Rumors of Sony integrating Intel hardware and Google software into a television are heating up once again, thanks to the WSJ and Bloomberg. Sony is apparently moving forward with integrating a custom Atom processor (usually found in netbooks) and a special version of Android (codenamed Dragonpoint) in TV’s.
Why? The purpose of this venture is running Android-based software on Sony TV’s and set-top boxes, which could enable new functionalities and create a new software development ecosystem. Currently, the “app” world is pretty much limited to mobile devices. The possibilities are endless – a web browser for your TV, for example. Android integration into your TV could also enable a Google-styled search service, which allows users to access and search programming from the Internet and satellite (and possibly cable) providers.
Logitech, a juggernaut in computer peripherals, may also be on board with a keyboard that can also work as a remote control, according to Bloomberg.
The news may possibly become official as early as next month at the Google I/O conference on May 19/20th, according to “people familiar with the matter.”
