Google TV gets set to launch in the UK

26 Aug 2011

Google TV gets set to launch in the UK

Google is planning to launch Google TV in the UK later today. The service will be launched by chairman Eric Schmidt who will be outlining Google’s TV plans at the Edinburgh International Television Festival.

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year it was clear that digital TV fuelled by internet video services and social media apps were the order of the day.

The new set top box will enable viewers to watch catch-up TV services such as the BBC’s iPlayer and the ITV Player through the set top box.

The set top box was co-developed by Google, Intel, Sony and Logitech.

The Google TV service will compete in the market against efforts such as the Apple TV as well as existing services provided by Sky and Virgin, not to mention the forthcoming Horizon box expected next year from UPC.

All eyes are on the TV market as it represents the next big market for the technology industry in terms of apps and TVs that allow users to switch seamlessly between the internet and ordinary TV services or do both at the same time.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com