Will Google Succeed with TV Where Apple and Microsoft Have Fallen Short?

Leslie D'Monte recently covered Google's linking of TV and the Web. She notes that Google believes there is a huge market opportunity in this space with around 4 billion people across the world watching TV. But also notes the not-so-successful forays of Apple and Microsoft to bring the internet to TV with Apple TV and MSN TV.

The browser on Google TV is simply the Linux version of Google Chrome. The user interface will have to be modified for TV. The same Android software that powers Google's mobile devices is being used with Google TV. With the browser built in, Google TV is expected to help you access all of your favorite websites and easily move between TV and the web. The open platforms of Andriod and Chrome open up room for developers to add to the initial functionality.

Leslie notes that many other players have been in this market for a while. TiVO had many fo the features in 2003. Other TV hardware providers that are competitive to Google’s partner, SONY, have other means to access the Web. Moreover, one could view content from Amazon Video-On Demand, YouTube and Netflix even in 2007. Then there are competing set-top box products like Boxee, PopBox and Roku.

Sean Portnoy looks at a different set of competitors for Google TV and asks on ZDNet, Will Google TV Threaten Cable Providers?  He begins by also noting that despite the buzz surrounding its launch, Apple TV never gave cable companies much to worry about. Now it is Google’s turn.  Perhaps to no surprise he notes that Google’s approach is far more insidious with its more open approach.

First, Sean notes that by buying a Google TV box for a one-time fee or a new HDTV with Google TV built in, you are then not resigned to pay an extra monthly fee when pay TV providers decide to add new features like Web integration to their packages. 

And we all know that this Web convergence is coming. In fact this convergence tees up Sean’s second and potentially bigger issue. With Google TV more subscribers will no longer see the need to continue being cable customers, since much of their viewing needs could be met with online video they could watch through the Google TV platform.

However, the battle is far from over as there are still plenty of people who are perfectly satisfied continuing to order on-demand movies from their cable box instead of streaming them online from Netflix or Amazon. I am one of them so far and just paid to see two new movies through Comcast this afternoon.. Perhaps I am just lazy but ease of access is a big factor with entertainment and I am not a gadget person like many others.

Google TV may urge on more innovation or reform by the cable providers. I have seen a great increase in Comcast’s on-demand since options like Netflicks became more prominent. Hopefully this will result in a win for consumers regardless of the outcome. All this competition does seem to ensure one thing, the Web and TV are becoming more connected to the benefit of viewers regardless of which vendors win. 

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