Sony’s Google TV set-top box on sale from July 22

Sony's NSZ-GS7 Internet Player with Google TV will go on sale in the US on July 22. A global release will follow in countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico and the UK.

The set-top box was first unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. It enables consumers to browse the Internet and to download apps from the Google Play Store on their existing TV.

'Expanding the reach and interoperability of the powerful Android platform with Sony's smartphones, tablets and renowned Audio & Video products, we are proud to continue our relationship with Google through the introduction of the new Google TV set-top-box,' said Phil Molyneux, president and chief operating officer of Sony Electronics. 'Entertainment content is available through so many channels and sites, and Google TV helps consumers easily find what they want to watch, listen to or play using familiar search engine technology, enhancing the viewer experience. TV will never be the same.'

Sony's new Google TV enhanced NSZ-GP9 Blu-ray player with voice search capabilities is also due to arrive on the market in time for the holiday season. The NSZ-GP9 will be priced at $299.

Both the NSZ-GP9 and the NSZ-GS7 come with a redesign remote control that features a QWERTY keyboard, a touch panel and three-axis motion sensors for playing games.

In February Samsung, the world's top TV maker, launched its flagship ES8000 Smart TV in Korea. The high-end HDTV packs in next-generation features such as voice and gesture controls and the ability to recognize faces. The TV also comes with a smart evolution kit which enables users to upgrade the TV processor.

Meanwhile, Samsung is also said to be working on a new Google TV that will rival Sony's existing Google TV and LG's recently launched 3D-enabled Google TV. In February Kim Hyun-suk, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics' Visual Display Business, told The Korea Herald Samsung plans to release the Google TV by the end of 2012.

The NSZ-GS7 Internet Player with Google TV will be available in the United Kingdom in July. The set-top box will then see a wider roll out in Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Brazil, and Mexico. The NSZ-GP9 Blu-ray Disc player with Google TV will be available from fall in the United States, followed later by Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Netherlands.