07
Jan
IMG_1428

I went to LG's CES press conference, so I kind of feel obligated to write about it, even though nothing much happened. The biggest news out of the conference is that the translated "Google TV 3.0" press release we came across a few weeks ago is bogus. At the time we thought it meant a new version of GTV was coming, but it turns out it's just the same software that's been out since November, with a new launcher made by LG, which they referred to as their "3rd generation skin."

So what's new about the 3rd Gen skin? Almost nothing.

08
Jan
K91 55'3D_03
Last Updated: January 11th, 2012

Lenovo wasn’t on the list of Google TV partners, but for good reason: the company has just announced that, in addition to its new tablet and smartphone, it will soon be launching a “Smart TV” powered by none other than Ice Cream Sandwich.

K91 55'3D_01 K91 55'3D_02 K91 55'3D_13

Indeed, Lenovo hasn’t abandoned all hope of an Android-based TV OS; in fact, the situation is in reality quite the opposite – with the K91, it’ll be embracing everyone’s favorite robot completely. Its (presumably heavily) modified version of the OS will feature:

  • Video on Demand that tailors itself to your viewing history
  • “Internet applications” (it’s not quite clear whether this indicates something outside of ICS’ regular contents, or just Google’s traditional web browser)
  • “Traditional TV programs” (again, it’s not quite clear what’s meant by this)
  • Access to the Android Market (of course)
  • Access to the Lenovo Store
  • Voice control
  • Cloud support (yep, that’d be the “personal cloud”)

K91 55'3D_14 K91 55'3D_03 K91 55'3D_04

Powered by a dual-core Snapdragon 8060 CPU, the K91 Smart TV will ship with a 5MP (!) webcam for video chat and a full HD IPS display at 240hz with SRS TruSurround.

05
Jan
Last Updated: January 7th, 2012

Well, that was quick. Shortly after new Google TV partners were announced, LG has announced one of their Android-powered offerings: the LG Smart TV with Google TV. Details are scant at this point, as the device won't be demonstrated until CES, but we do know that it will launch in two series at some point this year. Both will feature LG's Cinema 3D displays, which do not require the expensive shuttering glasses to work, and both will come bundled with remote with the Magic Remote Qwerty - unsurprisingly, a QWERTY version of their Magic Remote.

More information will arise once CES rolls around, but with many Google TV-powered devices about to be announced, it likely won't stick out of the crowd.