Google TV is Coming to Canada

By: Kuljit Grewal  |   June 27th, 2012   |   Android, Gadgets, Google, News, O Canada

It seems as though the battle between Apple and Google will be coming to a television near you. As a direct counter against Apple’s extremely popular Apple TV, Google has partnered with Sony to launch a similar set-top box product that will turn any existing TV into an internet ready device.

 

Although Google TV has already been available in the U.S. since 2010, the product will make its Canadian and international debut beginning August of this year. Sony will aid Google in bringing the product to Australia, France, Brazil, Germany, Mexico and the Netherlands along with Canada as announced on their website. The main issue for Google as always is that although they create world-class software, they require the aid of third party hardware companies to bring said software to the masses, not unlike their wildly popular Android Smartphones and its various hardware partners.

 

Google TV allows access to a variety of Google products and applications including YouTube, Google Play store (applications) and Google Chrome that have been specifically optimized to maximize the television experience. The device interface will be based off of a specific version of Google’s Honeycomb Android interface.

 

The true advantage that we see with Google TV as compared to Apple’s product is the inventive and easy to use Sony remote that has been created for the product. The remote features two sides, one of which features a full QWERTY style keyboard. The other side has standard remote control buttons along with a laptop style track pad for easy browsing. The remote can also be turned into a universal device to control your television and other entertainment devices. For those who are so inclined, a Smartphone app is also available that allows your handheld device to be used a similar remote device.

 

The device is currently listed on Sony Canada’s website and features an MSRP of $199.99 CAD. The release date for the Sony Internet Player with Google TV is August 13, 2012 will pre-orders available beginning June 27, 2012. A Blu-ray version priced at $329.99 will be released in time for the Holiday season.