Google TV: Revolutionizing Our Home Viewing Experience

Google TV is an innovative piece of technology that plans to integrate personal entrainment centers with the power of the internet. We currently use popular websites such as, Hulu, YouTube, and Netflix for our entertainment, but it is often limited to use by computers or small devices, such as the iPad. Google TV, if properly integrated, will allow us to utilize the power of the internet to watch TV shows and movies on Demand with virtually no limits.

How will Google TV work?

Google plans to integrate its new hardware and technology in newer television models, and for older models, a separate box can be purchased to take advantage of the service. You will simply type in the show or movie you wish to watch and Google TV will produce the content on a menu that allows you to watch the show or movie whenever you choose. Of course, the service will be from legal sites and not pirated movie or TV websites, which are common forms of illegal entertainment. With the application of Google TV, you home television will have the power of the internet, which leaves the limitations of this application limitless. Google TV has plans for allowing you to surf the internet from your TV, which makes updating your Facebook status as easy as turning on your TV and using the Google TV service.

My expectation for Google TV

Google TV seems like a great product that will allow me to watch my favorite shows from Hulu and Netflix directly on my home TV. I currently use a PlayStation 3 to watch Netflix on my home TV, but I have yet to find integration for Hulu and television company websites. My expectation for Google TV is that I want to be able to watch all my favorite shows on demand without being limited by my cable provider. Currently my iPad and iTouch do not have the capabilities for flash supported video; therefore, watching Hulu on those devices is not a possibility. Utilizing the internet on personal television systems only seems natural with the evolution of Web 2.0.

Concern for Google TV

Television companies, such as CBS, are interested in the innovations done by Google TV, but are leery on the possible side effects. For instance, if the content can be streamed from anywhere online it could mean less advertising revenue for the big television companies who pool much of their profit from advertisers. From a consumer perspective, I do not share the same concerns, but would not be opposed to integration of advertisements on the sites that Google TV streams. Advertisements on Hulu have never seemed to be a problem as they are generally only 30-60 seconds in duration and do not affect the content being shown. Concerns for this service are also from cable and satellite providers who will undoubtedly lose money with this transition because most popular shows can be viewed online without the need for a cable or satellite service.

Sources:

Personal experience/opinion

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2321202820100523?type=marketsNews

www.google.com/tv/