Google, in a bid to promote and improve Google TV, which seeks to merge television and the Internet, is giving away 10,000 of the devices to developers.

Amanda Surya of Google TV's developer relations team said Google gave away more than 3,000 Google TV devices at a developers conference being held this week by software maker Adobe in Los Angeles.

"We are focusing our efforts on empowering the developers of the world to make Google TV an even better experience, through websites that have been built with the TV screen in mind," Surya said in a blog post.

"For users, better-looking and more interesting websites means that the overall Google TV experience is even better," she said.

"We want to encourage a new generation of TV developers to come forward to make this vision a reality," she said. "Which is why, over the next few weeks, we're planning to give away 10,000 Google TV devices to help developers start building for TV."

Japanese electronics giant Sony unveiled a line of high-definition TV sets this month featuring Google TV, which merges online content with traditional television programming.

The Mountain View, California-based Google unveiled Google TV in May at a software developers conference in San Francisco.

Developed in partnership with Sony, Logitech and Intel, Google TV allows users to mesh television viewing with surfing the Web.

Google TV, which is powered by Google's Android software and Chrome Web browser, can be accessed using the Sony TVs or set-top boxes from Logitech that route Web content to existing TV sets.

Google is not the first technology company to attempt to marry the TV set and the Internet. A number of electronics manufacturers offer Web-enabled televisions or digital set-top boxes.

earlier related report

Australia's Telstra unveils iPad-style budget tablet
Sydney (AFP) Oct 27, 2010 –

Australia's major telecom firm Telstra unveiled a tablet device to rival Apple's iPad on Wednesday, featuring many of the same functions but with the added bonus of also working as a mobile phone.

Telstra's T-Touch Tab, which goes on sale next week, allows users to make video and phone calls and send text messages, and is being touted as the country's "most affordable wireless tablet".

"T-Touch Tab will suit Australians' appetite for quick and affordable access to information, useful apps and digital media wherever they may be," said Rebekah O'Flaherty, executive director of Telstra's consumer division.

"From games that keep the kids amused, reading e-books, checking your email or catching the weather on the move, the possibilities are virtually endless."

The device will retail for 299 Australian dollars (295 US) and has a seven inch (18 centimetre) touchscreen. It runs on Google's Android 2.1 operating system, offering access to more than 80,000 applications.

Experts have described it as Australia's first budget-priced tablet, giving it generally warm reviews.

PC World computer magazine said it stood out compared with competitors like the iPad and Samsung's Galaxy Tab as an "affordable, entry-level tablet that doesn't skimp on too many features".

Tech website Gizmodo Australia said the device was aimed at teenagers and older buyers "who might be interested in the idea of a tablet but don't want to pay 650 dollars for an iPad".

But the T-Touch's resistive touchscreen — meaning users have to push down on it slightly — was "probably too big a sacrifice for any discerning gadget lover," it cautioned.

Apple launched the iPad in Australia to much fanfare in May, with some customers holding overnight vigils to be first through the doors. Marketing firm GfK recently estimated almost 200,000 units had been sold.

Apple told AFP it "does not break figures down to a country level" but said more than 4.2 million iPads had been sold worldwide in the three months to September alone.

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