Google TV: Who is the competition and what are they saying about it?
By Richard Lawler 
posted May 21st 2010 1:40PM
posted May 21st 2010 1:40PM
Update: Now with reactions from Roku and PlayOn!
Boxee:
Microsoft:Watched the Google TV demo. more complementary than competitive. we should start working on Boxee Android App for TV... :) - Avner Ronen
Microsoft needs little introduction here, from the Web TV to today's Windows 7 Media Center, Mediaroom (used by AT&T's U-verse service), Xbox 360, Zune and most recently an embedded Media Center edition that could run directly on TVs and set-top boxes it's been working to connect the larger PC and internet experience to the television for quite some time.
Yahoo:"Microsoft has been in the smart TV space for a number of years and has strong partnerships with operators, OEMs and content partners across the industry and around the world. The company remains focused on delivering the best connected TV and entertainment experiences through a combination of great software plus services pulling information from the cloud, where content flows seamlessly from screen to screen on any device. We're already seeing much of this happening today. For example, Microsoft is enabling TV service providers to deliver these scenarios with Microsoft Mediaroom, the world's most deployed IPTV platform, powering award-winning TV services to close to 5 million households via 25 operator partners around the world. Mediaroom also enables TV service providers to deploy applications that can bring video and Web content together in ways that are specifically designed for enjoying and interacting via the TV and a remote control. Mediaroom customer, AT&T U-verse TV, has deployed over 20 interactive TV applications to date. Some example applications are highlighted at http://www.microsoft.com/mediaroom/Themes/Applications.aspx.
Another example is Windows Media Center which is focused on enabling new broadcast and internet TV content experiences on the PC for more than 25 million users around the world. Smart features like the integrated TV guide bring broadcast and internet TV channels in one place. Further, Microsoft is also delivering web and TV- integrated digital and social entertainment services direct to consumers through TV and video on Xbox LIVE and Xbox 360 consoles with 23 million Xbox LIVE members in 26 countries as well as Zune and Windows Phones."
Yahoo!'s Connected TV widgets launched at CES 2009 and are available on Sony, Samsung, LG and VIZIO HDTVs delivering video on demand from Blockbuster and Netflix, Twitter, Facebook, fantasy football and other internet content as Java/XML apps. They've appeared on Intel CE3100 hardware -- predecessor to the CE4100 powering the Google TV systems. The platform claims 7,000 active developers, over 50 widgets currently available and over 150 more coming by the end of the year.
Samsung:"Consumers love television, and Yahoo! is enhancing the TV viewing experience by adding high quality, personally-relevant Internet content across devices from the world's largest consumer electronics manufacturers. Yahoo! is leading, innovating and delivering amazing consumer experiences, and there is no doubt in my mind that the next phase of the Internet revolution will be televised." -- Ronald Jacoby, Chief Architect, Yahoo! Connected TV
Samsung's Internet@TV platform debuted last year and utilized on Yahoo! Connected TV widgets bringing content to TVs and Blu-ray players. In 2010, it's next step is the Samsung Apps service bringing functionality across a wide range of devices including TVs, receivers, Blu-ray players and mobile phones.
Rovi:"For Samsung, the Connected TV era began more than three years ago and achieved a breakthrough in 2010 with the introduction of Samsung Apps, the world's first TV application store now available in more than 100 countries. Our success has been fueled in part by partnerships with diverse Google properties including YouTube, Picasa, and Maps via our Internet@TV service in addition to our application partners on the Samsung Mobile platform. Samsung is focused on delivering the most complete Internet TV experience to consumers and this will guide our approach as we consider introducing new services or platforms such as with Google. A relationship with Google TV is currently under consideration." -- David Steel, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Samsung Electronics America
Known in another life as Macrovision and TV Guide, Rovi may already be behind the program guide on your TV or set-top box. While cable and satellite operators have not widely deployed some of its more interesting UIs, it's already looked for a way over the top by adding a guide via Samsung's widget service, and recently showed off its latest design, the TotalGuide shown above.
VIZIO:"Rovi sees the Google announcement today as another milestone in the continued development of Internet TV. We're working with Google to help bring next-generation guides to the users of Google TV. This includes TotalGuide applications for the Android platform as well as TV data. We believe a critical component for creating a simplified consumer experience is data that allows you to browse and discover more content." -- Corey Ferengul, EVP of Product Management and Marketing, Rovi
VIZIO has dived wholeheartedly into the Connected HDTV pool, building its entire UI on the Yahoo! Widgets design, including all the standard TV controls in the same interface where you'll find Twitter and various video on-demand services. VIZIO Internet App HDTVs have a QWERTY Bluetooth remote to make internet browsing easier and its Super Bowl ad was devoted to informing customers it could bring the best of the internet to your TV.
People of Lava:"We are excited that other technology providers are following VIZIO's lead to offer easy to access Internet content on their televisions. We were the first to integrate Wifi and Bluetooth technology into HDTV sets to enable a simple, intuitive HD internet steaming experience and as a result more than 70% of VIZIO Internet Apps consumers are connecting and streaming actively with VIZIO products. We at VIZIO are constantly evaluating new opportunities to further enhance the value of our products, including those brought to us by Intel and Google. Our goal is to continue to make the best of the Internet easily available to consumers with products that they can afford." -- Laynie Newsome, Co-founder and CSO
People of Lava surprised everyone by being the first to announce an Android TV, and expects to have its product on shelves well ahead of Sony's Google TV.
"It is of course a challenge for a small TV-manufacturer in the premium range to set out to launch a whole new kind of integrated product and experience. I see today's events as a confirmation that we did the right thing to dare to press ahead." -- Christian Svantesson, Managing Director of People of Lava.
"The more Android-based TVs on the market, the better. This would mean that the development of Apps, adapted for the TV will get a boost, and more Apps will become available. And what's good for the customers is good for us. We can already offer a number of Apps that we think will give our customers the most instant benefit, such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, an open Web-browser etc. And our App-store, which is already up and running, offers more Apps, ready to be downloaded." -- Mathias Adolfsson, Chief Technical Officer at People of Lava.
MIPS:"The fact that we and others can create new Apps for our customers, actually gives our customers a product that "comes alive", and will continue to evolve with the customers, in the direction of their own choice. Choice is so central here. Not dictating, but giving options. We see this as a great start towards our vision of a "Window to the world" - giving our customers the standing option to choose not only what they want to see or do, but also when." -- Martin Ljunggren, Chief Marketing Officer at People of Lava.
You may or may not know the name MIPS, but the company's chips are embedded in TVs and set-top boxes all over, already running Yahoo! Widgets. It's already worked on an HD-friendly version of Android for its processors that could have a wider reach than the Google TV platform.
Roku:"MIPS Technologies was pleased to see today's Google TV announcement. Google's announcement is clearly well aligned with our own vision of the future connected television and entertainment experience. To date, MIPS Technologies has synergistically supported Google's commitment to the architecture-neutral, open source nature of Android by ensuring that our licensees have access to the best available software ecosystem for Android on MIPS-Based solutions. Google TV is the latest architecture-neutral solution from Google and, leveraging our past work with Android and our ongoing relationship with Google, MIPS Technologies is now in an excellent position to work with our licensees as Google TV moves beyond its initial reference platforms and into mainstream development within the digital home market-a market where MIPS is already the number one processor architecture." --Art Swift, Vice President of Marketing, MIPS Technologies
PlayOn:"I think we are intrigued like the next person on this announcement. There's been a lot of talk about how this is going to kill off stand alone devices like Roku or aggregators like Boxee, but it seems to me that price will play a big role in this and also the fact that this platform and the devices being created are geared towards combining linear TV (from your cable or satellite provider) with Over the Top content. In that regard, the competition is TiVo or Sezmi or Zillion TV or the cable MSOs that are also attempting to converge both.
We feel we still sit in a great spot. One that delivers an incredible amount of premium content to the TV for an incredibly low price and while we are still complimentary to cable/satellite today, we are adding more and more content including live sports, music, movies and TV shows, etc. that are making our platform competitive in this space. A rising tide raises all ships and Google is creating awareness in the market for devices and services that delivery content streamed over IP to the TV. Now it's on us to execute and make sure our message is out there for customers." -- Brian Jaquet, Director, Corporate Communications
"It is very difficult to assess what Google TV means for PlayOn at this time. In many ways it may be an opportunity, given that it will likely be DLNA-capable and can therefore act as a PlayOn device. Even if it is not DLNA-capable, we could likely develop an app which added DLNA to it. But I think too many details are unclear at this time, including exactly what type of sites/technology it will truly be able to support, and what its price-point will be.One of the main benefits of PlayOn is that it does not require the consumer to purchase or dedicate any new equipment to experience the videos on their TV. People have generally shown a big aversion to purchasing yet another "box" to access internet TV through, and there is little we can see about the Google TV device that will change that aversion at this time." -- Jeff Lawrence, CEO, PlayOn.
@cherryboom
Dick.
@cherryboom Ok, I'm gonna break this down for you. Starting with your first point: Why does Google HAVE to create content in order to be relevant in this business? Last time I checked, Apple TV doesn't create content, Hulu doesn't either, and their ALL what you call "middlemen". I hardly ever go to NBC.com to watch a show, because it's slow and I want to get to my content fast. Hulu is right there on my desktop for instant use. They are the middleman because they bring all my shows to my desktop to watch. WDLive is the box that I use for streaming Hulu and other content applications to my different televisions and computers. WDLive doesn't have what you call "content" and neither does Google. That whole point you made doesn't make any sense. You probably mean an INTERFACE, which is what all of the boxes have.
That whole Starbucks equation can only be relevant in the way that Starbucks failed because they opened up store after store after store. Same shit, different place. Google isn't just popping up on the scene with the same shit, primarily because this is something they really haven't even done before. They have their search engine in the interfaces of those boxes, but never their own software and multiple partners to back them up, as well as features that link their interface to mobile devices such as the iPhone and Android, and more to come as well. Global Crossing had used that expensive fiber optics and laid the nation with it but there was not enough customers buying into it for them to make a net profit and they filed for bankruptcy. Nothing Google is doing is expensive, and they have notable popularity (as well as partners) to secure and/or bring in at least 1 million buyers in probably half a year alone.
"And why the hell do I want to leave my mac/pc just to surf on the tv?
Waste of fucking time."
Are you and your whole family gonna crowd around your computer to watch the latest TV programs and movies? I don't think so.
@cherryboom Google is in the Tech biz not the coffee biz. Here are some reason why I would think about Google TV:
1- Web on TV: I have my desktop connected to my tv and I have a logitech keyboard remote however it's a pain.
2- Rich Multimedia beyond TV: I watch youtube and all sort of flash video on my desktop all the time, would love to share those with my wife while sitting on the couch
3- Upgradeable TV: your old TV in a sense will run Android which will be often updated with a lot of goodies from Google
4- Games (family games)
Hate it or love it but I'm pretty sure Google Tv will be a success. I see Android being ported to anything with a pulse in the near future. This is the reason I see it succeeding. Google is a heavy hitter and has some real power players backing this thing and not trying to bash Apple but the fact that Google has multiple partners in hardware providing you options instead of one proprietary set top box it gives the consumer more options. This is another reason why I see Android eventually beating the iPhone but as far as "Smart Tv" or whatever they're calling this arena, its looking like a slam dunk using their cloud system. I still would like to see more details, such as network support or if its strictly tied to your cable or satellite provider's content? Or will I be able to record programs directly to the device? So far it is looking more along the lines of an extender, I expect more to be revealed in the days/weeks to come.
You ain't seen nothing yet...wait till Google strikes deals directly with content providers and offer up their own online channels and sells ad space...oh..should I remind everyone again about Google owning their own bandwidth and what that means? TV/internet...that's expected. Google Mobile Carrier Network? World Domination.
All the TV's today that have internet connectivity suck. Each has their own proprietary locked down OS with limited content, and partial if any access directly to the internet.
Google needs to get Android on other TV's, not just Sony, and emerge as the standard OS on TV. I hope they weren't as stupid as others and sign a 5 year exclusivity agreement with AT&T.... oops I meant Sony.
The Boxee guy has the right idea.
No AppleTV?
What we need is a google + Tivo alliance. Tivo has the best DVRs, and they're trying to do this kind of online unification thing on the Tivo Premiere, but I just don't think they have the resources to do it. Google + Tivo would be the ultimate DVR.
Anyone ever tried the wii? you can get bbc iplayer in the uk.
I like what Vizio had to say. I am hopeful that they can come out with a solution to combine the two for the everyday family.
Until the gov forces the cable companies to allow third party options beyond their own overpriced pieces of crap dvrs - not too damned much will happen with this.
I just got the new 'navigator' software from timewarner on my DVR.
After a couple years of them telling me something new was being tested and would be coming to replace the old complete and utter crap software solution on their DVR units, this is what they came up with.
Utter garbage which would have gotten a failing grade in any entry level real-time-programming class. It is such utter crap that I can't even go into all the ways because I would surely give myself and aneurysm trying to look in the face of such a beast.
Yet still, what I do see on TV is fools who don't know the difference between a free-market economy and an unregulated economy, all dancing like mindless prats under the string pulling of big business telling them their rights are in jeopardy.
No PlayOn listed?
PlayOn brings more quality video content to my television than any of these other competitors and it does it at a lower cost.
I still think the Boxee Boys and Girls have a better product; they just need some more major support. The Boxee Interface is really nice, easy to use, runs on any machine. Very customized software. Yeaa, Google has more money, blahh, blahh, blahh, but when it comes down to it, it's about creativity in the product and that’s what makes Boxee more interesting. I think everybody is drinking the Kool-Aid to fast on the Google TV.
The only thing that is not mentioned is DLNA streaming... a bunch of the above products do this. NAS with music/video and yada yada.
AOL's Plans for its own Web / TV integration! http://bit.ly/cwqsB3
HELLO. There's a reason why TVs are nicknamed boobtubes - a smart TV is an oximoron - at least in the US market. The mass of short-attention-span Americans can't handle their TV being smarter or requiring more setup and connectivity preferences. TVs don't need to be smarter, they need to be more intuitive and EASIER. EASIER integration, EASIER mobility, etc.
Remember the mess that the smartphone market turned into before Apple arrived with the elegant, exciting, easy and intuitive iPhone. And trust me this Sony-screen-Logitech-box-Chrome-platform-wi-fi-connect-to-Android-GoogleTV is FAR from being the iPhone of smartTVs.
Google says "we can't wait to see all the exciting things you come up with". HA! Well, all of Vic Gundotra's open-source-swagger in the world won't magically equal widespread creativity, inspiration and brilliance. You think Apple would get on a stage and say that? Apple says "here are a boatload of stunning, lovable, easy, intuitive things you can do TODAY - here's the price the date and we're sure you'll do even more later; we're here to raise the bar not just give you a bar and hope you raise it yourself."
@c4rlob - This isn't about what's the prettiest interface. It about content accessibility. Apple's success with the iPhone was largely due to breaking the tyranny of the carriers and letting people get to the web without going though toll booths (Vcast, anyone?). This will do the same thing for video. The UI is almost irrelevant right now. That'll get cleaned up in rev 2. Ironically, when it comes to video, Apple is now more interested in obstructing than making video accessible. That's always the problem when a content seller also sells you your hardware.
@c4rlob
Remember APPLE TV, where is it NOW?
@Beatnik Streaming porn I added to my iTunes library.
Reeeeeally embarrassing for Boxee if Google gets it's box out before them. How long ago was it we first saw the Boxee box? Over a year, yes?
I just noticed hidden replies...Love you guys!! haha sorry had to say it
What about TV?
Just another device-based platform to further fragment the industry. Content providers are not going to be able to support all these platforms! It just doesn't make dollars and sense. I'm suprised that Google didn't pursue a cloud-based platform built on web-standards. Seems like companies are having trouble making the mindshift that we now have the bandwidth to live in a cloud-based world. I want every device I own to have the same capabilities. Do the processing in the cloud and stream the experience to my device = cheaper devices, one platform, no device hardware limitations, truly unified media. Put the brain in the cloud, not the TV!
Microsoft definitely was ahead of their time in TV. This Google TV lacks one of the main things a all in one set top box needs in the livingroom... videogames. Not only is Windows Media Center and Mediaroom just all around better services but they also provide top of the line gaming. The idea is to have as little set top boxes as possible... where does Goggle TV fit in? Everyone has web content at their TV these days but MS has Xbox mix in with their TV. This is a no contest until they can get DVD, BLu Ray, HD DVD, Media Browser, a good music service and quality gaming (cell phone apps is not good enough.
Plex gets it done for us. No need for the other devices. Though we do have a roku too.
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Kindest,
Michael
For a long time I have already an HTPC on Acer Aspire Revo with NVIDIA ION in each of my TVs at home with Win7 Home premium. I can say with confidence that my setup beats Google TV hands down. Instead of just an overlay over your TV, Media Center acts as my Tivo, the programs that I record in one HTPC can be watched on the other via network. I don't need to control a CD player, my HTPCs accesses music from my huge music library on hard disk. Instead of being an overlay that controls different devices, Windows Media Center is the Tivo, the music player, the Internet TV player, the Netflix player, the podcast, is also a radio. Additionaly, this is a full PC, so I can run Zune and have unlimited access to all music, people at parties select any artist they want, and it shows photos of the artist while playing. I put a webcam and I do big screen video conferences with family using Skype. I can also download movies from legal and pirate sources and play them, bluray quality. It also plays porn... hehe. How much does it cost? About $300. This Google TV is just what WebTV was years ago, an overlay that will let you access the internet while you are on tv. What a joke.
Though I love Boxee's pioneering spirit, it's apparent that Avner Ronen's comments are in the best interest of maintaining the support of it's stakeholders. I can hardly see how Google TV can be seen as a compliment to Boxee rather than competition. There is nothing that Boxee has that Google TV will be unable to have as well.
If he really thinks the Google TV platform will be no competition I feel sorry for the future of Boxee as it gets left in the dust. Just the release of one or two Google TV set top boxes could end up making the Boxee Box (which has yet to release) irrelevant pretty soon.
PlayOn, though I don't feel is that impacted by this due to their niche market, gave the most honest answer regarding Google TV. We can speculate.
How can you forget about who the REAL obstacles or competition will be?
The ISPs/cable providers.
If Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Cox Cable, etc. don't play along, then Google TV isn't going anywhere.
I'm not defending the ISPs, in fact I think many of them hold de-facto monopolies within their respective regions, but I don't understand the incentive of why they would let Google within an inch of their business model.
Perhaps some mention of Kylo is of merit?
Interesting. No comments from Syabas with the upcoming (if ever) Popbox???
No mention of the Moxi? www.moxi.com