Currently limited to the confines of the U.S., Google TV devices from Sony and Logitech are expected to land a well deserved software update which brings Android apps to the big screen later this year. In lieu of the release, a privileged friend of the Mountain View squad has released images of the upcoming Google TV 2.0 interface and details on the next-gen set top box.
Google TV 2.0 is based on Android 3.1 and like most things Google, is currently in beta. The homely set top box lacks any identifiers to its creator, but does includes a Logitech keyboard. Inside is Intel’s CE4100 system-on-a-chip which was built “specifically for web connected set top boxes”. How this chip compares to the current Sony and Logitech Atom-based units remains to be seen.
The new interface shares a strong resemblance to Android Honeycomb. Outside of its core features are just two apps: Clock and Live TV. According to Geek.com, Google TV 2.0 includes a full-blown version of Chrome with TV-optimized enhancements. The browser refresh will prove invaluable to both Flash and plugin-in support.
Unfortunately today’s leak does not provide an update on the UK release of Google TV. Google promised the Google TV 2.0 update would launch later this year but that leaves us with six months of uncertainty. While extremely promising, Google TV looks to be headed the way of the original Apple TV unless we see a timely update and UK release.
via Geek
