Google Chromecast Won't Kill Google TV--For Now
When Google announced its Chromecast media streaming device yesterday, many were alarmed that the dongle’s capabilities seemed to overlap quite a bit with Google TV. The implications there are important, as not only are there plenty of folks who are developing for the Google TV platform, Google has a number of hardware partners who might chafe at seeing their investments devalued.
More notably, Google has a habit of cancelling products that aren’t gaining sufficient traction (remember the Nexus Q?), and it’s not out of the question that Google TV, as it stands now, might fall into that category.
However, it’s all good news for Google TV; according to the Google TV Developer page, it’s not going anywhere. “No, in fact partners are continuing to launch new Google TV-enabled HDTVs and boxes,” reads the post. “As we announced at I/O, we are working with partners to bring the latest experience of Android and Chrome to devices later this year. We believe there is ample room for both products to exist and succeed.”
Ill-fated Google Nexus Q
Such assurances only mean so much, though. The reality is that now there are now two Google products that do essentially the same thing (albeit via quite different means), and Google will only keep both around for so long.
Sony's Google TV set-top box
Most likely, Google is just trying out as many viable ideas as it can and seeing what sticks. It wouldn’t be surprising to see some sort of marriage between Chromecast and Google TV at some point, but unless Chromecast tanks (which it very well might, you never know), Google TV will either be changed or be axed before too long.
More notably, Google has a habit of cancelling products that aren’t gaining sufficient traction (remember the Nexus Q?), and it’s not out of the question that Google TV, as it stands now, might fall into that category.
However, it’s all good news for Google TV; according to the Google TV Developer page, it’s not going anywhere. “No, in fact partners are continuing to launch new Google TV-enabled HDTVs and boxes,” reads the post. “As we announced at I/O, we are working with partners to bring the latest experience of Android and Chrome to devices later this year. We believe there is ample room for both products to exist and succeed.”
Ill-fated Google Nexus Q
Such assurances only mean so much, though. The reality is that now there are now two Google products that do essentially the same thing (albeit via quite different means), and Google will only keep both around for so long.
Sony's Google TV set-top box
Most likely, Google is just trying out as many viable ideas as it can and seeing what sticks. It wouldn’t be surprising to see some sort of marriage between Chromecast and Google TV at some point, but unless Chromecast tanks (which it very well might, you never know), Google TV will either be changed or be axed before too long.
