LONDON – Google’s interactive TV service Google TV will launch in the U.K. next month as it becomes available outside the U.S. for the first time.
The online giant has partnered with Sony Corp. to make the service available on a new TV set that will cost around £200 ($310). It will compete with Apple TV, which is already available here. Google TV allows users to browse the Internet on their TV set and use apps on the screen.
Sony’s NSZ-GS7 Internet Player with Google TV, plans for which were mentioned at CES at the beginning of the year, will be available in stores starting the week of July 16.
“The new Internet Player with Google TV, will make Sony the first manufacturer to launch Google TV products outside of the United States, initially starting with the United Kingdom in July, followed later by Canada, Australia, France, Germany and Netherlands, Brazil and Mexico,” the companies said.
“Expanding the reach and interoperability of the powerful Android platform with Sony’s smartphones, tablets and renowned audio and video products, we are proud to continue our relationship with Google through the introduction of the new Google TV Internet Player,” said Gildas Pelliet, European head of marketing at Sony.
Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com
Twitter: @georgszalai
