14 DAY TRIAL // Digging through patent and trademark applications can reveal some interesting things that most companies would rather keep secret. For example, Google has applied for a trademark on the name "Showy" and also registered the domain GoogleShowy.com.
Showy is supposed to be an app that can convert any device into a remote control, for example your Android phone can control Google TV.
"Downloadable software which allows users to use their computer, tablet device, or mobile phone as a remote control to operate video display devices and televisions," the trademark application read.
"And downloadable software which allows users to remotely control the content on internet-connected digital signage," it added.
For now though, that's all we have, Google isn't saying anything about it. Even with the description, the app could prove to be anything, beyond the obvious.
What's more, there's no guarantee that, even if trademarked, the name Google will even use it, companies often register trademarks "just in case."
Having the ability to control Google TV via your Android phone or tablet sounds rather useful. So useful in fact that it's already possible, in fact, Google is the one building it.
The Google TV Remote app can act as a full keyboard remote replacing the physical ones Google TV devices have. It can act as a trackpad as well and you can control pretty much every function of your Google TV. There's more, the Remote app can also do voice searches.
But Showy may go beyond that. There is talk of a voice controlled Google Assistant app, to counter Siri, which will act as a natural language interpreter and will be able to answer questions.
There's been a rumor that such an app is coming to Google TV as well which will enable users to, for example, ask about programs or the currently running shows. Google is also said to be working on a home-entertainment hub as well as other hardware-related projects.