Google, Sony, Intel Preparing Google TV

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Google, Intel, Sony and Logitech are working together on a new deal that will bring Google to new HDTVs and set-top boxes. While we reported last week that Google was coming to Dish Network set-top boxes, the deal with Sony seems to be much bigger. When Google enabled-HDTVs hit the market, users will be able to run web applications from their TV.

This isn’t an entirely new concept. Various TV manufacturers have started this and Yahoo has been providing “Yahoo-connected TVs” for some time that allows Ethernet-connected HDTVs to run web apps from Twitter, Facebook, etc.

Google is working on the deal with Intel, Sony and Logitech. This info comes from a “source familiar with the situation” who spoke to the New York Times. When asked, all companies denied knowledge or declined to comment. The Times reports that these “Google TVs” would be running Android and they would let users watch web content, like YouTube or Hulu. Google TV will also include a version of the Chrome browser, so they can surf the web from their TV.

Logitech was asked to join the project because of their history with powerful universal remotes, and they’re said to be constructing a QWERTY keypad-equipped remote control for Google TV-enabled devices. One assumes that Sony would be producing the actual TV sets, while Intel could be producing the internal workings for the Google TV.

The New York Times reports that this is the beginning of Google’s attempts to get their Android footholds into different markets. They’re hoping that Google TV-enabled HDTVs will compete not only with the Yahoo Internet enabled HDTVs, but also with Roku and Boxee media center devices.

No word on when this “Google TV” project will be announced, or when we could expect to see Google TVs on shelves.