This morning’s news that Logitech is abandoning its Google TV-packing Revue set top box shows just how hard a sell properly, web-connected TV still is. Logitech has said that the service lacked software that was of a consistently high standard, while its decision will doubtless have been affected by the fact that studio backing is notable by its absence.
So, what does an internet TV service, whether it’s Google TV or Apple TV, need to do to succeed and become an essential, mainstream must-have just like smartphones? Here’s our wish list.
Improved app support
Yes, Google TV has apps and Apple TV’s AirPlay Mirroring means you can play apps from your iPhone and iPad on your box. But we’re talking about a full-on, proper app network, one which has a developer community just like Android and iOS. Yes, Samsung Smart TVs go some way to addressing this, but Google and Apple need to dive and liven this space up, and soon. Hopefully, plans to improve Google TV in 2012, as well as Apple’s much-mooted flatscreen TV will go some way to fixing this issue.
Push notifications during shows
Something we’d love to see built into smart TV boxes and boobtubes. When there’s a show on we love, or a move starring an actor we like, we want push notifications to tell us all about it, as well as offering us the chance to watch it there and then, or record it with the press of a button. This’d require a special app for you to load up with your personal preferences, but it can’t be far off. Imagine being able to watch an Arnie flick whenever it was on, without referring to an EPG.
Agree international deals
For too long, set top boxes in the UK have lacked the access to decent content that our pals across the pond have. That’s not necessarily the case with Google TV, which has faced issues with networks and studios, but Apple TV is notably better in the States, with greater film access and TV shows too. There’s no chance of connected TV services going mainstream if the right deals can’t be tied up.
User recognition
This might seem far-fetched, but hear us out. Set top boxes currently cater for the whole house, when what people really want is to plonk themselves down on the sofa and choose apps and shows personal to them. Basically, if your better half snags a load of add-ons that are total tat, you don’t want to have to sit through them. Using facial recognition, internet TV services could call up your personal preferences. This isn’t as insane as it sounds. Android Ice Cream Sandwich’s Face Unlock service could act as the basis for a Google TV function along these lines,
Improved streaming channel menus
When it comes to internet TV, things need to be simplified even more than they already are. That means a menu structure which shows all the streaming services available at that moment, while in the same place showing Live TV information. The only way internet telly will break out is by becoming ever easier to get to grips with.
