Get Ready For Google TV, It's Linux Too!

18 Mar Posted by Swapnil Bhartiya



Google has reportedly joined hands with Intel, Sony and Logitech to create Google TV. What is Google TV and why Google is suddenly interested in a new medium: TV?

Firstly it is not sudden interest. Google already has its Adwords program for TV channels. Google describes it as "an online marketplace that makes it easy for anyone to buy and measure national cable television advertising. Using the familiar Adwords interface, you can launch a television campaign in minutes."

Google has been strengthening its position in various segments which includes desktop, mobile, navigation and now, TV. Google TV is the next stage in that growth curve. Through Google TV, Google will be able to bring the Internet experience to the TV platform and also create a new stream from revenue generation.

The best part of Google ventures into such areas is, most of its technologies are Muktware/Open Source and standard compliant. Google TV is reportedly powered by Linux-based Android operating system. Google TV also means Linux will become a house-hold name and the fear, uncertainity and doubt created by competitors that GnuLinux is not for home users will be washed away for ever.

According to a NYTimes report, "The Google TV software will present users with a new interface for TVs that lets them perform Internet functions like search while also pulling down Web programming like YouTube videos or TV shows from Hulu.com. The technology will also allow downloadable Web applications, like games and social networks, to run on the devices."

According to reports, there are primarily 4 companies behind Google TV. Intel will provide Atom processors for the Set-Top box. Intel hitherto has almost no share in this segment, which is primarily dominated by NXP, ST Micro and Broadcom. Through Google TV, Intel will increase its presence in yet another market segment. Sony has been struggling with raging competition in the TV segment, thus Google TV may work as shot in Sony's arm. As far as Logitech is concerned, the company will reportedly provide hardware for Google TV.

Google TV will bring Facebook, Google Video, Twitter and much more to TV viewers. The idiot box will no longer be idiot.

But the next breed of TV is 3D TV, no one knows if Google TV will be 3D or plain simple 2D!

What do you think?