Sony announces Google-powered HD Internet TV

Sony today introduced the Sony Internet TV, powered by Google TV – the world’s first television with the ability to watch HDTV, enjoy apps, and browse the Internet seamlessly on one device.

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. From broadcast to streaming video from the Internet, Sony Internet TV offers the ability to quickly search and watch content from wherever, whenever.

“Sony Internet TV is the world’s first HDTV that combines the big-screen impact of television and full Internet search to deliver an unrivalled entertainment experience,”” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of Sony’s Home Division. “”Finally, you can seamlessly search your favourite TV programs and web sites on the same screen, at the same time.””

“”We are very proud to be the pioneers of this new entertainment category by delivering the world’s first true Internet TV experience,”” added Bob Ishida, senior vice president, corporate executive, and president of Home Entertainment Business Group, Sony Corporation. “”Sony Internet TV creates value by introducing new and compelling ways to enjoy a variety of content.””

Featuring both integrated television models and a Blu-ray Disc player, Sony Internet TV is powered by Google TV is built on the Android platform, runs the Google Chrome browser and includes a powerful Intel Atom processor offering the ability to quickly search across Internet and television content for easy access to entertainment and information.

The models 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 truly 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(R), 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. Additionally, select mobile devices such as an Android phone, can control the TV with an app that will be available for download from the Android Market later this year.

Built-in Wi-Fi makes it easy to connect to home broadband networks to access web content. Additionally, Sony Internet TV is ready for the future and is fully upgradeable through system updates.

Sony Internet TV easily 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.

The Sony Internet TV was only launched in the USA today but will be launched globally next year.

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