If you’ve been on pins and needles to hear more information about the Google TV, this may be your week. On Monday, the company made its inaugural post on the Google TV blog, announcing new content partners, apps, and a brand-spanking new Website for the platform.
First mentioned in May at the company’s I/O conference, Google TV is an Android-flavored OS designed for certain set-top boxes and televisions, allowing users to watch online content, play Flash games, search the Web, and interact with other Android devices and apps.
The new Google TV Website clarifies and expands upon these initial ideas within its features section, teasing app support—among them, Pandora, Napster, Twitter, and YouTube—with Android Market apps supposedly being made available within the next year. Both Android and iOS devices will have the ability to remotely control the box, and—like Apple’s AirPlay—users will be able to “fling” shows, music, and browsing from their phones to their television. Google also touts limited multitasking using a form of picture-in-picture mode—allowing users to check Twitter or use other apps while watching television.
As for content, the company noted on its blog that Turner Broadcasting, NBC Universal, HBO, and the NBA had all developed optimized Websites and information for Google TV users—in addition to specialized apps for video services such as Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand. Developers interested in optimizing their own Websites for Google TV or creating apps are being encouraged to check out the product’s new development page.
It looks like we’ll actually get a chance to see the Google TV hardware, too. Logitech will be unveiling its Revue set-top box on Wednesday, and Sony is holding an event on October 12 to show off what are expected to be Google TV-enabled Sony Bravia televisions.