|
|
In what may have been Google’s worst kept secret in years, the word is out. Google, along with its partners, Intel, Logitech, and Sony is on its way to delivering the Web to your television . And, what will they be using to do this? Why, they’ll be using Google’s Android Linux of course.
Android is an embedded Linux that Google has already been deploying in phones like its own Nexus One and Motorola’s Devour and Droid. Android was always more than just a smartphone operating system though. It’s also been used in netbooks and other devices. So, taking it to a TV set-box was an easy move for Google and its hardware friends.
In fact, Linux has long been a part of the TV set-box scene. TiVo, one of the first and some would argue still the best DVR (digital video recorder) uses Linux. Many other DVRs and TV set-top boxes use it as well.
The way it looks like this going to play out with Google TV is that Google will be supplying Android as well as Web content from both its own video sources, such as YouTube, and outside video sources. Here, we don’t know what’s Google is up to. But, let me just say that I would be a very, very happy guy if they’d let me get to Hulu, Netflix, and Revision 3 on my television.
More >
The New York Times is reporting that “Google and Intel have teamed with Sony to develop a platform called Google TV to bring the Web into the living room through a new generation of televisions and set-top boxes.”
For more, click here for the rest of the story.
2010 will be the year that Internet TV really takes off. As proof of this, I point to the latest STB (set-top box) that will deliver Internet video to your TV: Syabas Technology’s Popbox.
According to DeviceGuru, a reliable source, for Internet TV device news, the $129 Internet-based, Linux powered A/V streaming set-top box will be able to play Netflix, Internet movies and TV shows. Since it’s based on Syabas’ earlier Popcorn Hour STB, it should also be able to play Windows Media, Xvid, H.264 and QuickTime videos from either your own media server or from the Internet. It will not, however, DeviceGuru reports, be able to play YouTube videos.
Syabas COO Alex Limberis explained, on his blog, that Syabas has been unable to come to an agreement with Google/YouTube on licensing fees. In the future, that may change, but for now Syabas’ Pop STBs won’t be supporting YouTube.
For more on the Popbox’s features, read, DeviceGury’s Move over BoxeeBox, here comes PopBox!
These days, even if you’re only mildly technical adept, you can bring Internet TV to your main television. But, as David Strom of Strominator points out, it still isn’t easy and seeing what you want, when you want it, the way you want it can still be troublesome.
For the complete details, read A mixed experience getting free TV online.
Want to know where you can find your Internet TV? Check out this nice overview of 8 Companies That Are Reinventing TV Online. It’s well done.
Whew! I was worried there. With Comcast buying NBC, I was afraid that Comcast might turn Hulu into a pay-for-view service Fortunately, that isn’t in the works.
When asked directly if there would be a “Hulu premium” — a version of the site where viewers have to pay to watch shows — the response was that’s “not in the cards.” Yea!
For more on this part of the Comcast/NBC deal, read this Business Insider story .
A recent ComputerWorld story is about how to get the most from your home networking, but where it really stands out is in describing how to make the most from streaming music and video over your home network. Check Home networking: How to avoid traffic jams out. You’ll be glad you did.
With Hulu here, and YouTube there, it was only a matter of time before someone tried to create a guide to TV on the Internet. That someone has turned out to be Clicker.com.
The site is only in beta now, and you have to apply to get an account on it, but its intentions are huge. CEO Jim Lanzone’s goal is to make Clicker the one-stop, comprehensive Internet video guide.
For more on Clicker’s fan read Clicker launches a TV Guide for the Internet
|
|