Google TV to Launch Later This Month: Apps, Netflix Streaming, AirPlay-Like Video Capabilities

[TheRealTVGuy]

Okay...

1) Can somebody post a link to the GoogleTV specs. Unlike the AppleTV, I don't see a bunch of comments from people whining about 1080p output (or lack thereof)

2) Also, since I have a Mac, the idea of playing music, movies, and TV shows on an interface that I'm used to, is simple, and "just works", while not having to hook up cables to the back of my TV sounds good to me. So... I'll eventually get the AppleTV.

3) I still think Google is the best search engine around and hope they run Yahoo and Bing into the ground. That said, never forget that everything they get their fingers into (including their short-lived foray into broadcast radio automation) is to gather info and sell it to the highest marketer. I wish they would have stuck with just being the world's best search engine...

 

[MacAttack89]

im seriously torn between something like Google tv vs ATV. I dont have alot of itunes content in the tv show/movie side of it becasue I perfer to have physical formats. So I really dont know if I'll get alot of out ATV. But i dont even know if i'll get alot out of Google tv. Tho it seems like, I could get away with not having cable, cuz I watch most of the shows netflix/internet anyways

 

[doboy]

Google TV is rumored to be $250-300 unless it's built-in to TV or from Dish. Why would I want this instead of spending $100-150 more for a media PC that I can do much much more? If you own an android device then it may make more sense because of tight integration, but as a iPhone/iPad owner it really doesn't. I would rather buy media PC and hook it up to my TV so that I can rip/encode, stream it to Apple TV, record TV shows, watch free Hulu, watch DVD, and much more. Also unless you have really good TV, surfing websites (reading long post) is not ideal. I wonder how well flash will perform on the Google TV.

 

[KnightWRX]

1) Can somebody post a link to the GoogleTV specs. Unlike the AppleTV, I don't see a bunch of comments from people whining about 1080p output (or lack thereof)

It's funny how people still think there is 1 GoogleTV. GoogleTV is a platform. It's up to the manufacturers to make boxes with "specs". The Logitech Revue is one implementation.

There is no GoogleTV is 299$ and AppleTV is 99$. There are no fixed specs. Let's see what manufacturers come up with. Again, this could become defacto standard at no cost if Google plays their cards right with manufacturers.

 

[NinjaHERO]

Keep up the competition.

 

[liquidsuns]

This looks pretty cool, I guess, but for me personally, it is way more then I need. I mean, I watch as much tv as someone can be expected to, but this is just way to much and I have no need for 95% of the features on this. Really, the only non game apps I'd use on a tv would be netflix, pandora, and itunes streaming (which this doesn't have).

Between netflix rips, netflix streaming, the occasional itunes purchase, and DVRing Discovery and NatGeo shows, my tv time is pretty much set.

But it looks cool and I'm happy for the people that are into it.

 

[Gen]

All I want is a nice interface and the ability to stream whatever I have on my laptop to my TV ... Apple TV restricts my videos to only MP4's, which sucks since 99% of my 3TB's are avi's/mkv's - and none of them are store in iTunes :/

If Google can overcome this obstacle it'll be an easy choice for me

 

[jmull]

The real reason for Apple TV is so you can watch DRM iTunes content on your TV. That is the main advantage for Apple TV over Google TV / PS3 / Xbox / Etc.

I've been screaming something like this for weeks. The Apple TV is designed to rent and sell video, making money for Apple. It's a pay per view box that you have to pay for. Something that your cable company hands our for free. And the lack of 1080p is just....It's a hoax for the moment. My 2006 Mac Mini hanging off my amp is 100 times more useful than the dubbed Apple TV.

 

[TheRealTVGuy]

It's funny how people still think there is 1 GoogleTV. GoogleTV is a platform. It's up to the manufacturers to make boxes with "specs". The Logitech Revue is one implementation.

There is no GoogleTV is 299$ and AppleTV is 99$. There are no fixed specs. Let's see what manufacturers come up with. Again, this could become defacto standard at no cost if Google plays their cards right with manufacturers.

Okay, now I get it. You're right, I was thinking it was a single piece of hard/software. So we may see a 1080p version. Hmmm... could be interesting...

 

[Apple-NoEscape]

Possibly because we don't all live in the UK?

The thought that only the UK has freeview boxes never even occured to me, ignore my previous post then.

 

[BeachChair]

I think some of you have overlooked a huge difference when comparing Atv to Gtv. When watching Atv you must stop what you are watching on television and switch inputs to the Atv, from the video, non video apps (meaning stuff besides Netflix and Amazon) are overlaid on top of the television signal on Gtv. This will be a game changing difference as you no longer need to stop what you're viewing to use an app, send an email etc. Gives Google and possibly the Boxee Box an upper hand.

This is a very good point. Switching inputs is a hassle however well your TV does it.

 

[archipellago]

Some people don't want Google products built into their TV.
Ever think about that?

Some people don't care if their voice mails, calling history, web surfing habits, or email content is mined for marketing data.

I for one put some value on my privacy.

Well then it's lucky that Apple doesn't allow iOS devs to collect personal data and unique device ID's from their apps then isn't it...?

oh wait..

http://www.appleinsider.com/article..._finds_68_of_top_ios_apps_transmit_udids.html

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

So what does this do compared to the Apple TV other than shop that Amazon store and browse the web?

Its not like it has a tuner or stellar (See XBMC, Plex, or even MCE) media browsing GUI.

Get back to me when they put a CableCard in it.

 

[goobot]

what apple needs to do with an atv app store is integration with the actual tv part of the tv. meaning i can have apps that work with my tv channels. like a dvr that can pop up next to my show. or a push notification for twitter that opens up on the side of the show. or an app that takes your channels and lets you watch then in a certain way, that scans your favorite shows and makes recommendation on channels/shows. Or an app that just shows our favorite channels ect ect. then of coarse apps that have nothing to do with tv like full on social apps or games ect.

 

[sirozha]

I've been screaming something like this for weeks. The Apple TV is designed to rent and sell video, making money for Apple. It's a pay per view box that you have to pay for. Something that your cable company hands our for free. And the lack of 1080p is just....It's a hoax for the moment. My 2006 Mac Mini hanging off my amp is 100 times more useful than the dubbed Apple TV.

Last time I checked (yesterday), cable TV companies did not give out HD set top boxes for free. They actually charged about $10/month for them. Plus, they charged you monthly subscription ($100/month) and you still did not get free pay per view, because, well, you actually had to PAY PER VIEW. Has it all changed since then?

Nice argument, though.

 

[lPHONE]

Honestly, I have better things to do that watch Apple or Google's TV...

 

[sirozha]

Honestly, I have better things to do that watch Apple or Google's TV...

Like read seven pages of posts about Apple and Google TV?

 

[steviem]

Honestly, I have better things to do that watch Apple or Google's TV...

Yet you post a comment in a thread about them?

GTFO buddy

 

[trip1ex]

So many idiots in this thread. So little time to belittle them all.

 

[DotCom2]

WOW!
I just took the Google TV tour. This thing looks AWESOME!
I'm kinda sorry I just ordered the Apple TV
Apple better come up with something QUICK!
I may have to return my TV when it arrives next week.

 

[iWonderwhy]

The army of couch potatoes is growing.

 

[sinsin07]

Last time I checked (yesterday), cable TV companies did not give out HD set top boxes for free. They actually charged about $10/month for them. Plus, they charged you monthly subscription ($100/month) and you still did not get free pay per view, because, well, you actually had to PAY PER VIEW. Has it all changed since then?

Nice argument, though.

I believe Cablevision hands them out for free. You have to pay $10 extra for a DVR HD one.

 

[bretm]

I'm beginning to think a blue tooth keyboard and a long hdmi cable would be a better idea. This is getting sillly. Just get a super cheap computer and plug it into your TV and you can have it all.

 

[bretm]

Most this stuff minus a browser is built into new LCDs now. Facebook, twitter, hulu, vudu, netflix, pandora, etc. My TiVo has it too. Guess what? I hardly use it on my TV. Netflix and vudu, yes. But twitter and facebook? Well, those and a browser are all more convenient on my phone. TV is still TV. You sit 10 feet from it. So reading facebook and twitter are a pain. Its all nifty in concept, but having the web in your pocket (ala iPhone or droid) is much better.

 

[ob81]

This google TV makes apple tv look pretty lame, tbh.
Even if the apple TV gets apps, you won't be able to use them with live TV like google tv. The home screen with the favorite channels is what does it for me. Attention to detail!