An executive from LG Electronics revealed recently that the company aims to start production of the Google TV by May 17 and will release the product into the US market starting on the week of May 21. The executive vice president of the TV business unit of LG, Ro Seogho, made the revelation recently.
Industry watchers suggested that offering the Google TV reflects the possible threat that the Apple may pose for the company in the television industry. Viewers will be able to access the services of Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) through Google TV, which include watching YouTube videos on the device.
The company did not reveal the possible screen size of the device nor its possible price tag. The market for internet-enabled televisions is expected to grow by around 60 percent according to the research company, IHS iSuppli. The upcoming version of the Google TV comes as the earlier model of the device, which was introduced in 2010, did not offer much success for the company.
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The lack of support from manufacturers and the web content may have contributed to the unsuccessful attempt of Google in getting a significant share of the living room market. Aside from LG, Samsung is also offering its own internet-enabled television using a technology similar to the Google TV to increase its profit in the high-end product market.
LG reportedly also aims to integrate its NetCast platform into 60 percent of its TV offerings, which would offer internet access. The profit for the TV segment of the company has increased by around four percent in the first quarter that was mainly due to solid sales for its high-end products including internet-enabled products and 3D televisions.
In comparison, Sharp, Sony and Panasonic have incurred a combined loss of $21 billion for the business year that ended last March 31.
The LG G3 series is the current version of the Google TV of LG which has received a lukewarm response among consumers. Google is hoping that the upcoming Google TV will make an impact on the TV market in the same way the Android OS made an impact on the mobile device market. Among the features that the upcoming Google TV will offer is the capability of searching the net on the device while watching a show.
Users will also have the capability of controlling the Google TV using a smartphone as well as making a home page that has launch icons for apps and television channels.
