Looks like Google has gone all out with their latest offering, Google TV. They have combined TV, Internet and mobile programming all into one integrated service – and not just by making the programming available for browsing but also by making powerful search facility available seamlessly across all these channels. You can, for instance, search for a TV program and then record it to your DVR right from your search bar. From the little preview I took, it seems to me that they have done a terrific job of making the navigation through this infotainment highway as simple as can be for the user.
Google has done well to team up with partners such as content providers, TV service providers and various equipment manufacturers to provide an open platform with plenty of options for consumers and plenty of opportunities for the partners. Oh, and yes, Google TV is serving up plenty of excitement for app developers too, for soon your TV is going to get apps just like on your phone!
I like it that they are doing this without the users having to throw away their old equipment and invest heavily in new technology. For example, you do not have to buy a new, special TV to get into Google TV if you have a HDTV.
I can’t help thinking that Google has suddenly started to look a lot like Apple, with Google TV doing for TV program delivery what iTunes did for music distribution.
And yet so different. It was just recently that Apple announced the second generation of their Apple TV. Cute little device, it lets you connect your TV to the Internet. Suddenly, it looks not just cute but also childish, don’t you think?
