What is Google TV? (video)

Google's reveal of Google TV wasn't exactly flawless. After technical issues wreaked havoc with the live launch demonstration, many of us found it nearly impossible to focus just as soon as we heard mention of IR blaster control. Fear not, Google has returned with a two and half minute video that breaks it down like we were kindergartners. So grab your blanky and Mr. Tickle, the embedded video is available after the break.

[gophergun Posted Jun 16th 2010 8:17AM]

@timotim There's no native web browser (and trying to set one up on W7 is a huge pain), and the Internet TV is seriously gimped from the PC version.

[timotim Posted Jun 16th 2010 1:43PM]

@gophergun WMC on W7 doesn't need a native browser if you have your PC connected to your HDTV... its nothing to just toggle between the 2. However, what I'm speaking on is the Xbox 360 (and others like it) as the set top box this device will be competing with... My Xbox 360 with Media Center already does just about everything Google TV does and even more that it doesn't do while also providing a kick ass gaming console for as little as $99... why would I want to browse full web pages on a 50" HDTV with a remote? For that ill have my phone, Tablet, Netbook, Laptop.

[IseWise Posted Jun 16th 2010 2:57AM]

It would appear that in this demo that the Google Box knows whats on the DVR. Thats an important part aspect that would make Google TV a lot smarter and better. All the editors, including Ben Drawbaugh, concluded that Google TV needs to be inside the DVR. So at least in some aspect the Google box *knows* whats on the DVR. Watch the video about :30 seconds in when the search is performed for "The Good Wife".

Looking forward to see more of what it can do.

[loadoftoad Posted Jun 16th 2010 3:07AM]

Google welcome to 2 years ago - we already have better options, a media center pc, xbox 360, and many bluray/dvd players that have full access to netflix, youtube, amazon on demand.

Lets be honest here, Google is not known for great user interfaces and thats one thing you need on a tv to make it easy to use and understand.

Google tv = fail , mainly because they are way late to the party and dont have anything that is better than the current alternatives. We already have advertising on tv, I don't need more from Google on my tv and intend to avoid buying any television that has it built in.

[kyphem Posted Jun 16th 2010 3:21AM]

Looks promising but I will only consider if its built in my TV which I don't have yet.

[ChiWax Posted Jun 16th 2010 3:39AM]

So when did this happen? When did "neato, simplistic and lacking choices" become "hip, cool and in"???? Is there a date in history? Will someone be putting together a special to explain when and how this happened? I know Engadget has been there for every moment of this change but they don't really cover it like that. The scary thing is, all of this is happening on revolutionary hardware. Hook a small pc to your TV with HDMI, get yourself a Lenovo keypad and away you go. Instead all the "hip" people wanna get "neato" with Googs....Q

[ChiWax Posted Jun 16th 2010 3:43AM]

@IseWise - It's only going to know what you've told the DVR to record via Google. I have over 1200 episodes of dozens of shows...Google doesn't know jack about them!!! Q.

[Chris Leither Posted Jun 16th 2010 4:13AM]

Crap. For this I have my Mac mini hooked up to my TV with an Elgato EyeTV Stick. Let's me use it as a computer if I want. As a DVDV Player. As a TiVO thingy. Stream 1080p content from my NAS and more.

[thefjk Posted Jun 16th 2010 4:36AM]

Still not sold, need to see hardware and how easy this will work with my current setup...

[Yankee Posted Jun 16th 2010 4:39AM]

I've had that for years it's called having a PC with a TV Tuner LOL :)

[anonymousx Posted Jun 16th 2010 5:28AM]

Well I guess it's time to buy another TV, time to shake the tree.

[Xylias Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:13AM]

Sent from my Google TV.

[wupolo Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:38AM]

Google Microsoft And apple need to f up the cable/sat industry with there horrible software and turn them into something similar to the cell phone industry (whole other issue)

[SD Samsarah Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:42AM]

Google must do a remote control for the Google TV! Maybe something like this concept:
http://www.hb-improving.com/us/google/exemples_Gboard.html

[drunkenmonger Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:04AM]

I cant wait for Google to take over the world, now only if my Google stock would go up!

[lionelhuts Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:05AM]

Thank you Mr. Tickle for saving Mr. Grumpy.

[valbg Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:23AM]

Sorry for the dumb question, but what's the difference between this and boxee (which i find quite useful and with a prettier design) and how's this revolutionary? :/

[darrenwebb27 Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:57AM]

Anyone else think it's weird that they show off a feature where you can search the internet for stories about a disaster (the oil spill) while you watch the disaster?

[pspitts Posted Jun 16th 2010 8:11AM]

Google tv is bullshit.
The only thing you'll do is find past shows with commercials but with the added benefit of ads all over the place.
LOL! That is double ads fucking!
Commercials intermittently inserted in the content and ads all around the boarder of the viewer. Whatever.
I see this as nothing but a combination of hulu for all networks and search. Yeah you can record on your dvr but you'll probably have to endure the commercials unless you buy your shows like on itunes. I also believe that the networks are going to impose all types of taxes on this shit. Yeah they will! You know it. My cable bill went up by $3.69 per month 4 months ago because the networks wanted more money from Atlantic broadband because they broadcast their content(loaded with commercials!). That is double dipping!

[ngsm13 Posted Jun 16th 2010 8:25AM]

I absolutely love this, though I'll wait until it's actually built into a set-top box DVR...

[ECH Posted Jun 16th 2010 9:51AM]

Wow this seems like android only two years ago... Wonder how its gonna turn out?

[edroid Posted Jun 16th 2010 10:14AM]

I think this may open up an additional market that nobody saw coming. If we can run Android on a 50" HDTV, then what's keeping game developers from creating top quality games for Android? If we can get a USB/Bluetooth gamepad compatible with Android, then I don't see any reason why that can't happen.

[dj4monie Posted Jun 17th 2010 4:08PM]

@edroid Having an open OS helps, but you can download the Media Center SDK as well. Android thus far for media player leaves alot to be desired but with support of Flash in Froyo, that will change. Google TV will fire up some innovation in the sector specially those with downloadable or streaming content but don't already have a linear channel. This is also a place where archived media used to stream instead of having a physical disc for old tv shows and movies.

MS totally miss the boat on Streaming content in Media Center.

[Gifted Posted Jun 16th 2010 3:14PM]

Now what I want to know can I look at my TV on the web with Google TV like a sling box

[vanillagorilla Posted Jun 16th 2010 3:24PM]

this is a new record in inflammatory engadget posts. either the biggest apple fanboys or the greatest trolls that ever lived, I can't decide.

[jpw Posted Jun 16th 2010 8:26PM]

What they don't tell you is that the same infantile, Apple-styled theme music may accompany all the video you watch. . . .

[savagemike Posted Jun 16th 2010 11:10PM]

Is it smart enough to not leave any stupid logos hanging permanently to burn my plasma in as I cruise youtube until I begin to drool and stammer?

[iamajim Posted Jun 16th 2010 11:43PM]

Now this looks cool; I assume you just need an internet provider and your in business eh?

[brutek Posted Jun 18th 2010 2:07PM]

I think using a smartphone or laptop for near screen search then popping it up on the TV to view is the way to go. This does not look like a killer app.