Sony Goes Google With Web-Enabled Google TV Line

Tech titan Sony has launched a line of Web-enabled televisions that pack in Google's hotly anticipated Google TV software, the search giant's TV and web platform.

The Sony Internet TV line, which the company showcased this week at a press event in New York City, ties together LCD HDTVs and the web and come powered by Google TV. The TVs let users search the full Internet, watch TV and use web apps, either one at a time or simultaneously using Sony's "Dual View" technology.

The Sony Internet TVs each feature four USB ports, four HDMI inputs and Wi-Fi access. Sony launched four screen sizes: 24-inch, 32-inch, 40-inch and 46-inch that range in price from $599 to $1,399. Sony said the Internet TV line will also link to select smartphones sometime this fall.

Google TV software delivers the web to the television screen and features Hulu, Twitter, Netflix, YouTube and Pandora. It also lets users leverage apps designed for Google Android. Google first unveiled Google TV last year at its Google I/O conference. Google TV's web surfing uses Google Chrome and is built on an Intel Atom processor. The hand-held remote features a full QWERTY keyboard and an optical mouse.

Sony also launched the Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc player, a Blu-ray player powered by Google TV, which doesn't require users to upgrade their televisions to take advantage of Google TV software. The Blu-ray player runs about $400. Sony Internet TVs will be available on Saturday at SonyStyle.com and in Best Buy stores the following day.