Google TV announced
Google TV has been announced and is being pitched as a collaboration between Google, Sony and Intel. BCi predicted such a move in a recent White Paper. The news confirms that this takes another step towards Google, and similar, playing a broader and more intimate role in the delivery and consumption of rich, interactive on demand content. The Android OS and foray into into their own branded mobile phone has demonstrated their commitment and ability in addressing specific consumer markets.
Google TV promises a SDK and adoption of this technology in the developer community seems assured. What is not clear is whether the solution will allow for a truly ‘open’ approach where the consumer is free to access more or less what they want. All of the Over the Top TV solutions to date have been locked down offerings from the CE vendors where they have replaced the role of the traditional Operator.
Predictably other Search Engines/Super Aggregators (Yahoo, EBay, Amazon, etc) are sure to follow with their own flavours. However Google TV will be a ‘land grab’ of market share and the competition will struggle with the wake of Google. It is possible that Google TV will make some mistakes and the competition will be able to capitalise on them - but not likely.
