Google TV has finally been announced after months of speculation and rumors, but the answers provided by an official Google blog post provide entirely new questions. These questions are surprisingly broad, especially concerning just what the new technology is. Is it a device? Is it a platform? Is it a technology? There are certainly arguments for all of these to be true as well as the capacity for some combination of these factors to be required, but the answer might also be found in the partners involved in the project.
What is Google TV?
There are certainly arguments that suggest that Google TV is a combination of platform and device, especially given some of the initial partners. Before getting into that in detail, it is worth looking at what Google TV promises. At its very core, Google TV promises a media-rich experience that blends digital television, shopping, and possibly more. Not surprisingly, it has been officially unveiled that any and all devices/technologies with the Google TV stamp of approval will be running on an Android operating system featuring generous use of Chrome technologies.
Partners Everywhere
Whenever Google starts a new project of any serious scale, they tend to evaluate whether or not they want or need partners. In this case, it seems that Google knew it had an uphill battle waiting for it and elected to partner with some serious industry players. Intel, Adobe, Sony, Amazon, Logitech, and Dish Networks will all be involved in different ways.
Intel is supplying the processing power behind the initial device, but it is unclear as to whether or not future Google TV powered devices will require x86 and/or Intel technology. Adobe is supplying a streamlined Flash interface, while Amazon is going to be supplying access to their on-demand store. Dish Networks will be the official launch partner in the digital cable provider arena, but standalone set top boxes are expected sometime in the near future.
What the Google TV Will Probably Do
Here is an excerpt from Google’s own blog post:
Google TV uses search to give you an easy and fast way to navigate to television channels, websites, apps, shows and movies. For example, already know the channel or program you want to watch? Just type in the name and you’re there. Want to check out that funny YouTube video on your 48” flat screen? It’s just a quick search away. If you know what you want to watch, but you’re not sure where to find it, just type in what you’re looking for and Google TV will help you find it on the web or on one of your many TV channels. If you’d rather browse than search, you can use your standard program guide, your DVR or the Google TV home screen, which provides quick access to all of your favorite entertainment so you’re always within reach of the content you love most.
So, browsing and media seem to be the key focuses of Google TV, but there might be a better than even chance of seeing Android apps take on a life of their own on the television. Games would seem to be a natural fit considering that Android already has game developers and the Google TV will be deployed in the living room.
Alternatives
While Apple might have made some serious waves a few years back with its initial Apple TV, that platform has since been superseded in almost every critical way by dozens of better options. Google seems to be joining that list, along with the upcoming Boxee Box. The question that customers will ultimately have is whether these platforms will enable a useful kiosk-like mode that enables easy purchase, download, storage, and cataloging for new media along with features that go above and beyond expectations. Both the Boxee Box and the Google TV seem to have what it takes, at least on paper.
It is also worth noting that Google’s technology might not be limited to set top boxes. If the technology takes off, upscale television sets might begin incorporating Google TV technology. This brings us back full circle to the question of what actually defines this particular piece of technology. Is it a platform, a combination of technologies, hardware, or some combination of these things? While the answer to that question is unclear at this time, one thing is for certain: the competition for living room dominance just got a lot stiffer.
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