Google TV Round Up: What We Know Thus Far

In case you feel that Google does not play a big enough role in your life, fear not, for they will be invading your living room shortly. Last month, at Google's I/O developer conference, the search giant revealed that they will be partnering with Sony, Intel, and Logitech, in an attempt to bridge the gap between your computer and your television.

What is Google TV?

Essentially, Google TV will bring search to your television. You will be able to find content and media whether it is currently airing, sitting on your DVR, or embedded on a website. Included will be a web browser and social networking capabilities out of the box. It is also a convenient way for Google to keep track of your viewing habits and provide extremely targeted ads. What, you didn't think Google was in this for betterment of mankind, did you? For a more thorough explanation of what is Google TV, see the embedded video at the end of this post.

What is Google's involvement?

Google will be providing the operating system behind Google TV. Not much has been revealed about the OS, but one can assume that visually, it will be more Chrome OS than Android (though, apparently it is Android under the hood). It will be interesting to see if Google allows an Android-like open environment, or if Google TV will be more closed for prosperity sake. I predict that the extension of functionality will work in a similar manner to Boxee, where there OS is open to third party developers, but all extensions will get filtered through Google first.

What does Sony have to do with this?

Sony will be the first manufacturer to integrate Google TV into their high definition televisions. It is currently unknown how many models will be available, or how much we will be paying for this premium experience. However, Sony does tout it to be an HDTV that's smart and powerful.

Enjoy thousands of ways to customize your experience now that you'll have access to the ever-evolving library of Web content and built for TV apps. Automatic upgrades help ensure the software powering your Sony Internet TV is up to date. [...] The Sony Internet TV has enough processing power to easily load sites and stream videos, while a wireless handheld QWERTY remote makes navigation simple.

Apparently, a Google TV branded Sony product will be only the first of more offerings stemming from this collaboration, as suggested in Sony's press release.

Just who does Logitech think they are?

If you don't care to shell out for a Sony HDTV, you can partake in the Google goodness via a set-top box from Logitech. Available this Fall, the sleek looking device will be called the Revue, and is intended to be inserted in-between your television and the rest of your entertainment system.

Logitech Revue is a companion box and controller that brings the experience of Google TV to your TV screen. It combines everything on the Web, cable or satellite content, apps, video calling and more that will be wildly popular between 2010 and 2030, until we reinvent interaction again.

Video calling, you say? Move over, Microsoft Kinect.

So, who invited Intel to this party?

If not obvious enough, Intel will be providing the horsepower behind Google TV branded televisions and set-top boxes. These devices will be powered by Intel's seemingly impressive Atom CE4100 processor, which is fully capable of decoding two 1080p streams simultaneously. Despite the Atom name usually being associated with low powered netbooks, this processor in particular was designed for cable boxes and Blu-ray players.

The Intel® Atom™ processor CE4100, Intel’s “system-on-a-chip,” is at the heart of this TV evolution. The Intel® Atom™ processor brings intelligence and performance to deliver the processing power, world-class HD video and audio, and advanced graphics required for new smart TV devices like companion boxes, Blu-ray* players, and digital TVs.

Intel's site also hints at the ability to use voice to control this "Smart TV".

Whether Google TV will revolutionize television as we know it, or get lost in the shuffle with other similar offerings, such as Boxee, Popcorn Hour, or TiVo Premier, remains to be seen. That question is one that will be answered this Fall. If what Google has accomplished for cellphones is any indication, this piece of technology may be nothing to thumb your nose at.

In my personal opinion, I think that Google should change the name from "Google TV" before launch.  The "Google" name has grown large enough that it summons a sense of hesitancy when they announce a new way to integrate into our daily routines. Hell, I would even settle for Android TV or Chrome TV. They still have plenty of time to make any last minute adjustments, if they deem it necessary.