What is Google TV?
Google TV is an operating system based on Android (which in turn is based on Linux). Google TV will run on compatible TVs, set-top boxes, DVD players and other such devices.
Why is a dedicated OS needed for these devices?
It is possible to use a Windows PC for these applications. However the problem is that the user interface is not very manageable from an armchair 10 feet from the box. Google TV provides a "10 foot interface" using a remote device (which may also be a mobile phone).
Will Google TV be a success?
In short, yes. Google has real clout. The project is also backed (so far) by Sony, Logitech and Intel. Google appear commited to providing an SDK and open sourcing the code. Given the existing level of support for Android it is likely that a large number of developers will quickly provide applications. It is also likely that more manufacturers will enter the hardware market.
How will Google make money from this?
That aspect is less than clear at present. The answer may be that having captured most of the search market on PCs, Google needs to find a new medium to expand into. It is also worth pointing out that Google may not be making that big an investment up front, as the heavy lifting may be done by other members of the consortium.
Will I need a TV Licence to use Google TV?
No. Clearly the system design assumes a feed from a "TV" signal. Presumably however there is no need to connect this. Alternatively the "TV" input could be used for a DVD or media player.
Can I use BBC iPlayer on Google TV?
Well there would have to be an iPlayer app that ran on Google TV for this to work. However the BBC are already developing an application for Android so it seems more than likely this will become available.
Can I use Miro on Google TV?
Again there will need to be a suitable app. However Miro already provide a version for both Linux and Ubuntu so the task of developing an Android/Google TV version should not be insurmountable.
Can I use SeeSaw on Google TV?
It is unclear whether a site like SeeSaw will require a dedicated app or whether it will be possible to view content from SeeSaw using only the Chrome browser. Either way it is likely that sites like SeeSaw will quickly provide whatever is needed to make the interface work. Youtube, incidentally, is fully owned by Google and will obviously be available from the start.
Will this kill Project Canvas?
We think so yes. It will probably kill the Boxee box as well. It should even kill Apple TV although iHeads (see what I did there) are very loyal (stupid). In fact Google TV will probably seriously hurt the sales of DLNA media players as well.
When will a Google TV box be available in the UK?
Availability in the US is stated to be "Fall 2010". Availability in the UK is probably unlikely before 1Q 2011.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Logitech bashes Apple
Here is the first picture of Google TV hardware that we have come across. See this link. We also rather liked the anti-Apple tone of this article.
It is unclear from the article whether the box has its own hard drive for storing media content. Will it be able to work with existing media players and if so how integrated will it be? The really big question for us though is when it will be available in the UK.
The initial choice of Google TV hardware is likely to be between Sony and Logitech. Apparently Sony's offering will include a Blu-Ray player. What will the box look like we wonder?
It is unclear from the article whether the box has its own hard drive for storing media content. Will it be able to work with existing media players and if so how integrated will it be? The really big question for us though is when it will be available in the UK.
The initial choice of Google TV hardware is likely to be between Sony and Logitech. Apparently Sony's offering will include a Blu-Ray player. What will the box look like we wonder?
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Update on Google TV
Straight from the horse's mouth as it were, here is some more detail on Google TV.
Interesting that the strategy seems to be to make money by selling hardware in a 6 month window before releasing the source code. Obviously the success of Google is based around providing open source solutions, but why not make a premium from the early adopters? Google's approach exists in counterpoint to that of Apple (the bad guys) who lock you into a proprietary system and charge you for every bit of content you download from their online store.
We see the big advantage of Google TV as defining an industry standard means of interacting with the 'TV' (the so called "ten foot interface"). Once this is in place other applications will follow.
Our big question about Google TV boxes is will they provide media client functionality to work with a media server. If so this will clearly be a winner and Nomad will rush out and buy one. Close reading of the FAQ suggests that the answer is no, initially at least. However once Google release the SDK it seems likely that someone will quickly develop one.
Interesting that the strategy seems to be to make money by selling hardware in a 6 month window before releasing the source code. Obviously the success of Google is based around providing open source solutions, but why not make a premium from the early adopters? Google's approach exists in counterpoint to that of Apple (the bad guys) who lock you into a proprietary system and charge you for every bit of content you download from their online store.
We see the big advantage of Google TV as defining an industry standard means of interacting with the 'TV' (the so called "ten foot interface"). Once this is in place other applications will follow.
Our big question about Google TV boxes is will they provide media client functionality to work with a media server. If so this will clearly be a winner and Nomad will rush out and buy one. Close reading of the FAQ suggests that the answer is no, initially at least. However once Google release the SDK it seems likely that someone will quickly develop one.
Memo to George
George
Rumour has it that in order to try and balance the books you are going to increase taxes and are also looking to get rid of some quangoes. Here is a plan to make some quick money, cut a major quango down to size and actually get rid of a tax (which you could always replace with another one).
Privatise the BBC. TV channels, national radio channels and a whole bunch of local radio stations; just sell them to the highest bidder. The new owners will have to introduce advertising, subscription or something more inventive to make them pay. On the other hand nobody will have to pay for thier TV Licence anymore and a greatful public will forgive you for the increase in VAT (or whatever).
It really is that simple.
regards ~ Nomad
Rumour has it that in order to try and balance the books you are going to increase taxes and are also looking to get rid of some quangoes. Here is a plan to make some quick money, cut a major quango down to size and actually get rid of a tax (which you could always replace with another one).
Privatise the BBC. TV channels, national radio channels and a whole bunch of local radio stations; just sell them to the highest bidder. The new owners will have to introduce advertising, subscription or something more inventive to make them pay. On the other hand nobody will have to pay for thier TV Licence anymore and a greatful public will forgive you for the increase in VAT (or whatever).
It really is that simple.
regards ~ Nomad
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Cut the licence fee!
Obviously Sky are not happy having to compete with a taxpayer funded competitor. Who would be? Hence their call for a cut in the licence fee. More to the point, their criticisms of the BBC Trust are spot on. The Trust does nothing at all to control the BBC and simply seems to rubber stamp whatever the DG thinks of.
In a seperate story the BBC takes criticism for keeping too much work in house. Be that as it may, the bit that intrigues us is that the BBC spends 88% of its income on producing content. What, pray, does it do with the other 12%?
In a seperate story the BBC takes criticism for keeping too much work in house. Be that as it may, the bit that intrigues us is that the BBC spends 88% of its income on producing content. What, pray, does it do with the other 12%?
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Coalition Coalescence
As things settle down at Westminster after the election, it is time to ask what a Liberal/Conservative coalition government means for the future of the TV Licence?
If the current government lasts, and this is obviously a big question, we think it is unlikely to make radical moves on this front. Although the Conservatives might favour reform or even abolition of the TV Licence, this is something that the Liberals are unlikely to agree to. The most likely outcome is that the TV Licence will endure but that any rises in the fee will be very limited.
This may well be fertile ground for a campaign to persuade people against buying a licence. If reform will not happen by political means it can still happen if people vote with their cheque books. We remain in business.
If the current government lasts, and this is obviously a big question, we think it is unlikely to make radical moves on this front. Although the Conservatives might favour reform or even abolition of the TV Licence, this is something that the Liberals are unlikely to agree to. The most likely outcome is that the TV Licence will endure but that any rises in the fee will be very limited.
This may well be fertile ground for a campaign to persuade people against buying a licence. If reform will not happen by political means it can still happen if people vote with their cheque books. We remain in business.
Friday, 21 May 2010
This could be big
Google are going to connect your TV to the internet. See this story. This has potential. We are seeking some more technical details of the system before getting too excited though.
Apparently the technology is based on Android, Google Chrome and Adobe Flash.
Most importantly for us, it might relegate the BBC's Project Canvas to an also ran.
Apparently the technology is based on Android, Google Chrome and Adobe Flash.
Most importantly for us, it might relegate the BBC's Project Canvas to an also ran.
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
OFT approves Project Canvas
Bad news continues to flow in. This time the OFT have approved Project Canvas.
This would appear to be a setback to the development of an open source standard for streaming video. Exactly why a new standard is needed when there already exist protocols for IPTV is unclear to us.
However it may be that the existence of this project actually encourages the development of video on demand. What is unclear at present is whether we will be able to access the IPTV functions without having a set top box that needs a licence. We suspect that the BBC will be aiming for a system that requires users to have a TV Licence, if they have any sense that is.
This would appear to be a setback to the development of an open source standard for streaming video. Exactly why a new standard is needed when there already exist protocols for IPTV is unclear to us.
However it may be that the existence of this project actually encourages the development of video on demand. What is unclear at present is whether we will be able to access the IPTV functions without having a set top box that needs a licence. We suspect that the BBC will be aiming for a system that requires users to have a TV Licence, if they have any sense that is.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Disinherit the BBC
There is more than one way to curb the excesses of a bloated state broadcaster. We would not have guessed that disinheriting your children would have been one of them.
It makes our campaign not to pay the licence fee look rather tame doesnt it.
Still if the BBC staff really want to keep their salary secret then they should try working for a private company and not one funded from the public purse.
It makes our campaign not to pay the licence fee look rather tame doesnt it.
Still if the BBC staff really want to keep their salary secret then they should try working for a private company and not one funded from the public purse.
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