Android powered TV by Sony/Google

[masraum]

So, Sony is making an Internet TV powered by Google (which is running Android).

Sony gets Google TV right | ZDNet

Pre-installed apps for the various devices include Netflix, Pandora, Twitter, YouTube, and Sony’s Qriocity streaming-video service. Also promised for later this fall is an app to control Google TV via select Android phones. Additional apps will become available via the Android Market early next year.

Sony is also making a BluRay player in case you don't want to buy a whole TV.


Sony/Google/Android TV and Bluray
Sony Internet TV | Sony | SonyStyle USA

[masraum]

not enough geeks around here, I guess.

[TimT]

I guess they are shifting away from Linux?? or combining the functionality of the set top box in to the tv?

Don't the DVRs and STB run on Linux?

The Android OS is going major league?

[Scuba Steve]

Phones and their OSes change too often. Seems like this is something that'd be hard to get support for before too long.

[89911]

Hey, I'll get my geek on. I purchased a Sony LCD tv a few month ago for the very reason of doing a combination of web based programming in combination with my Comcast HD DVR. The Sony came with a WIFI dongle (don't you like those names) that allowed it to use the Sony applets that came on the Bravia TV. I thought this was my ticket. Needless to say, I was underwhelmed. The wifi isn't fast enough to watch an HD programming without incessant buffering. No Skype either which is one of the reason we got the tv for. I did some research and found about Google TV but really didn't see how it is much better then a CPU hooked up to the TV.

Fast forward to what we ended up doing. I was able to hardwire my phone line in the area (fortunately it was a Cat5 cable used) and connect with some serious fishing to my present router. I then got a Dell small form factor 580s maxed out for graphics for about $700. The router I use has gigabit ports along with the cpu so bye bye buffering. I just route the hdmi cable to the tv along with the cable box hdmi and use the TV for switching in between. If you use a VGA cable, the Sony will let you do PIP, but I don't see the need. I use a keyboard trackball combo to run everything and thats it. YouTube HD can be watched like its cable programming. Hard to tell the difference.

I know it is a couple of $100 more the the Google may be whenever it comes out. But I doubt it will have as much flexibility as what I am using now.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by TimT

I guess they are shifting away from Linux?? or combining the functionality of the set top box in to the tv?

Don't the DVRs and STB run on Linux?

The Android OS is going major league?

Android is based on Linux.

Originally Posted by Scuba Steve

Phones and their OSes change too often. Seems like this is something that'd be hard to get support for before too long.

Android is evolving, that's for sure. The TV will supposedly support updates. I imagine you'd be able to download them from the TV directly.

Heck, my current Bluray player AND my TV have both had multiple updates released for them, and I have updated both.

[JavaBrewer]

Going from an iPhone to Android (ATT Captivate) all I can say is Android has a way to go. As a developer I love the access (tools/apps/root/etc...) but in all honesty the Android platform might be the next PC...lots of options at the expense of integration...not that it's a bad thing.

Apple with their iOS run the show. Devices are fixed which makes it convenient for a developer to create rich apps. With Android there is no control of hardware which makes developers jump through extra hoops...or just focus on a subset of the market.

[Scuba Steve]

Originally Posted by masraum

Android is based on Linux.



Android is evolving, that's for sure. The TV will supposedly support updates. I imagine you'd be able to download them from the TV directly.

Heck, my current Bluray player AND my TV have both had multiple updates released for them, and I have updated both.

A TV is a longer-life device though. I'm seriously wondering if they plan on supporting software updates for the next 10-15 years. I mean it could happen, but I'd be surprised.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Scuba Steve

A TV is a longer-life device though. I'm seriously wondering if they plan on supporting software updates for the next 10-15 years. I mean it could happen, but I'd be surprised.

I know what you're saying. I know TVs used to have a 10-15 year lifetime, but I don't think they're making them like that any more. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

[mca]

Gingerbread is about to drop. Supposed to be radically faster than Froyo. I hear they are VERY close to release.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by mca

Gingerbread is about to drop. Supposed to be radically faster than Froyo. I hear they are VERY close to release.

Which is crazy because Froyo was supposed to be much faster than previous. Yeah, I think there are rumors of Gingerbread before year end. I've got one of the newest phones, G2, 800MHz processer with a killer GPU, so I should be good to go when it does come out, fingers crossed.