Google TV Review
For those who don't know what Google TV is - it's a product from Google which connects with the cable/satellite box and allows the user to watch content from multiple sources such as Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, HBO GO, VOD, regular cable etc.
The primary focus of Google TV is to help the consumers shift from browsing-based video content to a search-based content consumption. Google TV provides a search bar, displayed on the TV screen, and the user can search for the program he/she is interested in and Google gets the said program from multiple sources.
Although it can be quiet nice to be able to view content from multiple sources on a single platform, Google TV is not without its drawbacks. Several content providers, like Hulu, have simply blocked Google TV. Some tech savy users have figured out ways to bypass the ban, of course, but the trouble with Google TV doesn't end there.
Google TV is not a replacement to the cable/satellite box. It provides a good array of online content, no doubt, but that is not a substitute to the favorite TV programs some users are hooked to. Google TV does, however, aim to supplement the regular cable. So If the user is used to watching the regular television programs on the television and chooses to use the internet separately, then Google TV is of little consequence to such users.
It is interesting to note that recently Asus launched "Asus Cube with Google TV" with some really great features. One of the best features is the remote which comes with a built-in microphone. The microphone allows the user to give voice commands to the Asus Cube to help search relevant content online.
The Asus Cube comes pre-loaded with many of the commonly used apps including Netflix and gives access to the thousands of apps available on Google Play which can be downloaded.
The major drawback of the Asus Cube is the cost. Compared to the competition from Roku 3 and Apple TV, the Asus Cube tends to be quite a big investment for the user.
Perhaps Google has to come up with some major differentiators to entice the users enough to buy Google TV.