I'm a cable cutter. I get all my TV from the Internet, and I've got several different devices hooked up to my TV, including a computer, but I still keep hoping for the ultimate TV device that transforms my TV experience the same way the smartphone transformed the way I use mobile.
Google TV was a very promising flop. To be fair, it wasn't the only smart TV flop released in 2010. It's a market still open to competitors. People won't tire of sharing content on a big screen, even if we do tire of paying huge cable bills or watching live TV as it is broadcast.
Google introduced the Google TV in 2010 as an incomplete project, and the Android Market was supposed to make an appearance in early 2011. That's been pushed out until sometime around the end of the year. I have a few features I'd love to see. There are a few people who managed to get beta releases of the update, so I already know I won't get everything on my wish list this year. I still hope Google can manage to deliver a real update to Google TV soon.
1. Unblock the Content
Image Courtesy Logitech
Don't get me wrong, Google TV works great if you want to watch Netflix, YouTube, or Amazon on Demand. Just about every network in the US, however, has blocked Google TV from displaying their streaming videos, probably in a misguided attempt to block their streaming content from actual TV screens. (Nothing prevents people from hooking up a computer to their TV.) Opening Google TV up to the Android Market will help, but it won't completely eliminate the problem in time for holiday shopping.
Google was one of many bidders earlier this year when Hulu was almost sold, and content was probably one of the biggest reasons why. Now that Hulu is no longer for sale, it's time for Google to either get a Hulu+ app up and running right away or figure out a way around the content blockade. Let people stream content through their laptops, for example.
2. Make It a DVR
It's got a hard drive. It allows you to view TV shows, so why can't it also record them? If you want to use a DVR, you still have to buy one separately. Granted, DVRs are a bit of a pain. You can't guarantee you'll see a show. The recording could be interrupted. It's not as user friendly as watching streaming content, but if they really want to transition between old TV and new TV, they'll need something for the Luddite TV networks that are blocking their content. Perhaps they'd get the hint.
Google bought SageTV, but don't expect DVR miracles out of the acquisition.
3. Improve the Interface
The interface on Google TV is confusing and doesn't let you find what you need. The Logitech version of Google TV can't make up its mind if it's a computer you browse with a touchpad remote or something you navigate by joystick. What works varies by what app you're using, and it's difficult to customize the interface. My home screen should be centered around asking me what I want to watch or listen to. I should be able to navigate everywhere on just the joystick. It should have the most awesome Google-powered suggestion engine ever invented.
4. Add an Internet Channel Guide
You can find out what's on your cable and what's available over the air but I've actually got lousy reception and no cable.
Google's philosophy on this was likely that they were providing the platform, and third parties would supply the apps, but there's really no excuse for something that hooks to my TV, has a Web browser, and doesn't tell me what's streaming on the Internet today. Yes, you can find out where to view a show if you search for it, but I shouldn't have to. Google should always know my favorite shows and should tell me when and where they're available as soon as I start my Google TV. Google should start a suggestion engine to find available shows I might like, and Google should fish this info out from my apps as well. Oh look, there's a new show on Hulu. I'll watch that after I catch that movie I like on Netflix.
5. Gameify My TV
Why do I need to buy a separate console game system? Why can't I play games on the big screen against competitors all over the world? Why don't most Google TVs come with console-style controllers like the Sony? For that matter, why isn't my Playstation also a Google TV?
The Android Market may very well bring games to the TV. Let's hope they're good games, and not just another version of Angry Birds. Not that Angry Birds isn't a good game. It's just not a good TV game.
6. Bring on the Dongles
If you've got gaming, you need good dongle support. You may want a Rock Band guitar, a motion sensor, a camera, or a stylus. Google TV needs to support a huge number of different joysticks and gaming accessories and allow a framework for more to be added via Bluetooth. Ice Cream Sandwich does seem to address this problem, so here's to hoping it comes to Google TV.7. Parental Controls
TVs are family devices, and while I don't use it as a babysitter, I don't carry the remote in my hands at all times. This is also the responsibility of app developers, such as Amazon and Netflix, but if the device is in my living room, I want to be able to filter the content by rating. I also want to require passwords to confirm purchases. Even a password to launch Google TV's home screen would be an improvement. Compare and contrast this with Apple products, where easy parental controls come built-in with every device.8. Remember Me
Websites and apps should remember who I am. Google TVs are not generally mobile, so I shouldn't need to enter my password every time I use an app, except to make a purchase. Amazon's particularly guilty, and since I have to log in to watch Amazon Prime content, I'm already logged in for any potential accidental purchases.Maybe Google could use that new face recognition feature in Ice Cream Sandwich to tell if a parent is present and authorizing a purchase or show.
9. Control All My Other Devices
The Logitech Revue came close to this, but no dice. It uses a small bit of Harmony remote technology, but the controls are far more limited. I want one remote that controls everything I've got hooked up to my TV. If I play a DVD, I should control it from my Google TV. If I want to switch to the Wii, I should control all the settings to handle that from my Google TV. The Google TV is smart enough that if you combined it with an infrared blaster, it should be able to learn the frequencies of all my electronics and control them. For that matter, I should be able to control them from a beefed up Google TV Android app.
