Google will attempt to meld broadcast television with the Internet, in hopes of providing a seamless viewing experience for its customers. For example, a GOOGLE TV owner could turn on their television to view the latest episode of “Glee”and be given the choice of the live version on Fox, or the Internet version on Fox.com. Once they’re done viewing “Glee” they could then immediately check out one of their favorite clips from YouTube — all without having to switch between their television screen and computer screen.
It’s a novel concept, one that Apple sort of invented years ago with the AppleTV, but inexplicably left orphaned and unsupported. It’s also a concept that could basically kill the Cable TV model of buying a package of (mostly unwanted) TV channels, then having to either watch them all live or recorded on your DVR. But it’s a concept that doesn’t work. Or at least it didn’t during Google’s unveiling last week, which was full of glitches and gaffes. But can it work?
GOOGLE TV is slated for availability this fall, and you can learn all about it with video by clicking HERE. But in the meantime, check out Part 2 of this story next tomorrow, when we discuss how it’s time to change the whole concept of the television.
