14 DAY TRIAL // Google TV's launch was a bit disappointing, though much of that was out of Google's control, but things are getting better. Devices running Google TV just got a significant update which added a number of cool features and, finally, a proper Netflix app.
"It’s been two months since the first Google TV device went on sale. Since then, we have been hard at work thinking about how we can make the platform even better for our users," Larry Yang, Google TV Product Manager, wrote.
"In fact, one of the greatest things about Google TV is that it comes with free, automatic 'over-the-air' software updates that give you the newest features and content as we release them. It’s as if Google TV goes up in value over time," he said.
"Today we’re excited to start pushing out our first Google TV software update. In addition to fixing some bugs, there are four significant improvements to the platform," he announced.
For many, the lack of content has been the biggest drawback of the emerging platform. Big media companies resorted to blocking the device, for fear that it would eat away at their cable revenues.
So the fact that Netflix is finally fully supported on the device should be a welcomed change of pace. Users can now search and browse for any movie or TV episode that's available for streaming and, of course, watch them on their Google TV devices. They can also add DVDs to their queues if the content is not available for streaming.
The updated Google TV adds better Dual View support. Users can now change the size and the position of the second window, adding more flexibility to the feature.
While Google TV devices come with remote controls with full keyboards and brimming with buttons, there is now another option, a remote control app for Android. The app enables users to do anything they'd normally do with their Google TVs via their smartphones.
While Google TV still has a rough road ahead of it, if Google can manage to add new functionality at a regular pace, something that shouldn't be a problem judging by what its doing with Chrome, Google TV has a fighting chance.