Samsung Electronics is working on developing a Blu-ray DVD player that will come equipped with Google's software platform, Yoon Boo Keun, head of the company's digital media division, told a group of South Korean reporters in December. The news was embargoed until Friday when it was released to the media at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The Google-enabled Blu-ray player will do exactly what you would expect it to: integrate Web surfing into the traditional TV watching experience. Samsung's new device will allow consumers to update their social networking accounts, check their e-mail and mess around on the Internet, all while watching television.
Samsung anticipates launching the new product in the first half of 2011. The expected pricing structure has yet to be revealed.
Meanwhile, Yoon Boo Keun also told reporters back on Dec. 23, that Samsung has still not decided whether it will make HD and 3D-enabled televisions that are powered by Google's software. The Samsung executive said that the South Korean company has yet to commit to manufacturing a Google-powered TV because of some "issues," without elaborating.
"We are discussing with Google but there are a couple of issues to resolve and we want to make it a win-win deal for both of us," he said.
Most likely, Samsung is waiting to see if Google can clean up some problems that have occurred with the software. The California-based Internet company recently asked manufacturers to refrain from making any product announcements due to some poor reviews, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Yoon also unveiled very aggressive sales targets for 2011, including a goal of selling 45 million flat-screen TVs this year. In 2010, Samsung only shipped 39 million units. The company plans on moving approximately 10 million 3D televisions and 12 million Internet-enabled "smart TVs."
Beecher Tuttle is a TechZone360 contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Tammy Wolf
