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The bumps in the road just keep on coming for GTV. You would think it would catch a break at some point in its early life, it hasn’t.
The New York Times is reporting that consumers can expect the list of hardware developers at CES with GTV devices to be much shorter than originally expected. The reason? Google wants time to work on software updates. As a result of this plea LG, Sharp and Toshiba will not be showing off any GTV devices; patrons can still expect to see what Samsung and VIZIO have to offer, for now.
Google TV can’t take many more hits before its doomed to a life of “remember me?”.
[via Engadget | New York Times]
Bullshit. In regard to it not being able to take many more hits before it’s forgotten, I mean.
The first devices got mediocre reviews, mostly because of the software. By stopping manufacturers from releasing more hardware with software Google doesn’t deem good enough, they save the platform’s reputation.
Once the Android Market is implemented(and whatever else they have up their collective sleeve for the next release) and some cheaper devices hit, reviewers will almost certainly like it a lot more. The applications alone will make it stand-out from the rest of the boxes; 130,000 applications(Andy Rubin’s number from the D:Dive Into Mobile interview) is a lot to enjoy and whilst some of them clearly won’t be suited for big screen use, imagine a HD version of Angry Birds and other big-name games.
It’s a new platform in a traditional market which is notorious for its resistance to change. Not only that Google TV was released in one of the most closed off and monopolistic markets in the US, you have to break the back of the beast before you can ride it and this is something google thus far have failed to achieve.
Google would have a lot more success if they just left the US networks to there own foolish devices and look to expand the platform and it’s overall worth in markets which are more open to change. For example in the UK the major networks (BBC, ITV, C4 and Five) release all their shows free to view on the internet and GTV could likely fit into their strategies.
Much of the problems with GTV right now is their approach to the market and not creating a product which people are willing to spend $$$ on.
My GoogleTV box arrives today…I am so excited. I think the platform has a lot of potential, with or without the networks. I believe eventually the networks will come around or ink a deal. Sure, there have been mediocre reviews…but like Khalid mentioned that most retained to the software which is can be updated and evolved. This is a platform in its infancy so its very rash to write it off as near death without seeing where it goes in the marketplace.
“I didn’t hear no fat lady yet.”
I own a Sony blue-ray gtv since it’s been released and I am happy with it, having the market on it would be ideal. My favorite activities are firing up the browser with the TV in pip during a commercial break for instance, queuing up some video podcasts, btw network block access via the browser but not the feeds (which begs the question why so much fuss about blocking the shows if u can still access them otherwise???). Love the remote too!
I truly believe that most reviews were negative because they had higher or completely different expectations. This is a WebTV device on steroid not a replacement for your cablebox! As it stands this product is superior to anything else on the market besides the Xbox, albeit a bit pricey.
@BR american networks offer their shows online for free as well. it’s not about GTV bypassing some payment system, they just don’t want to play nice, so unless you can provide some other bit than “UK networks stream their shows free online”, there is no reason to believe that UK networks would behave any differently.
@sam, it’s close to being both, and i see no reason it shouldn’t be. why not have one set-top box that does everything?
Well, it looks like the networks and content owners are getting their Christmas wish. By blocking their established programming, they have scared people off of a great option for sorting and aggregating programming while bringing the web to the living room for those who won’t hook up a proper PC. It’s a real shame but they just don’t want you to be able to watch streaming versions in the living room or on mobile. They make too much from TV ads, DVD sales, and iTunes sales/rentals. Still, one of these days someone will come out with a nice cheap net-top that runs a full browser and can’t be blocked by user agent string. Hopefully someday people will get off their aversion to computers in the living room so these assholes will have to compete with all the other programming and delivery methods out there instead of fighting to maintain their long-standing control of the living room.
Wow what’s with the Doomsday outlook. Isn’t this a PRO-Android blog?
Seems to me you and quentin both have little faith in the platform. I personally am a developer, so I’ll develop on it and if it works it works if not oh well.
It’s too early in my opinion to call it though.
Enjoy the video. It’s the reason why googletv will flourish.
With or without network partners.
http://twitter.com/#!/joedeveloper/status/16973078907068417
I got my Logitech revue from Google yesterday and it is really a cool device. I was able to go to watch video from NBC, FOX, MTV, ABC, Comedy Central. I think HULU and CBS were the only that didn’t work. I did make one small change to the browser settings. Once this device gets rooted and they add the apps, it will be a powerhouse.
I don’t get why Google doesn’t just release an update the makes the user agent generic by default and replaces the Flash player by an unbranded one. Sure Hulu and the others will look for other ways to identify it, but it can always be circumvented, its just software after all; it’s not like these sites require you to present a smatrcard through some proprietary reader+software. Like @BR said, they gotta break the back of the beast first. Google, declare war already!