Good Review of Google TV. I watched the Engadget show the other day and they were demonstrating the video conferencing part of it and for a cheap option for small businesses its a great option. However for the price point for the average consumer its a bit steep. Being built into TV’s I think is a better incentive to purchase a slightly higher priced TV. As cool as the 3D tv’s are I think I would purchase a google TV over a 3D tv. However having a HTPC really no reason for a google TV. It would be cool if they make the google TV software available for PC’s; maybe an add on to Sage TV or WMC7.
for my money, its just too awkward interacting with STBs/DVRs, through no fault of google. they have to play with the system they are given. now if comcast/TW/cablevision/dish/dtv/etc would start licensing googletv to run on their STBs that would be something compelling.
I had much higher hopes for GoogleTV than this. I’ve really bought into the idea of the Apps store built on a standard OS for set top boxes. But, their reliance on the browser, mouse, and keyboard are really disappointing. This whole GoogleTV experience isn’t anything new to HTPC users.
I don’t want to use a browser on my TV. That’s why I got rid of the HTPC. It isn’t practical for the rest of the family to be navigating around websites in order to watch 90210 on demand.
i was really surprised when i saw the keyboard controller. IMO that was always such a main drawback to the HTPC in the living room and what scared most non-geeks. I understand the necessity, but i figure something like the Boxee remote will be *MUCH* better accepted by non-PC folks.
purely speculation of course. The thing could sell a million units in a month for all i know.
IMO the problem with the keyboard isn’t that you need it sometimes, but that you need it and a remote to get all your HTPC stuff done (like changing audio tracks in PDVD).
Having a remote with a keyboard isn’t quite the same thing; now if only it were universal 🙂
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