Google TV, Chrome OS Ready for Fall Battle With Apple TV, iPad

From DailyTech: Google is working with software partners and hardware manufacturers to bring the company's upcoming Google TV service to U.S. customers this fall, Google Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt announced Tuesday. The news came at the IFA consumer electronics trade fair in Berlin.

With the device Google is opting for much the same approach that it uses with Android -- create a cross platform product that works with a variety of hardware vendors' products. Google TV in its current form is based on Android OS 2.1, though it's possible an Android 2.2 "Froyo" update could be in store by launch time. The special Google TV Android 2.1 distribution comes packed with Flash 10.1 and Google's Chrome browser.

Logitech is one OEM that has announced that it will be bringing a Google-powered set-top box to market.

Google TV in its present state will encompass software to deliver internet video to your TV, potentially including paid rentals. Google will not produce content on its own, so it's acting as an aggregator and distributor. Mr. Schmidt comments, "We will work with content providers, but it is very unlikely that we will get into actual content production."

Competing with Google TV will be the recently announced Apple TV set-top box. Apple TV will offer streamed internet video, internet-hosted pictures, and streaming rentals. The revised version of the device is ditching the hard drive, shrinking dramatically, and dropping in price to $99 USD.

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