Google marries
television to the web
And in a less cumbersome way than earlier platforms
By Bill Cromwell
May 21, 2010
A day after the Big Four networks finished giving their upfront presentations, Google stepped in to steal some of the buzz.
The dominant internet company introduced its new TV platform, called simply Google TV, at an investors conference in San Francisco yesterday, after days of build-up in the press.
The product marries the web and television in a less-unwieldy way than past internet TV services. The idea is for people to toggle between websites, any of which can be reached via Google TV, and live television in a way that could change how we view our TV sets.
Viewers can access YouTube videos, on-demand content and live TV through a simple search box that aggregates TV and web content alike.
The new system uses Google's Droid software and technology from Sony and Logitech, and it will be built in to Sony's Blu-rays and a new flat-screen TV it is producing, as well as a set-top box made by Logitech.
The device will be sold at Best Buy starting this fall, and Google is looking to secure deals with other retailers. A price hasn't been disclosed as of yet, though "a pretty penny" is a pretty safe initial bet.
Buzz began building for the device earlier in the week and by yesterday had reached a pitch.
"We think it's going to change the way people watch TV completely," predicts an article on BusinessInsider.com, which also proclaims Google TV "a truly amazing product."
Notes the more restrained San Francisco Chronicle, "Google's announcement intensifies the already fierce competition to connect TVs and win the battle for the living room. It also heats up Google's rivalry with Apple, which has a small investment in the living room with its set-top box called Apple TV."
Thus far efforts to integrate the web and television, such as Apple TV, have had little success.
Still, the thinking seems to be that this is Google – and Google is used to changing everything.
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