The future
Google has rolled out YouTube Leanback on Google TV. Leanback had been launched as a beta in July and essentially brings YouTube to a big screen so videos are always presented in full screen and in HD when available.
"When you view Leanback on Google TV (or online), videos based on your subscriptions and viewing history will begin playing immediately. If those don't pique your interest, Leanback offers 10 channels, updated daily, featuring popular and interesting videos in genres like Comedy, Entertainment, News, Science & Technology, How To & Style, and more," Google wrote in a blog post.
It also said people can watch full-length films and TV shows rented from YouTube.
According to rumours, Android 3.0, or Gingerbread will offer support for Google TV as well as video chat and redesigned graphics, Mobiledia reported. Designed to be used on tablets as well as phones, it is thought Gingerbread will allow Android devices to work as remote controls for Google TV.
While it all sounds great, it is not known when Google TV will come to Europe. Yoshihisa Ishida, a VP for Sony's TV business told The Seattle Times that there is a chance that Google TV might not launch in Europe or Japan within 2011.
"We want to sell it as soon as possible, but I cannot give you a date now," he reportedly said.
Intriguingly, he also told the newspaper that Google TV must be sold at a reasonable price in a competitive market stuffed with cheaper and more basic products, but Sony could have set the price higher as customers said they are getting a lot of bang for their buck.
"That was a shocker. We could have priced it higher," he reportedly added.
He also predicted that around 70 percent of TVs sold in 3 years time will connect to the internet.
