Report: Samsung plans to offer Google TV sets
A company exec tells Bloomberg that Samsung is planning in January to announce a line of HDTVs running Google TV.
Sony might not be the only company offering Google TV in its televisions.
Samsung reportedly plans to run Google's software, which allows users to surf the Web and manage their DVR, among many other features, in a set of HDTVs that it expects to announce in January. The company's intentions were were reportedly revealed by Samsung TV business head Yoon Boo Keun to the Bloomberg news agency. He didn't provide any further details.
However, in an e-mail statement to CNET, Samsung pointed out that a final deal has yet to be struck with Google.
"For Samsung, the connected TV era began more than three years ago and achieved a breakthrough in 2010 with the introduction of Samsung Apps, the world's first TV application store now available in more than 120 countries. Our success has been built on an open platform strategy through which we have partnered with diverse content and service providers via our Internet@TV service, including Google properties such as YouTube, Picasa, and Maps. Samsung is focused on delivering the most complete smart TV experience to consumers and this will guide our approach as we consider introducing new services or platforms such as with Google. A relationship with Google TV is currently under consideration but no decision has yet been reached."
With a potential January announcement, Samsung is lining itself up to become the second company to offer Google TV in its array of televisions. Sony released its Google TV-equipped HDTVs last month. Sony's Google TV devices range in size from a 24-inch display to a 46-inch model. Prices on those sets are between $600 and $1,400.
Google TV can also work on devices aside from televisions. The platform is currently available on the Logitech Revue set-top box. It's also running on a Sony Blu-ray disc player.
Update at 1:27 p.m. PST on November 18:Included Samsung's statement.