Google TV Disappoints

While the new “Google TV” is making a big push for holiday sales, many doubt its potential for success. And while Google is usually smart and innovative in its technological endeavors, I must admit, I agree that their attempt at TV is flawed. As The New York Times’ David Pouge asserts, many technological big-wigs seem confident that the combination of TV and Web is the next big money-maker, but the masses are not cooperating with this theory. Pouge identifies our issue with web-based TV as a resistance to its innate requirement of active participation; i.e. the fact that you have to search around and actively browse the web to create your “playlists” and can no longer revel in the simplicity of aimless channel surfing up and down.

Besides being an active medium for a pastime that most people enjoy for its mindlessness, Google TV also lacks solid innovation, leaving even the most hardcore tech junkies with much to be desired. Google TV is little more than a hard-drive hooked up to a big-screen monitor. Sure, they refine the interfaces and aggregate content in their own way, but it’s little more than a revamped Netflix or iTunes on-demand. People- mostly the younger generations- consume content online because it is convenient and usually at no cost to the user. Google and others’ attempt at web-based TV is trying to monetize a practice that is enjoyed mainly because it is free. If TV and movies were free on an actual cable TV, people wouldn’t be using their personal computers.

I think what Google is underestimating is the intelligence of their users. My Mom and step-Dad disconnected their cable services years ago and have been using a laptop connected to a plasma-screen TV for their home entertainment ever since. This is essentially that—with added fees and a shinier remote control. Moreover, the interface is reportedly very confusing and frustrating, even for the savviest of nerds. Google of all people should get that people like things streamlined and user-friendly, yet their TV solution seems extremely hectic and over-stimulating. The tech-savvy people who would even attempt to try this are smart enough to know that they can get the same content (and much more) online themselves for cheaper, and I think Google should know better.

Clearly obtaining entertainment media online is a huge trend that’s here to stay, but I think it’s a little foolish for Apple or Google to think they can capitalize on it in clever new ways. There is no invention necessary; the Internet in and of itself is this “web TV” that they’re trying so hard to create. Wirelessly connected laptops offer the same content as the cable TV, but with the added convenience of portability and, often, financial freedom. The people that would most benefit from a TV operating system like Google’s are those older generations who want cheap on-demand entertainment that is much more easily accessibly and navigated than the vast worldwide web, but Google’s TV design clearly illustrates that they overlooked said demographic. 

 The grander scheme of things, this expensive trend among the big tech. companies does little to effectively combat piracy. 3D TV is also a little ridiculous, but at least it attempts to add something to the game. Google TV and the like simply take an existing consumption trend and make it look and sound fancy. I think this will prove to be little more than a fad that falls short, and illegal file-sharing and entertainment viewing will continue to prevail as the leading web-based TV use.