USA: Google-powered Sony internet TVs in shops this weekend
Sony USA has launched its first TVs with full internet access. Four models hit the shops Stateside this weekend, along with an internet-enabled Blu-ray player for those wanting to upgrade an existing TV.
All the products are powered by Google's Android operating system, and come complete with a radio-frequency-linked remote control handset inspired by the PS3 controller, fitted with a complete QWERTY keyboard and also able to control other Sony devices.
In addition the TVs offer the ability to watch live TV in a smaller window while running other applications such as the Chrome browser or Twitter – those who like to Tweet while they watch can make full use of this Dual View facility.
The TVs will come in 24in, 32in, 40in and 46in sizes, at prices starting from $600, or less than £400, for the NSX-24GT1, and going up to $1400, or about £900, for the NSX-46GT1. The NSZ-GT1 internet Blu-ray player sells for £400, or around £250.
All the products are powered by Intel's Atom processor, have built-in Wi-Fi, and will link to Android phones using a control app available later in the year.
And in addition to their internet features they can also stream local content over the home network, being compliant with both UPnP and DLNA.
They come with a range of applications preloaded, uncluding Sony's Qriocity on-demand service, Napster, Netflix, Pandora and YouTube, and will be able to download additional applications from the Android Market from next Spring.
The Blu-ray player has both HDMI input and output, 8GB of internal storage, and four USB sockets – three on the rear, one on the front – so it can act as a hub for portable devices and storage.
However, none of the new products are 3D-capable.
No details have yet been announced concerning European availability or pricing, but you can see more pictures of the new range by clicking here.
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Comments
Great to see a leading tv manufacturer integrating the best of pc and tv.
Blu-ray + full internet + no money wasted on 3d capability.
This could well be the next tv & blu-ray for me.
At last! It's taken longer than I thought to produce the obvious. Personally, I don't give a fig for the lack of 3D. Prices don't seem unreasonable, so well done Sony.
OK, I see...
No, literally Brilliant!
No sarcasm (or anything else) intended. And the prices are not bad either.
Is a lot of the internet in 3D?
"full internet access...none of the new products are 3D-capable"
Brilliant!