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CES 2011: Samsung to sell Blu-ray player and companion box that support Google TV

Summary: Fears of Google TV's demise were a little hasty, though it certainly hasn't cemented the marriage of the Internet and HDTV as a perfect union in its first iteration. But the platform has earned a couple of wins at CES, with first Vizio and now Samsung agreeing to create hardware with Google TV baked in.

Sean Portnoy

By for Home Theater |

CES 2011

Fears of Google TV's demise were a little hasty, though it certainly hasn't cemented the marriage of the Internet and HDTV as a perfect union in its first iteration. But the platform has earned a couple of wins at CES, with first Vizio and now Samsung agreeing to create hardware with Google TV baked in.

Samsung has announced that it will be building a Blu-ray player "and companion box" that possess Google TV functionality. Engadget has a photo of the two devices sitting next to each other on the CES floor here. Rather than just creating a Google TV companion box (like the Logitech Revue) or Blu-ray player (Sony's Internet TV Blu-ray Player), Samsung is showing a willingness to test out both options. As is typical of Google TV hardware, the Samsung Blu-ray player and companion box will come with a remote that features a QWERTY keyboard and an internal microphone to enable voice searching.

Of course, no pricing has been announced, but Samsung has said the Google TV devices are expected to ship sometime in the half of 2011.

Topics: Samsung, Google, Hardware, Mobility

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17 comments
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  • Why are we still hanging on to the GoogleTV crapware?

    I believe GoogleTV already gave it a try and overall consensus was that it is garbage. If it is garbage when embedded on the TV, how in the world would anybody think that it will be any better when you have to pay for it in a separate device?
    wackoae
    Reply Vote

    • Actually, Google TV is brilliant, though, as it is a completely new

      paradigm, it will take consumers a while to figure out what it is, and it will also take Google some time to perfect it and figure out what works and what does not. TV is ripe for innovation as it is not much different than 30 years ago, just higher resolution with the arrival of HDTV.
      DonnieBoy
      Reply Vote

      • Given that Google (allegedly) gave up on the project

        @DonnieBoy ... having improvements is probably wishful thinking.
        GoogleTV ended up not only a crappy product, but also being a can of legal worms for Google.
        wackoae
        Reply Vote

      • wackoae: Google has NOT given up on Google TV. Samsung is not going to

        base new products on "abandoned" software. Google TV is a great product, but, it is version 1. Remember version 1 of Windows?
        DonnieBoy
        Reply Vote

      • RE: CES 2011: Samsung to sell Blu-ray player and companion box that support Google TV

        @DonnieBoy

        I also remembered version one of Wave and many other failed version one projects by Google. Some thought Wave was a great project also, books were even written before release. But it failed. Just because you and some others see Google TV as great does not make it so for the rest of us.

        I think what killed Wave is the same thing that will kill or render GTV insignificant in the future. Its only shot of seeing sales will be for companies to build it into TVs and force-feed to consumers. But even then it still is complex and clunky search centric service with required keyboard and big PC mouse pointer for onscreen navigation. I don't think consumers are looking for this complexity and clunkiness in their living rooms, but this is exactly what GTV is offering.

        "Being able to use your television set as an internet-search appliance really isn't what people think of when they come to the TV," TiVo CEO Tom Rogers said in an interview. "They're looking for a television experience. ... That's something that you have to be very television-focused, very television-centric to deliver."
        dave95.
        Reply Vote

      • RE: CES 2011: Samsung to sell Blu-ray player and companion box that support Google TV

        @DonnieBoy <br><br><br>Oooooh a new paradigm huh? That'll be a first for Google.<br><br>I have a Blu-ray, don't use it much for blu-ray or even normal DVD. Have a look in the video stores - starting to seem rather empty aren't they?<br><br>Google TV seeems to be another Wave. I have a PC plugged into my 52" LCD HD screen as well as the Blu-Ray. Xbox/Kinect and Foxtel cable and DVR. I can watch amy program in the world and most of them legally, from any PC on my home wireless network. My cable gives me access to the latest movies in HD and for the net, DivX is quite adequate. I can even watch movies on my WP7 phone.<br><br>So what is Google TV gonna give me except less choice?
        tonymcs@...
        Reply Vote

  • First half or second half?

    expected to ship sometime in the _____ half of 2011?

    I have one of the sony google TV's and have played with a friends Logitech Revue. I think it's actually going to bring a big revolution. The TV is a perfect place to skype with the grandparents or browse vacation photos with a friend after a dinner party. I'll admit the initial software is a bit buggy (and lacks app store support!) but with all these big names jumping in on the hardware side and places like Amazon joining the fray, I'm having a hard time seeing how it won't become commonplace.
    koshnick
    Reply Vote

    • Skype does not work on GoogleTV

      @koshnick In fact, Skype is will not work with any browser.

      So your point is totally mute.
      wackoae
      Reply Vote

      • RE: CES 2011: Samsung to sell Blu-ray player and companion box that support Google TV

        @wackoae

        Sorry that's moot again, probably best for you to stay mute.
        tonymcs@...
        Reply Vote

  • RE: CES 2011: Samsung to sell Blu-ray player and companion box that support Google TV

    I'm sorry, but have you even used a Google TV device wackoae? I first had my experience with Google TV through the Logitech Revue back in September before launch (I work for DISH Network) and I must admit that I was pretty amazed at the sheer brilliance of the product. I purchased my own at launch in October and haven't regretted that purchase for even a second. The integration with all of my DISH pay TV and DVR content, plus the entire web, all in one seamless interface on my TV has completely improved my experience watching TV. You personally may not like it, but this is the future of TV.
    mike87d
    Reply Vote

    • Yes I have ... nothing to be impressed about

      @mike87d You may be impressed with the mediocre features of GTV ... but the market already spoke and the consensus even from the most Google friendly reviewers was that it was not even good enough to play with.

      Just look around ... even the positive reviews aren't positive at all.
      wackoae
      Reply Vote

      • RE: CES 2011: Samsung to sell Blu-ray player and companion box that support Google TV

        @wackoae It's alright, you don't have to admit that you've never touched the device.
        mike87d
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Cisco launches router, switch for smart grids

        YES!Fears of Google TV???s demise were a little hasty, though it certainly hasn???t cemented the marriage of http://france-pharma.com | http://bluepillsau.com | http://edproblemsolver.com the Internet and HDTV as a perfect union in its first iteration. But the platform has earned a couple of wins at CES, with first Vizio and now Samsung agreeing to create hardware with Google TV baked in.
        drumandyou
        Reply Vote

  • RE: CES 2011: Samsung to sell Blu-ray player and companion box that support Google TV

    Yuck, that looks and sounds horrible! It's a non-starter product.
    james347
    Reply Vote

  • Google TV is great!

    I first used Google TV at my job DISH Network and I was pleased with it. I finally purchased mine and I cant be happier with it. I like to relax on the couch and put on the news while I am answering emails and web surfing. I have been hooked from the start and this has been a great tool in my home.
    Joe1DISH
    Reply Vote

  • GoogleTV is awesome! Can't wait for the Android Apps!

    I purchased a Sony Google TV for the living room, and have a Revue Google TV device in the bedroom. They are incredible, and it's just awesome using the TV as a computer replacement, and using it for checking and answering e-mail, surfing the web, and I'm completely hooked! Having Android on your television is the best thing on earth!
    TD_Trader
    Reply Vote

  • Wackoae is a moron, just ignore his silly comments...

    "Wackoae" is a complete moron, and has never owned or even used a Google TV device. He's probably too stupid to even use a TV, let alone a Google TV device. So just ignore his silly ignorant comments.
    TD_Trader
    Reply Vote
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