I’ve been reading a bit about Google TV lately, and am a little perplexed as to who would want to use it.
If you are unfamiliar with Google TV, it is a “layer” that can run over existing Internet Television. It runs on Android (Linux) to deliver TV through the Linux version of the Chrome browser.
The only manufacturer I have yet seen selling TV sets integrating with Google TV is Sony, however Sony are partnered with Google on this project, so you cannot count them as an independent manufacturer who see’s a future in this technology (though they clearly do or they would not be involved with it.
The reason I am not convinced about it is that there already seem to be better services available, many through ISP companies who allow internet TV to be streamed through your TV. These do not rely on another “layer” (chrome) but integrate directly with the TV, and this works really nicely.
Also you still need to pay to access content, for example if you want to watch NetFlix content you need a subscription, again you can access this without needing the Google TV “layer”.
Interesting as the technology is I am not sold on its benefits whatsoever, namely because Google have no content, and those that do have content to sell already provide the means of accessing that content.
I use an iPad and there is no shortage of apps that deliver internet TV through various means.
Call be dumb, but I just to not “get it” when it comes to Google TV, I just cannot see the USP.
If you want a more positive overview of what Google TV has to offer, check out the video below: