» Posts Tagged ‘googletv’
When I originally wrote, “Google TV is what independent filmmakers have been waiting for,” in retrospect I forgot the “is” at the beginning of the sentence and the question mark at the end. So far the answer to that question has been, admittedly and unfortunately, a resounding “no” — so much so that, despite being sent a Google TV by Google (in part because of writing that article), I still haven’t set it up. But when it comes to independent film distribution, the TV is the final frontier, and whether or not Google TV version 1 made an impact, version 2 is currently rolling out this week and looks to improve things significantly. Oh, and rumors are flying that Apple is apparently getting into the TV game for real (the current Apple TV is nothing more than a hobby). More »
Back in November I criticized Google’s Android operating system for lacking an iTunes-esque media marketplace. Android’s openness seemed a good match for independent content creators, except it lacked a streamlined way to sell media content. Yesterday, at Google I/O, the Big G finally announced an Android Movies Marketplace, as well as an Amazon Cloud Player
The day Google announced Google TV, I wrote “Google TV is what independent filmmakers have been waiting for.” I was bullish about the possibilities the device offered for getting independent content onto living room screens, and I also wrote a piece extolling the device’s (potential) virtues in the last issue of Filmmaker Magazine. Now that the device has launched to decidedly mixed reviews, however, do I feel Google TV is a failure? Not at all. Here’s why: More »
Big news out of the Sony camp on the PS3/Netflix integration, which is already pretty good: starting this coming Monday (Oct 18), Netflix will become a native application on the PS3, meaning Playstation users will no longer have to insert a disc to watch Netflix’s Watch Instantly content. On top of this, the new app will offer select content in full 1080p with 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound. These upgrades could make the PS3 the best Netflix machine under the sun (for now). Here’s the official word and a sneak peak at the new interface: More »
There’s a slick new Google TV site live today, and it does an excellent job of highlighting what’s new and different about gTV when compared to other connected set-top boxes. The fact that Google TV needs a guided tour, however, is indicative of the kind of uphill battle Google is faced with when trying to turn the so-called “idiot box” into something decidedly more intelligent. Here’s their new video spotlighting apps on TV: More »
Yesterday Apple launched a half-dozen new products, including a new Apple TV. Apple is no longer a computer company; they even changed their name from Apple Computer to Apple, Inc. in recognition of this. But while they’re very clearly a mobile devices company, the question that’s been lingering about Apple since they launched their lackluster first-gen Apple TV is whether they are a living room company too. With the new device, we have an answer to that question: “no.” More »
When Google announced Google TV, I called it “a device/spec that obliterates the line between ‘TV’ and ‘computer.’ Suddenly it’s going to be a lot easier to get content from around the web onto your TV.” At the time, however, I was only able to find the official Google launch video and a few blurry screen grabs to demonstrate the forthcoming device. Thanks to StuffWeLike, however, we now have a video of the device in action — and while the blurriness is still a problem and the camera work is awful, there are some interesting hints at potential game-changers contained in the clip: More »
I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, but I needed something to push myself over the edge. And so in writing my first article for the print edition of Filmmaker Magazine — now available digitally and hitting newsstands soon — I used “Koo” for the byline. No Ryan, no Bilsborrow. In the process I went from having three names (five if you count my hyphenated middle name, Tze-Ren) — to one. Yes, as far as bylines and credits go, from this point on I’m going simply as “Koo.” But why would I change my name (again)? Aren’t people going to think I’m a douchebag for doing this? More »
As is apparent in my post on Google TV, I’m excited about the future of VOD and what it could mean for independent film. Not because of cable companies and VOD channels like IFC and Sundance, but because a device like Google TV should allow us to surpass gatekeepers and deliver our content directly to the audience — without a middle man taking a cut. I’ve got some ideas in this space that I’ll be building out once my own feature reaches the distribution stage, but for now, Zak Forsman has posted an awesome tutorial at the Workbook Project on how to build your own streaming pay-site: More »
Rumors are circulating that Apple will soon release a 1080p Apple TV running iPhone OS 4 for just $99. Though Apple was long at work on this upgrade before the announcement of Google TV, the two devices are similar in that they both run on mobile operating systems (Google TV will run on Android). More important than the pricing or OS of the rumored Apple TV refresh, however, is what this could mean for Apple’s strategy of selling and distributing content. More »
Google just announced Google TV, a device/spec that obliterates the line between “TV” and “computer.” Suddenly it’s going to be a lot easier to get content from around the web onto your TV — because your TV has full access to the web. Sure, some TVs and devices support limited web functionality today, but with Google TV it will no longer be a matter of which widgets your set-top box or Blu-ray player supports, because Google TV is a full operating system (powered by Android) that can access any website (including Flash-based content) and run applications (from day one, you’ll be able to run Android apps like Pandora). While I think there will be problems with how the OS organizes this wealth of content, the fact is that Google TV is going to make it a lot easier to get independently-produced content onto the big (home) screen. Video and analysis after the jump: More »
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