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Earlier this month, we told you about a rumor that Sony was planning to ship Google TV in Europe beginning next Spring. Well it turns out that this rumor may be incorrect, and furthermore there is now some serious doubt about the international launch of Google TV.
There was talk about the Revue shipping in the UK as early as January, but both Google and Logitech have told the Inquirer that they have not locked down a specific date yet. Couple that with the lack of a formal announcement from Sony, and you have some serious red flags going up about when exactly we’ll see Google TV in Europe and Asia.
With Samsung, Toshiba and Vizio all expected to make Google TV announcements in a couple weeks at CES, perhaps we’ll hear more about an international release then. For now, however, we’re left guessing with the rest of you when as to when we may see Google TV making its European and Asian debut.
[via Electronista]
Comcast is currently testing a new set-top box featuring DVR services, search capabilities, and what they’re calling “limited” web functionality. This new box will give users access to social media, as well as a limited number of online video.
According to The Wall Street Journal, this new box will allow users to search for a “smattering of Web video” and supports “some basic connections to social networks to comment on television shows.” It is really unclear at this point how the new box will stand up against Google TV, but something tells me this web access will be pretty limited. Also, there is no word yet about a release date, or even a beta testing period. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
[via PC World]
The conflict between Google TV and the major networks does not appear any closer to being over, and now CBS CEO Les Moonves has come out and said that Google TV will not have access to his company’s content unless Google pays for it. When asked about Google TV at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference, Moonves had the following to say.
“Google TV is very interesting. I’m not sure what it is. I’m not sure what it will do to our business. I know Mr. Schmidt thinks we have our heads in the sand, but I beg to differ.”
I personally find it interesting that Moonves chooses to call Google TV “interesting”, yet he’s not exactly sure what it is. Google CEO Eric Schmidt has publicly stated that the network heads are essentially afraid of the new technology and are blocking innovation. Executives like Moonves, on the other hand, are worried about fracturing their relationships with big cable and satellite who pay out hefty premiums to be able to provide content to their subscribers.
Is Google likely to pay a premium to access content that users can access for free on their desktop or laptop computer? I’m still guessing the answer is no, given the fact that Google TV does not have a monthly subscription fee, and that Google has not yet begun to tap the full monetization potential of the device. However, if Google’s goal with GTV is for it to be a device for cable cutters, they may be forced to pay some kind of premium to the networks for this content.
[via MediaWeek]
Canadian broadcaster/Internet provider Shaw Communications feels that Google TV and Netflix should be regulated in the same way that broadcasters are. In Canada, broadcasters are required to fund and promote a certain amount of Canadian programming so that American content doesn’t dominate the airwaves.
It would appear that Shaw is worried that Google TV and Netflix should be regulated by the same laws because they could essentially allow Canadian customers to watch nothing but American content. The bottom line here is that Google TV is not a broadcaster, and that it is only used for accessing the same content that Canadian’s can access online with their computers. It would appear that Shaw, like the American providers, are worried that Google TV may simply encourage more cable cutting.
[via TechDirt]
TechCrunch is reporting that traffic to their website via Google TV is dismally low: an amount that is almost statistically too small to count at barely over 0%. As a matter of comparison, our Google TV focused site doesn’t appear to have hardly any visits from Google TV devices at all (either that, or Google Analytics isn’t tracking them properly).
Is this the end of the world just yet? Probably not. Is it a cause for concern? I would say so. Google TV has certainly received its fair share of negative press these days, but with new manufacturers getting on board next year and the forthcoming Android Market should help turn the tide. Personally, I think initial sales figures will be a better tell of just how successful (or unsuccessful) Google TV has been thus far.
[via TechCrunch]
Google announced yesterday that they would be acquiring the digital media solutions and DRM firm Widevine, which could have some very positive benefits for both YouTube and Google TV. One of the biggest concerns (according to them at least) of the major networks regarding their decision to block Google TV is over piracy, and that Google isn’t doing enough to prevent it on YouTube and Google TV. This move is a positive step towards appeasing the networks, and hopefully giving Google some muscle when going into future talks.
A lot of our European readers have been eagerly waiting some kind of announcement as to when they might be able to buy Google TV in their respective country. Well, reports are coming in that Sony is planning on shipping their Google TV devices sometime in early spring of 2011. It also seems that there will be an exclusive period where Sony will have the total market until about April, when competitors will start selling their devices.
I know this isn’t the definitive date you were hoping for, but I think we’re very close to getting one, so stay tuned everyone.
[via T3]
Remember those less than charming Lonely TV ads that Logitech was using to promote the Revue a few months back? Unfortunately so do we, but Logitech appears to have received the memo on that one and has begun a new chapter in the book of Revue ads. Enter Kevin Bacon, who plays an über fan who uses the Revue to watch Kevin Bacon videos on YouTube, search for Kevin Bacon movies on TV, and probably some rather inappropriate stuff involving Kevin Bacon when no one is watching.
I really enjoy this ad, and it’s wonderful to see that Logitech decided to (hopefully) do away with the creepy screaming eyeball TV with legs. Continue after the break to watch the spot, and join us in hoping we get three or four more of these.
Just when we thought the war between Google and the networks was hitting a catastrophic level, there is now some light at the end of the tunnel. Reports are coming in that Disney and Google are back in talks over getting ABC.com content unblocked on Google TV, which would be a step in the right direction for ending the streaming content embargo.
Disney is still concerned primarily about piracy, stating that Google TV doesn’t fully block pirated content. There’s no word yet as to how close the two sides are to an agreement, and there is no indication as to when they might be complete.
ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, SyFy, Comedy Central, MTV, and Nickelodeon are among the many networks which are currently blocking Google TV devices from streaming their online content.
[via Reuters]
It would appear that Microsoft is planning an Xbox 360 service which would take on Google TV by offering content streamed over the Internet. Microsoft is reportedly in talks with networks and content providers to license content which could be accessed for a monthly fee. It is not exactly clear what Microsoft is planning at this point, but another possibility could be some sort of interactive service that would go along with a users current cable or satellite service.
Whatever they end up doing, it’s likely that it will be something quite different from Google TV or Apple TV, so stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
[via VentureBeat]
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