Google's Android operating system already comes in plenty of flavors. Now, a brand new kind of Android may be on the way -- and this one could end up changing the way we think about television.
It's called "Google TV," and it's believed to be an Internet-enabled, Android-based television. Unlike the majority of Android devices, however, this thing could be running an operating system all its own.
Google TV and Android Dragonpoint
The Google TV, according to a recent report published by Bloomberg BusinessWeek, will run a brand spanking new version of Android known as "Dragonpoint." Quite a change from the dessert-themed versions we've seen so far, eh?
Piecing this together with previous buzz, the Android Dragonpoint OS could transform your television into a whole new kind of high-tech hybrid. Past leaks suggest the Google TV will include integrated Google search along with a version of Google's Chrome browser and -- most notably -- support for third-party apps.
As for hardware, Intel's Atom processor is said to be set to power the Google TV system. According to various reports, the technology could come in numerous forms: standalone set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, and even all-inclusive TVs. Logitech is also said to be building a QWERTY-style keyboard/remote to be used with the various devices.
The Google TV Timeline
So when can we expect to learn more about this alleged Google TV technology? Signs are pointing to a possible unveiling at Google's I/O conference in San Francisco later this month, on May 19 and 20.
Of course, neither the Google TV nor any of the details we're hearing so far are set in stone; as with any rumors, things could change and unofficial info could prove to be inaccurate. With major players ranging from The New York Times to The Wall Street Journal now expressing confidence in its existence, though, the odds on this one are starting to look pretty good.
Just don't tell Yahoo. Its CEO seems to think Google is known only for search; let's not wake her up just yet.
JR Raphael is a PCWorld contributing editor and the co-founder of eSarcasm. He's on Facebook: facebook.com/The.JR.Raphael