Google TV is finally ready for prime time annually after it formally released. Beginning on Sunday, the update will first unveil towards the The new sony Internet TV models using the Logitech Revue models setting it up shortly after that. Existing customers will most likely love the update because it brings a remodeled interface and an array of the Android Market. It appears to become just what the platform must have been if this released this past year. However for everybody else, either individuals searching to chop the cord or supplement pay TV with Internet video, this is still a difficult sell. All of the pitfalls connected with Google TV last year remain. As the system is probably not half-baked any longer, I m still unsure if Google TV warrants a location inside your family room.
A Brand New Coat Of Fresh paint
The very first version of Google TV would be a mess. The interface was sporadic between screens and frequently slow functioning. The search screen used a totally different interface and also the desltop wasn t created for TV. Like the majority of first generation Google items, it felt just like a beta.
That old, cluttered Google TV desltop
The brand new, cleaner Google TV desltop
The Google TV team began anew and used Android like a design template. I'm able to t talk to its operation when i m awaiting the update myself, but in the screens and demos I ve seen, the brand new interface is totally various and it finally appears like an effective 10-feet interface. The house screen now features only a single row of easy to customize symbols. It houses the most famous applications together with an opportune clock and connect to notices. The application screen now utilizes a natural power grid arrangement instead of a listing and also the Android Market looks straight from Honeycomb. But with the UI changes, the Google TV engineers spent probably the most time on enhancing content discovery.
Google TV never was created for cord blades. This is made to live alongside compensated TV, but present Internet video and applications inside a seamless experience. The initial Google TV search application was an incredible tool, but something gimped after large media s blockade of free streaming websites. That s in which the new TV &lifier Movies application is available in.
TV &lifier Movies
TV &lifier Movies
This is By Pointing Out Applications
Think about the television &lifier Movie application like a new guide. It tries to gather cable/satellite quite happy with programming in the major compensated streaming services. Even better, this is wise, showing results according to viewing background and preferences. Say you need to watch Boardwalk Empire. The guide presents all of the available viewing options: Your TV provider s Cinemax funnel naturally, but additionally Cinemax Go, and Netflix or Amazon . com when they re available. This post is presented inside a gorgeous power grid view enhanced with cover art and extra information. Throughout a chat I'd a week ago with Google TV s mind, Mario Queiroz, he established that they s goal would be to offer an API with this service using the intent to enhance the search experience much more.
Android Market didn't have in the product since launch and it is area of the latest update. The Marketplace is only going to feature Android applications that may really focus on a TV and don't require specific hardware just like a touch screen. 30 applications from the 800 starting is going to be featured including CNBC, Fox News Business, Zillow, and America online HD so, you realize, applications you most likely won t use. Mario indicated in my experience that HTML 5 Google TV applications aren't segregated from standard Android applications since towards the user, they re still applications. Wise.
The Brand New YouTube Application
YouTube Leanback
YouTube happens to be a large a part of Google TV and also the latest version launches having a completely remodeled Leanback YouTube application only at the woking platform. Home windows Media Center customers should feel right in your own home. The application is really a virtual clone of Microsoft s aging HTPC program. Lower the left side is a listing of cutting corners while a clean title layout can be used for that content including what seems, a minimum of in the screenshots, to become the approaching YouTube Channels. The brand new YouTube application was created following the GTV team learned that customers used YouTube two times around expected (most likely because large media blocked its free content).
Google + is eventually visiting Google TV and may potentially save the woking platform in the deadpool. Obviously, Google + may need a existence-preserver too. Mario described that Google + s social tools fit nicely inside the Google TV team charter. From discussing photos to TV discovery might be a social experience and also the team is working carefully using the kids from Google + to integrate all of the functionality. When Google + hits GTV Google isn t announcing a timetable yet it might be a must-have for fans from the social networking. Discussing media is just one of Google + talents and may play nicely into Google TV.
The brand new Google TV hardware finally appears ready for customers however i m unsure this is the very best platform to do the job. The very first version would be a mishmash of elements of design, obtrusive connects and strange navigation pathways. The brand new interface looks great, and likely feels natural, but Google TV continues to be hampered by large media. The update only addresses software and hardware issues stuff an engineering team can control. Regrettably Google TV didn t remove the very first time due to a bigger fundamental problem that also hasn t been addressed.
The Initial Application List
The Brand New Application Menu
A Brief History Lesson
Google TV was the tech media s darling product last fall. It had been said to be the following large factor, concurrently beating Apple within the family room while interfering with how TV is consumed. Logitech predicted it might ship 500k of their $299 Revue Google TV models. The new sony was the very first from the gate using the Internet TV (MG hated the remote) then the Logitech model a couple of days later.
The first reviews almost globally loved it, however large media struck. All of a sudden ABC, NBC, and CBS ignore Google TV, with FOX and also the other systems following suit. Hulu, Fancast, and the rest of the aggregate streaming sites were locked out, too. It had been never made to function as the cord-cutter s set-top box but a minimum of before it first released, it appeared such as the perfect Hulu streamer. Without it content, Google TV grew to become a glorified YouTube/Netflix box, a really try to sell you at $299 when similar products where selling for $99.
Just days after launch, the woking platform which had demonstrated a lot promise was treading water, just attempting to stay afloat. Google TV rapidly faded into obscurity and Logitech eventually cut the Revue s cost by 2/3 lower to $99. Unhealthy press at its launch effectively burned Google TV to begin with and that i m unsure this new coat of fresh paint covers the ashes.
Search for a complete Google TV 2. review within the future. The functional update warrants another consider the platform. However, despite the fact that I m sure Google TV now runs just like a champion, still it doesn t look easier to use than Roku s interface and also the Boxee Box still use of all of the free content blocked from Google TV. Then for that Apple user, an Apple TV offers an awesome unified experience. There still isn t any notable features only at Google TV.
Google TV continues to be stuck. This latest update brings a lot of features together with an enhanced interface. However it doesn t add content and, well, submissions are king. Bing is announcing today that new hardware is originating the coming year from Samsung, Vizio along with other surprise partners. The brand new models uses more effective chipsets, that will most likely make Google TV smooth smooth. But Hulu and all sorts of the relaxation will probably be blocked about this new hardware, too, departing Google TV as a glorified YouTube/Netflix box. Again.
Bonus! Google just published more demo videos from the new applications. The brand new overview video is below and also the relaxation are here.
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