ArtsAutosBooksBusinessEducationEntertainmentFamilyFashionFoodGamesGenderHealthHolidaysHomeHubPagesPersonal FinancePetsPoliticsReligionSportsTechnologyTravel

Intro to Google TV - Your Living Room Won't Be The Same Any More

Updated on October 29, 2010

For a long time now, companies have been looking for a way to transform the way we view television. Some time back, I decided to buy Dlink's set top media box. This only gave me the ability to listen to web-based radio and create some elementary photo slideshows. Unfortunately, things haven't advanced much since then. You can get Netflix videos streamed to your home via the Roku box, and with Apple TV, you can relax in your living room and view your favorite iTunes. The way in which we watch television may soon change dramatically, however, if a recent Google announcement bears fruit. Google TV may very well be the new technology we've been waiting for.

Sony and Logitech developed this system which is designed to enable anyone to use a television to access the Internet. The Chrome browser and the Android operating system will be integral components of this new technology. It means that you will have the ability to use your television set just like you use your computer to browse and search the Internet. Sony TVs, Blu-ray players and Logitech set top boxes will be the first devices to have this technology installed. Fall 2010 is the time when we can expect the first devices to be shipped.

There are several reasons why the installation of Google TV on these first machines won't have a major impact on the television industry, despite the fact that it is definitely a step in the right direction. The fact that these initial Google-TV-enabled machines won't be open source is the first reason. And there won't be an Android market for these devices when they are first shipped, even though developers will be given a Software Developmet Kit or SDK soon after shipment takes place. The result is that these Google-TV devices will only come with the "approved" applications that are installed at the time of manufacture. Google TV simply isn't a breakthrough technology when these facts are taken into consideration.

On the other hand, by 2011, things could be significantly different. According to Google, their television platform will definitely be open source at some point in the future. It won't be just the devices manufactured by Sony, Blu-ray and Logitech that will be able to support Google TV; any device manufacturer will have access to the platform. When this happens, you could very well be using your television set like your smartphone.

As a matter of fact, in 2011, application developers will be able to create apps for set up boxes and television sets when Google releases its promised update to the the Android SDK. This means that all content publishers will be able to offer applications, not just a few. A much broader audience will be available to individuals who produce Internet-based video programs. It will be easy to use a television in much the same way that one uses an Android phone. It's at this point that Google TV becomes the breakthrough technology its makers have claimed it to be. Simply put, you won't need an Internet service provider to access the Internet. Cable tv stations will no longer be able to control what you are able to view. Televison helper devices will also be a thing of the past. The ability to browse the web, enjoy game playing without having to use a separate console, and listen to their favorite tunes will be available to Android users via their television sets.

It is quite a bold and potentially revolutionary step that Google is taking with the announcement of its TV platform. Time will tell whether Google will be able to deliver on what it has promised. If users embrace it in the same way that they have Android phones, then the sky is the limit. Google will become an even bigger giant than it already is if the public supports this new technology. Not satisfied with its status of "King of the Internet," Google may soon usurp our TV sets, as well.

Google TV Demo

The Potential Benefits of Google TV for Photographers

One of the best things about Google TV is that it is custom tailored for television viewers. There is nothing particularly special about a manufacturer offering customers the ability to surf the internet via the television set. Indeed, this has been widely available for quite some time. Google TV's innovation lies in its ability to provide programming information for particular channels via its search bar. The ways in which such data can be used are what truly differentiates Google from competitors, and the accompanying applications are proof of the interest brands such as Napster, Amazon and Twitter have in this new technology.

It is simple to download other applications so that you can create a truly specialized platform, and you will consistently receive updates directly from Google. Flicker, Picasa and other applications are also available for installation, permitting users complete access to personal photo galleries. Since Google TV is almost universally adaptable, users who own HDTV sets have the ability to see their personal photos in high definition. This can be a tremendous thing for photography mavens, because it effectively raises the resolution level of their photos. The new technology offers photographers the chance to display their work to its very best advantage. Google places no restrictions on what can be viewed via the browser function. Paired with the Adobe Flash Player, it is possible to view Flash content through one's television screen. Thus, it is possible to view YouTube or other online content on large screen, high definition sets.

working

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: https://corp.maven.io/privacy-policy

Show Details
Necessary
HubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.
LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.
Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam. (Privacy Policy)
AkismetThis is used to detect comment spam. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Traffic PixelThis is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized.
Amazon Web ServicesThis is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. (Privacy Policy)
CloudflareThis is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. (Privacy Policy)
Google Hosted LibrariesJavascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons. (Privacy Policy)
Features
Google Custom SearchThis is feature allows you to search the site. (Privacy Policy)
Google MapsSome articles have Google Maps embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
Google ChartsThis is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)
Google AdSense Host APIThis service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Google YouTubeSome articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
VimeoSome articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
PaypalThis is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook LoginYou can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
MavenThis supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)
Marketing
Google AdSenseThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Google DoubleClickGoogle provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Index ExchangeThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
SovrnThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook AdsThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Unified Ad MarketplaceThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
AppNexusThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
OpenxThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Rubicon ProjectThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
TripleLiftThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Say MediaWe partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites. (Privacy Policy)
Remarketing PixelsWe may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.
Conversion Tracking PixelsWe may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.
Statistics
Author Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)
ComscoreComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Tracking PixelSome articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)
ClickscoThis is a data management platform studying reader behavior (Privacy Policy)