My Cart - The merger of television and internet services has long been just around the corner. Live content from television channels is viewed on the internet by a large proportion of web-users, to such a point that a television licence is now needed for households that do not possess a television, but do have a PC, laptop or internet-enabled mobile phone.
Now, Google is taking internet TV to the next level with a product entitled (unsurprisingly) Google TV. The viewer watching Google TV will be able to search television channels and the internet simultaneously on the Google Chrome web browser integrated into the television. So the World Wide Web instantly becomes your extra, virtually infinite television channel and opens up endless viewing possibilities.
The technology required to access Google TV will be available in two ways at launch. The first is to purchase a Sony Internet TV with the equipment built into the television. The screen will of course be HD ready and is supplied with a uniquely designed keyboard remote, which enables the user to search on Google, as well as control the usual functions of the television. The second way to access Google TV is via the purchase of a set top box made by Logitech. This box will work with any television so you can continue to enjoy the quality and features of your Samsung LCD TV, while adding extra functionality from Google.
Unfortunately for technology buffs and avid TV viewers in the UK, Google TV will be debuting solely in America this autumn. We were not the first country to experience HD or hard drive recording technology and we will lag behind again. There are currently no plans to launch the service or products in Britain, although a successful rollout in the US will undoubtedly be followed, albeit up to a year later, by a conspicuous launch to the UK market.
