Thoughts on Google TV

The prospect of a TV-connected computer in every living room is a frequent obsession in the technology industry. It's been attempted countless times. Microsoft allegedly started the great Xbox experiment in order to prevent Sony's Playstation line from taking over the living room PC experience. Tivo, Roku boxes, and high-end media streamers have been available for years, but all have failed to achieve mass-market adoption. Apple tried a new approach recently with its new aggressively-priced $99 Apple TV, a simple media streamer with access to on-demand television and movie rentals. But even Apple remains skeptical of its adoption, referring to it as a "hobbyist" device.

Google TV represents a pretty ambitious leap forward. The idea is simple: create a TV-optimized operating system with online connectivity and have all the electronics manufacturers design new TVs or external boxes to support this new OS. It's a dream that Microsoft has been attempting for over a decade, and when it comes to mass-adoption, Google may beat them to it.

Taking what they learned from Android, Google created an open-source software platform for television. The possibilities are endless; take all the limitless functionality of a smartphone, and multiply it times the size of your 46" Sony Bravia. Imagine televisions with built-in app functionality. No need to pump Netflix or Hulu through your PS3 - just download the apps directly to your TV. Imagine turning your TV into a live-time CNN news ticker or conducting a four-way video chat from your living room - these are some of the things that become possible. A slick, web-browsing PC running on the largest display in your house. 

But Google TV's often-overlooked potential is in its potential as an integrated gaming platform. Just as the iPhone and iPod Touch are on a war path to obliterate Nintendo and Sony gaming handhelds, Google TV has the potential to replace your Wii or Xbox. While the graphics capabilities of a Google TV box would be initially underwhelming to a current 360 owner, the convenience of downloading games inexpensively and quickly instead of having to go buy them for $50 from obnoxious Gamestop employees is an advantage that deserves the serious attention of Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony. If Google succeeds and everyone has a cheap box or new TV running the Google TV platform, some families may choose to divest from dedicated gaming consoles - particularly since Google TV will support Bluetooth standards, which would enable a variety of different game controller options. 

There is, however, a major flaw in Google's strategy. Having new televisions come with Google TV built-in is a smart move, but most consumers would likely have to purchase an external box to experience Google TV. This is problematic, since external boxes have typically failed, and companies like Logitech and Sony aren't helping by announcing box prices of $400 or more. Moreover, if Android OS on phones is any indication, Google needs to be extremely wary of how much it freedom it gives to electronics manufacturers. If Google doesn't set proper compatibility guidelines and every manufacturer makes highly-customized versions of the Google TV software, we could see a massive splintering effect occur, similar to what is currently happening with Android phones. Essentially, an uninformed consumer could potentially buy a box that is unable to install future Google TV updates.

Bottom line, the 'smart TV' is coming. Whether it's Google TV, a future Apple TV, or some Windows-packing behemoth, expect this battle to be drawn out and full of fart-sound apps.