The much awaited Google TV 2.0 update is finally upon us. Well, almost, the first devices boasting about the new Google TV, based on Android 3.1 Honeycomb, have surfaced, but it turns out that the only thing that's updated about them is a sticker on the box.
A few people have spotted a new Logitech Revue unit, in stores, with a very easy to interpret sticker on them "Google TV now with Android 3.1 and Android Market."
However, these boxes are just the plain old Logitech Revue, the packaging has been updated, but the software inside is still the regular Google TV and buyers will still have to wait for Google to release the new version as an over-the-air update.
What's more, Logitech says that these new units shouldn't even be on sale yet, not until Google TV 2.0 is ready.
But the fact that stores are stocking up on them is a clear sign that the very-long-time-coming big update is
very, very close to being a reality.
Google TV owners have been waiting on this update almost as long as Google TV existed. The first iteration has been plagued with issues and Google pretty much went back to the drawing board.
After the tactical retreat, Google took its time to perfect the next generation Google TV software, somewhat informally labeled as 2.0.
This new version will be based on Google's tablet-oriented Honeycomb Android flavor, though it's unclear whether this will translate into anything else than the underpinnings, Google TV has always had a custom user interface.
The UI should get an update as well, but we'll have to wait until Google TV 2.0 actually surfaces to get a clear idea of what's new in this department.
One thing that is definitely coming, some nine months after Google said it would be available, is access to the Android Market. This won't mean that you'll just be able to install any old phone app on your Google TV, but apps specifically aimed at these devices, or ones that work on phones and tablets alike, should be available.
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