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If you’re looking for a Smart TV but don’t fancy shelling out all the extra cash just for those clever features, a Google TV add-on might be what you’re looking for.
Aimed at transforming your average HDTV into a Smart TV, the Google TV platform brings apps, on-demand media and web browsing in an internet connected device. The first product with Google TV to land on our shores will be from Japanese manufacturer Sony, in the form of the NSZ-GS7 set-top box.
This is in fact the first Google TV internet player, and it comes in a neat little package with a very cool QWERTY air remote. The remote operates in a landscape position, with a tactile full QWERTY keyboard on one side for easy email typing and punching in web addresses, and a touchpad on the other for quick and easy PC-style mouse navigation.
If you find that you can’t get along with the remote, the Google Media Remote app can be downloaded for free from the Play Store or App Store, effectively transforming your Android smartphone, tablet, iPhone or iPad into a wireless remote.
Sony’s gadget hooks up to your TV via HDMI and to your home broadband connection using Wi-Fi or ethernet, so the setup process is going to be pretty straightforward. Once you’re all hooked up you can browse the web and watch YouTube videos on your TV.
You’ll also have access to the Play Store, but for apps designed for the Google TV. This of course opens up the possibility of games and on-demand video apps, such as Netflix and Lovefilm. Google says there will be a gradual rise in the number of apps designed to work exclusively with Google TV products too, which sounds great.
The Sony NSZ-GS7 is available to pre-order now and will launch in the UK on July 16th for £200.
Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.
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