LG Electronics plans to release televisions running Google TV in the U.S. by May 21, according to a report.
The South Korea-based company made the announcement early Monday, but offered no details such as pricing, display sizes, or specs, according to Reuters. An LG representative was unavailable for comment at the time of this writing.
LG-made Google TVs have been expected for several months after speculation about an LG Google TV surfaced in November. The company followed up those rumors with a January debut of its Google TV plans during CES 2012 in Las Vegas. The gadget maker said its Google TV-powered sets would include LG Cinema 3D displays between 55 and 84 inches (diagonal), a 3D conversion engine that can turn any 2D TV show or movie into a 3D spectacle, and an LG Magic Remote including a QWERTY keyboard.
LG's anticipated Google TV launch will likely be welcomed by the search giant as it struggles to keep relevant its platform designed to merge the Web with broadcast television. The company in October launched an overhaul of Google TV with a new streamlined interface and Android app support. But two years have passed since its debut in 2010 and Google TV is still supported in the U.S. largely by Logitech and Sony devices.
Logitech announced in November that it will cease producing new Google TV devices after losing millions on developing and selling the Revue, a Google TV-powered set-top box. Sony is focusing mainly on its “four screens” strategy that will tie its televisions, smartphones, tablets, and PCs into one Apple-like ecosystem. Meanwhile, LG will sell Google TV-powered sets alongside its own NetCast smart TV platform. Other manufacturers expected to roll out new Google TV devices include Vizio and Samsung.
Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt in December predicted that most TVs sold by summer 2012 will come with Google TV on board.
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