News - Google TV update, Android apps and new interface

[HEXUS]

Google TV revamp hits this weekend.

Read more.

[Brewster0101]

With most modern TV's and Blurays players including their own on demand and net features, I feel having a separate device is pointless. Why Google don't integrate their services into Sony's (any other manufactures) hardware would have been a better approach.

We are moving into a time when people want (and can almost get) one TV (and bluray player) is all the equipment they need for digital entertainment.

[scaryjim]

... with reports that more customers have been returning Logitech Revue than buying it ...

How is that even possible? Surely you have to buy one to be able to return it? So either you mean more people are returning them than keeping them, or people have been nicking them then giving them back...

[aidanjt]

With most modern TV's and Blurays players including their own on demand and net features, I feel having a separate device is pointless. Why Google don't integrate their services into Sony's (any other manufactures) hardware would have been a better approach.

We are moving into a time when people want (and can almost get) one TV (and bluray player) is all the equipment they need for digital entertainment.

I agree, set top boxes should merely be a supplemental device for older tellies. But Google should primarily be soliciting all TV manufacturers to include the software into their TVs. Certainly Samsung and other big telly manufacturers who matter would very much be interested, particularly if it catches on.

In any event, this is certainly a step in the right direction regarding on-demand entertainment.

[Steven W]

Yoiks! scaryjim, thanks. you are, of course, right.

[aidanjt]

Yoiks! scaryjim, thanks. you are, of course, right.

The spoils of the riots, right?

[crossy]

With most modern TV's and Blurays players including their own on demand and net features, I feel having a separate device is pointless. Why Google don't integrate their services into Sony's (any other manufactures) hardware would have been a better approach.

Sony NSX series is what you're looking for - e.g. Google for "NSX-40GT1" and you'll see - and it's not that expensive at about £500-600. For some reason (Google licensing?) they don't bother to sell this over here, although plenty of the US-based podcasts I listen to in the office talk about them.

We are moving into a time when people want (and can almost get) one TV (and bluray player) is all the equipment they need for digital entertainment.

I'm almost going to agree with you - apart from I'd like some black box to be able to record programmes to for later viewing. Sure there's iPlayer, 4OD, Fwd5, etc but some of the channels I watch don't do these services. Of course - taking your idea a step further - how about a Tivo style service where your storage is in the "cloud" and your "recordings" get streamed to your internet tv when you want them?

If Sony et al want greater uptake of these new systems then I've got a simple suggestion - run a (decent!) trade-in promotion for the new sets. I got my current Bravia by trading in my old CRT set and got £150 for it. So take that to the next level where you can get more "discount" for newer kit. Got to say that - assuming the price was reasonable - I'd be tempted to trade my relatively recent set for a new "Google" one if offered. Especially if there was a way to let the kids play "Angry Birds" on it...

Edit: just checked and apparently there's an Angry Birds clone on the tv's - Angry Frogs