Google TV and the Omitted Reasons for Doubt
December 29, 2010
Point your browser to the eWeek story “Google TV Is Failing: 10 Reasons Why.” The reasons seem okay. I don’t want to recite the list, but I can highlight two of the 10 reasons and invite you to navigate to the original write up.
This reason struck me as interesting. “The studios aren’t happy.” Or this one: Consumers don’t know about Google TV or aren’t ready.
Plausible? Sure. Related to Google TV? Nope. Consumers are buying content from studios via Apple, Netflix, and other vendors. These consumers represent a tiny fraction of the rich media guzzlers in the US. So “consumers” does not mean Joe and Janet Six-pack. Consumers mean those in the know and armed with dough. Those consumers are not gaga over Google TV.
Are these the “real” reasons for the rumors about Google TV looking a little anemic? Nope.
Our research into Google’s technology reveals a number of items, but I want to highlight two of them in this free blog posting. (If you want more, use the info on the About page to contact us.)
Real Reason 1: Google lacks nuts and bolts consumer savvy. How do we know? Check out the writings from Googlers about rich media. The world referenced in patent applications for rich media are oddly disconnected from the down and dirty market place. The “background” sections of Google patent applications provide some interesting reading. Also, there are public comments from Googlers about rich media. Google is not a consumer product company any more than your local water or electric company is consumer oriented. Different viewpoints ensure that the world of consumers and utility functions are miles apart. The scary part? The local utility monopolies will answer the phone when I call. Google, not so much.
Real Reason 2: Google engineers for engineers. Engineers love Google. My dad, not so much. Examples range from the Google Chrome browser which lacks the silly common user interface buttons for File operations. Or, Google’s Android phones that allow endless customization but allow some partners to slap a non Google interface on the phone so an average Six-pack family can make a call.
Why aren’t these points about Google more widely discussed? My hunch is that most folks want to get free Google mouse pads or get invited to the Google campus for free Odwallas. I also think that some folks hope that Google will hire them. The result is that analysis of Google is peculiar. The truth is right there to see, but no one wants to pull together the facts.
One example is Google an rich media. The company has been chugging along in the weird world of patent applications for years. Rich media starts popping up five or six years ago. The inventions sound great on paper, but the reality of the delivered services impress because hugely expensive YouTube.com content is delivered in ever increasing streams. The consumer wants some of that YouTube info, but the mass TV market is sticking with other methods and more importantly, other vendors.
Facebook is a giant photo outfit. In the next few months, rich media is going to play a larger role. Our team is watching what Facebook will do with “real” content and with the YouTube-type content. Unless Google figures out how to woo the consumers, Apple and other rich media purveyors may be joined by Facebook. In short, Facebook may be part of the reason why Google put into the market a product that appears to be out of step with where the rich media action is. We think a social spin on traditional movie and TV content may be a significant disruptor in the world beyond Google.
Just our opinion.
Stephen E Arnold, December 29, 2010
Freebie, of course.
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I’m going to be up front and say I work at DISH and this was how I got access to the Logitech Revue for the first time, but more than just an employee, I am a consumer. I’m not going to be loyal to a brand or service unless that brand or service performs for me and is a good value. I love Google TV. I’m not required to have it for my work, and I certainly didn’t get anything for free… I think it’s a great product at a great price.