Google TV to launch this fall. Can't wait !

[Harold Mansfield]

In case you haven't heard, Google is launching Google TV this fall. It is the assimilation of Broadcast TV and the Internet and I can't wait.
Hulu - ABC Nightline: Smart TV: Google TV?

I spend more time watching entertainment content on my computer, than I do on TV. Every Football season I have to have a laptop or netbook open so that I can watch the game and follow my fantasy points simultaneously.

For the last 6 months, I didn't even have cable TV and have grown accustomed to watching favorite shows at my leisure either on my computer, or some limited online content like Netflicks, Amazon Movies, and such via wifi on my T.V.

Since Football season started , I couldn't hold out anymore and had to finally get cable T.V.
I am highly disappointed.
250 channels of garbage, repeats, reruns, shopping channels and commercials and 20 of those are Hispanic channels that do absolutely nothing for me...I don't speak the language. I haven't missed anything and all of the programming is still the same. If it weren't for the sports, news, and documentary channels I could really do without it, and I still have to watch the tech shows on Hulu.

Combining the 2 is the natural progression. To be able to Skype, Watch the game and Facebook all at the same time (maybe even do some work) on my T.V. is really exiting and it's about time.

I have already ordered a new HD Plasma and am counting the days until the launch. I will definitely be one of the first buyers.

Is anyone else as exited as I am about this?

[Spider]

Just make sure your TV doesn't have a camera - or, if you are going to watch G-TV on your computer, makes sure the camera is disconnected - otherwise, we might find clips of you in your jammies as inserts to the pictures of your home in G-maps / G-world! And, if you do anything more exciting on the rug in front of the tv, watch out, America!

[Harold Mansfield]

Just make sure your TV doesn't have a camera - or, if you are going to watch G-TV on your computer, makes sure the camera is disconnected - otherwise, we might find clips of you in your jammies as inserts to the pictures of your home in G-maps / G-world! And, if you do anything more exciting on the rug in front of the tv, watch out, America!

LoL, not really worried about that. Interestingly enough, the only things I have with an embedded camera are laptops or hand held devices. I would never by a TV with a camera in it. I don't even trust my web cam and turn it sideways when I am done using it..even though I know that it is not going to mysteriously turn on all by itself. There is just something weird about a camera facing you all of the time, even if it is off.

[Business Attorney]

Google enhanced search, Google news, Google books, Google voice, YouTube and now Google TV. Why not just plug into Google first thing in the morning and get all of our information, communication and entertainment from Google. It would simplify everything.

[Harold Mansfield]

Well Google isn't the only player coming out with a web TV interface. Google is partnered with Sony and Logitech on the hardware and of course all of the Droid apps will be available.
Samsung and a couple of others are also in the game and Samsung has their own apps.

Apple has Apple TV, and there is also Roku, but I haven't seen where it is fully integrated to the web, just the limited content like Netflicks, Amazon, Fox Sports, Twitter, and a few others...pretty much what I have via my Panasonic Wifi Blue Ray Player.

It's going to be a full fledged marketing battle come Xmas season with all of these new products coming out.
I'm very excited !

[KristineS]

I've read a bit about this and I have been looking for an alternative to cable for much the same reasons you outlined, eborg. I'm not sure that Google TV is the way to go, but it certainly looks interesting.

[vangogh]

I think the idea of connecting Internet and tv is great. I have no intention of using Google TV though. I'm not a big fan of most Google products and don't imagine I'd like Google TV either. I see it more as a way for Google to collect even more information about me so they can serve even more ads they think I want to see. Google burned through my trust awhile ago and is unlikely to get it back any time soon.

Of course my personal feelings about Google shouldn't stop anyone else from getting Google TV. I think the idea is a good one. Google isn't the only player in the game though and I'll end up choosing a different player.

[Harold Mansfield]

Remember Microsofts web TV? Kind of ahead of it's time, but I'd bet money they are looking at revamping the project.
MSN TV : MSN TV: Home Page

[vangogh]

Microsoft had tablets years ago too that never went anywhere.

I just watched the video you linked to in your first post. There's a lot of impressive things Google is trying to do. It'll be interesting to see whether or not the networks get on board. What I've been seeing in other attempt to connect Internet and television is the stumbling block isn't the technology, it's the movie studios, cable networks, and tv networks. They're not going to allow their programming to be watched unless they're making as much money as they are now.

The merging of the Internet and television does see inevitable though.

One thing I'm not sure about with the way Google is setting things up is that it all works through search. I think Google is a little too impressed with their own technology at times. Search can be a great way to find things, but it's not always the best way. Say I know what channel something is on. I'd rather just press that button on a remote than have to search for it. Also with search I take it Google will ultimately be making the call on what program is most relevant to me.

For example I have the baseball package through Directv. With almost every game I have the option to watch either team's broadcast. Say if the Yankees are playing the Rockies. I like both teams, but I'm a Yankee fan and I would choose to watch their broadcast of the game. Google would most likely show me the Rockies broadcast since I live in Colorado and Google might come to the conclusion I would sooner choose the local broadcast. How easy will be for me to tell Google which broadcast of the game I want. If it takes any longer than it would take me to find the channel now I won't be happy.

It'll be interesting. I'm sure there will be ways to make it work. I don't think the general public will like to search instead of pressing the buttons for a channel as they're currently used to, but we'll see. Again I think this kind of thing is inevitable and it'll be interesting to see who gets it right and who manages to get the networks and studios on board.

[Harold Mansfield]

Using search is just an option. You can still use your TV normally.
Actually Direct TV is a content partner.
From what I see, Google is not going to choose what to show you, it's going to let you choose what you want to see and how you want to see it. Either via your regular cable or satellite channel options or on the web.

It doesn't look overly complicated. It actually looks pretty basic. I can watch TV and/or surf the web.
Means I don't have to sit at my computer to watch programs on Hulu, and I can follow my Fantasy points on ESPN.com while watching Football.
I can answer emails, Facebook, and Twitter on my TV while watching programs on it.

Seems pretty straight forward. It's TV with an internet browser.