Google TV 101
By Rachel Cericola
With the ultimate entertainment experience just days (maybe?) away, there are a few things you might want to know.

Back in May, Google announced Google TV, a new platform that combines the goodness of TV with the web - all of it.

Before you try to scoop up what could be the couch potato's best buddy, here are a few things you should know about Google TV.

How is it different? There are several manufacturers selling HDTVs with branded web apps. Panasonic has VIERA Cast, LG has NetCast, Samsung has Samsung Apps, and so on. While all of those offer additional entertainment from Netflix, Pandora, VUDU, YouTube, and more, they are still limited in how and what they display.



That's where Google TV should shine. Using Google Chrome and Adobe Flash Player 10.1, you can access anything on the web and have it be optimized for TV viewing. However, a lot of content will still be app-based. Google says Google TV will come preloaded with apps for Netflix, Twitter, CNBC, Pandora, Napster, NBA Game Time, Amazon Video On Demand and Gallery.

How do you get Google TV? Google TV will feature apps, just like your smartphone. While we should expect Google TV to be built into future TVs, if you want it now, you'll need a box like Logitech's Revue, which will cost $299. Dish also showed a prototype Google TV Box at CEDIA Expo 2010.

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