Will Australia Be Getting Google TV This Year?


CES is just a few days away, and it looks like the Vegas trade show is destined to be the second coming of Google TV. In a blog post this morning Google confirmed that Sony would begin selling Google TV televisions in several countries outside the US this year. Could Australia be one of them?

In the blog post, Google TV’s Mickey Kim makes several key Google TV announcements, including a partnership with LG to release Google TV screens, a partnership with Marvell to provide the chipsets (instead of Intel), and new sets from Samsung and Vizio.

But by far the most interesting tidbit of information to us Aussie readers is the fact that Sony is getting set to launch Google TV sets outside the US this year:

Sony – We’re happy to build on our partnership with Sony. At CES, Sony will unveil new devices for the US and plans to offer Google TV powered products in several countries around the world in 2012.

There’s no indication that Australia will be one of those countries, but the chances aren’t as bad as they were a year ago. Online entertainment options – like those offered through Sony’s Bravia Internet video service, Samsung and LG Smart TVs or the Xbox and PS3 games consoles shows that there is a growing market for internet video content. Google would have been working hard at gaining content licences for its inevitable launch in Australia, so even if it only has a few arrangements in place, the potential to launch is there.

We’ve contacted Sony to try and get confirmation, but it’s unlikely they’ll tell us anything until an official announcement is made, hopefully as soon as CES next week. Fingers crossed!

[Google TV]