Google has officially dropped x86 and is planning for the next generation of Google TV hardware to be ARM based. Partnering up with Marvell, Google’s next gen GTV will feature a low cost, energy efficient yet powerful, Marvell ARMADA 1500 HD Media SoC. This really is good news for Google TV and will hopefully bring a breath of fresh air to the otherwise dismal platform.

I still believe the future of Google TV lies in native integration rather than set top boxes but at least with the new ARMADA 1500 Foresight Platform, and Marvell’s award-winning Qdeo video processing technology, we should see more impressively rich media content delivered to our TVs.

It’s going to be interesting to see if this new partnership improves Google TV’s adoption, and I’m happy that we’re going to get a look at it in a few days — as plans to debut the next gen Google TV are set to take place at CES. What do you guys think? Just the thing Google TV needs, or a move that won’t really matter in the end? Sound off in the comments below.

• SourceEngadget