Hisense taps Google TV set-top box market with $99 Pulse
Latest device to jump on the Web giant's TV platform plans to offer double-sided remote with touchpad and QWERTY keyboard.
Google TV seems to be garnering more interest from hardware makers.
The latest company to partner with Google is Chinese hardware maker Hisense, which announced a set-top box called Pulse today. Like other Google set-top boxes, the Pulse will offer access to content on YouTube, Netflix, and Pandora and come preloaded with Google TV apps like Chrome, Google Play, and Search.
The Pulse will feature a double-sided remote control with a touchpad and dedicated Netflix button on one side, and a QWERTY keyboard on the other for Web search. The device will also feature a variety of connectivity options, including HDMI, USB, and built-in Wi-Fi. It will also support H.264, MPEG-4, and AVC formats and resolutions up to 1080p.
"This box effectively bridges the gap to the latest in home entertainment, without the need for expensive hardware upgrades," Hisense marketing director JoAnne Foist said in a statement. "Compared to other streaming devices, the Hisense Pulse with Google TV allows consumers to experience a new level of smart content discovery and viewing recommendations."
The device, which will be on display next week at the IFA tech conference in Germany, will compete with the other recent devices such as Vizio Costar and Sony's NSZ-GS7.
The Pulse is expected to be available to consumers in November for $99.
Google TV is one of the more high-profile attempts in recent history by the tech industry to marry the PC-based Internet and the traditional television world. However, Google TV has gotten off to a rocky start, and the search giant is still trying to get the big media companies to warm up to the software platform. So far, all of the major broadcast networks have blocked Google TV from providing access to their online content.