After checking out Logitech's Revue set-top box, the first-ever Google TV-enabled product, we were anxiously expecting Sony's own take on this thing, and sure enough, the Japanese company delivered by launching officially its Sony Internet TV, powered by Google TV, described as the world's first television with the ability to watch HDTV, enjoy apps, and browse the Internet seamlessly on one device.
The Sony Internet 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 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, while delivering a personalized entertainment experience with the ability to bookmark content for easy access and add applications from the Android Market (a feature that will, however, become available only in early 2011).
Another very important element of the Sony Internet TV ecosystem is the intuitive hand-held RF QWERTY keypad remote that also incorporates an optical mouse, making it easy to navigate content, type in search terms, and control the TV's user interface.
Additionally (and this is indeed quite an exciting piece of news), 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.
In terms of content partnerships, Sony's managed to ink some pretty interesting deals, since all of 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, Twitter, and YouTube.
Additionally, built-in Wi-Fi makes it easy to connect to home broadband networks to access web content, while Sony Internet TV is also fully upgradable through system updates and 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.
"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 four LCD HDTVs with Google TV built-in, the Sony Internet TV line includes the 24-inch class NSX-24GT1 ($599.99), the 32-inch class NSX-32GT1 ($799.99), the 40-inch NSX-40GT1 ($999.99), and the 46-inch NSX-46GT1 ($1,399.99).
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