Sony and Google may have been too early with Google TV launch
Google TV in concept is an amazing platform that could have taken the world by storm, but it appears Google and its partners have brought the pie out of the oven before it’s cooked.  Not only is the platform pretty basic, but it’s also been plagued with numerous rejections from the majority of online broadcasters preventing the promised experience for its users.
Logitech Revue Google TV Set Top Box
Like any new technology, first impressions are very important and this is where Google has failed with Google TV.  They went to market before the product was really ready for prime time.  Most of the people who are early adopters are the techno geeks of this world and they can deal with the shortcomings and complex controls. The problem is, most people don’t want to be forced to use a keyboard and mouse to control their TV.  Having a keyboard as an extra for doing the more serious tasks with your Google TV is great, but they should have supplied a standard, if not slightly more complex remote control to sit on your coffee table.  Sony attempted something a little easier, but it still came over as a daunting miniature keyboard to the average home user.  The placement of the controls are just not intuitive enough for comfortable usage, but it is easy to type on.
It now appears that Google themselves are hinting to the fact that Google TV was released too early and are now asking some of the newcomers to the Google TV platform to hold off on any releases until Google TV is enhanced in its next release.  They even went so far as to ask them to refrain from displaying new products at next year’s CES in Las Vegas.
Sony Blue Ray with Google TV
I have the Sony Blu Ray player with Google TV sitting on my cabinet connected to my Samsung LED HD TV.  I’ve trying my hardest to use it, but it’s still cumbersome and somewhat slower than my PS3 as a media player.  Admittedly, the Google TV box has much more functionality, but it’s not ready for the masses.
There will still be some vendors at CES showing off new hardware based on the Google TV platform, but there are also many vendors who had planned to make announcements and are now waiting on the word of Google before making them public.  Google has asked them to hold off showing their wares at CES and instead to wait for the next upgrade which promises access to the Android Application Market and more functionality.
We’ve contacted Google to get any official word on the request to vendors and what is planned for the next incarnation of Google TV. Â As soon as we have any response, we’ll be sure to let you know.
It’s an awesome platform, but have they tarnished its image with a poorly timed and ill prepared initial release?
Source: New York times
