LITTLE ROCK — Toshiba Corp. and Vizio Inc. plan to release products based on Google Inc.’s TV software, lending support to the Internet search company’s efforts to bring the Web to TV screens, people familiar with the matter said.
The two companies will unveil products at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, the people said, declining to be identified because the companies haven’t made their plans public. Samsung Electronics Co. is considering making Google TV devices as well, the company said.
The support would give a boost to Google after the company clashed with TV networks over allowing their online content on the system. Google is counting on the product to parlay its dominance in online search advertising into a foothold in broadcast ads. Until now, the software has been used only in televisions and Blu-ray players from Sony Corp. and in a set-top box from Logitech International SA.
“We are very happy with the launch of Google TV with our initial partners Sony, Logitech and Intel,” Google said Tuesday in an e-mailed statement, without naming any new partners. “Our long-term goal is to collaborate with a broad community of consumer electronics manufacturers to help drive the next generation, TVwatching experience.”
Vizio was the leading maker of LCD television sets in the U.S. in the third quarter, while Toshiba ranked sixth, according to iSuppli Corp.
Business, Pages 24 on 11/29/2010