Is Google's Android software headed to TVs?

Consumer Reports News: April 30, 2010 11:48 AM

With widget-based applications becoming an increasingly prominent feature on high-def TVs, it's rumored that Google is targeting TV and settop box makers with its Android software as part of an effort to expand its presence beyond computers and cell phones.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google might share some of the details at an upcoming developers conference in mid-May. The publication reports that Sony, Logitech and Intel are among the companies interested in launching products that support the Android technology. Bloomberg News has already reported that Sony plans to announce TVs that run on a version of Android called Dragonpoint (drag-and-point?) at the conference. In March, The New York Times reported that Google, Intel and Sony were developing an Android-based TV platform. Intel is looking to convince TV, Blu-ray player and settop box makers to power devices with its Atom processor, and Logitech is reportedly developing a remote control with an integrated keyboard that would make using web-based features easier for TV users.

While some companies, including Yahoo and Vudu, have already created widget-based applications platforms, the entrance of Google into this space could greatly expand the number and types of apps available to TV viewers, in much the same way that Android and iPhone smart phone users can now choose from tens of thousands of cell phone apps. The WSJ article also mentioned that the Dish satellite service has been running a very limited test with Google to provide supplemental access to Internet content, but so far it's been limited to a small number of employees.

—James K. Willcox