LAS VEGAS, NEVADA—Netgear plans to release a set-top box running Google TV, the company announced at its CES press conference on Monday. Dubbed the NeoTV Prime, the new set-top box will allow users to access and interact with apps from the Google Play store.

This Google Play access will open up a number of video streaming apps for use on a TV, such as Netflix or HBO Go, in addition to music apps like Pandora. Netgear mentioned there will also be apps specifically designed for TV use.

The box comes with a two-sided remote control that has a touchpad/directional pad on one side and a QWERTY keyboard on the other. The touchpad side also has quick-access buttons designated with popular video services, like Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, and HBO Go. Maybe not the most future-proof design, but convenient for now.





The NeoTV Prime is similar in size and shape to the latest Apple TV: it's a small back box with rounded corners. The box measures 4.7 by 4.1 inches and is 1.5 inches tall, not quite as petite as the Apple TV (3.9 x 3.9 x 0.9 inches). Curiously, the NeoTV Prime can run off two AAA batteries in addition to a power adapter. As for connectivity, Netgear says only that the box can use a "Broadband Internet connection" and has an HDMI port to connect to the TV.

According to Netgear, the NeoTV Prime's software will include Google TV Prime Time, which will recommend TV shows and movies based on users' watching habits.



In the tier below the NeoTV Prime is the NeoTV Max, which removes the ability to install and interact with Google Play apps. Instead, the NeoTV Max works more like a conventional streaming box with access to services like Vudu and Netflix, but it can also act as a SlingPlayer to extend cable TV subscriptions to screens not connected to a cable box.

In addition to the NeoTV Prime, Netgear also announced a new version of its wireless display adapter, Push2TV, that will allow users to throw their smartphone or laptop display to their television screen. The TV must be Intel WiDi-enabled and have a USB port to be able to use the dongle, and the smartphones must be Miracast-enabled (the Samsung Galaxy SIII and Sony Xperia TL are two examples of compatible handsets).

The NeoTV Prime will be priced at $129.99 and will be available immediately. No release date or price was announced for the Push2TV.