Google on Friday said it will deliver an update for Google TV that will remake the soft
ware 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 Moskovciak 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, Netfl
ix, 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.
