Sony today introduced what the company is describing as the world’s first TV that can display HiDef as well as apps and Web browsing on the single device.
Sony Internet TV, powered by Google TV, built on the Android platform, running the Google Chrome browser, combines Sony’s hardware and engineering expertise and Google’s understanding of open software to provide a unique user experience with an easy-to-use interface.
The come in four sizes and prices ranging from a 24-inch TV for $600 to a 40-inch model selling for $1,400.
There’s also a Sony Internet TV Blu-ray player for $400 that converts your existing HiDef TV into a Sony Internet TV through your Blu-ray player.
“Finally, you can seamlessly search your favorite TV programs and web sites on the same screen, at the same time,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of Sony’s Home Division.
The Sony Internet TV devices come with a hand-held RF QWERTY keypad remote that incorporates an optical mouse. They also 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.
Select mobile devices such as an Android phone can control the TV with an app that will be available for download from the mobile Android Market later this fall.
The models come with built-in Wi-Fi for connecting to home broadband networks for web access.
— By Scott Hettrick