Minh Uong/The New York Times

Sources at the The New York Times have revealed that Google has asked hardware manufacturers to delay the launch of any new Google TV based devices so that Google can buy time to improve the software. With the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas just a few weeks away, it was anticipated that several major television manufacturers including LG, Sharp, and Toshiba were going to announce new Google TV enabled televisions. Google’s request to delay Google TV devices at CES comes as a considerable blow to the platform that has already been poorly received by journalists, and blocked by major networks and studios.

The move also puts Logitech and Sony in an awkward position as they have already spent millions on developing Google TV hardware that is already on the market, as well as millions on advertising campaigns. Google is simply in uncharted territory when it comes to consumer electronics, and it is beginning to show. Worse yet, Google is now mishandling their partnerships with major manufacturers, and having to admit to releasing an incomplete product.

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