Google’s marketing webpages for Google TV are now live online.
Google TV features include (from Google’s marketing, verbatim):
• Search your television: Type in what you want to watch, and we’ll find it for you. Google TV lets you seamlessly search all of the content on your TV, the web, and apps – then access it with a single click. You can also easily switch between TV and the web without having to change inputs on your television.
• The web is now a channel: With Google Chrome and Adobe Flash 10.1, Google TV lets you access everything on the web. Watch your favorite web videos, view photos, play games, check fantasy scores, chat with friends, and do everything else you’re accustomed to doing online. Plus, the world’s best websites are now being perfected for television.
• A new world of apps for your TV: Google TV will come pre-loaded with apps like Netflix, Twitter, CNBC, Pandora, Napster, NBA Game Time, Amazon Video On Demand and Gallery. Starting early next year, apps from Android Market will work on Google TV as well.
• Your phone = remote control: Your Android phone or iPhone can be used to control your Google TV in place of a remote control. Use your voice to search, and even use multiple phones to control the same TV. No more fighting over the remote!
• Fling a video to your television: Find a great website on your phone and want to show it to everyone? Now you can. “Fling” what you’re watching, listening to, or doing on your phone by sending it to your TV with the press of a button.
• Watch it now: Never miss a show again. With Google TV, you can access over 40,000 shows and movies whenever you want with Netflix ($8.99 a month) or Amazon Video On Demand (shows start at 99 cents!).
• YouTube perfected for TV: YouTube is great on the web, but it’s even better on television. With YouTube Leanback, you can watch videos without ever clicking play — just sit back and watch all of your favorite YouTube content, personally chosen for you, in full screen HD. You can even create new channels on the fly.
• Watch and browse, simultaneously: With Google TV, you can browse the web or open an app and watch TV on the same screen. Check your fantasy football stats while watching the game, check your @replies on Twitter during American Idol, or purchase a product online right after you watch the ad. It’s just like picture-in-picture mode, but with the web and the TV.
• TV gets a homepage: Turn on your television and you’ll instantly have access to your favorite channels, apps, podcasts, and websites, thanks to the Google TV home screen. The home screen is customizable for you, by you, so that you can always change your preferences.
• Create a TV playlist: Want to watch something, but don’t have time right now? Send it to your Google Queue and watch it later. You can also subscribe to your favorite websites and video podcasts, add YouTube videos, and more. It’s like building a DVR for the web.
• Record from the search bar: If you’re a DISH NETWORK subscriber using Google TV, you’ll enjoy many enhanced TV and DVR features, including recording a show right from the search bar and being able to search all of your recordings at once.
• Rock out in your living room: Listen to your favorite music on the best speakers in your house by creating a personal radio station on the fly with Pandora or listening to any song, any time, with Napster.
• The ultimate picture frame: Turn the biggest screen in your house into a beautiful, high definition photo gallery. Now your TV can stream photos from Picasa, Flickr, and every other photo-sharing site. Plus, you can access any public gallery, not just your own.
• Over-the-air updates: How many consumer electronics products go up in value after you buy them? Google TV updates itself automatically, so you’ll get new features for free.
Source: Google
MacDailyNews Take: Your move, Steve. From what we can see, there’s nothing in the mishmash above that can even remotely compete with AirPlay’s potential. The big question with Apple TV is if, more like when, will Steve Jobs turn on the apps?
Recommended read: Gartenberg: Google overshoots for input 1 on your TV while Apple TV smartly targets input 2
Can’t trust a company to make innovative new technology products whose revenue depends on advertising.
Can’t trust a company to make innovative new technology products whose revenue depends on advertising.
All blended together with ads?
All blended together with ads?
So much for apple tv!
So much for apple tv!
uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh whatev
uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh whatev
I don’t know about you guys but I hate using web browsers to “chat with friends” that’s what iChat is for
And as for the hole fling thing: you could do that (and way more) with just 2 macs since 1993
I don’t know about you guys but I hate using web browsers to “chat with friends” that’s what iChat is for
And as for the hole fling thing: you could do that (and way more) with just 2 macs since 1993
Wow, it’s got Napster! Welcome to 1998!
Wow, it’s got Napster! Welcome to 1998!
If I wanted to chat to my friends I would do it on a computer, phone, or iPad, I don’t want it obscuring my tv screen (in full or in part), plus if I’m watching with other people it becomes pointless.
If I wanted to chat to my friends I would do it on a computer, phone, or iPad, I don’t want it obscuring my tv screen (in full or in part), plus if I’m watching with other people it becomes pointless.
At first blush this seems awesome, but then it kind of sinks in that this is a hodgepodge. Most of the features don’t seem natural to the “GoogleTV”, but are outside…
This isn’t a problem on the phone. I don’t mind flipping through outside apps for what I want, but somehow I’m not so psyched about don’t this on my tv. I want to turn it on and have what I want there.
Makes AppleTV look better and better, and the theory of airplaying from your phone even seem smarter.
At first blush this seems awesome, but then it kind of sinks in that this is a hodgepodge. Most of the features don’t seem natural to the “GoogleTV”, but are outside…
This isn’t a problem on the phone. I don’t mind flipping through outside apps for what I want, but somehow I’m not so psyched about don’t this on my tv. I want to turn it on and have what I want there.
Makes AppleTV look better and better, and the theory of airplaying from your phone even seem smarter.
I presume you have to buy a new TV with the Google software/hardware installed. Is that right? Lot of Plasma and LEDs out there now that can take ATV but appear to have no Google TV solution. Or, can I hook my laptop to my TV and get google TV. Or, can I jailbreak my ATV and get Google TV??
I presume you have to buy a new TV with the Google software/hardware installed. Is that right? Lot of Plasma and LEDs out there now that can take ATV but appear to have no Google TV solution. Or, can I hook my laptop to my TV and get google TV. Or, can I jailbreak my ATV and get Google TV??
lemme guess… not available outside the U.S. ??
lemme guess… not available outside the U.S. ??
Isn’t one of TV’s main turn offs – advertising?
Isn’t one of TV’s main turn offs – advertising?
How much?
All of it sounds to good to be true. As the old saying goes if it sounds to good to be true it probably is…..
I’m betting Google TV will be RIDDLED with Major Bugs.
How much?
All of it sounds to good to be true. As the old saying goes if it sounds to good to be true it probably is…..
I’m betting Google TV will be RIDDLED with Major Bugs.
I’m sticking to what works. Apple TV is where it’s at.
I’m sticking to what works. Apple TV is where it’s at.
Steve
It’s time to make a move. Get iPhone on more telco networks, build up ATV and slow down the Google non-sense.
Steve
It’s time to make a move. Get iPhone on more telco networks, build up ATV and slow down the Google non-sense.
@ pridon…
Works with your HD TV. Read the webpage.
Sour grapes?
@ pridon…
Works with your HD TV. Read the webpage.
Sour grapes?
@ Global User – if so, consider yourself fortunate. We have to deal with this crap.
@ Global User – if so, consider yourself fortunate. We have to deal with this crap.
Microsoft should be extremely proud, and also very worried.
Microsoft should be extremely proud, and also very worried.
Googloid nirvana (.02% of population). Everyone else: meh.
Googloid nirvana (.02% of population). Everyone else: meh.
No wonder Google was teaming up with Verizon to try and teir Internet accessibility pricing… Trying to get consumers hooked in with the “don’t have to pay a provider, just use the Internet” mantra only to try and pull the rug out from under them by having to pay more for the Internet based on how much you watch… Verizon would be fine with this as they would still be getting payment for traditional subscribers, then any early adopters would be screwed with the tiered Internet pricing.
By the way… when will you start having to pay for YouTube? They are working on that as well, so what we are talking about if Google has their way is you would be paying monthly fees for at least Netflix and YouTube AND be paying more for your Internet for streaming what you’ve already paid for to your Google TV. Sounds a lot like what the providers are doing already, now you just will have more accounts to manage.
Apple’s solution? You pay for just what you watch. Period.
Google is trying to bait and switch the consumer. “look at all the great stuff you can do from the Internet and YouTube!” while they are working behind the scenes to charge you for YouTube and make you pay more for your access to the Internet. Get bent Google and change your motto to “be evil.”
No wonder Google was teaming up with Verizon to try and teir Internet accessibility pricing… Trying to get consumers hooked in with the “don’t have to pay a provider, just use the Internet” mantra only to try and pull the rug out from under them by having to pay more for the Internet based on how much you watch… Verizon would be fine with this as they would still be getting payment for traditional subscribers, then any early adopters would be screwed with the tiered Internet pricing.
By the way… when will you start having to pay for YouTube? They are working on that as well, so what we are talking about if Google has their way is you would be paying monthly fees for at least Netflix and YouTube AND be paying more for your Internet for streaming what you’ve already paid for to your Google TV. Sounds a lot like what the providers are doing already, now you just will have more accounts to manage.
Apple’s solution? You pay for just what you watch. Period.
Google is trying to bait and switch the consumer. “look at all the great stuff you can do from the Internet and YouTube!” while they are working behind the scenes to charge you for YouTube and make you pay more for your access to the Internet. Get bent Google and change your motto to “be evil.”
@marko
Looks like you have to buy a Logitech Google TV Box for which there seem to be no published details. Availability not stated.
That being said, if/when it comes, it will provide ATV with competition.
@marko
Looks like you have to buy a Logitech Google TV Box for which there seem to be no published details. Availability not stated.
That being said, if/when it comes, it will provide ATV with competition.
It looks like another Web TV failure to me. Nobody likes using the internet on there TV. Apple TV can do everything that google has here too. I’ll stick with Apple TV. At least I won’t get viruses on my Apple TV like android gets already on there phones and probably now on there Google TV.
It looks like another Web TV failure to me. Nobody likes using the internet on there TV. Apple TV can do everything that google has here too. I’ll stick with Apple TV. At least I won’t get viruses on my Apple TV like android gets already on there phones and probably now on there Google TV.
wicked that i’ll be able to watch flash episodes from the major network websites free. Streaming from iTunes = lame
wicked that i’ll be able to watch flash episodes from the major network websites free. Streaming from iTunes = lame
As MDN said, rightfully in my opinion, AirPlay is where it’s at.
When I’m slouched on the sofa I’d rather browse the internet on my iPad or iPhone than on the TV.
It’s all about Human Factors and can be proved with the following equation:
iDevice + AppleTV + AirPlay + iTunes = User Satisfaction.
An elegant solution compared to the scattergun hodgepodge of GoogleTV.
As MDN said, rightfully in my opinion, AirPlay is where it’s at.
When I’m slouched on the sofa I’d rather browse the internet on my iPad or iPhone than on the TV.
It’s all about Human Factors and can be proved with the following equation:
iDevice + AppleTV + AirPlay + iTunes = User Satisfaction.
An elegant solution compared to the scattergun hodgepodge of GoogleTV.
We are talking about TeeVee, right? The biggest pile of crap since crap.
And filled to the gunwhales with ads, right?
To echo RePlay above: meh.
Note: Gunwhales is pronounced ‘gunnels’ and is a part of a boat – but you wont find that info on TV……
We are talking about TeeVee, right? The biggest pile of crap since crap.
And filled to the gunwhales with ads, right?
To echo RePlay above: meh.
Note: Gunwhales is pronounced ‘gunnels’ and is a part of a boat – but you wont find that info on TV……
The feature set it rich, however, other than apps on the device and the ability to control via your phone, I dont see the big deal. And i dont see apps as a major game changer here, yet. I do like the concept of apps to watch certain types of show, liek an over lay. With my huge TV an overlay wouldnt be as intrusive.
All that said, this is a no go for me so long as I cant a-la-carte my channels. Ill buy one of these or ATV as soon as one of them lets me a-la-carte.
The feature set it rich, however, other than apps on the device and the ability to control via your phone, I dont see the big deal. And i dont see apps as a major game changer here, yet. I do like the concept of apps to watch certain types of show, liek an over lay. With my huge TV an overlay wouldnt be as intrusive.
All that said, this is a no go for me so long as I cant a-la-carte my channels. Ill buy one of these or ATV as soon as one of them lets me a-la-carte.
@ matt
Did you really type ‘wicked’? Guess I meant 1988. >.<
@ matt
Did you really type ‘wicked’? Guess I meant 1988. >.<
Where do I buy this??? Oh yeah, you can’t. It’s a platform and you have to wait for it to be incorporated by TV makers… Which means buying a new TV to get this, not a $99 box. Fail.
Where do I buy this??? Oh yeah, you can’t. It’s a platform and you have to wait for it to be incorporated by TV makers… Which means buying a new TV to get this, not a $99 box. Fail.
I’m still waiting for my ATV to be shipped. If a GTV can deliver all that with a decent user experience for $99 I’ll get one too since I have multiple HDMI inputs.
I’m still waiting for my ATV to be shipped. If a GTV can deliver all that with a decent user experience for $99 I’ll get one too since I have multiple HDMI inputs.
ChrissyOne,
matt could be from New England, especially Boston area, in which case the term “wicked” is not at all outdated. It’s an everyday part of speech: like “lah” in Singapore.
ChrissyOne,
matt could be from New England, especially Boston area, in which case the term “wicked” is not at all outdated. It’s an everyday part of speech: like “lah” in Singapore.
Just what I want…flash on my TV.
Just what I want…flash on my TV.
@Nerd Beautiful, exactly. If Google’s history is any indication this will be a hodgepodge of geeky features.
They never stopped to understand how their technologies should interact, or how they fit into people’s lives (I still don’t understand my Google Account — and look at YouTube, such a wasted opportunity).
@Nerd Beautiful, exactly. If Google’s history is any indication this will be a hodgepodge of geeky features.
They never stopped to understand how their technologies should interact, or how they fit into people’s lives (I still don’t understand my Google Account — and look at YouTube, such a wasted opportunity).
Boston is soooo outdated. I want an Apple TV!
Boston is soooo outdated. I want an Apple TV!
Smartphones, an OS, TV. Oh my, how ever does Google get all these great ideas?!
Smartphones, an OS, TV. Oh my, how ever does Google get all these great ideas?!
I did use “wicked”. Apologies for my regional lingo :D. I am a first generation apple tv owner, and multiple mac ipod/laptop owner since 2001, but going to buy the Logitech Google TV box when it comes out.
Apple’s failure to embrace the web is going to convert a lot of loyal fans like myself. Compare how you would watch a missed episode of the “The Office” on AppleTV and Google TV?
The latter involves going to nbc.com or any other site with streaming links like sidereel and hitting play. The former involves paying separately for it, or using a hodge-podge of Apple systems to stream from your library.
I did use “wicked”. Apologies for my regional lingo :D. I am a first generation apple tv owner, and multiple mac ipod/laptop owner since 2001, but going to buy the Logitech Google TV box when it comes out.
Apple’s failure to embrace the web is going to convert a lot of loyal fans like myself. Compare how you would watch a missed episode of the “The Office” on AppleTV and Google TV?
The latter involves going to nbc.com or any other site with streaming links like sidereel and hitting play. The former involves paying separately for it, or using a hodge-podge of Apple systems to stream from your library.
@ Derek in Milan
It’s actually spellled “gunwales”, but your pronunciation and definition are correct.
@Fred Mertz and CrissyOne
“Wicked” is also commonly used in Maine. Crissyone, yes, you included New England, so you’d be correct.
I will now carry on elsewhere, with my punctilious chiding.
@ Derek in Milan
It’s actually spellled “gunwales”, but your pronunciation and definition are correct.
@Fred Mertz and CrissyOne
“Wicked” is also commonly used in Maine. Crissyone, yes, you included New England, so you’d be correct.
I will now carry on elsewhere, with my punctilious chiding.
Thing is, I don’t have the slightest interest in browsing the Web on my TV. If I’m getting this right, the idea is that this thing has a full-featured web-browser so you can navigate to Hulu and watch videos on the TV. Sounds good, until you’ve done it a few times and then the novelty wears off, and it just becomes a major pain in the ass. I don’t want to have to navigate Hulu or (misc network).com with a remote control to watch a video.
——RM
Thing is, I don’t have the slightest interest in browsing the Web on my TV. If I’m getting this right, the idea is that this thing has a full-featured web-browser so you can navigate to Hulu and watch videos on the TV. Sounds good, until you’ve done it a few times and then the novelty wears off, and it just becomes a major pain in the ass. I don’t want to have to navigate Hulu or (misc network).com with a remote control to watch a video.
——RM
Sorry, but I do think this has legs.
While this is missing a lot of what Apple TV has, there are some things that it has that Apple TV doesn’t (yet) Or at least in comparing what has been announced.
The lack of AirPlay and the iTunes ecosystem would turn me to Apple TV, but ultimately, I see myself having both.
Mostly because it may not be much of an option *not* to get Google TV.
Take a look a the TV market today. They went through the transition to HD, then flat panel, then built the hype and maxed out credit cards, hyped further with infinite contrast ratios and GHz refresh rates. They’re pushing 3D, but it’s not getting much traction.
However, for maybe $50 or so in parts, they can add Google TV. This is offset by the need for them to develop and implement some of the other crap they’ve been trying to do on their own anyway.
From a vendor perspective it’s not Google TV versus Apple TV. It’s Google TV versus a customer buying a competitor’s TV. Google TV doesn’t have to be as good as Apple TV. It doesn’t even have to be good. It just has to be better than nothing.
This is a situation where both Google and Apple have great strategies. It’s also a situation where they should work very closely with each other.
Apple isn’t going to go for the built-in, but has a better ecosystem, and Apple’s strategy allows for upgrades as well as redefining what Apple TV is and becomes as things change (such as adding console gaming functionality).
For me, at $99 Apple TV is a no-brainer, and Google TV is something I won’t be able to avoid even if I wanted to.
Sorry, but I do think this has legs.
While this is missing a lot of what Apple TV has, there are some things that it has that Apple TV doesn’t (yet) Or at least in comparing what has been announced.
The lack of AirPlay and the iTunes ecosystem would turn me to Apple TV, but ultimately, I see myself having both.
Mostly because it may not be much of an option *not* to get Google TV.
Take a look a the TV market today. They went through the transition to HD, then flat panel, then built the hype and maxed out credit cards, hyped further with infinite contrast ratios and GHz refresh rates. They’re pushing 3D, but it’s not getting much traction.
However, for maybe $50 or so in parts, they can add Google TV. This is offset by the need for them to develop and implement some of the other crap they’ve been trying to do on their own anyway.
From a vendor perspective it’s not Google TV versus Apple TV. It’s Google TV versus a customer buying a competitor’s TV. Google TV doesn’t have to be as good as Apple TV. It doesn’t even have to be good. It just has to be better than nothing.
This is a situation where both Google and Apple have great strategies. It’s also a situation where they should work very closely with each other.
Apple isn’t going to go for the built-in, but has a better ecosystem, and Apple’s strategy allows for upgrades as well as redefining what Apple TV is and becomes as things change (such as adding console gaming functionality).
For me, at $99 Apple TV is a no-brainer, and Google TV is something I won’t be able to avoid even if I wanted to.
Isn’t Google TV the same thing as having my Mac hooked up to the television? HDMI chord is all I needed.
Isn’t Google TV the same thing as having my Mac hooked up to the television? HDMI chord is all I needed.
Don’t fret guys. Have faith in Steve. I do. He is the same age as me, lol. Did everyone see the keynote? When Steve introduced the new ATV, he did not tell everything about it, or what the potential is for this device. He just said that in November when iOS 4.2 comes out, it will have AirPlay. He also did not go into it deeply on what it can do. He only showed us what it can do. He held his cards close to his vest because he knew that Google was going to do this today and he did not want to let his cat out of the bag just yet. He wanted Google to make the first move and tell how their product is better. Now he knows and we now know. Apple is planning something big. The ATV is basically a scaled down iPad for the TV. We will all see in November.
Don’t fret guys. Have faith in Steve. I do. He is the same age as me, lol. Did everyone see the keynote? When Steve introduced the new ATV, he did not tell everything about it, or what the potential is for this device. He just said that in November when iOS 4.2 comes out, it will have AirPlay. He also did not go into it deeply on what it can do. He only showed us what it can do. He held his cards close to his vest because he knew that Google was going to do this today and he did not want to let his cat out of the bag just yet. He wanted Google to make the first move and tell how their product is better. Now he knows and we now know. Apple is planning something big. The ATV is basically a scaled down iPad for the TV. We will all see in November.
First off, their marketing smells like Apple.
Second, there are many features… and I don’t see where ATV one-ups any, except for good looks.
Third… while flipping the app switch will make magic happen again, it seems that Google has added some TV-like & DVR features that shows more of a vision for the living room that I thought they’d have.
thoughts?
First off, their marketing smells like Apple.
Second, there are many features… and I don’t see where ATV one-ups any, except for good looks.
Third… while flipping the app switch will make magic happen again, it seems that Google has added some TV-like & DVR features that shows more of a vision for the living room that I thought they’d have.
thoughts?
* ok… good looks and amazing experience… can’t forget that.
ugh, I’m almost ashamed that I could forget that.
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* ok… good looks and amazing experience… can’t forget that.
ugh, I’m almost ashamed that I could forget that.
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MDN… don’t be retarded..
Steve already made his move and I think he is right. People, except the geeks, does not want another computer. This may seem like a cool thing but it’s FAIL.
MDN… don’t be retarded..
Steve already made his move and I think he is right. People, except the geeks, does not want another computer. This may seem like a cool thing but it’s FAIL.