Technology Android

[masta247]

Yup, personally I don't think it's what a lot of people want or need and marketing was too weak to make people want that more. Also there are easier, faster, cheaper solutions, like Pittsey said.

To me - I don't need another device if I can achieve the same thing with my PC hooked up to my TV. You can turn that into a media center and improve usability even more by getting yourself a PC remote and one of.. like a million of programs that are made for that if you want to. Personally I use my phone as a remote for my PC and see everything on the TV, so it can't get better than that for me.
Also I'm a fan of minimizing the amount of devices that I have. If it was built in to my gaming console - that would be fine by me.

 

[Casey]

LG might show off Google TV hardware at CES

By Richard Lawler

posted Nov 12th 2011 11:55AM​

​

Turns out the Apple TV isn't the only one to see rehashed rumors making the rounds, as Bloomberg has dredged up "people with knowledge of the project" to say LG could show off hardware featuring Google TV at CES 2012. Of course, slow-to-materialize new software apparently put a stop to LG, Sharp, and Toshiba's plans at last year's show, leaving Samsung and Vizio alone to bear the flag. Making the timing of this rumor conspicuous however, is news of Logitech sitting out the next round of Google TV, the aforementioned Cupertino project, and Sony's promise of a "different kind of TV" floating around recently. Now that the Honeycomb update and Android Market access actually exist, Google's next big task is securing more partnerships for content and hardware -- we'll find out how successful it's been in January.

 

[dilla]

Well, to different people these things mean different things. When I first used it, I loved it. I still do. And while it's a good bit more easier to use than hooking up your computer to your TV, I can't justify paying for it and then having to re-orient myself to using that versus my Xbox.

I don't pay for music. Or movies. Or TV. Never have, never will. So half of GTV has gone for me, since they want me to pay for shit. I would rather just download episodes to a flash drive, stick em in my Xbox and watch them on my TV. Laptop in-hand, I can browse the web too.

If it were cheaper, sure. I know it dropped in price, but I don't think I'd get it unless it went on clearance at like...$79....and probably less.

 

[masta247]

Well, to different people these things mean different things. When I first used it, I loved it. I still do. And while it's a good bit more easier to use than hooking up your computer to your TV

How is that 'a good bit more easier'? To me there's nothing easier than having a PC hooked up to the TV. You hook it up once and then you can use everything you have on your PC.

 

[dilla]

Because your remote is your keyboard and mouse as well. The box is smaller than your desktop tower, probably.

 

[Casey]

Because your remote is your keyboard and mouse as well. The box is smaller than your desktop tower, probably.

Yeah, the remote that comes with Sony's Google TV's is like this:

Way more comfortable than using a wireless keyboard/mouse.

But you can also use your Android phone with the Google TV Remote app:

Which gives you the bonus of voice commands as well.

 

[masta247]

Because your remote is your keyboard and mouse as well. The box is smaller than your desktop tower, probably.

But I have a desktop tower anyway, so it takes less space than desktop tower and another device. Less cords too, and I have all media content that I watch on my PC anyway. And if I want something I don't have I have a far bigger choice of programs (and/or websites) that I could use to get it.

I use my phone as a wireless remote, it's connected to my PC via a wifi network. I can also do it the other way around - see the contents of my phone on my TV which I assume is more like Google TV.
When I want more comfort I use a wireless keyboard and I think it's more comfortable than a remote or a phone too. Also PC offers me way more possibilities. So the way I see Google TV and all other similar products would be like a mini-PC, with a mobile operating system. If I had no PC or laptop or a phone around, I could use it. But if I had one of those devices I'd rather use them.

Now a different thing - if my TV had the system preinstalled I would probably use it from time to time. I'd probably get up from my bed and launch PC anyway for bigger functionality but I could see myself launching Skype or Youtube while still in bed. But that's what you could do with almost any modern TV without Google TV.

 

[Casey]

When I want more comfort I use a wireless keyboard

How do you use a wireless keyboard when you're lounging, kicked back on the sofa watching the TV? Put it on the coffee table and lean forward or what?

 

[Pittsey]

The solution I have now has a remote. Can do everything any PC or laptop can. Can be controlled via an iphone, ipad or android device... Can do anything that googletv can do and a million times more than appletv...

Granted, googletv has tons of potential. And I will be adopting when / if it meets it's potential... I am 99% sure the software I use now will be available as an application on googletv and most probably on appletv too.

I also don't pay for any movies or TV. I even get my SKY Tv for free, and every satellite channel in Europe and the Middle East... But I have to use another solution for that.

 

[masta247]

How do you use a wireless keyboard when you're lounging, kicked back on the sofa watching the TV? Put it on the coffee table and lean forward or what?

I either keep in on my lap (when I have to type) or it just lies on my bed/sofa. Anyway, when I want to feel cool I use my phone. Actually using keyboard feels more comfortable than a remote or phone, especially since I have to use it to write too, without having to get up to reach my PC. Writing on a phone or remote isn't as comfortable. Logitech had a good solution with their Google TV keyboard, but I get the same from my standard Logitech keyboard, but since it's hooked up to my PC which is hooked up to my TV and my PC display at the same time I can do more. So there's simply no reason for me to use Google TV. Like I said, I would probably use one for simple tasks if it was integrated in my TV.

 

[ARon]

Seems like Pittsey is winning.

 

[dilla]

The best solution is to use an Xbox for movies and shows you download and use a USB to connect to your Xbox. I never could get XBMC to work for me, and I think that's what Pitts has.

At the end of the day, what I'm trying to say is having the Google TV there to browse the internet and watch TV and use all the apps was a tad bit more easier than having my computer connected and using a wireless mouse and keyboard to get everything done. The only thing holding me back was the price. I can't justify paying over $100 for it. It needs to be significantly cheaper. Then I can vouch for buying it for internet and TV in one in your living room. Otherwise, Xbox and laptop is fine enough. GTV is just simpler.

 

[masta247]

The best solution is to use an Xbox for movies and shows you download and use a USB to connect to your Xbox. I never could get XBMC to work for me, and I think that's what Pitts has.

I don't think it's the best solution. Why not just play them straight from the computer? You don't have to transfer anything. There's a HDMI cable that connects my PC with my TV 24/7. I can watch anything I want straight from it.

The differences might come from our setups at homes. I have my PC next to my TV, with my PC display also next to my TV. So I can lay on my bed and watch both at the same time, use keyboard to download new things while watching a movie I downloaded earlier. I can also browse web, use messengers and such at the same time.
I don't see a better solution for me. I can do everything and it's perfectly comfortable.

If I had a huge living room with my computer in a different room I can see how I'd seek different solutions.

 

[Casey]

I don't have a TV in my bedroom (anymore), my flatscreen and PC setup are in my living room.

It's bad feng shui to have a computer or TV in your bedroom. Plus, when I used to do that, I'd end up staying up way longer for no reason looking at random shit on the internet and never sleeping lol.

Obviously not everyone lives alone though, if I didn't live alone I guess I'd have to have at least the computer setup in my bedroom.

 

[dilla]

Well, my room set up right now (away from home and in a hotel) is a king size bed in front of a TV. Said TV has an Xbox connected to it with a wired controller that's always within reach. If I want to play video games, I can. Watch a video from a USB drive, again, arm's reach for the controller. My laptop is also on my side table. So my bed is one big ass desk, and I can control just about anything electronic in my room.

Google TV would not be any different for me if I had the set up here.

 

[Casey]

http://technorati.com/technology/gadgets/article/to-android-fans-and-android-lovers/

 

[THEV1LL4N]

Yes, while Flash is a really cool technology for a lot of things Silverlight is pointless. Especially since we have html5.

the only reason i installed Silverlight was when it was first made publicly available. It was when I was really into wrestling again and wanted to check something on the WWE website which required Silverlight. Pretty pointless.

 

[Pittsey]

I don't think it's the best solution. Why not just play them straight from the computer? You don't have to transfer anything. There's a HDMI cable that connects my PC with my TV 24/7. I can watch anything I want straight from it.

The differences might come from our setups at homes. I have my PC next to my TV, with my PC display also next to my TV. So I can lay on my bed and watch both at the same time, use keyboard to download new things while watching a movie I downloaded earlier. I can also browse web, use messengers and such at the same time.
I don't see a better solution for me. I can do everything and it's perfectly comfortable.

If I had a huge living room with my computer in a different room I can see how I'd seek different solutions.

I use XBMC, but not an xbox.

I have a server which downloads all my media for me. It monitors the release of movies I like and newest TV shows. If a new episode of Breaking Bad (as an example) is released in a 720p format, as that is what I want, it will add it to my download queue and download it for me. It will then delete all the crap and move the video to my tv series folder for breaking bad. It does the same with all my stuff.

All I then do is switch on my media player by my TV, or any tv with the same, or a PC (although why I would, I don't know). Anyway... I switch on my tv, I get a lovely GUI with ratings, synopisis and all the other IMDB malarky.... And it's there waiting for me. I don't even need to know if it's been released or click one button... IT is great...

As ARon said.... Winning.

@ Casey... I currently have a TV in my bedroom. I am considering removing it, as I think it is bad practice also.

 

[dilla]

I thought XBMC stood for "Xbox Media Center." What the fuck. It doesn't? There was something called that that did similar things, but that was years ago. I thought that was the same thing.

Damn.

 

[THEV1LL4N]

I thought XBMC stood for "Xbox Media Center." What the fuck. It doesn't? There was something called that that did similar things, but that was years ago. I thought that was the same thing.

Damn.

it is the same thing, but it was made 'open' and im sure that variants based on it were released for numerous platforms:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XBMC#XBMC_platforms