Is "Google TV" on the Way?

Google, Intel and Sony are conducting joint development work on a platform called Google TV, according to a report in the New York Times.

Logitech is reportedly working with the companies to supply a small keyboard which will work with the systems, according to the article.

The Times reports that the project has been underway for months and that the goal is to produce a technology "that will make it as easy for TV users to navigate Web applications, like the Twitter social network and the Picasa photo site, as it is to change the channel." As part of the work, Google is said to be ready to open its Google TV platform to applications developers. The TV technology runs on Intel's Atom chips.

None of the companies commented on the report.

"Google wants to be everywhere the Internet is so they can put ads there," the Times quotes a source identified as having knowledge of the project.

To date, Google's work in television has concentrated on Google TV Ads, as part of an arrangement with Dish Network to track television ad-viewing statistics.