Rumor: From word “close to the project”, Google TV is pegged to arrive on the PS3 sometime early next Spring.
Not Rumor: Sony already has a GoogleTV connected Blu-Ray player.
When we reached out to Sony on the subject, they have provided us with a “Sony does not comment on rumor or speculation” response. But, there is mounting evidence to suggest that something may be going on.
With the speculation surrounding the Playstation Phone and Sony already dabbling in Android OS/GoogleTV inclusion on Sony hardware and televisions, it’s safe to assume that the OS usage will be extended to other Sony products. The PS3 needs to further leverage the OS’ ability to be flexible across platforms and combat the upcoming 3DS and the XBox 360’s addition of ESPN and several other new features.
Sony currently provides both Netflix and Hulu Plus apps to its users, as well as Sony Pictures films over PSN. The PS3 also allows for networked streaming. It is clear that not only does Sony want the PS3 to be a gaming hub, but the premiere multimedia hub of the home as well. GoogleTV provides the ability to view any media at any time, web or live, something that few other devices accomplish effectively and no other gaming device can do. This is a huge advantage for Sony of they can extend Android’s reach.
With Google TV having the ability to include apps, this provides a quicker method of acquiring many of the same apps that the Xbox has (Last.fm, Twitter, Facebook) and more. The PS3 can more accurately become an “everything to everyone” product if it has access to all of the apps that we like to use already.
But why should we believe that GoogleTV will come to PS3? Besides the factual and statistical notes, it comes down to it just making sense. It’s already happening on Sony TV and Blu-Ray products, and the PS3 is considered the cornerstone of Sony’s electronics business. It could very well be educated guesswork, but the addition of any such app now proves advantageous for both Sony and Google, who want the product in as many homes as possible early on to help it gain footing.
It is unlikely that any official acknowledgement will come from Google any time soon, so it falls square on Sony’s shoulders to announce the update possibly after the holiday season, as a way to continue the growing positive sales numbers of the PS3.
[Update: We don’t have any specifics or information on hardware connection to existing television, existing content boxes (like UVerse or Comcast Motorola devices) or Dish Network products, so your guess is as good as ours. However, it’s worth noting that this may be a response to the XBox 360/UVerse compatibility, with a similar workaround.]
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