From the monthly archives: June 2010
Source: TechRadar
Anthony Rose, current CTO of Project Canvas, has a few things to say about Google TV, and they are not very nice. While speaking at Intel’s ‘Shaping the Future of TV’ conference in London, Rose spoke about Google TV being an intriguing idea, but with several fundamental flaws.
“Google has opted for an open platform [for Google TV], so they are giving you web functionality on your TV, including searching the web. While this is good, maybe Google is a bit too open for consumers.”
He also went on to discuss the idea of sitting in front of your TV with a keyboard searching for what to watch as being rather impractical. During a bit of shameless self promotion, Rose spoke about Project Canvas, which is an attempt to create an open, internet-connected television platform built on common standards. He feels the concept of ‘linear TV’ is essential to optimum TV viewing, something Google TV will not be able to provide
Another benefit of Project Canvas, according to Rose, is the lifespan of the hardware. Thanks to Intel’s new Atom chip technology, an old Project Canvas hardware box will function exactly the same as a newer model.
Project Canvas is slated for a 2011 release in the UK, with no information about additional markets at this time.
Source: Blog.Logitech | via Twitter
Junien Labrousse, Logitech’s Executive Vice President of Products, wrote on the official Logitech blog about some of the reasons his company is so excited about Google TV, and about open systems in general. What makes open systems so attractive from a business standpoint, says Labrousse, is the ability to be a part of the development process and to contribute new ideas and innovations.
“We can do more ourselves. We’re not waiting until the next version is unveiled, a contract is signed and permission is granted before we’re fully developing. No one develops proactively when the platform is solely owned and controlled. No good product development team strives to be in reaction mode all the time.”
He also goes on to describe how his company can move beyond producing just another peripheral, but something smarter, more interactive, and more optimized for the Google TV experience. Also, Google’s open model has allowed for Logitech to propose exciting new features, such as HD video calling.
Labrousse does acknowledge that the open model will ultimately create more competition for his company, but feels this can only further innovation, resulting in a better user experience. He closes by maintaining Logitech will provide the best possible experience for what people want from their TV, and that they have Google TV to thank for that.
Source: Engadget
We have been hearing rumors of a premium Hulu service for some time now, and have been speculating as to whether or not it would end up on Google TV. The rumors have now been put to rest, thanks to today’s announcement of “Hulu Plus.” For $10 dollars a month, customers will gain access to entire seasons of shows that are currently available in limited numbers on the free service. So far we know there will be apps for iPod and iPad (and surely iPhone as well), Samsung and Sony connected TV and Blu-ray devices, as well as PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The inclusion of Sony, makers of the first HDTV with Google TV built in, leads us to believe that Google TV will eventually be supported as well, although no official announcement has been made at this time. We will continue to bring you more on this story as it develops, for now you can visit the official Hulu Plus page, and see a video from Hulu after the break.
Source: AppMarket.tv
Google’s ambitions appear to be limitless these days. Rumors have been floating around this month about a forthcoming music service, likely to be dubbed Google Music, which will hopefully be an answer to the rather lackluster nature of music playback on Android devices. Google has not made any official announcements as of yet, but the likely pairing with Android means the new music service will surely be finding itself in living rooms via Google TV.
The music industry has been struggling for many years now, and despite digital music sales rising 12% last year, the battle against piracy continues to greatly influence the digital debate. Despite these negative feelings, the overwhelming success of the iTunes Music Store is causing record executives to rethink the digital model.
The growing success of the Android platform, coupled with Google’s push into the TV realm this fall, would make a move into music a logical next step. The ideal experience could go something like this: You are sitting in your living room, watching the latest episode of your favorite TV show through your Google TV device. You hear a song that catches your attention, and would like to buy it. Google TV can point you to the song on Google Music, which you can in turn play on your Android smartphone.
Of course this is all just speculation at this point, but given that Google TV is going to be powered by Android, the above scenario is not entirely far-fetched. Also, given that rumors suggest the service will likely not be available until 2011, the timing would be perfect for release on the Android Market, which should be fully available on Google TV next year. One thing is for certain: Google is truly embracing the idea of pushing beyond its usual business model, as evidenced by the flurry of new media ventures, which is highlighted by the ever-growing success of Android.
Source: CMS Wire
Advertising and online video are certainly not strangers. Watching your favorite TV show on Hulu, or most other streaming sites, typically comes with some form of advertising before, during, or after the video. Google’s Global VP of Media & Platforms, Henrique De Castro, spoke recently at this year’s international ad festival in Cannes about the ways in which Google TV will revolutionize digital advertising.
Current estimates put online video viewing at roughly 200 million hours per day, a number which has grown drastically over the past few years. De Castro believes TV advertising could become very similar to the advertising seen on the Web, benefiting both viewers and advertisers. With the rise of on demand video, DVR technology, and online streaming, more and more people are skipping the ads companies continue to pay top dollar for. By implementing advertising similar to that of websites, users of Internet TV devices like Google TV will be much more receptive to ads than traditional TV viewers.
Digital advertising also brings an element severely lacking in modern TV ads: personalization. Sure, ads are catered for certain demographics, but Internet TV allows for a much more targeted advertising campaign, which again is beneficial to both the advertiser and the viewer. Imagine watching a cooking show and seeing nothing but relevant ads, like for cookware or a local restaurant, instead of a deodorant commercial or some other advertisement irrelevant to the content being watched.
Localization also becomes much more practical. Businesses and services have the potential to target individuals within their geographical area much more effectively, and if using a cost-per-impression style campaign, much more cost effective as well. De Castro also spoke of digital advertising on Google TV to be much more dynamic, with the potential to differ given a change in the weather, a sudden news story, or anything else that is relevant to what is going on at any given time.
Still, critics continue to offer the same degree of dismissal about the Internet TV revolution as they always have. Some fear targeted advertising based on search preference or location is simply much too Orwellian, or that people simply won’t be that interested in browsing the Web on their TV. However, if Google TV ends up being even half as successful as Google expects, the potential for change and improvement to advertising is truly exceptional.
Every Sunday, we recap the most important news of the week for those of you who need to play catch up. It was a somewhat slow week in terms of news, but nonetheless here are the articles we featured this week:
Studies indicate Google TV’s success lies with social networking
How Google TV can make African-American content more accessible
Al Gore reportedly sought Current TV sale to Google
A close-up look at the Logitech Revue
thePlatform to offer Google TV support for its line of video management software
Bing steps up TV search capabilities
Source: TrendsSpotting
One of the mainstays of modern technology, for better or for worse, is the seemingly unlimited number of ways individuals can stay connected with one another. What started out as email quickly evolved into instant messaging, which evolved into social networking sites like Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, and the list goes on. Google aims to bridge online content with traditional TV viewing, so naturally one would expect aspects of social networking to be involved. Apps for popular social networking sites are already available in the Android Market, but as we reported earlier in the month, the full Android Market will not be available for the initial launch of Google TV. We currently do not have a list of applications that will be available on G-Day, but if new studies regarding the impact of social media hold true, Google better be including social networking apps.
New studies conducted within the past year are giving strong indications that a significant number of the population would like to have social networking integrated into their normal TV experience. A 2009 Parks and Associates survey found that well over one fourth of TV viewers between the ages of 18 and 24 would like social networking available on their TVs. Another study from ABI research shows that among all social media users, 36% would like to access their networks in the living room.
Keep in mind, these numbers are from last year, and we all know what a difference a year can make. It is almost certain Google will include some social networking apps when launch time comes, but as these studies suggest, they will be wise to try and include as many as possible.
Source: The Network Journal | via: SimplyGoogleTV
It would be nice to say we live in a colorblind society, but even though an African-American currently holds the highest position of power in one of the wealthiest countries on Earth, there are many who will agree racial barriers still exist to this day. Some in the TV industry feel it is difficult for African-American owned and produced content to find time on the airwaves. With Google bringing online content to the living room this Fall, however, some feel there is hope for a more diverse content pool.
Jeff Clanagan, CEO of Codeblack Entertainment, had the following to say about the possibilities Google TV can provide:
“Once Google successfully moves the Internet to your home television screen, it will open the doors for African-American content, producers and content distributors in general to create their own channels and potentially circumvent traditional network distribution and ownership.”
Clanagan also went on to dismiss the possibility of a greater number of negative portrayals of African-Americans due to the addition of internet content, saying there are already enough examples of that online without bringing TV into the equation.
The potential for more diversity does not strictly lie with African-American content, but a multitude of racially and ethnically diverse programming. Also, keeping in line with yesterdays article regarding Current TV, an acquisition of a user-provided content network could only further these possibilities.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Current TV, the DIY cable network where the viewers are largely responsible for the content, is not doing so well these days. Al Gore’s pet project is facing a lack of content, a lack of advertisers, and a general lack of interest from the populous. An interesting report has come out describing talks between Google and the former Vice President over a possible sale, dating as far back as 2007.
Supposedly, the price on the table was somewhere between $400 – $500 million, but alas, not even Gore’s close ties to Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. It is not entirely surprising that the deal never went through, given the time frame. Google had just purchased Youtube the year before for a whopping $1.65 billion dollars in stock, and at the time showed no interest whatsoever at branching out into the world of Television.
Which brings us to the present day, where Google’s former platform-only philosophy has gone the way of the Dodo in light of the hugely successful Android OS, and the forthcoming Google TV. There is no indication that Google has renewed talks to acquire Current TV, especially given the current troubles plaguing the cable network. Still, given the fact that Google TV is a mere few months away from launch, is it possible the search giant might be taking another look at making a buy?
The timing would make perfect sense, and would give GTV a unique platform for presenting original content. However, even a financial powerhouse the likes of Google may not be able to save Current TV. A complete re-structuring and re-branding of the network is needed for it to become viable again, a risk that may ultimately prove to be not worth taking.
Source: Android Central
The lucky folks over at Android Central got an up-close and personal look at the new Logitech Revue while covering the Digital Experience event in New York. Unfortunately, no live demo of the unit or Google TV was given, but you can still get a good look at the hardware. Check out the video for a detailed inspection of the Logitech Revue Google TV box.
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