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Topic: Mobility

Google TV 2.0 in the works. Keep the concept, dump that keyboard

Summary: It appears that Google TV may soon see a version 2.0 - hopefully with changes that make it friendlier for the users and content providers.

Sam Diaz

By Sam Diaz for Googling Google |

The moment I saw Google execs pull out a full-size computer keyboard to showcase the power of Google TV, I knew that the product would disappoint. And it has.

In a post on All Things Digital, blogger Ina Fried cites a source who says there is a new version of GoogleTV in the works, with a projected release date slated for the holiday season. That makes sense. The company is hosting a session next week at the Google I/O developer conference about building apps for the Google TV platform, a strong sign that Google isn't pulling the plug on Google TV.

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It's rare that a version 1.0 product makes a big consumer splash. Even though Google talked a good talk about the power of the on-screen technology over the hardware, the fact remained that there was a physical keyboard - with a trackpad mouse, no less - attached to it. But that wasn't it's only problem. It also struggled with some technical issues, as well as blocked content from networks and online video content providers. And the UI wasn't all that friendly either.

And then there was this other company, Apple, that re-launched its own TV product around the same time, though I wouldn't say that the two are very similar in approach or offerings. At the end of the day, Google still has a solid chance at breaking through on the TV front.

The concept behind Google TV is still a winner: bring all of the available content - whether on the cable/satellite system, over-the-air or online - to the big screen on the living room. The key is to bring a good search-for-programming experience to the users, without them having to bother knowing where that content resides.

But the company needs to find a way to get rid of that keyboard.

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Topics: Mobility, Google, Hardware

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18 comments
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  • Sorry

    BUT have you heard of Apple TV with AirPlay? why use Google??!
    Hasam1991
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Google TV 2.0 in the works. Keep the concept, dump that keyboard

      @Hasam1991
      Because anything APPLE does is out of date hardware at 20000X the cost and it SUCKS
      rparker009
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Google TV 2.0 in the works. Keep the concept, dump that keyboard

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      jessy.braun84
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    • RE: Google TV 2.0 in the works. Keep the concept, dump that keyboard

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      3shao
      Reply Vote

  • If Apple TV sales are slow

    (as it hasn't sold even 2 million since it's release) then what does that say about how well a GoogleTV will sell?

    It was a poor concept from the begining. Blaming it all on a keyboard is looking for an excuse to attribute to its failure!
    Bill Pharaoh
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Google TV 2.0 in the works. Keep the concept, dump that keyboard

    The issues that no one seems to discuss is the inability to find and display photos, music and other content on local LANs and network attached storage. It needs to be in very specific folders and be of specific file types or the system absolutely refuses to find it. It works with iTunes files but not wav, etc. Half done at best. BTY the keyboard is not a problem just use a harmony remote.
    dave5975
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Google TV 2.0 in the works. Keep the concept, dump that keyboard

    "The key is to bring a good search-for-programming experience to the users, without them having to bother knowing where that content resides."

    Sorry but I don't want to search my TV for content the same way I search the Web for content using Google search, with keyboard, and large unfriendly mouse pointer for navigation. I don't want to be taken to a website on my TV screen, I would like it all to be nicely curated for me to truly enjoy a nice lean back experience.

    Sincerely joe consumer.
    dave95.
    Reply Vote

  • This is ridiculous

    I dont' mind the keyboard - in fact I prefer it, makes searching very easy - they just need to improve the interface and bring chrome up to the proper version as well as add apps like they promised.

    :If they abandon the keyboard and the whole v1 - they better be looking to pay me and all the other early adopters.
    DS-Solutions
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Google TV 2.0 in the works. Keep the concept, dump that keyboard

    I have been enjoying the next generation TV experience since Google TV was released. It has changed my TV experience completely.<br><br>I repeat several previous posts directed at the naysayers: You will all be using a similar platform in a year or two. But you will have missed the fun and excitement of being in on the revolution. And you will deny you ever said it was lame or fail.<br><br>As for keyboards. For normal navigation the keyboard is not needed (although I tend to use it even for that). Even when I want to enter text (in search boxes for Netflix, Hulu Plus, Chrome, You Tube, Vimeo, and a dozen more) I don't have to use a keyboard. I can use my Harmony One remote or my Android app on my Evo. But guess what? You would have to be dead in the head to use an on-screen keyboard rather than a familiar, powerful Qwerty on your lap.<br><br>So, enjoy badmouthing something you haven't actually used. And in only a couple of years, you will be able to enjoy what I have enjoyed for months now - and claim you always knew it was going to be this good.<br><br>Keith
    keith.manning@...
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Google TV 2.0 in the works. Keep the concept, dump that keyboard

    The biggest problem was not the technology. It was the market google launched into.

    They should have aimed there initial launch at a more open minded market, such as the UK, where they could easily have gain content from all of the major players in the market.

    Launching in America version 1.0 was there bigger mistake.
    Knowles2
    Reply Vote

  • Choices.... choices!

    Don't "dump the keyboard". Add choices. Now I find out there ARE choices. The Harmony One and the Android App. (Yes I have an EVO.)

    Anyway, I'm no sure why everyone is dumping on Google TV. I'm thinking about getting one (Sony) for the dining room, so I can watch Amazon Instant Video and other internet video there, as well as what I already have on my Home Theater in the living room.
    Hameiri
    Reply Vote

  • LOVE the Logitech Revue KEYBOARD

    That keyboard ROCKS if you actually use the system for surfing the web. I spent New Years Eve with the family, surfing bands on Youtube, and I can't imagine doing that without a keyboard. BTW, you can still use your wimpy little TV remote if you're just watching TV.
    pitzalis
    Reply Vote

  • I Pad like interface

    Touch screen device should do it. Typing would be easy as well as managing all other plugged in devices. Nothing like a wireless Android OS TV interface device.
    Bay10
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Google TV 2.0 in the works. Keep the concept, dump that keyboard

    Still don't understand buying a special device for this. How about just hooking an old laptop up to your TV and get a wireless keyboard with touchpad? Then you don't have to worry about networks blocking content to certain manufacturers.
    boomchuck1
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Google TV 2.0 in the works. Keep the concept, dump that keyboard

      @boomchuck1
      Since the topic is the lame keyboard, I'm going to only comment on that. I have a Logitech MX5000 wireless keyboard with separate full size mouse. I also have the Monster AVL300 remote. I've spent hours on the web looking for a smaller all in one backlit keyboard with touchpad, but oddly no one makes one. The Eclipse Wireless Litetouch, DBTech Mini Wireless Bluetooth, ProMini Wireless Bluetoot, and Rii Portable 2.4GHz Mini Bluetooth are the closest I could find. They're either too big or too small, or no touchpad. It would also be nice if they had a cover that folded over the keys to protect them so the keyboard could be placed in magazine rack or end table.
      CaptainK
      Reply Vote

  • It's the content, stupid

    As usual, the techies keep focusing on the technology itself, rather than its actual purpose. Google TV has been a monumental failure for one reason -- lack of content. As of now, all of the major networks have blocked Google TV from accessing their streaming content.

    The biggest mistake Google made was launching the product without talking to the content providers first. Google presumed that just because the content is "free" to viewing on a PC browser, that the streams would also be "free" on any other web platform.

    Problem here is that the content providers are well aware that Google TV's importance to Google is its role as a data mining tool (who watches what, when, and for how long). Those analytics are highly valuable to Google, so why would any company that produces and distributes content simply hand that information over to Google for free, and let them populate their TV platform for no charge?

    Eliminating the keyboard or tweaking with the interface won't make one bit of difference unless Google TV can actually access the programs people want to watch. And the content providers aren't going to hand it over to Google without some compensation. Amazon, Netflix, Apple, Roku, Vudu, and all of the other set-top video streaming services pay carriage fees for their content. Why would Google be any different?
    Woochifer
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Google TV 2.0 in the works. Keep the concept, dump that keyboard

    Please don't dump the keypad. We are not looking for another TV toy. Have you tried typing using the Apple TV mini gadget?
    Google TV brings three systems under one roof. 1. You view and control all your cable functions 2. You view pre-arranged streaming suppliers 3. Provides a window to the full Internet with a browser. Apple does number 2 only with a very difficult and cumbersome tool. Imagine your cell phone with only set services by provider. It's like going back 10 years. With a keyboard and the three mediums, you have the basis to cover everything in a serious tool.
    jimlucy
    Reply Vote

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