The web conquered, Google sets sights on TV

SEARCH giant puts its finger in another pie with plans to launch internet television service.

A screenshot from Google's promotional video showing its new internet TV service.

GOOGLE has unveiled a television platform that it touts as blending the best of the internet and television.

"Google TV is a new platform that we believe will change the future of television," said Google group product manager Rishi Chandra at a developers conference in San Francisco overnight.

The Google TV technology is based on the internet giant's Android software and "combines the best of what TV has to offer and the best of what the web has to offer", according to Mr Chandra.

Google TV can be accessed on internet-enabled television sets or using a custom digital box that routes content to screens.

A wireless computer keyboard and box were used during the on-stage demonstration of Google TV.

"The transition from TV to web is totally seamless," Mr Chandra said during the demonstration, which featured a few awkward glitches.

"To the user it doesn't matter where I get my content, whether it be live TV, DVR, or the web. They just want access to it."

Internet search and advertising giant Google is hoping to tap into the billions of television viewers around the world with the new product.

Google TV promotional video: