Brief Review of Google TV

For some reason, I have been all over getting new technology lately. The list of things I want is just growing. New 3D tv, Xbox Kinect, iPhone 4, etc. However, there was one device I was not willing to wait for...Google TV.

At SXSW, there was a lot of emphasis on the future of TV. Namely, how existing technology will converge allowing TVs to be more interactive household appliances. Think about it, just hook the TV up to the internet and you have a ton of video available, both premium and free, shopping, video chat, specialized applications for programming, etc.

Google TV is looking to make a splash right into the middle of this.

The initial experience with Google TV is not bad. Its a slim little device that connects to a TV via HDMI. One cable in from the cable box and one cable to the TV. If anyone remembers original TiVo...this is about 100 times easier to hook up.

The set-up is pretty quick from there...just connecting to your Google account, adjusting a couple of settings, and you are off. What does that mean...essentially you TV now has a home page. Google TV gives you an interface for apps (think CNN and NBA), quick connect to YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, and of course a listing of what is currently on. All of this controlled through a keyboard remote (or a free iPhone app). It is easy to get to content of all sorts and then play it through the TV.

Sony is the other company distributing Google TV, which is integrated with new TVs. While this experience is more seamless it is also more expensive. Logitech Revue is only $299.

Anyway, I am curious to keep banging away on my shiny new object, but thought I would give TCD readers a brief review of my first experience with Google TV.