Google TV: What Will the Technology Bring to Consumers?

With Google's recent announcement of Google TV, the rules on the playing field of the home entertainment market will soon change once again. The introduction of the Internet giant's latest technology has some serious industry backing, and already has consumers in a quizzical state of anticipation to learn more about the upcoming product.

At Google's I/O developer conference, which was recently held in San Francisco, the company gave a preview of what is intended to be the newest incarnation of the home entertainment system. Arriving soon as a set-top box for existing TVs, and integrated into a whole generation of TVs yet to be released, the devices' internal operating technology will be based on Google's already popular Android operating system which can be found in a large population of cell phones. As the Android SDK (Software Development Kit) is freely and readily available for developers of cell phone applications, an announced forthcoming set of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) will allow developers to create applications specifically for Google TV. Plans for promotion of open-source development for the platform will drive developers of all skill levels to create a wide array of apps covering a range of many uses.

Unlike varying predecessors, such as Web TV, Apple TV, or Windows Media Center, Google TV will arrive during a time with a much more mature Internet, and when On-Demand content such as streaming video and online and downloadable gaming technologies are more popular and available than ever. The technology which is also based on a strong foundation of content access, rather than that of simply content storage, also has strong industry backing and strategic partnerships. Because so, consumers will be able to access current compatible technologies all while making way for the potential of new and exciting integrated products. According to Google's official press release, Adobe, Intel, Sony, and Logitech are all on-board with the project is some fashion. Adobe's Flash Player 10, for example, will be directly integrated into the TVs built-in Chrome Browser - making way for access to an uncountable number of Flash based applications and games. Logitech's Harmony brand of remote control devices could line up to be a perfect match for controlling the entire Google TV experience. For the premiere of Google TV, Sony has announced the launch of Google based televisions and set-top boxes which are anticipated to be available at retail in the fall of 2010.

One additional interesting factor, is Google's planned alliance with the DISH Network. Google TV's operation has been declared as being compatible and available to use with any carrier, however, plans for an optimized experience will be available through the DISH network only. This is certainly a feature that will appeal to many, and be of dissatisfaction to others.

More information about Google TV may be found by reading Google's official press releases.

http://googlepress.blogspot.com/