Google TV hasn’t been on high on Google’s list of priorities recently. It was only briefly mentioned at Google I/O with an Android Honeycomb upgrade and we’re still waiting for the UK launch to materialise. But a quietly made acquistion suggests that a rethought Google TV is in the works.
Google has bought Sage TV, a Californian set top box maker whose sole product combines DVR features with Slingbox-style placeshifting, and immediately shuttered its site. Could that technology about to be folded into Google TV?
Sticking the DVR features of Sage TV into Google TV doesn’t immediately make much sense. Google TV devices are already designed to work in tandem with existing DVRs and with its cloud-focused vision, Google isn’t likely to suddenly start hugging hard drives close.
The placeshifting element of Sage TV is much more likely to be Google’s target. Just as a Slingbox makes it simple to watch live or archived TV shows remotely, Sage TV could bring that ability to Google TV giving you TV on the go on Android phones.
Equally, there’s a possibility that like many companies before it, Sage TV’s staff and technology will be swallowed up into Google never to be seen again. Let us know in the comments: do you think a Slingbox-style swerve would make Google TV more appealing?
Out TBC | £TBC | Google (via 9 to 5 Google)
