While Google TV is scheduled to be introduced in the US in the autumn of this year, Sony and Logitech will be the one to issue the first devices.

Intel is the supplier of the Atom-based chipsets of Google TV, which aims at bringing web functionality on the TV set.

During the I/O conference, Google announced that Sony will be launching an assortment of TV sets and a Blu-ray player installed with Google TV.

“I am delighted to announce the unique alignment of Google’s rapidly growing, open source Android platform with Sony’s unparalleled expertise in the field of TV design and technology”, said Howard Stringer, the chairman, president and chief executive officer of Sony Corporation.

Stringer said that the incorporation of ‘Sony Internet TV’ will further enhance the wide-ranging TV line up of the company and will add up new levels of interactivity and enjoyment into television experience.

Meanwhile, Logitech will launch a companion box that would plug into the already existing setups and integrate its Harmony remote control technology. The companion box will comprise of a controller, which combines remote control and keyboard capabilities.

“The company also has plans to introduce an HDTV camera and video chat for Google TV, along with additional choices for navigation and control, including apps to turn a smart phone into an advanced controller for Google TV and home-entertainment systems”, said Logitech.

It is not the first time that companies have tried to crack this possibly lucrative and technologically advanced market. Apple is just one of previous firms to make attempts at increasing the way that TVs could be used to access the internet, but until now features have been limited to downloading entertainment shows or films. However, with reporters expressing that there was even talk that ‘Google TV’ may even be built into television sets and other devices themselves, it seems as if latest developments may come to fruition.

Believed to be working alongside technology developer and manufacturer Logitech, an insider said “Google wants to be everywhere the Internet is so they can put ads there.” And with a vast array of business links in different sectors, Google’s gaining dominance is only increasing in momentum. Meanwhile, with experts expressing that the device would likely be powered by Intel chips on an Android system, the only other question is whether Google are looking for global dominance with the product or a simple U.S launch as with many of their other devices.

Whilst previously announced by a Sony spokesperson as no longer top of the priority list, Mr Buser said “You’re going to see us really embrace this idea of total game integration” and that Home will “really extend out the experience of your games.” He added that the platform was currently seeing an 85per cent return rate of users, intimating of the great community and service that PlayStation Home provided. 

The virtual world, which allows users to socialise with other avatar’s in addition to accessing games, video’s and other creative materials in a high definition landscape, had previously been tipped for huge things by Sony but has lacked to reach the glossy heights once hoped for. However, it seems that with the announcement of new user figures, and increased advertisement, some retailers are being attracted to the system as a source of new customers. UK high street retailer outlet Game has recently revealed a newly developed “Moonbase” where individuals can “hang out, socialise and learn about forthcoming releases and activities across all PlayStation platforms.” Meanwhile, with user figures apparently booming, there may still be life in Sony’s virtual world.

Boosted by the recent Oscar success of Avatar, and with a number of upcoming movies planned to be in 3D, the phenomenon is spreading with both LG and Samsung already offering sets in the U.S with plans to reach Europe in coming months. Meanwhile Panasonic’s 3D set is due to hit U.S shelves later this week. Like all other versions, Sony’s latest effort comes with two pairs of 3D glasses needed for viewing 3D material.

However, whilst the electronics industry is keen to see the move into 3D take off, some experts are cynical that consumers will pay the high prices for devices, especially due to the current financial problems. Gartner researcher Fernando Elizalde explained “I’m not very optimistic about 3D TV as it is today, I see more negatives than positives. The biggest barriers to growth in 3D TV are the lack of content, the inconvenience of wearing glasses and that millions of consumers have only just upgraded to high-definition sets. Sony has one advantage: it has arms that make TV sets, produce content and make filming equipment.”

Meanwhile Sony ignored fears to set high growth targets. Wanting to sell approximately 25 million LCD televisions in the next financial year, the company hopes that at least 10per cent will be 3D sets with an increase being seen in the period before Japan turns off its analogue TV signal in 2011.

Announcing at last year’s IFA, the world’s largest consumer electronics trade fair, that they were fully committed to developing 3D capabilities, it had been widely expected that Sony would release 3D products. Incorporating the technology into five newly developed Blu-ray systems, the range varies from small, compact home cinema systems, to fully integrated surround sound experiences.

Sony’s 2.1-channel Blu-ray BDV-F500 is the smallest of the range, with wall mountable speakers which can also be set down on desktops. Meanwhile their 5.21-channel BDV-IZ1000W, BDV-E370, BDV-E870 and BDV-E670W all offer seamless design so that they can easily be incorporated with the companies range of TV’s, in addition to having DLNA connectivity and 3D compatibility. In addition, the new systems allow for integration of Bravia Internet Video, showing that Sony is well and truly pushing the forefront of consumer technology and allowing for all possible future developments to be catered for.

Whilst all the systems will be on consumer shelves later this month, the 3D capabilities along with Sony’s 3D TV range will not be available until later this summer.

Marking the next stage in the gaming market for gaming console companies including Sony’s PS3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360, the beginnings of such an intuitive system which uses the body’s movement within the game, came from Nintendo’s Wii. Whilst inferior in technological standard to both the Xbox 360 and the PS3, Wii continues to outsell both products.

President of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division, Robbie Back explained at the Las Vegas based Consumer Electronics Show that motion control was vital for gaming console firms to continue to develop and gain market shares in the gaming sector. “Project Natal brings in consumers who wouldn’t traditionally have thought of themselves as an Xbox or a gaming customer,” he said, adding “Now we are an entertainment device, which creates a tremendous new opportunity for us.”

Details of Sony’s device, currently with no name, emerged, showing that the wand-like device was connected to the PS3 using a camera which picked up motion. Microsoft’s Project Natal however uses no controller, instead using an extra box on the console to detect body movement with an inbuilt camera. The system then analysed the movement and integrates it into the game.

However, many believe that the technology is a heartbeat away from becoming mainstream and major sporting events are powerful catalysts for technological innovation, strongly contributing to the take-up of the new technology. 3D movies and television images are definitely on the rise – one estimate suggests that by 2013, as many as 13.6 million 3D TV sets may be installed across Europe.

The BBC is planning to capture some of the 2012 Olympics in 3D and has hinted that it may soon be launching a dedicated sports channel – Premier League football would then be available in 3D. Sport lovers are in for a 3D feast.

The device comes with a remote control which enables you to select images from its internal library – an archive which can store hundreds of pictures. You simply press the remote and an image flicks up, much like a TV channel. It’s also possible to display the image in completely static mode, or trigger it to rotate. The device is still really at an experimental stage, so we are unlikely to be able to get one for the coffee table in 2010. But Sony and others are actively developing the technology and aim eventually to progress the unit not only to enlarge its size (it’s rather small, not much bigger than a food blender) but to be able to display animated images. The company believes that moving images are about a year away.

The announcement – which came just hours after Nintendo officially cut the price of its Wii console – shows that Sony intends to challenge the dominance of the Nintendo Wii in the motion market.

Sony had previously mentioned at E3 in June that it was developing the new controller, but gave no indication as to when it would be available on the market.

Microsoft have also announced their intentions to raise the motion controller stakes by developing their own controller system, coded ‘Natal’, although have given no further indication as to its functionality, date of availability or price.

Sony explained the functionality of their new controller in a release: “The newly announced Motion Controller is equipped with two motion sensors, three axes gyroscope and three axes accelerometer that can detect the controller’s angle and movement held in the user’s hand.”

The release continued: “Together with the PlayStation Eye camera for PS3, which can accurately track the absolute position of the controller, the controller can detect the natural and intuitive movement of the hand and reflect the precise movement on to the game.”

The fact that Nintendo announced their price cut first (just hours earlier at the Wednesday night’s Tokyo Game Show) has done little to quell speculation that Nintendo’s decision to slash its Wii console price is designed to counter the timing of Sony’s own announcement.

Many in the industry believe that Nintendo are hoping to cash in on the Wii’s undoubted success before the competition from Sony and Microsoft becomes too fierce.

The programme investigated the claim after several contributors complained of the “yellow light of death”, a symptom after which their consoles no longer worked. Approaching three independent repairers, examination revealed that the units contained large numbers of soldering faults on electronic components.

Writing in a letter to the programme Sony UK’s senior vice president and managing director Ray Maguire said “We think it is highly unfair to suggest that from an installed base of 2.5 million that the numbers you mention somehow are evidence of a ‘manufacturing defect. The phrase ‘yellow light of death’ has been adopted by certain members of the online community to describe the situation in which PS3 systems have shut down following the illumination of the yellow light on the PS3’s front panel. The yellow indicator is simply a non-specific fault indicator that can be triggered in a range of different circumstances.”

Regarding the faults seen Mr Maguire added that not all the faulty units showed comparable signs, indicating that it was not a manufacturing issue.

Meanwhile a spokesperson from the BBC said “Watchdog investigated this item having been contacted by 155 viewers who had experienced problems with their PS3. We presented a fair and accurate account of their stories, using expert advice and we broadcast Sony’s response.”