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Google TV Take Two Launches Next Week with Streamlined Interface, Android Apps
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THANK YOU!!
I'm with you on that one. I just don't understand why everyone's so obsessed with having their ******* apps on a TV set. Truly, I don't. To me, a TV is about watching programs and movies. Maybe I'm just too old fashioned, who knows.
Granted, I love my ATV2 and ALL it has to offer, but come on, do we really need all this extra **** on our TVs? As you said, there are smart phones, tablets, and laptops that cater to those very needs.
For the most part apps on a TV just don't work all that well. The interface headaches and limitations of remote control would make using such things a nightmare.
I prefer apples current approach of using a small, cheap box with limited storage that allows me to airplay iPhone/ipad apps to the TV. This saves money on having to buy yet another expensive device with storage etc, allows you to manage less apps and with the iPad especially the interface problems are solved. Not to mention it is easy to visit somebody else's house and get your app on their TV.
I do quite a bit of streaming from my phone to the Apple TV, however I don't agree that apps should be excluded. One of the biggest gripes with revision 1 of the AppleTV 1 was the fact that it required iTunes on a computer to work. They fixed this by removing the need for iTunes, making the Apple TV more of a standalone product.
This structure was enforced further by Apple TV2, not requiring any external device, and offered more standalone streaming services than the first version. Requiring other iOS devices to stream applications, screen sharing, etc, is a big step backwards.
I don't want my Apple TV to require an external device (iOS or not) to add functionality. Using iOS as an accessory is fine, I love using my iPod Touch or iPhone as a remote, or to stream content, but I also cherish the fact that it isn't required.
Interesting, I did not think of that.
It would be interesting to have apps on ATV so developers can create specific ones to use on TV sets. Networks could develop specific content for IOS.
Right now everything is based on iPhone/iPad.
Yes it would have been better if it was ICS as Google would undoubtedly release the source code as they have promised after the launch of the Galaxy Nexus. Honeycomb source code is a no go.
There was nothing sarcastic about it. The lack of any sourcecode for Honeycomb has really dampned any real custom ROM development and with an official x86 optimised version of ICS (as Google TV is based on Intel Atom) developers may be able to port it onto far more devices if so and we could even end up with home built Google TV's.
re: Another stupid Google product
Actually, this product isn't so stupid.... I already owned an AppleTV box and thought it was a pretty nice product, especially for the $99 I paid for it.
But back in August, I was able to grab a great deal on a refurbished Sony GoogleTV (only about $239 for the 32" LCD set) via TigerDirect. At the time, I didn't even care much that it said something about being "GoogleTV enabled". I simply bought it because it looked like a good quality TV to replace a cheap off-brand 23" I had been using in the master bedroom, and I planned on hooking up my AppleTV to it.
Well, I quickly discovered the GoogleTV integrated into the television itself blew away the AppleTV experience! Why/how?? Because for starters, it was able to integrate its search functionality with the TV guide info it downloaded automatically. Even if I was just using HDTV over the air with an antenna (which I do), GoogleTV let me press a magnifying glass labeled button on its remote at any time, and key in a search for a specific show to jump right to it. If I wanted to look something up on the web, I could do that too, since the GoogleTV remote has a full keyboard on it and it can launch the Chrome browser. It's even smart enough so launching a web search while watching a program brings up a results page of items related to what's on TV. Plus, it supports "picture in picture" mode where half is the live TV show and the other half is your browser/search window -- so you can do both at once.
AppleTV has no browser functionality and even if it did, its super-basic remote would give you no practical way to key in a web URL to go to. (That would suck trying to navigate an on-screen alphabet with arrow keys, trying to enter long website names!)
My biggest complaint with GoogleTV was some confusing menus on it, but it sounds like the new update coming next week addresses that - along with finally adding the capability to download/install new apps from the Android market. (Again, with AppleTV, you're stuck only running whatever Apple gives you in their latest firmware update. I don't think it even comes with enough flash memory to hold much in the way of new downloaded apps, if they WANTED to add that feature?)
At this point, the ONLY things AppleTV does that GoogleTV can't are the ability to stream shared video content from iTunes running on another machine on my LAN, and the ability to display live content coming from an iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch trying to do "screen sharing". I believe one of the expected downloads from Android marketplace for GoogleTV will be a media player that supports uPnP/DLNA streaming (like Playstation 3 does), so that will even give you a way to watch a lot of video shared from a PC or Mac -- even if not from inside iTunes itself.
Actually, this product isn't so stupid.... I already owned an AppleTV box and thought it was a pretty nice product, especially for the $99 I paid for it.
But back in August, I was able to grab a great deal on a refurbished Sony GoogleTV (only about $239 for the 32" LCD set) via TigerDirect. At the time, I didn't even care much that it said something about being "GoogleTV enabled". I simply bought it because it looked like a good quality TV to replace a cheap off-brand 23" I had been using in the master bedroom, and I planned on hooking up my AppleTV to it.
Well, I quickly discovered the GoogleTV integrated into the television itself blew away the AppleTV experience! Why/how?? Because for starters, it was able to integrate its search functionality with the TV guide info it downloaded automatically. Even if I was just using HDTV over the air with an antenna (which I do), GoogleTV let me press a magnifying glass labeled button on its remote at any time, and key in a search for a specific show to jump right to it. If I wanted to look something up on the web, I could do that too, since the GoogleTV remote has a full keyboard on it and it can launch the Chrome browser. It's even smart enough so launching a web search while watching a program brings up a results page of items related to what's on TV. Plus, it supports "picture in picture" mode where half is the live TV show and the other half is your browser/search window -- so you can do both at once.
AppleTV has no browser functionality and even if it did, its super-basic remote would give you no practical way to key in a web URL to go to. (That would suck trying to navigate an on-screen alphabet with arrow keys, trying to enter long website names!)
My biggest complaint with GoogleTV was some confusing menus on it, but it sounds like the new update coming next week addresses that - along with finally adding the capability to download/install new apps from the Android market. (Again, with AppleTV, you're stuck only running whatever Apple gives you in their latest firmware update. I don't think it even comes with enough flash memory to hold much in the way of new downloaded apps, if they WANTED to add that feature?)
At this point, the ONLY things AppleTV does that GoogleTV can't are the ability to stream shared video content from iTunes running on another machine on my LAN, and the ability to display live content coming from an iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch trying to do "screen sharing". I believe one of the expected downloads from Android marketplace for GoogleTV will be a media player that supports uPnP/DLNA streaming (like Playstation 3 does), so that will even give you a way to watch a lot of video shared from a PC or Mac -- even if not from inside iTunes itself.
How is that? They recreated a UI to look and feel clean, but they definitely didn't copy Apple. See people now a days are confusing competition for copying. I blame that on steve jobs obsession for being one of a kind. See I understand google copied many of apple's ideas when it comes to the smartphone segment but the TV, it was fair play. They both came up with their concepts of a setup box, each had their own approach and thats that. By your argument, sony and samsung should sue each other because their tv's look the same? Maybe even because they use the same sizes? (46" 52" etc.). I don't get the argument? you can't design a tv that isn't rectangular and thin without violating the company's rights who came up with it first?
I think they way to be the best, is to come up with it first and continue to innovate, similar to what apple is doing. Let google copy them who cares, they can't make the same identical product because people won't buy it. And google Tv isn't identical to apple tv in many ways. The approach to integrating google tv with cable tv, versus a stand alone device such as the apple tv, tells you that its already a different product. Google is integrating their search capabilities and THEIR youtube channel and giving you another experience to choose from really.
And to end this, I'm an apple fan because of their commitment to simple and elegant products that meet my needs, but calling everything copying is stupid and senseless.
Thanks
AE
How about an app that tricks the content providers into letting you use your Google (or Apple) TV to view their content! Apple has ties to the content providers, so they might block that app, but I bet Google won't!
I'd love for Apple to allow an app store so I don't have to jailbreak (since I have aTV1, I guess its actually patchstick) and add XBMC in order to view my MythTV recordings. A native Myth or XBMC/Plex frontend app that can play MPEG files w/o transcoding would be perfect and get me to upgrade from aTV1 to aTV2.
Adhd
As an ADDer, I represent this statement, except for the fact that the behavior you associated with Ritalin goes away when I am on Ritalin. ADHD, among other complicated issues, is the imbalanced craving for overstimulation. Ritalin for you might make you overstimulated, but because ADDers crave stimulation Ritalin actually calms us. Me on Ritalin is as close to functioning [normally] as I get. No one notices my ADD symptoms when I am on it.
Also, about 60% of Adults who suffered from ADHD as a child continue suffering as an adult.
You statement ought to be corrected to:
As an ADDer, I represent this statement, except for the fact that the behavior you associated with Ritalin goes away when I am on Ritalin. ADHD, among other complicated issues, is the imbalanced craving for overstimulation. Ritalin for you might make you overstimulated, but because ADDers crave stimulation Ritalin actually calms us. Me on Ritalin is as close to functioning [normally] as I get. No one notices my ADD symptoms when I am on it.
Also, about 60% of Adults who suffered from ADHD as a child continue suffering as an adult.
You statement ought to be corrected to:
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You do remember the Google TV launch, right? You do remember how one of the big features (streaming video) was stripped for from most providers, right? I'll give you an example, cross reference Google TV and Hulu. The simple fact is that any "smart" TV will fail if the content producers and providers continue to have contracts that prohibit usage of new technology. Why is the Bloomberg TV app for the iPad such an exciting development? Why don't we get live streams (the same stream as you get on your TV) on internet devices? All the advertisements could get shown as usual (it isn't hard to find out where one lives and show the appropriate ads).
Oh, I remember why they can't do that. They can't do that because I'm a fanboy who loves Apple and doesn't point out that this exact same problem exists on Apple devices such as with the MLB app and blackout areas so you can't watch local games. Of course! Why didn't I see the solution?
I don't think you quite get it ....
It WOULD be stupid trying to get all of your smartphone or iPad type apps on your television screen. I never felt an urgent need to play "Words with Friends" or "Angry Birds" on my 58" plasma TV in the living room, or even a desire to display my private emails up on the screen for all to read.
The type of apps they're talking about with GoogleTV are TV specific ones. They admit that at launch, they only have 50 developers who contributed anything for it. Most existing Android apps will require the touchscreen or a GPS or even the phone part of the devices for things, so won't work right at all on a GoogleTV. Therefore, they screen all of those out when a GoogleTV user browses the marketplace, and they only show ones coded just for it.
The big advantage here is that unlike the current AppleTV situation, you don't have to wait around to see if Apple will, say, add support for Hulu Plus or Blockbuster streaming video or Amazon streaming video. Any of those companies could write a free Android marketplace app for GoogleTV and voila....
It WOULD be stupid trying to get all of your smartphone or iPad type apps on your television screen. I never felt an urgent need to play "Words with Friends" or "Angry Birds" on my 58" plasma TV in the living room, or even a desire to display my private emails up on the screen for all to read.
The type of apps they're talking about with GoogleTV are TV specific ones. They admit that at launch, they only have 50 developers who contributed anything for it. Most existing Android apps will require the touchscreen or a GPS or even the phone part of the devices for things, so won't work right at all on a GoogleTV. Therefore, they screen all of those out when a GoogleTV user browses the marketplace, and they only show ones coded just for it.
The big advantage here is that unlike the current AppleTV situation, you don't have to wait around to see if Apple will, say, add support for Hulu Plus or Blockbuster streaming video or Amazon streaming video. Any of those companies could write a free Android marketplace app for GoogleTV and voila....
I agree. I think Apple has to be careful cause in this department they are competing against ROKU, Not google.
ROKU is the iOS of TV, a big platform, SDK, fully expandable. Almost all online video services have a roku app (they call them channels). At prices starting at $59, it is worth a look
Its interesting to see the different approaches, Google prefers where they put out anything even if it is junk, just to see if they can get money from it. Apple on the other hand, wouldn't be happy putting out crap and are waiting until they can make it what it really should be.
Really? You can't understand why anyone would want to do anything but watch TV and movies on a TV? What do they call those extremely popular devices you hook up to TVs? Oh yeah, GAME CONSOLES!
I don't think the new interface will help with the lag issues. Watching flash on that that thing was terrible. The hardware is not up to par. I bought one when they dropped to $99 and returned it within an hour after setup
Wow, someone is highly strung.
I wasn't calling anyone a fanboy.The web/flash based streaming restrictions imposed by providers was an utter failure for Google but with the inclusion of Android Market and app based services it seems, that networks are a little more interested in the thing.
If live broadcasts are your issue, Google TV was never a standalone device but something that linked with your existing cable/satellite box so for Live TV, why not just use the box it's linked with?
As far as things like googleTV and such, I think they face significant challenges ahead simply because the content owners are for some reason afraid of these kinds of things, or expect people to pay far too much for them, and will do everything in their power to make these services expensive and inconvenient for users, because they want to lock everyone in to pay-per-view agreements or similar.
That's the biggest problem, these ideas are pretty much doomed to fail because of the incompetence/greed of content providers.
That's the biggest problem, these ideas are pretty much doomed to fail because of the incompetence/greed of content providers.
I bought the Logitech Revue GoogleTV box when the price was lowered to $99 this past summer and I even subscribed to the extra $5/month DishNetwork integration. I was really excited to get it all set up and use it. The excitement ended quickly when I started using it. It was pretty pathetic. I returned it about about 2 weeks later.
Maybe this update will make things better but I doubt it.
Maybe this update will make things better but I doubt it.
Google's approach to TV
Google:
Your living room TV will be more or less like a big-screen PC.
Video + internet complexity + apps with an external keyboard for typing.
WebTV:
Your living room TV was more or less like a big-screen PC.
Video + internet complexity with an external keyboard for typing.
There are only two differences between the Google and WebTV approaches. The first is "+ apps." So you'll be doing the same old thing you do on your PC and/or droid in the living room. Not compelling at all.
The second, most crucial difference between the two approaches is "was" vs. "will be." WebTV's approach was to add internet complexity to your TV. They failed. Now Google will be attempting more or less the same thing. Again. They've already failed once.
The phrase "polishing a turd" comes to mind.
Good luck with that.
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Well said. Apple takes the time to actually negotiate with the content providers. Google doesn't take the time. That prevents Google's products from having decent content and makes the content providers distrust Google. Bad for consumers, bad for future negotiations. It all just makes Apple look even better.
Google:
Your living room TV will be more or less like a big-screen PC.
Video + internet complexity + apps with an external keyboard for typing.
WebTV:
Your living room TV was more or less like a big-screen PC.
Video + internet complexity with an external keyboard for typing.
There are only two differences between the Google and WebTV approaches. The first is "+ apps." So you'll be doing the same old thing you do on your PC and/or droid in the living room. Not compelling at all.
The second, most crucial difference between the two approaches is "was" vs. "will be." WebTV's approach was to add internet complexity to your TV. They failed. Now Google will be attempting more or less the same thing. Again. They've already failed once.
The phrase "polishing a turd" comes to mind.
Good luck with that.
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Well said. Apple takes the time to actually negotiate with the content providers. Google doesn't take the time. That prevents Google's products from having decent content and makes the content providers distrust Google. Bad for consumers, bad for future negotiations. It all just makes Apple look even better.
Well, for one, cable companies like Charter have quit supporting cable cards. In other words, they wouldn't give you the cards to descramble the signal. Cable cards are done. Charter still supports TiVo, but that's about it.
current gen has all these features already with jailbreak,
so if the next ten has these features, will be a question of if apple will allow it,