Google Test New TV Search

15 Mar 2010

Google and Dish Network are testing a search service that would enable users to find video content on conventional TV and on the Internet, according to a news report.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the test will use Google's Android software.

The trial could help Google determine whether TV viewers would favor Web-like searches over the use of remote control searches, which usually involve the use of menus and much clicking around via a TV's remote control.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Google will hope to combine its TV search service with its new television advertising-brokering business, Google TV, enabling it to target specific adverts to individual households based on their search and viewing habits.

Google and Dish Network officials have declined to discuss the test publically. Google's chief executive, Eric Schmidt, however, has suggested that Android technology could be used by TV hardware manufacturers.

Schmidt said last month: "It makes sense that people would use Android as an operating system for set-top boxes, buddy boxes and TVs. All of those ideas have been proposed by our partners."

The test is said to be restricted to a small number of set-top boxes in the hands of Google employees, the WSJ reports.

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