Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?

Summary: Google acknowledges that Google TV wasn't perfect, but is hoping this iteration changes opinions a bit.

By Larry Dignan for Between the Lines | October 28, 2011 -- 08:27 GMT (01:27 PDT)

Follow @ldignan

Google on Friday said it will deliver an update for Google TV that will remake the software more in the image of Android 3.0 and connect it to the Android Market.

The search giant stumbled the first go round with Google TV, much to the chagrin of players like Logitech. However, there's enough in this Google TV software update to make things interesting. What's unclear is whether the latest iteration will woo new consumers after a rough debut for Google TV.

Among the key points:

The interface will be simplified. Google at first tried to deliver the PC on the television. That approach didn't work out so well. CNET Reviews' Matthew Moskovci ak noted:

The new interface certainly looks to be a big improvement on last year's Google TV experience. There's a new section called TV and Movies, which presents a browsing-friendly interface that combines content from your cable/satellite service, Netflix, Amazon.com, YouTube, and HBO Go. It also includes pricing information and lets you filter by content that's currently playing live.

Google TV will be integrated with the Android Market and have 30 TV optimized apps. That's a good start, but developers will need to join in if you're really going to cut cable out of the picture.
Search has been improved to discover content better.
And YouTube has been built for Google TV and it is aimed to deliver HD quality.

The big question here is whether the Google TV update, which starts landing on Sunday, will be enough to woo new consumers and placate those who bought the platform a year ago. Logitech's update won't be landing Sunday but will be coming soon, the company said.

Google acknowledges that Google TV wasn't perfect, but is hoping this iteration changes opinions a bit.

Also: Google TV gets major Honeycomb update (photos)

Topics: Google, Android, Apps, Mobile OS

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19 comments

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Google TV is a failure ....

This product is pretty much an after thought by Google and is kept alive artificially.

Anybody actually seen a "Google TV" in the wild?

wackoae
28 October, 2011 09:34

Reply Vote
- RE: Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?
  
  I have one. It integrates with my Dish VIP-722 receiver quite nicely, though it doesn't like my Dish VIP-922 receiver.
  The Android app is nice for duplicating the keyboard's functionality. I actually use the GoogleTV app rather than a Dish remote to control my Dish receiver when I am viewing in my office.
  What I am hoping to see is the ability to install another browser with AdBlock plus to increase responsiveness.
  
  Teran
  28 October, 2011 11:27
  
  Reply Vote
RE: Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?

http://yan-er.com/4ibz
whole sale in
http://yan-er.com/film
...000....0000......................

dfheryr
28 October, 2011 10:01

Reply Vote
Well

Dang, looks nice but too bad I'm already tied to the Apple ecosystem with 2 Apple TV's... I have to say, AirPlay is nice, anything on my phone or iPad shows up on the LED...

Hasam1991
28 October, 2011 10:49

Reply Vote
RE: Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?

TV manufacturers will start embedding this into their televisions.

slickjim
28 October, 2011 10:59

Reply Vote
- RE: Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?
  
  Peter, why would they? I don't think there is anything compelling about Google TV that anyone can't do with a computer and internet connection and a TV without having to put up with Google's advertising layer.
  
  Now a TV that hooks directly to the web and incorporates Siri and iCloud....that would be something.
  
  CowLauncher
  28 October, 2011 12:39
  
  Reply Vote
  - RE: Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?
    
    @CowLauncher Because Apple will push them there.
    
    slickjim
    28 October, 2011 21:23
    
    Reply Vote
If it still needs a keyboard, it has already failed.

Simple as that.

Bruizer
28 October, 2011 11:13

Reply Vote
- RE: Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?
  
  @Bruizer the simpler the better.
  <a href="http://www.iwebtool.web.tr">wm</a>
  
  webolico
  31 October, 2011 02:13
  
  Reply Vote
The biggest problem...

They (all the players wanting to control the TV) simply don't offer anything I don't already have and is LESS complicated. My remote does all I need or want it to do.

And no, I don't sit and watch badly made youtube clips on my TV.

NoAxToGrind
28 October, 2011 11:13

Reply Vote
- RE: Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?
  
  I find it most useful for doing a quick IMDB lookup. "Who IS that actor?" Pause. Search.
  
  Teran
  28 October, 2011 11:29
  
  Reply Vote
  - You call that useful???
    
    @Teran If that is all you do with it .... then it is junk, even under your low standards of usefulness.
    
    wackoae
    28 October, 2011 17:42
    
    Reply Vote
  - RE: Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?
    
    @Teran
    
    My TV remote and DirectTV already provide for that. Shrug...
    
    NoAxToGrind
    29 October, 2011 06:48
    
    Reply Vote
RE: Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?

Just connect a Pc to your Tv with a wireless keyboard. Someone else mentioned that having a keyboard is a negative, but its much better than using a remote to scroll thru every letter to type (like Apple TV).

step69
28 October, 2011 12:27

Reply Vote
- Not that Apple TV is a good product
  
  @step69 (is not) but you can get a keyboard for it.
  
  Look it up. Is being available for some time.
  
  wackoae
  28 October, 2011 17:43
  
  Reply Vote
RE: Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?

It'll run Android 3.1, not 3.0. Just like Google TV 1.0 it'll run outdated software at launch (GTV1 ran Android 2.1 when it should've been running 2.2).

bradavon
28 October, 2011 19:45

Reply Vote
RE: Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?

Google Chrome?

bradavon
28 October, 2011 19:47

Reply Vote
RE: Google TV software update on tap: Will it matter?

What happened to the promise of solid web browsing and watching videos from the Internet in Chrome? That's what almost sold me on the purchasing the device. I'm disappointed.

drand54
29 October, 2011 06:03

Reply Vote
Painstaking review of various options lead me to Google TV

I have AT&T U-verse at home for both Internet & cable TV. I love it. AT&T have dedicated certain channels to web apps, allowing users to retrieve online content from their connected TV's. The big problem that I have is that I'm stuck with/limited to the content that AT&T deems appropriate. I can't enter my own URL and interact with a website of my chosing. Why would that matter, you ask? Well...I've installed 3 IP security cameras in & around my home. I've set them up in a way that allows me to view them from any browser, anywhere I may be on Earth. My only wish was that I could view them on my TV while lying in bed.

I have an LG Blu-ray player that allows me to stream Youtube, Pandora, CinemaNow, & Netflix. But again, I'm limited to those specific sites.

I want to be able to stream online content (I'm a NetFlix subscriber) from other TV's in the house, so I've been looking at Roku, Apple TV, & Google TV as possible solutions.

After much deliberation & reading as many reviews and comparisons as I could find, I decided on Google TV. So far, I LOVE it! I had my wife get it for me as a Christmas gift, so I've had it for exactly a week now. It came w/the updated software (installed on Logitech Revue), so i don't know how bad the previous version was.

First of all, I'm able to stream Netflix, Youtube, Amazon Prime (with my 30 day Prime subscription- thanks to my Kindle Fire purchase), and anything else that I can find online. The Chrome browser gives me access to the ENTIER web on my TV- as opposed to only a handful of specific content providers! By incorporating the Amazon Marketplace, I was able to find, download, and configure TinyCam- a webcam viewing app. I am now able, in 2 clicks, to go DIRECTLY to the images from my webcams!! That part alone is worth the $99 cost of admission for the Google TV set!

There are also a ton of other apps available (okay, probably a half ton for now), and I've played with a few of them. I don't think I will really send Tweets from my TV, but the option is there! I just really like having the ability to surf the net from my TV without the need to get up and go into the office.

I really do enjoy the ability to conduct pretty universal searches while watching TV. I demoed it for my wife (who could really care less about my gadget obsession), and she really liked that feature. I did search for "Wendy Williams" because I knew she'd find that interesting. :)

I tried the "TV & Movies" search as well, and it's cool. Shows currently playing shows, upcomign shows, and rental options. Sorted by Genre, available now, or even free. This may motivate me to cut the cable cord (or at least scale back the package a bit).

This, of course, is all my humble opinion.

Keith

kthhrrsn@...
1 January, 2012 17:26

Reply Vote