Sony introduces its Google TV products

Sony's Internet TV products were showcased its Google TV™ products on Tuesday, including both TVs and a Blu-ray Disc Player/"smart TV adapter" box (like the Logitech Revue), priced around $400 (the Revue is priced at around $300). Given consumers' hesitancy to add yet one more box into their main entertainment console, I wonder if they would be more receptive to the idea of an integrated Blu-ray Disc player/smart TV adapter compared to a stand-alone box? $400 is a big premium on the standard connected Blu-ray players - a quick scan of Best Buy's offerings shows pricing at around $230 (if not well below that), but consumers may see much greater utility in the Google TV product's ability to provide more of an open Web environment, as opposed to just be locked into certain applications.

Intel is getting its connected CE groove on

Intel had a busy week at the Intel Developer Forum. The company showed off two smart TV-enabling products powered by the Intel® Atom™ processor CE4100 and Google TV that will come out this Fall. The Sony Internet TV and the Logitech Revue add-in box seamlessly combine access to the Internet with the TV viewing experience through the combination of Intel processors and the Google TV Android platform. The Boxee Box from D-Link was offered for pre-orders last Monday, Telecom Italia and several other companies are also expected to launch Intel® Atom™ processor CE4100-based devices soon.

In addition, Technicolor announced that it was collaborating with Intelon its latest system on a chip, the Intel® Atom™ processor CE4200, formerly code-named Groveland. The strategic collaboration will fuel Technicolor's plan to drive into the market a new generation of integrated broadcast and IP set-top boxes, enabling service providers to create exciting new multi-screen, 3D, games and online video user experiences in the home