Google reveals plans for internet TV

Google has revealed its plans for a ’smart TV’ combining web and channel surfing on one device at a launch event in San Francisco.

Users will be able to browse content from sites such as YouTube and live channels with the GoogleBox centred on an onscreen search box, similar to its webpage.

Special TV sets or normal TVs connected to the device will allow consumers to download applications and browse the content, when it goes on sale in time for Christmas.

The company is working with Sony to develop the technology while Logitech will build the set-top boxes.

Risha Chandra, Google project senior product manager, said: “Video should be consumed on the biggest, brightest, best screen in your house – the television. That’s not the PC, or mobile.”

He added that there are around four billion TV users worldwide and that £50 billion is made from advertising revenue in the US alone each year.

The search giant has already enjoyed a growth in revenue in the first quarter of 2010 and achieved a net profit of £1.27 billion, an increase of 38 per cent from the same period last year.