Google has plans for TV, too?

So what we know is that they were previously in talks with TiVo, and that they recently launched that whole Google Video initiative, which put closed-captioning data and video clips on tap for users. Oh, and that whole buying lots of dark fiber and unused bandwidth thing they've got going on is also garnering a lot of multimedia app speculation. So what's Goog do to fan the flames? Nothing less than post an ad (which has since been removed) on their site looking for a Google TV Project Manager. This is someone who was supposed to be well versed in "the intersection of Internet and Television technologies, Video-On-Demand, Personal Video Recorders and emergence of next generation set-top-boxes with IP connectivity." Google looking for (more) people with IPTV experience? We'll let you do the arithmetic.

[Ipod Nano @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

I think they want to implement a Google wifi network. With this network you can very well see who is located were and then return super geo targeted ads and information ! They will do it. Just a matter of time !

[Einhanderkiller @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Google TV...?

Are we going to watch... Google employees work all day?

[Web Design Ireland @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Seems like this is taking all the attention away from the security and privacy issues with their VPN software.

Is it my imagination or are google begining to take over the world?

[Jason3fc @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Plans??? They already have. There is a new channel on Directv called Google Current.

http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/050801-161330

[Jamie @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

If Google plans to be a partner to TiVo, God bless them. If they're a competitor, TiVo's shares are about to be penny stock.

[Max @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Google plans to own all content delivery and slap an advertisement on each bit. This covers your searches, your connectivity, email, news, VOIP, TV/Movies, and so on. Google wont own the content itself, it will just be the delivery boy.

The only reason Google will give you 'free' Wi-Fi or 'free' TV content is because it will make enough revenue from the advertisements to cover the cost of serving up the content for free.

This is the same economic model used for years by Network TV. You dont pay to get CBS or ABC on your idiotbox, you buy something from company X that is advertised on CBS or ABC, company X pays CBS or ABC for the marketing, and everybody stays happy (until CBS starts showing adverts for Jamster!)

Peace - M.

[my moustache @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

as jason said, their is already a google channel. i get it on time warner digital as well.

it's kind of interesting, they do a reasonable job of digesting current events and news. actually, it functions much like google news - taking from LOTS of sources (including nontraditional media) and condensing it for effectiveness, rather than just for easy consumption (like most media outlets).

so, google is amassing a database of all available information in the world (including info about you).

they have also introduced email and messaging, although they're only freely available if you give them your mobile number.

they have intro'd a secure "wifi" service and opened up hotspots.

so, they are obviously planning on using their massive capital and extremely strong grasp of an unimaginable amount of information to create a wireless voip/mobile/tv network.

that oft-quoted "get in your google to drive to the google to get some google for your google" slashdot post may not have been far off.

[hesh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

We already have Google TV in our Time Warner market here in Charlotte, NC. It's actually pretty decent with quick bits about everything. Great for those of us with short attention spans. They also urge people to send in their own videos/interviews/etc and they'll play them.

[pixel @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

I believe Google Current is just a program on Current TV, which is the network Al Gore spearheaded. From what I've seen of Google Current, it's a brief segment every 1/2 hour that discusses breaking news and currently popular search terms on Google (essentially, Google Zeitgeist on tv).

I think it's more of a branding exercise by Google, though, since Current TV actually produces the spots.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2005/08/lights-camera-action.html

[Tyler @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

#9 - you're absolutely correct. Google is not the producer of Current TV, simply a partner for the news segment. Current TV is a very cool attempt at empowering "citizen journalism" on television. Definitely worth checking out. You can find out more at http://www.current.tv

[my moustache @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

al gore should sue google for using the internet without a license.

[jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

something like orb could be interesting

[Samuel Lago @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Radio's not dead