nsz-gs7
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Google TV v4 close to release, hacked 'Android TV' ROM is running in the wild
News that the Google TV platform will get an update to Android Jelly Bean came at the I/O event back in May, but there's been little in the way of information since then. GTV Hacker team member CJ Heres points out a zip file containing the open sourced code for LG's Google TV devices, and even has a hacked ROM up and running on a Sony box. The code was updated in the last week or so and uses Linux 3.4.5, which is the same version that Jelly Bean is based on. Separately, he's posted an image (above) of proper Android 4.x on a Sony NSZ-GS7 Google TV box, complete with the operating system's NDK support that enables high-performance apps so it can run XBMC (barely -- it crashes on any attempt to play video). The software is pulled from a Chinese Android device and as he mentioned to us, hopefully the coming update will make this type of hack entirely unnecessary. Google confirmed the platform will get Chromecast-style features and "bring the latest experience of Android and Chrome to devices," but we don't know if that's due in this update. Reports months ago indicated the Google TV brand will fade into Android as the two projects grow back together, and GigaOm points out that Sony's new BRAVIA Smart Stick doesn't use the title, while developers have moved away from it (even the I/O presentation rocked the title "Android: As seen on TV!"). Google TV or Android TV, we should hear more shortly -- in the meantime check out an I/O demo of LG's TV running Android 4.2.2 after the break.
Sony's Google TV box gets a refresh, NSZ-GS8 adds voice search ready remote
Sony has just announced a new Google TV set-top box, the NSZ-GS8. Apparently replacing last year's NSZ-GS7 that lead the charge of second generation ARM-powered Google TV hardware, this one appears to be quite similar. As seen in the picture above (check after the break to see the old remote for comparison) it adds a microphone this time around, necessary to enable the voice search features added to the Google TV platform last fall. We're not seeing any other changes, but we'll let you know if we hear of any differences. In lieu of actual new devices, Google TV fans can at least take heart that Sony is continuing development on the platform -- good to hear after the NSZ-GP9 Blu-ray player that was also announced last year ended up being cancelled prior to its release. Like its predecessor, the NSZ-GS8 carries a sticker price of $199 and should reach stores by early July.
Sony NSZ-GS7 update brings Google TV's newer voice search and YouTube perks
Someone must have declared it Google TV Update Week without telling us: just days after a Vizio Co-Star upgrade, Sony's NSZ-GS7 Internet Player is getting its own tune-up. The Sony update parallels its Vizio counterpart in focusing mostly on the features from the fall 2012 Google TV revamp, including PrimeTime and the updated YouTube app. Viewers pining for Amazon VOD access can also grab its app through Google Play. Sony mostly claims an edge over Vizio through its support for the equally new voice search feature: owners just have to chat with Sony's remote to get things done, instead of leaning on phone or tablet control. However GS7 owners plan to steer their TVs, they'll just need to check for a software update in the days ahead to rejuvenate their set-top boxes.
GTVHacker shows off custom recovery for Google TVs (video)
There's plenty of official news about Google TV this week at CES, but if you're more interested in cracking the platform wide open unofficially this video may be of interest. The GTVHacker team reveals that it has been developing an exploit that will let it run custom kernels on "most" second generation Google TV devices, along with a custom recovery designed specifically for Google TV. It's not ready for prime time just yet but in the video you can get a peek at it being loaded on a Sony NSZ-GS7 box, opening up wider access to the kinds of adjustments we're already used to seeing on mobile Android devices. There's no word on when this will see wide release, but you can hit the source link for more details plus a history of what the team has been up to since coming together over two years ago
OnLive reaffirms support for Marvell powered ARM Google TV boxes
While there has been a lot of speculation recently about which platforms the OnLive Google TV app will support for gameplay, the company is confirming support for / collaboration with Marvell's 1500 HD SoC Google highlighted for its v2 hardware. While no specific devices are mentioned, there's a Marvell brain in the Sony Google TV box we recently reviewed and the upcoming Vizio Co-Star, so unless a manufacturer blocks it, we'd expect to be able to install it and get playing -- Gaikai purchases notwithstanding. Not mentioned in the press release (after the break) is LG's custom CPU for its Google TVs, but since we've already got video evidence of it running there, we're simply left waiting for the app to launch for the full console gaming experience sans-console.
Sony NSZ-GS7 Google TV review
More Info Sony's second try at Google TV brings Blu-ray player, streaming box and a new remote Google TV goes international, Sony NSZ-GS7 set-top box up for preorder in the US and UK Google TV officially switching to ARM, Marvell Armada 1500 CPU to lead the charge If at first you don't succeed, try, try again and that's exactly what Google has done with Google TV. With the second generation of Google's software hitting older hardware and some TVs, it only makes sense that Sony would revise its hardware and fill the void left when Logitech decided to leave the party. The $199 NSZ-GS7 from Sony might be the perfect little box for those hoping to internet-enable their TV without actually replacing the TV itself. How well it does at that is exactly what you'll find if you click through.
Google TV goes international, Sony NSZ-GS7 set-top box up for preorder in the US and UK
Sony mentioned during CES 2012 that its Google TV-powered hardware would come to Europe this summer, and now it's official. Along with Google, it's announced preorders are available for the $200/£200/$199 NSZ-GS7 internet streaming set-top box in the US and UK (showing a ship date of July 9th, Sony says it should hit stores July 22nd), with plans to launch in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico and Netherlands later this year. The NSZ-GP9 with integrated Blu-ray player will arrive in October, priced at £280/€300/$299. UK users can expect localized content from The Guardian among other sources, and more reveals are promised at Google I/O this week. There's an internationally-aimed trailer (embedded after the break) and more information from Sony and Google at their respective sites, we'll see if the mix of reworked hardware and updated software makes this venture more successful than the last round. Update: It looks like buyers in other countries may not have to wait long, Sony Australia has already announced a "limited time" pack-in offer of the boxes with the purchase of a new TV starting this week. The box will be available solo at some unspecified time in the future.
Sony's Google TV-enabled NSZ-GS7 Network Media Player up for pre-order at J&R
We knew Sony's next batch of Google TV-enabled hardware was coming this summer, and now at least one device is up for pre-order at J&R. Folks who've been wanting the Android-based service without shelling out for a full TV set from the company will now only need to part with $200 for its NSZ-GS7 Network Media Player. The unit comes complete with an updated remote featuring a QWERTY keyboard, motion control, a microphone (for "voice commands") and a touchpad, and it's said to work with most of Sony's 2012 TV lineup. There still seems to be no word on this streaming box's exact specs, a ship date or when you'll be able to snag its Blu-ray touting sibling, but you can hit the source link to secure one for yourself in the meantime. Here's to watching whether it'll muster up more gusto for the platform than Logitech's Revue, once it's planted consumers' AV racks.
Sony's second try at Google TV brings Blu-ray player, streaming box and a new remote (Update: hands-on!)
Interestingly, despite a Sony execs saying that its Google TV model was meeting sales expectations, for the second round it's focusing on two add-on boxes. The NSZ-GP9 Blu-ray player and NSZ-GS7 network media player (pictured above) will ship in North America and Europe in early summer, and are expect to roll out in other regions afterwards as Google TV expands its reach. Common to both boxes is a completely reimagined remote, featuring a backlit QWERTY keyboard, touchpad and motion control for gaming. We're not hearing anything about IR blasters up front this time around, but it can work as a universal remote to control other devices with "basic" control of Sony's 2012 HDTVs as well, while the Blu-ray player supports voice search as well. Unspecified at this time are the provenance of the internals, although the switch away from its Intel predecessors should yield cheaper, cooler running units. There's no price or expected ship date available currently, check back for more info and hands-on with these as well as the other new Sony hardware shortly. Update: We got our hands all over the new hardware and our first impression is: it's tiny. The network streamer is still bigger than a Roku, but compared to say, a Revue, the switch to ARM has clearly had a slimming effect on Google TV. The Blu-ray player is similarly shrunken, with its footprint down to merely what a normal player would occupy. The remote is conveniently backlit this time around, and dual sided. It certainly has an improved feel this time around, but is it good enough to satisfy the masses? We'll know better after we've spent more time with it. Check the pics in the gallery to see for yourself.
