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Is Google Search Coming to Your TV

2010-03-08 16:30
Google is testing a new television programming search service in conjunction with Dish Network, according to The Wall Street Journal.The service, which appears to be very much in a limited testing phase, runs on a special set-top box and apparently searches content from both the Dish programming guide, as well as web video services like YouTube. Without any details about the specific implementation, it 8217;s unclear how similar this venture is to the new upcoming TiVo Premiere service that was announced last week.Perhaps the most interesting aspect of The Wall Street Journal 8217;s report dealt less with the service itself and more with the technology that powers the set-top box. Apparently, portions of Google 8217;s Android OS power the Google-enabled device. While Android has been spotted on other devices like tablets and netbooks (or, so-called smartbooks), a move to the embedded device space could be huge.As consumer electronics rapidly shift toward connectivity (hey, it might have taken us 15 years, but now everything is moving at a rapid pace), there are huge opportunities for embedded systems developers. As it stands, most embedded devices use either a custom-built kernel or a modified version of BusyBox, but Google could theoretically offer a framework that would be both free and value-rich for device makers, while also offering opportunities that impact Google 8217;s core business.Of course, this isn 8217;t Google 8217;s first foray into television. Back in 2008, Google AdWords launched Google TV Ads as a platform for companies to buy airtime in various markets. That project hasn 8217;t been as successful as other Google ventures, but perhaps a more direct way of tying search to television would have better results.What do you think about the possibility of having Google on your TV Let us know!Tags: dish network, embedded devices, google search, google tv, iptv
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