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ARMdevices: ARM-based Google TV platform 'confirmed' and coming soon
Well, it looks like Windows might not be the only new territory for ARM in 2011 -- ARMdevices is reporting that it has it on "very high authority from someone at Google" that an ARM-powered Google TV platform is "confirmed" and "coming soon." That authority is unsurprisingly remaining anonymous, however, and apparently hasn't provided much else in the way of details. This is far from the first time we've heard talk of ARM for Google TV, though -- as ARMdevices points out, even ARM President Tudor Brown weighed in on the matter back in November, saying that "if Google TV is to be mainstream, it must be built on a lower power system... on lower cost technology," with ARM presumably fitting the bill on both counts.
Mossberg says the iPad is the top 2010 product
Wall Street Journal tech journalist Walt Mossberg says the iPad is "amazing" and his favorite product of 2010. He added that "with the new iOS 4.2 operating system and its huge selection of apps, the iPad continues to stay ahead of the competition." No arguments from here. Apple has redefined the tablet form factor, after years of talk about it from Microsoft, who has yet to really produce anything that has caught on with the public. Mossberg gave his number two ranking to 4G networks, saying they are something "to watch closely in 2011." His third place was a tie between two phones, the Samsung Galaxy S and the iPhone 4. Mossberg also had some thoughts on the worst products of 2010. He cites the Dell Streak tablet as a failure that is "too big to be a phone, yet too small to be a tablet." He also dissed Google TV as not being ready for prime time, suffering from a confusing user interface and a clumsy keyboard.
Shocker: Google hoping to lure more cable providers to cool Google TV side of the room
Considering all the recent hullabaloo surrounding Google TV, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Mountain View-based search titan has dreams of growing beyond its current de facto exclusive integration deal with Dish Network. Still, Light Reading reports that "a source whose familiar with those discussions" says Google is pushing the service hard to all cable TV operators. This is further corroborated by an exec with a "top US MSO" who confirmed specifically that talks are underway with Google on how the TV platform could be integrated with cable boxes. While opening up two-way control and surrendering the UI to its perceived over-the-top video-providing enemy could change pay-TV as we know it, the trade-off is Google TV compatibility could give 'em the competitive edge they need. It certainly wouldn't be the first time DVR functionality was touted as a reason to switch. We're definitely down with more options too, but without an acceptable two-way standard, a bit of wheelin' and dealin' by Google could just add more noise to the mess that is the connected TV market. Considering how tru2way failed though and the recent lukewarm FCC CableCARD rule changes, it would seem this is just the reality we live in. But please, Google, feel free to prove us wrong.
Amino launches Freedom over-the-top video set-top box, challenges Google TV to arm wrestle
If the AppleTV announcement didn't satiate your need for a Google TV set-top box battle royal, then new details about Amino's Freedom box might do the trick. Yes it still packs the same hardware announced back in 2009 such as an Intel CE4100m Atom Processor, 500 GB of internal storage, SD card support, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11n and 1 GB of RAM. We've now discovered however that it'll also run its own Amino branded version of Nokia's MeeGo OS, adding apps and gaming support to its list of capabilities that already included 1080p playback, VOD streaming, and DVR recording. In other words there's going to be a new Google TV competitor on the block sometime before the end of this year looking for a fight. Whether it'll provide a Lincoln Hawk-worthy performance though is something we'll let the bookies squabble over until we can go hands on with both. [Thanks, Hary]
