Google TV

Google TV

Google TV Home screen
Developer	Google, Intel, Sony, Logitech
Manufacturer	Google, Intel, Sony, Logitech
Type	Digital media receiver
Release date	October 6, 2010 (2010-10-06)
Operating system	Android
CPU	Intel Atom based CE4100 consumer electronics system-on-chip.
Online services	Netflix, HBO Go, Amazon VOD
Website	www.google.com/tv

Google TV is a Smart TV platform from Google. It was announced on May 20, 2010, at Google’s Google I/O event and was co-developed by Google, Intel, Sony and Logitech. Google TV integrates Google’s Android operating system and the Linux version of Google Chrome browser to create an interactive television overlay on top of existing internet television and WebTV sites to add a 10-foot user interface. Google TV initially launched October 6, 2010, with official devices from Sony and Logitech.

Logitech, however, announced in November 2011 that they will stop making Google TV devices due to their losing more than $100 million on operating profits on their Logitech Revue Google TV device, which is also discontinued. No sequel is planned by Logitech. New partners are arising, however, including LG, Samsung and Vizio, some of which include 3D capabilities.

Development

Media outlets reported in March 2010 that the Google TV project was underway, although the partnering companies did not confirm their involvement in the venture until later.

An Android-based set-top box that featured video-on-demand, ThinkFree Office viewer software, a browser, remote control, keyboard interface and 1080p video was shown by Western Mediabridge at CES 2010.

The project was officially announced at the 2010 Google I/O conference on May 20. Google stated that the new platform would be incorporated directly into new high-definition television sets and Blu-ray Disc players by Sony, although set-top boxes would also be developed by Logitech. The company indicated that the new systems developed by Sony and Logitech would be powered by Intel Atom based CE4100 consumer electronics system-on-chip. It also stated that a "fully optimized" viewer experience would be available through the Dish Network, although the platform would operate through any provider.

In May 2010, Sony announced that it would be releasing its Google-enabled Sony Internet TV product lineup in the fall of 2010, including standalone TV models and set-top units with integrated Blu-ray drives.

On November 10, 2010, Dish Network L.L.C. (Nasdaq: DISH) announced that Dish Network's Google TV solution was available to customers. Dish Network's Google TV solution, which requires a DVR integration service, includes the Logitech Revue with Google TV, a small set-top box.

On December 15, 2010, Google announced the first Google TV update, with some bug fixes and four major improvements: namely Netflix streaming catalog, Dual View, Remote Control App for Android Phones and Movies search results.

At Google IO 2011, it was announced that Google TV devices will be updated to Android 3.1 Honeycomb, will have access to the Android Market, and have some application updates.

On June 18, 2011, Google acquired SageTV http://sagetv.com/index.html.

Google has announced Google TV would be officially released in Europe on January 2012.^{[citation needed]}

On October 28, 2011, Google TV started the roll-out of Google TV 2.0, with the Android™ 3.1 operating system and access to the Market.

Features

Google TV leverages many of Google’s existing products. Google’s Android operating system provides the underlying foundation, allowing developers to create applications that extend the system’s functionality. Google’s Chrome browser provides a gateway to the Internet, allowing consumers to browse web sites and watch television, in tandem. Consumers can access HBO, CNBC, and content from other providers through the Chrome browser. Partners have built applications that allow customers to access content in unique ways. Netflix, for example, has built an application that allows customers to access Netflix’s large library of movies and television shows. Android and Apple smartphones may be used as remote controls for Google TV. Google TV products ship with wireless remote controls with a full QWERTY keypad. An update in November 2011 allows access to the Android Market and increased the search to find content from live TV, Netflix, YouTube, HBO GO, and more.

Sony Internet TV

Devices

• Sony Internet TV - 24", 32", 40" and 46" models (NSX-24GT1, NSX-32GT1, NSX-40GT1 and NSX-46GT1)
• Sony Internet TV Blu-Ray (NSZ-GT1)
• Logitech Revue (PN 970-000001) - Discontinued November 2011
• Flexiview FV-1 Android TV / Agora Smart TV Box^{[citation needed]}

Reviews

Most reviews of Google TV have described it as mediocre. Nilay Patel, of the tech blog Engadget remarked, "Google TV feels like an incomplete jumble of good ideas only half-realized, an unoptimized box of possibility that suffers under the weight of its own ambition and seemingly rushed holiday deadline." In a 2010 review, Google TV is criticized for the lack of popular codec support.

Kevin Sintumuang said of Google TV in his Wall Street Journal review that "The potential is as big as, well, the Internet, but right now Google TV is a bit of a tease."

The New York Times' David Pogue had similar sentiments, saying, "This much is clear: Google TV may be interesting to technophiles, but it's not for average people." Concentrating more on the product's usefulness for finding and watching television shows than on its capabilities as Internet appliance, he also expressed concern about the inconsistencies throughout the user interface as well as the fragmentation of Google TV.

By July 2011, commentators were saying "Google TV is sinking" and that it was "on its last legs" as launch partner Logitech slashed the price of its Revue (from $249 to $99) to clear unsold inventory. Further, the company revealed that returns from Distributors and Retail exceeded the number of units sold in Q1 2011. As of August 2011, Sony reduced the prices on its Google TV-powered HDTVs to capture more of the market.

Competitors and controversies

Main article: Smart TV

Cable providers as well as content providers have been slow to warm to Google TV. NBC, ABC, CBS and Hulu have blocked Google TV enabled devices from accessing their web content since Google TV's launch. As of November 22, 2010, Google TV devices are blocked from accessing any programs offered by Viacom’s subsidiaries. Of the cable providers, only Dish Network has embraced Google TV. Dish Network is promoting Google TV, offering customers a discount on the Logitech Revue. Roku, Boxee and Apple sell hardware with similar functionality to the Google TV offerings. In 2010, Hillcrest Labs released the Kylo browser, which is a web browser optimized for television use, with a 10-foot user interface. One reviewer called it "an alternative to Google TV."

See also

• Google Nexus
• Smart TV
• Interactive television
• Internet television
• TV Genius
• WebTV
• Home theater PC
• Tivoization
• Apple TV
• Boxee
• Roku
• XBMC Media Center
• Hillcrest Labs
• Kylo (web browser)

External links

• Official website
• Google TV blog
• Optimizing websites for Google TV