Boom. That's the #1 reason why Google TV totally failed.
There was nothing from Apple for Google to copy, other than Apple TV. And Apple TV is only $99.
No way to undercut that price -> no way for Google to profitably steal that idea.
Instead, Google copied WebTV. And I think we all know how that turned out for Microsoft.
Fave you actually used a Google TV? I have, and I must say I really like it. I have two logitech revues in my house that I bought for $80 or so a piece. Granted the initial price point was WAY too high, but at $100 a piece, they're great devices. Before switching to google TV, I used a HTPC setup, and although I could use it, it seemed that everyone else was at a complete loss.
With the google TV, everyone I know could pick up the "remote", and get the TV working in a few minutes. That's no small measure for a system involving a TV, 5.1 Receiver, direct TV/cable box, and a internet TV playback device (the google TV). You hit the TV button, and the TV turns on, AVR, and the receiver turns on and switches to the proper input, and hitting STB will turn on your set top box (as most of them automatically go to sleep). That means someone can hit a few simple buttons, turning on the TV, getting picture and sound.
One of the coolest features of the google TV is that it has an HDMI input port on it. This means that it fits in seamlessly with your existing cable/sattelite box, a key feature that currently stops Apple TV. The simple fact is everyone I know can use my remote to watch live TV,all they have to do is hit the TV button. Now, tell someone with an apple TV (connected to a 5.1 surround sound system, or directly to the TV) how to watch live tV when on the apple TV, or switching to the apple TV when watching live TV. The result will not be pretty, as it will be clunky by nature. Google TV takes over my direct tv box, and even allows me to search for things playing on TV right now. For instance, I'll type NFL and it will list current NFL games. I don't need to know my channels or anything, I can just search, and use a standard keyboard to do this.
Now, I won't claim the google TV is perfect, it's far from it, mine has to be reset way too often, flash is buggy on it (which I need for Amazon VOD) etc. however, if amazon had a better VOD app for it (installable from the google play app store), it would be much better for me. The app store itself is pretty nice and makes the device quite extensible. Although the google TV lacks content, it's great for already downloaded content (streaming from a local PC), works well with VOD services, and most importantly it ties in with your local cable/satelite set top box.
With the google TV, everyone I know could pick up the "remote", and get the TV working in a few minutes. That's no small measure for a system involving a TV, 5.1 Receiver, direct TV/cable box, and a internet TV playback device (the google TV). You hit the TV button, and the TV turns on, AVR, and the receiver turns on and switches to the proper input, and hitting STB will turn on your set top box (as most of them automatically go to sleep). That means someone can hit a few simple buttons, turning on the TV, getting picture and sound.
That sounds horrendously complex. With my Harmony Remote, it's much simpler than that.
Want to watch TV? Hit the 'TV' button. TV comes on, TV turns to cable input, cable box come on, receiver comes on and switches to TV input.
DVD? Hit the 'DVD' button. All the right components come on and are set propertly.
Why do you need to hit "a few simple buttons" that takes "a few minutes" to do something that a decent remote can do with one button?
Here's a partial list of live TV content providers that Google has negotiated licenses for. It's not a complete list as I couldn't log-in to the plans themselves so these are some of the newer additions.
Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, CNN en Español, CNN International, HLN, hTV, infinito, MLB Network Strike Zone (as part of an add-on package),TBS, TCM: Turner Classic Movies, TNT and truTV.
BabyTV, Big Ten Network, Fox Business Network, Fox College Sports Atlantic, Fox College Sports Central, Fox College Sports Pacific, Fox Deportes, Fox Movie Channel, Fox News Channel, Fox Soccer, Fox Soccer Plus, FS Kansas City, Fuel TV, FX, HSN2, KPXEDT2 - Qubo, KPXEDT3 - ION Life, Nat Geo Mundo, Nat Geo WILD, National Geographic Channel, Speed, Utilisima,
That sounds horrendously complex. With my Harmony Remote, it's much simpler than that.
Want to watch TV? Hit the 'TV' button. TV comes on, TV turns to cable input, cable box come on, receiver comes on and switches to TV input.
DVD? Hit the 'DVD' button. All the right components come on and are set propertly.
Why do you need to hit "a few simple buttons" that takes "a few minutes" to do something that a decent remote can do with one button?
that sounds great, but it relies on every device always responding to every remote event. In reality this is often the case, but not often enough. This is particularly true with on/off buttons. Most devices seem to have a single remote code for "power", and what happens when one device doesn't go on properly. You hit the power button again, and the other devices turn off. I used a system like that in the past, and people hated it because they couldn't figure out how to power things on. Once everything was on it was pretty easy. You hit the source button, and the receiver switched inputs, etc. That normally worked fine, but could also cause problems. Also, you have a solution in place that involves a $100+ remote control system that the average user is going to be frustrated to all hell to program properly. With google tv i just type in the name of the tv and receiver, and it will find the codes for me, and make things work. The logitech revue basically wrapped in the logitech harmony remote into the set top box, which is a very nice feature. And hitting two or three power buttons instead of one is actually simpler when you take into account the relatively common case of one device not recognizing the signal... It takes about 3 seconds to power all the devices ... which isn't a big deal considering the time it takes for receivers and tvs to fully start up. When I said a few minutes to use, I meant someone who knew NOTHING about the remote to figure out what they're doing, and either tune the TV, or watch streaming etc.
The device is quite simple in nature, and intuitive. My point was more about how google has no need to "steal ideas from apple", as their solution works pretty damn well. Their interface isn't perfect, but it's far better than the five button solution apple has (try searching with that!), which doesn't even attempt to control other devices connected to the TV, or the TV itself. The interface for local content might be slightly better on apple tv, but i don't really know about that. The interface to access outside of apple's walled garden is almost non-existent... Sure there's netflix, but what about amazon instant video? What about existing cable/satelite boxes? There's no interface to use those from within the apple TV.
STBs are a hardware manufacturing activity beholden to a monopsony - a few huge customers ... the cable providers. That's what this article is about - Google selling a dead-end business that doesn't fit its portfolio. Google TV cable boxes? Apple TV cable boxes? Fuggedaboudit!
Ask yourself - why on God's Green Earth would cable providers want a box hooked up to your TV so that you can watch content that they're not charging you for?!
STBs today are nothing more than hardware made to the encryption and registration specs of the cable firms (better referred to as "content distribution controllers") that buy them, who then turn around and rent them to you at ridiculously inflated monthly rates.
They aren't giving up a license to the related IP according to the press reports, and they're not giving up on GoogleTV efforts either going by work they've put into it this year. These are the updates and enhancements announced in just the past 60 days. http://googletv.blogspot.com/
The license has value. It doesn't mean they have any intent to use it themselves. Google Tv has been a total failure. Updates aren't going to help it any. It needs to be redone from scratch.
I think they have content agreements in place. I know I've seen some news articles in the past few months reporting on Google agreements with media providers, including music, movies and such.
Most of that is about music, and isn't much of a benefit for Tv use. As far as cnet goes, well, let's just say its just more rumors. Google has less of a chance to do deals than Apple does. Apple is willing to pay, and because of its business model, Google isn't.
Here's a partial list of live TV content providers that Google has negotiated licenses for. It's not a complete list as I couldn't log-in to the plans themselves so these are some of the newer additions.
<span style="color:rgb(102,102,102);font-family:'Open Sans';line-height:18px;">Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, CNN en Español, CNN International, HLN, hTV, infinito, MLB Network Strike Zone (as part of an add-on package),TBS, TCM: Turner Classic Movies, TNT and truTV.</span>
<span style="color:rgb(102,102,102);font-family:'Open Sans';line-height:18px;">BabyTV, Big Ten Network, Fox Business Network, Fox College Sports Atlantic, Fox College Sports Central, Fox College Sports Pacific, Fox Deportes, Fox Movie Channel, Fox News Channel, Fox Soccer, Fox Soccer Plus, FS Kansas City, Fuel TV, FX, HSN2, KPXEDT2 - Qubo, KPXEDT3 - ION Life, Nat Geo Mundo, Nat Geo WILD, National Geographic Channel, Speed, Utilisima, </span>
This has nothing to do with Google Tv. And you will also note that all of these appear to be the "free" cable channels, other than the one from the MBL. Where is HBO? Where is Showtime? Where is ESPN? Where are all of the other pay channels? There're not there. This is a very lame service.
Most of that is about music, and isn't much of a benefit for Tv use. As far as cnet goes, well, let's just say its just more rumors. Google has less of a chance to do deals than Apple does. Apple is willing to pay, and because of its business model, Google isn't.
I don't know all that much about AppleTV so what general content does Apple offer that GoogleTV does not? Also don't know where you're getting the information that Google has less of a chance to negotiate content deals. I've seen several recent articles noting significant resistance to Apple's contract offers to media providers, perhaps way too low?
I don't know all that much about AppleTV so what general content does Apple offer that GoogleTV does not? Also don't know where you're getting the information that Google has less of a chance to negotiate content deals. I've seen several recent articles noting significant resistance to Apple's contract offers to media providers, perhaps way too low?
Google it guy, also look into http://www.apple.com/appletv/ . For a kid that wastes so much time on the inner webs all day, you'd think you'd know how to do this.
You have Apple TV then? Do you see any significant difference in what content Google TV offers compared to AppleTV? It looks to me like pretty much the same general content and same general streaming options from either Google Play or iTunes as the case may be.
I don't know all that much about AppleTV so what general content does Apple offer that GoogleTV does not? Also don't know where you're getting the information that Google has less of a chance to negotiate content deals. I've seen several recent articles noting significant resistance to Apple's contract offers to media providers, perhaps way too low?
The mistake you're making is assuming that aTV is in direct competition with Google Tv. It isn't. Google is trying to do more than Apple and that's causing a lot of problems. ATv has about every cable channel, plus Netflix, Hulu, and other stuff such as music. It streams all of it from your computer, iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Or you can stream it from iCloud, live stream from the channels, or whatever. Yes, it's mostly paid content, but that's the way it works. Google was doing it's usual thing. They were telling people to get their content for free over the Internet, and so content owners were detecting the Google Tv, and locking it out. Then, quickly—no content.
The deals Google has made are not for Google Tv, they are for Google's equivelant of a cable service for their fiber.
You have Apple TV then? Do you see any significant difference in what content Google TV offers compared to AppleTV? It looks to me like pretty much the same general content and same general streaming options from either Google Play or iTunes as the case may be.
How so Mel? The available content appears to be pretty similar, an indication of licensing agreements made with the same media companies. Perhaps you're thinking of old AI articles that used to claim Google wasn't willing to license content?
How so Mel? The available content appears to be pretty similar, an indication of licensing agreements made with the same media companies. Perhaps you're thinking of old AI articles that used to claim Google wasn't willing to license content?
I already pointed out how, and where it isn't the same. Where is all the premium content for Google Tv? How about for their cable network? That's just for a start. You're not responding to this.
The way it works is different as well. aTv is vastly simpler to use. A major complaint about Google Tv is that it's very difficult to understand.
Mel, to make it simple GooglePlay content is available on GoogleTV, which pretty much matches the available premium content available via AppleTV as far as I can tell. If there's major content differences that you know of just tell me what they are. I'm not seeing them but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Mel, to make it simple GooglePlay content is available on GoogleTV, which pretty much matches the available premium content available via AppleTV as far as I can tell. If there's major content differences that you know of just tell me what they are. I'm not seeing them but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
So you're telling me that all the premium channels are available? If true, that really new, because it hasn't be.
So you're telling me that all the premium channels are available? If true, that really new, because it hasn't be.
Yes sir.
HBO, Showtime, Cinemax etc. are available to stream via GooglePlay. In addition if you're curious what movie studios have licensed with Google for movie rentals, streamable to GoogleTV, there's an article here:
HBO, Showtime, Cinemax etc. are available to stream via GooglePlay. In addition if you're curious what movie studios have licensed with Google for movie rentals, streamable to GoogleTV, there's an article here:
Thats just distribution deals, like netflix. Apple has iTunes to rent movies as well. What are you trying to get at, whats up with this ruse?
I figured you could follow along, but I guess you missed the reason for the posts. So here it is again.
Originally Posted by melgross
Most of that is about music, and isn't much of a benefit for Tv use. As far as cnet goes, well, let's just say its just more rumors. Google has less of a chance to do deals than Apple does. Apple is willing to pay, and because of its business model, Google isn't.
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by SockRolid
Boom. That's the #1 reason why Google TV totally failed.
There was nothing from Apple for Google to copy, other than Apple TV. And Apple TV is only $99.
No way to undercut that price -> no way for Google to profitably steal that idea.
Instead, Google copied WebTV. And I think we all know how that turned out for Microsoft.
Fave you actually used a Google TV? I have, and I must say I really like it. I have two logitech revues in my house that I bought for $80 or so a piece. Granted the initial price point was WAY too high, but at $100 a piece, they're great devices. Before switching to google TV, I used a HTPC setup, and although I could use it, it seemed that everyone else was at a complete loss.
With the google TV, everyone I know could pick up the "remote", and get the TV working in a few minutes. That's no small measure for a system involving a TV, 5.1 Receiver, direct TV/cable box, and a internet TV playback device (the google TV). You hit the TV button, and the TV turns on, AVR, and the receiver turns on and switches to the proper input, and hitting STB will turn on your set top box (as most of them automatically go to sleep). That means someone can hit a few simple buttons, turning on the TV, getting picture and sound.
One of the coolest features of the google TV is that it has an HDMI input port on it. This means that it fits in seamlessly with your existing cable/sattelite box, a key feature that currently stops Apple TV. The simple fact is everyone I know can use my remote to watch live TV,all they have to do is hit the TV button. Now, tell someone with an apple TV (connected to a 5.1 surround sound system, or directly to the TV) how to watch live tV when on the apple TV, or switching to the apple TV when watching live TV. The result will not be pretty, as it will be clunky by nature. Google TV takes over my direct tv box, and even allows me to search for things playing on TV right now. For instance, I'll type NFL and it will list current NFL games. I don't need to know my channels or anything, I can just search, and use a standard keyboard to do this.
Now, I won't claim the google TV is perfect, it's far from it, mine has to be reset way too often, flash is buggy on it (which I need for Amazon VOD) etc. however, if amazon had a better VOD app for it (installable from the google play app store), it would be much better for me. The app store itself is pretty nice and makes the device quite extensible. Although the google TV lacks content, it's great for already downloaded content (streaming from a local PC), works well with VOD services, and most importantly it ties in with your local cable/satelite set top box.
Phil
That sounds horrendously complex. With my Harmony Remote, it's much simpler than that.
Want to watch TV? Hit the 'TV' button. TV comes on, TV turns to cable input, cable box come on, receiver comes on and switches to TV input.
DVD? Hit the 'DVD' button. All the right components come on and are set propertly.
Why do you need to hit "a few simple buttons" that takes "a few minutes" to do something that a decent remote can do with one button?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gatorguy
Here's a partial list of live TV content providers that Google has negotiated licenses for. It's not a complete list as I couldn't log-in to the plans themselves so these are some of the newer additions.
Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, CNN en Español, CNN International, HLN, hTV, infinito, MLB Network Strike Zone (as part of an add-on package),TBS, TCM: Turner Classic Movies, TNT and truTV.
BabyTV, Big Ten Network, Fox Business Network, Fox College Sports Atlantic, Fox College Sports Central, Fox College Sports Pacific, Fox Deportes, Fox Movie Channel, Fox News Channel, Fox Soccer, Fox Soccer Plus, FS Kansas City, Fuel TV, FX, HSN2, KPXEDT2 - Qubo, KPXEDT3 - ION Life, Nat Geo Mundo, Nat Geo WILD, National Geographic Channel, Speed, Utilisima,
ABC Family, ABC News Now, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Longhorn Network, Ovation, SOAPnet, TBN, TBN Enlace, Velocity
http://googlefiberblog.blogspot.com/
Who cares.
It's still a bust. Will continue to be a bust in the future.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jragosta
That sounds horrendously complex. With my Harmony Remote, it's much simpler than that.
Want to watch TV? Hit the 'TV' button. TV comes on, TV turns to cable input, cable box come on, receiver comes on and switches to TV input.
DVD? Hit the 'DVD' button. All the right components come on and are set propertly.
Why do you need to hit "a few simple buttons" that takes "a few minutes" to do something that a decent remote can do with one button?
that sounds great, but it relies on every device always responding to every remote event. In reality this is often the case, but not often enough. This is particularly true with on/off buttons. Most devices seem to have a single remote code for "power", and what happens when one device doesn't go on properly. You hit the power button again, and the other devices turn off. I used a system like that in the past, and people hated it because they couldn't figure out how to power things on. Once everything was on it was pretty easy. You hit the source button, and the receiver switched inputs, etc. That normally worked fine, but could also cause problems. Also, you have a solution in place that involves a $100+ remote control system that the average user is going to be frustrated to all hell to program properly. With google tv i just type in the name of the tv and receiver, and it will find the codes for me, and make things work. The logitech revue basically wrapped in the logitech harmony remote into the set top box, which is a very nice feature. And hitting two or three power buttons instead of one is actually simpler when you take into account the relatively common case of one device not recognizing the signal... It takes about 3 seconds to power all the devices ... which isn't a big deal considering the time it takes for receivers and tvs to fully start up. When I said a few minutes to use, I meant someone who knew NOTHING about the remote to figure out what they're doing, and either tune the TV, or watch streaming etc.
The device is quite simple in nature, and intuitive. My point was more about how google has no need to "steal ideas from apple", as their solution works pretty damn well. Their interface isn't perfect, but it's far better than the five button solution apple has (try searching with that!), which doesn't even attempt to control other devices connected to the TV, or the TV itself. The interface for local content might be slightly better on apple tv, but i don't really know about that. The interface to access outside of apple's walled garden is almost non-existent... Sure there's netflix, but what about amazon instant video? What about existing cable/satelite boxes? There's no interface to use those from within the apple TV.
Phil
Phil
Ask yourself - why on God's Green Earth would cable providers want a box hooked up to your TV so that you can watch content that they're not charging you for?!
STBs today are nothing more than hardware made to the encryption and registration specs of the cable firms (better referred to as "content distribution controllers") that buy them, who then turn around and rent them to you at ridiculously inflated monthly rates.
The license has value. It doesn't mean they have any intent to use it themselves. Google Tv has been a total failure. Updates aren't going to help it any. It needs to be redone from scratch.
Most of that is about music, and isn't much of a benefit for Tv use. As far as cnet goes, well, let's just say its just more rumors. Google has less of a chance to do deals than Apple does. Apple is willing to pay, and because of its business model, Google isn't.
This has nothing to do with Google Tv. And you will also note that all of these appear to be the "free" cable channels, other than the one from the MBL. Where is HBO? Where is Showtime? Where is ESPN? Where are all of the other pay channels? There're not there. This is a very lame service.
Quote:
Originally Posted by melgross
Most of that is about music, and isn't much of a benefit for Tv use. As far as cnet goes, well, let's just say its just more rumors. Google has less of a chance to do deals than Apple does. Apple is willing to pay, and because of its business model, Google isn't.
I don't know all that much about AppleTV so what general content does Apple offer that GoogleTV does not? Also don't know where you're getting the information that Google has less of a chance to negotiate content deals. I've seen several recent articles noting significant resistance to Apple's contract offers to media providers, perhaps way too low?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gatorguy
I don't know all that much about AppleTV so what general content does Apple offer that GoogleTV does not? Also don't know where you're getting the information that Google has less of a chance to negotiate content deals. I've seen several recent articles noting significant resistance to Apple's contract offers to media providers, perhaps way too low?
Google it guy, also look into http://www.apple.com/appletv/ . For a kid that wastes so much time on the inner webs all day, you'd think you'd know how to do this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by punkndrublic
Google it guy, also look into http://www.apple.com/appletv/ .
You have Apple TV then? Do you see any significant difference in what content Google TV offers compared to AppleTV? It looks to me like pretty much the same general content and same general streaming options from either Google Play or iTunes as the case may be.
Thanks for the link punkndrublic
The mistake you're making is assuming that aTV is in direct competition with Google Tv. It isn't. Google is trying to do more than Apple and that's causing a lot of problems. ATv has about every cable channel, plus Netflix, Hulu, and other stuff such as music. It streams all of it from your computer, iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Or you can stream it from iCloud, live stream from the channels, or whatever. Yes, it's mostly paid content, but that's the way it works. Google was doing it's usual thing. They were telling people to get their content for free over the Internet, and so content owners were detecting the Google Tv, and locking it out. Then, quickly—no content.
The deals Google has made are not for Google Tv, they are for Google's equivelant of a cable service for their fiber.
No, it's quite different.
Quote:
Originally Posted by melgross
No, it's quite different.
How so Mel? The available content appears to be pretty similar, an indication of licensing agreements made with the same media companies. Perhaps you're thinking of old AI articles that used to claim Google wasn't willing to license content?
I already pointed out how, and where it isn't the same. Where is all the premium content for Google Tv? How about for their cable network? That's just for a start. You're not responding to this.
The way it works is different as well. aTv is vastly simpler to use. A major complaint about Google Tv is that it's very difficult to understand.
Mel, to make it simple GooglePlay content is available on GoogleTV, which pretty much matches the available premium content available via AppleTV as far as I can tell. If there's major content differences that you know of just tell me what they are. I'm not seeing them but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
So you're telling me that all the premium channels are available? If true, that really new, because it hasn't be.
Quote:
Originally Posted by melgross
So you're telling me that all the premium channels are available? If true, that really new, because it hasn't be.
Yes sir.
HBO, Showtime, Cinemax etc. are available to stream via GooglePlay. In addition if you're curious what movie studios have licensed with Google for movie rentals, streamable to GoogleTV, there's an article here:
http://screencrush.com/paramount-google-play/
Does it really look so different from AppleTV's content? If so please point it out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gatorguy
Yes sir.
HBO, Showtime, Cinemax etc. are available to stream via GooglePlay. In addition if you're curious what movie studios have licensed with Google for movie rentals, streamable to GoogleTV, there's an article here:
http://screencrush.com/paramount-google-play/
Does it really look so different from AppleTV's content? If so please point it out.
Thats just distribution deals, like netflix. Apple has iTunes to rent movies as well. What are you trying to get at, whats up with this ruse?
Quote:
Originally Posted by punkndrublic
Thats just distribution deals, like netflix. Apple has iTunes to rent movies as well. What are you trying to get at, whats up with this ruse?
I figured you could follow along, but I guess you missed the reason for the posts. So here it is again.
Originally Posted by melgross
Most of that is about music, and isn't much of a benefit for Tv use. As far as cnet goes, well, let's just say its just more rumors. Google has less of a chance to do deals than Apple does. Apple is willing to pay, and because of its business model, Google isn't.