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Google TV is 'un-Sony-like'

Sony embracing an open platform like Google TV for its home electronics business is a pretty big change for the company.

And Sony's Chairman and CEO tends to agree. "It seems very un-Sony-like," Sir Howard Stringer allowed at a press conference Thursday afternoon following the introduction of Sony Internet TV, the first TV with the Google TV platform. Sony's TV will run Android OS and use Google search to allow users to browse and watch programming from the Web and from a channel service provider.

In the official announcement Thursday was this quote from Google CEO Eric Schmidt: "We believe that open systems lead to more innovation, value, and choice for consumers, which is why we are so proud to work with Sony to bring the power of the Android platform to more consumers around the world."

Longtime followers of Sony would likely do a double-take when they see the words "open" and "Sony" linked together. But it could be the beginning of something new for the Japanese electronics giant. It's actually made baby steps lately toward being more open, finally agreeing to sell gadgets compatible with SD cards instead of Sony's proprietary Memory Stick format, and Sony Ericsson delivering an Android phone. Now it's embracing the concept of open with TVs.

And that's good for Sony, because the company needs something to change with TVs. They've fallen behind to third in TV sales overall, and in general have had trouble getting all of the company's moving parts from all over the world to work together to match up the company's trove of content with its significant brand recognition. But this Google TV could be a sign of the better things to come. … Read more

First Google TV gadgets from Sony, Dish, Logitech

Updated 12:15 p.m. PDT with quotes from a press conference following the announcements.

As Google looks to extend its empire to the living room, it's already lined up some heavy hitters in the consumer electronics world as allies.

On Thursday at the Google I/O conference the company announced its strategy for intermingling TV and the Web in home electronics via a platform dubbed Google TV. It's a technology that will be built into TVs, set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, and other devices that will allow people to do things like use Google Search to find videos … Read more

Panasonic flips switch on Skype for TVs

As of Tuesday, owners of Panasonic VieraCast HDTVs can make Skype video calls directly from their TV.

There is one catch, however: you need the Panasonic Skype-enabled camera, which is sold separately for $170. But calls will be mostly free.

If you use the VoIP telephone service from your TV to call other Skype accounts, there is no charge. Calling from a Skype-enabled TV to a landline does cost a few cents per minute. There's also Skype voice mail, which can be set up via the TV with the remote, and the ability to teleconference with up to 24 … Read more

Appeals court to hear EchoStar, TiVo patent fight again

In yet another twist on the years-long patent dispute between TiVo and EchoStar, an appeals court has agreed to a fresh hearing of the case.

The U.S. Appeals Court for the Federal Circuit on Friday granted EchoStar's petition for a rehearing en banc, which means all the judges on a court will be present for a rehearing of the patent dispute between the two TV service providers. This is typically used when hearing an appeal on a decision made by a panel, or just a few of the judges on the court.

That means the March 4 victory for TiVo, … Read more

Get a Sony Reader Pocket Edition for $139.95

The e-book revolution is upon us, and I, for one, am delighted. It's not that I don't love bookstores and real, bound books that you can hold in your hands--I do. But for years I've been smitten by the convenience and environmental-friendliness of books "printed" in digital ink.

Ah, but which e-book reader should you get? I'll save the Kindle versus iPad versus iPod versus smartphone debate for another day. Today, Buy.com has the Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 for $139.95 with free shipping.

Chip in with your siblings and you have … Read more

Report: Samsung interested in Android-based TVs

Samsung makes more TVs than anyone in the world, and the company is apparently interested in putting Google's Android operating system on some of them.

The Korea Herald reported Monday that a Samsung executive, who was not named, said the company is considering making "Google TVs" with Android on them.

"We are considering (developing) Google TVs. We are examining the business feasibility of Google TVs," the executive told the Herald.

Having Android on a TV is another way to enable Web-connected sets to download widgets like YouTube, weather, stocks, and anything else on the Android … Read more