Google pushing TV initiative, reports

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Google is to increase its efforts to move its technology into the living room by teaming up with such companies as Intel and Sony.

Although the joint collaboration is in its early stage, reports suggest the initiative would incorporate Google's Android operating system into future televisions, blue-ray players and set-top boxes. The idea behind the plans is to further develop an interaction between the Internet and traditional broadcast television.

Google is the latest among many entrants in a long-term race to make TVs more interactive and provide users with additional content from the Internet.

The search giant, which has already moved successfully into software for cellphones, stands to gain additional revenue if it can move its software and services into TVs.

Sony is working with Google on a television that would run the Android operating system, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal.

According to the report Logitech International SA, a well-known maker of personal-computer accessories, may also play a significant role.

Earlier this month it was reported that Google was testing a new TV-search service with the Dish Network Corp. which would allow users to find shows on the satellite-TV service as well as video from Web sites such as Google's YouTube.

All the companies cited in the latest reports, Google, Sony, Logitech and Intel declined to comment on the plans.