GoogleTV devices are now available for pre-order. Google T.V. can be implemented into your current television using one of two methods: 1) Get a T.V. that directly supports InternetTV, or 2) get a small attachment device to use with your current television.
These devices are certainly not free. The Logitech (R) Revue starts at $299, and the Sony InternetTV starts at $599 for a 24″ TV, and $1,399 for a 46″ TV.
Both of these devices come with a wireless keyboard with a built-in laptop-style mouse (track-pad), and allow you to use compatible cell phones as a remote.
Features of this device include the ability to browse Youtube, access Pandora, Netflix, Napster, news, sports, online commerce websites, photo services, social networking, create play lists, and much more — all from your TV.
Clear disadvantages:
No “real” remote. The only remote device is the keyboard with track-pad, which is kind of a big item to keep on the couch. Definitely not something to be left around jumping kids!
Bandwidth! Users who have limited bandwidth could easily go over their limits.
New technology, new ideas. Being the first generations of a device like this, it is likely to be outdated quickly and replaced with a new version. All new devices are prone to bugs. The price of this device is also likely to go down in a short period of time if it takes off. This is what you pay to be on the bleeding edge of technology.
Apps! Apps (for applications, of course) are a name I greatly despise. Think about it, apps are like poorly written small programs that do hardly anything, and half of them you have to pay for and you don’t know what you are getting until it’s too late! I am sure that for a period of time, apps will remain free — however, I am also sure that pointless apps and pay-for apps will pollute this device. Just look at the iPhone…
Purpose. GoogleTV does not seem to perform any function that a regular computer can not. Because of this, I know I won’t be getting GoogleTV any time soon.
