14 DAY TRIAL // Google TV is getting a big push as it's getting very close to launch. The first devices, the Logitech set-top boxes, are expected to land as early as tomorrow with Sony sets with Google TV coming next week.
Google is now ready to talk a little more about Google TV. Not much has changed in the five months since the product was announced, but partnerships with various media companies and web services have been finalized.
"It’s been almost five months since we introduced Google TV to the world at Google I/O, and today we’re happy to give you an update on our progress," Ambarish Kenghe, Developer Product Manager at Google TV, wrote.
"One of our goals with Google TV is to finally open up the living room and enable new innovation from content creators, programmers, developers and advertisers," he said.
In that respect, Google seems to have succeeded, at least as far as anyone can tell without an actual product. The web doesn't feel bolted-on, it complements and extends the TV experience.
What's more, the tools that Google TV brings, like searching or browsing for content or additional info from the web, make TV itself better.
Equally exciting is the fact that Google has been able to sign on quite a few partners for the launch. One of the biggest is Time Warner which is present with a large number of TV properties.
"Since our announcement, we’ve been overwhelmed by interest from partners on how they can use the Google TV platform to personalize, monetize and distribute their content in new ways," Kenghe said.
"Most of these partner sites already work with Google TV, but many are choosing to further enhance their premium web content for viewing on the television," he added.
TBS, TNT, CNN, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim have all created dedicated websites optimized for Google TV and the big screen. There is also the CNBC Real-Time app which enables viewers to keep track of their stocks or news feeds.
HBO will be offering a video portal which will enable subscribers to access HBO content on-demand over the web. Finally, the NBA is bringing the NBA Game Time an app which provides real-time scores and also enables viewers to access video highlights of the games.
Google says that more will follow in the coming weeks. Of course, Google has also partnered with a myriad of web services which will also be available in Google TV, like Twitter, Pandora, Netflix and so on.