web.
• Google TV allows for PIP mode (Picture in Picture)
• Broadband connectivity, it’s “easy” to integrate with your Cable or Satellite Box, and it has a strong processor: enhanced GPU for graphics (even 3D).
• Google TV input devices include a keyboard and a pointing device. It combines keyboard, remote, and mouse.
• Phones can also be paired to Google TV devices over WiFi.
• It runs on Android, it uses Google Chrome and it runs Flash 10.1.
• Android benefits: You can run apps and Android marketplace on Google TV.
• Google TV automatically syncs your Android apps to your TV.
• YouTube Leanback announced: It pushes YouTube videos to your TV from your friends, YouTube’s recommendations, your subscriptions and favorites, etc.
• YouTube Leanback is a web interface, not an application just within Google TV. It’ll be available in the next few weeks.
• Bryan Perez of the NBA is on stage now. NBA has optimized its content for Google TV.
• You can browse the NBA schedule and click “record” and record those games to your DVR , all from the web.
• Google TV is open-source on Android and Chrome.
• Google has partnered with retailers and manufacturers to bring Google TV to life.
• First partner: Sony. They are launching a full line of integrated TVs and an integrated Blu-Ray Player.
• Second partner: Logitech: Launching a companion box to integrate Google TV within your setup. They’re also launch peripherals.
• Third partner: Intel — they power both devices.
• Google TV is coming in fall 2010
• Google has also partnered with Dish Network — its DVR will seamlessly integrate Google TV into Dish Network.
• Best Buy will be selling Google TV devices.
• Early 2011 will have updates with Android market, Google TV SDK, and TV Web APIs. In summer 2011, it will open source Google TV.