Google TVs Will Be Pricey

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Information leaked on the Google TV some two weeks ago but information was sparse on the rumored upcoming project. None of the partners involved (Google, Sony, Intel, Logitech) gave an official statement, but BusinessWeek has gathered some new information on the device, courtesy of Panasonic and Samsung. Both of those manufacturers passed on the opportunity of being involved in the Google TV project.

To recap the original report on the Google TV, it’ll be a HDTV running Android that will have internet connectivity. The “source familiar with the situation” who broke the story to the New York Times reported that the Google TVs will let users watch content from YouTube and Hulu, and it’ll even have a built-in Chrome browser to allow users to web browse from the sofa. Sony, Intel and Logitech are all (allegedly) involved with Google on this deal. The TVs will allegedly use Intel’s Atom processors, with Sony producing the TVs and Logitech producing a QWERTY remote for the HDTVs.

Samsung was first to comment on the Google TV, saying they passed on the project because they were more interested in developing their own Internet-connected HDTVs and Blu-ray players. Now, Panasonic is speaking out on the topic. Robert Perry, senior VP at Panasonic, said that an Android TV would “require processing power that adds too much to the cost of the set.” Perry confirmed that Panasonic had been in talks with Google to produce the Google TVs, but Intel’s Atom chips were deemed too expensive for the venture.

Sony and Intel declined to comment to Business Week. Google simply said it had no comment. Sony is certainly no stranger to expensive gadgets. The Japanese giant has often produced expensive gadgets. For those of us who might be interested in an Android-powered Google TV, this probably means that such a TV will be expensive for the consumer, as well.