First, this title is a bit misleading since Google TV is not a set top box at all. So why is it being compared to the likes of Boxee, Roku, and others? Some set top boxes have Google TV built in, like the Logitech Revue, and the Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player. Some television sets from Sony, and a few others also have, or will have Google TV software built in. Simply put, Google TV should never be compared to a set top box, because it’s not a set top box.
What Google TV Does That Set Top Boxes Don’t
Google TV can be thought of as a TV management system with Internet capabilities. Most set top boxes have Internet access, but they don’t use it to the level Google TV does, nor do they Integrate so deeply with your current DVR, or cable box. This concept is new, despite what you may have read elsewhere. Here are just a few examples of what sets Google TV apart from a set top box.
DVR Integration
One huge, and sadly overlooked feature is DVR integration. Google TV’s software is able to connect to your cable, or satellite DVR, and help you sort, and manage your TV shows, movies, and recordings in a much faster, cleaner way than most current DVRs are capable of doing.
Google TV Search
When using the Google TV search, one of the features is to search your DVR programming, networks, and recorded video. The results will show what’s on TV right now, videos you have recorded, and future episodes which you can tell it to record.
Channel Browsing
In the Main menu you can also click “What’s On?”, and Google TV will show you everything that’s on right now via the channel list, or you can view what’s on in specific categories and genres making it faster to get to the type of shows you want to watch. There will also be descriptions of each show, and movie, which helps you to know if it’s something you really want to watch, and may even help you find new programming. The descriptions are longer than the ones shown in your DVR, so you get better, more enhanced information. No more scrolling through your endless DVR channel list.
Google Queue
With Google Queue you can subscribe to RSS feeds for Podcasts, or websites, and even television series. One thing I find this particularly useful for is reading my local newspaper online. Maybe you have a digital magazine subscription, or something similar you like to keep up with, or subscribe to a YouTube channel.
Bookmarks and Browsing History
Another unique feature. Not only can you bookmark favorite websites, such as those that play web video, you can bookmark your favorite TV channels for quick viewing. It also saves your history, which you’ll find in the section marked “Most Visited” of the main menu.
Picture in Picture
Have you every been watching something on TV, and see something you want to know more about? Enter Google TV PIP (picture in picture). I’ve found this to be very useful, and on many occasions. Basically, you can minimize the TV screen which defaults to the bottom right of your screen, and watch TV while you surf the web for the answer to that burning question that’s plaguing you so badly. Maybe it’s news you want to know more about, sports stats, or a quirky phrase, or word.
Google TV Apps
Google already has a few apps built in, like Google Gallery, Google Queue, Chrome, and YouTube Leanback. The real difference that sets the software apart from that of your standard set top box is the app store. Currently there is no app store on Google TV, but much in the same way hundreds of developers create apps for Android based smart phones they’ll do the same for Google TV, resulting in thousands of apps instead of a handful. I believe when app development begins is when the light bulb will go on in the heads of most consumers, and Google TV will silence it’s critics once and for all. Maybe?
What Google TV Has in Common With Set Top Boxes
Google TV is capable (notice I said capable) of doing anything your set top box can do, including Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, media streaming for pictures, and video that you have stored on your computer. As it stands Google TV already does all of this, and the only thing that’s Missing is Hulu, but trust me when I tell you not for long.
In the end I have to say I think Google did a poor job of marketing it’s Google TV platform. When people think it’s just another set top box, or it’s main purpose is to play web video, it’s a bust as of right now, but when you understand the broader spectrum it’s easy to see not only the vast potential, but the immediate benefits as well. It will truly change the way you watch TV
Are you thinking about buying a Google TV device? A TV, or a set top supported device, or possibly a Blu-Ray player? Or, are you inclined to stick with an actual set top box like Boxee, or Roku? Are people still missing the point with Google TV? Let me know.
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We just bought a Google TV and I’m torn over it. I really enjoy the ability to view websites in an optimized format rather than trying to view them through our PS3, which didn’t work very well. However, we purchased the Google TV so that we can hopefully get rid of our satellite TV. Many of the TV stations have caught on and are now blocking access to full episodes on their web pages. Do you think that Google will work with these companies to gain access to this content, or will we be stuck with Amazon VOD? Also hoping that Hulu Plus and Google hook up like you’ve suggested here.
Netflix already works very well on this platform, I love having the ability to add items to the queue right from the website on our TV. I know that they’re upping their streaming offerings as well, so that should work out well. What are your predictions for new apps?
I think that this device is in it’s fledgling stages and is struggling to get a grasp of what people want. Once it’s matured I think that it will be a force that the cable and satellite companies will have to reckon with-at least, that’s what I’m hoping for.
Casey, as mentioned I don’t think Google TV will ever be a replacement for cable, or satellite, but that doesn’t mean it can’t help you cut cost. Netflix now has a streaming only option for $7.99 /mo, and if you haven’t taken a look at their television lineup lately you’ll see it’s getting up to par with Hulu.
While there are a few big networks blocking Google TV, there are still a few that are not. MSNBC, A&E, Lifetime, AMC, and Spike are all still working with Google TV as of a few days ago. There are many other places you can view online video, but Google has blocked a lot of them in Google TV search for the time being. There’s nothing stopping you from going online to look though, and as you mentioned Google’s Chrome browser on Google TV is great in comparison to similar webtv browsers like PS3.
You might also try Playon at PlayOn.tv. This will allow you to watch the free version of Hulu, plus a lot of other web videos. There’s a 14 day free trial too. It works on Google TV.
As far as the networks go, they’re in it for the money, so my guess is as soon as Google is able to show them the value to their networks, such as ad targeting, they’ll get on board. It’s all about the almighty dollar.
While Google TV won’t really help you get rid of your satellite TV you could cut down your programming in exchange for more web videos which will help you cut cost. You can also use your satellite TV DVR (if it’s Dish Network) to optimize the number of videos you have available.
When you find the time, take advantage of Google TV’s search feature to find shows and movies you like, and set your DVR to record them. For TV episodes I’d suggest only record new episodes. Then when you’ve got a good list of programs set to automatically record, you can go into your “My Recordings” section of your DVR, and set each show to only record a certain amount of episodes. I’ve set mine to only record 5 for any given show. Once it reaches the limit it will just record over the oldest recording.
This way you know your DVR is always working for you. Now that I think about it, this could have been an entirely new post.
Lastly, Google TV is in it’s infancy. This spring will be a game changer for Google TV when developers start creating apps. I’m sure some of them will come up with a clever way to “unblock” any blocking mechanisms set by big networks if Google hasn’t already hashed out a deal. When the apps start coming is when we’ll see the true power of this software. Hang in there. It’s coming.
As far as other app predictions go, one could probably look at current Android smartphone apps to get an idea of what’s coming. Weatherbug, email, Facebook, and there’s already a Twitter app. Some app developers will build on to current Google TV apps, which is why it makes sense to leave Google TV fairly bare bones as it is now. The DVR integration is a good example of that. Currently you can find shows, and set them to record, but advanced settings such as how many episodes, channel preferences (like HD vs SD), and length of time before and after the show to start, or end recordings are only available in the physical DVR settings. App developers will change this, and many other things.