For connected TV, last year was a colorful year. Google announced Google TV in May 2010 (and officially sold it in October of the same year), and Apple also updated their own Apple TV in October of the same year. At the same time, there are Yahoo TV Widgets that have been fighting for a long time in the market, and Roku and Boxee Box which are similar in nature to Apple TV.
Although there is no clear winner yet, this is still an interesting and worthy study. Everyone's strategy has some characteristics that are different from others, and obviously there are different opinions on how to define "why users need TV Internet access" and how users should use TV Internet access. Of course, it is difficult to draw a conclusion now. Who wins, but after all, since it has almost included the major technology players here. Perhaps one of them will be the future of television.
Google TV: Great ambitions and insufficient preparation
Google TV announced in May last year, the goal is "TV meets web, web meets TV"-the combination of TV and Internet. This is an ambitious goal, but so far the development has not been smooth. As far as the status quo is concerned, it is more like "moving the browser, keyboard and mouse" to the TV. This has advantages and disadvantages.
The biggest advantage of Google TV is that it combines search with TV. For example, if you want to watch CNN, you don't need to remember which CNN is in. Just type "CNN" in the search bar and click on the found result. You remember which movie station to play the movie "IncepTIon" today, but you forgot the time and the channel, it doesn't matter, just call the search bar to find it. Just like a computer: open the search bar to find out what you want. It's just that the objects they are looking for change from network information to TV shows.
The disadvantage is that in order to be able to do so, he makes the operating interface as complex as a computer. Although the TV remote control is becoming more and more complicated, few people directly use the computer's QWERTY keyboard on the remote control (there are even Ctrl and Alt keys on it. Those who don't use a computer know who does this ). Typing with the keyboard is good, but when you just want to choose a channel or adjust the volume, you still have to get a keyboard that cannot be used with one hand. How do you feel?
The Google TV Remote App, which was later launched on smartphones, is a solution that can compare the best of both worlds. The interface on the touch screen can be adjusted according to the situation, and there is also a voice control function. However, Google TV does not come with an Android device with this feature, so this can only be regarded as an additional option.
Google TV can also surf the Internet and browse general websites. This is also a place where QWERTY keyboard has the advantage: the traditional way of typing URLs is too painful. But there is also a question: Why should I use the general website on Google TV? Now that the computer penetration rate is so high, not to mention the development of tablets and smart phones in full swing. As far as the current evaluation is concerned, the operability and experience of Google TV will definitely not be better than them.
It is a possibility to browse streaming videos on a video website, but this matter has also been slapped hard: the four major TV operators in the United States (NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox) block Google TV and use Google TV It is not possible to browse the TV programs available on their website in real time. Although the far-reaching cause of this incident involved Google ’s previous unfamiliarity with the above-mentioned industry on Youtube and searching for copyright violations, it is an indisputable fact that Google TV ’s appeal to consumers is even more reduced for whatever reason.
In conclusion, Google TV has many problems. Although it has the ambitious goal of combining the Internet with TV, but first of all did not deal with the TV industry, and then the operation mode is too close to the computer rather than the TV. The use of Android as the operating system makes people very interested in the development of its third-party apps in the future, but even Youtube currently uses a browser to directly open web pages rather than stand-alone apps. It is rumored that Google is stepping up work to update Google TV, and at the same time, Google IO, which will be held in May this year, will also have an App / Web App section on Google TV. Expect a refreshing development by then.
Apple TV: Stable and stable with its own services
In contrast to Google TV, the second-generation Apple TV, which was launched last October.
Apple TV is completely the opposite of Google TV: it can't accept TV number input, and can't go to general websites, so it doesn't have an entire keyboard as an input device. There are only seven simple buttons on the remote control (up, down, left, right, play / pause, menu / cancel, confirm), and most of the functions that can be used are Apple's own services (youtube and twitter, usa and Netflix, but these (Standard equipment for networked TV installations). The revised second generation removed the hard drive and changed all the videos to streaming (so it can only rent movies), while greatly reducing the price and volume.
The main content of Apple TV:
â— Movie: Apple's iTunes store movie "rent" service. You can view trailers, other people's thoughts, other works by the same actor or director, etc.
â— AirPlay: From iOS devices (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) or iTunes on a computer, movies or music can be played on Apple TV via Wifi. For example, you can use your TV to play videos on your iPhone without wiring.
â— Home Sharing: The actual use is similar to AirPlay, the same is to play the iTunes content on the computer on Apple TV, but all operations can be achieved with the remote control of Apple TV.
â— An iOS device can be used as a remote control for Apple TV (connected via Wifi). It is more convenient when typing, fast forwarding or rewinding.
The advantage of Apple TV is that it is relatively cheap, small, and the interface is clear and easy to understand. The Logitech set-top box sold on Google TV is as high as $ 299, and the current Apple TV is only $ 99. The disadvantage is that it is highly dependent on the company ’s various related services: if you do n’t use an iOS device, you do n’t need iTunes on your computer to organize music videos, and you are not interested in the videos in the iTunes Store, he is not of much value. Of course, if you often use the company's products, the above shortcomings may turn into advantages. With the current popularity of iOS devices, this may not be too worrying.
Yahoo! Connected TV: Unique TV Widget system
Yahoo! Connected TV focuses on its own Widget system. The so-called Widgets are straight long pages displayed side by side in the form of sidebars. Using the Widget provided by Yahoo, you can watch TV, weather, news, Facebook, Flickr, etc. Users can use the simple up, down, left, right, red, green, yellow and blue buttons on the remote control to control.
In addition, Yahoo! Connected TV also did not sell a "box" alone in this introduction, and their systems are directly tied with TV manufacturers.
Yahoo! Connected TV is actually much earlier than Google TV. It appeared in early 2009 when they announced their cooperation with Samsung and Sony. In the past two years, the cooperative manufacturers have continued to expand to LG, VIZIO and Toshiba. But obviously, at least for now, Yahoo! Connected TV is still developing very slowly, and it is no wonder that after Google TV came out, these "partners" have also embraced the new company.
But this situation may change again. Earlier this year, Yahoo announced that their system would add a widget that “updates and reflects relevant content in real time with programs or advertisementsâ€, and there will be a novel interface for remote control from smartphones and iPads. At the same time, starting in March this year, developers will be able to write Widgets for fees (according to industry practice, 73 accounts).
In terms of manipulation complexity and feature richness, Yahoo! Connected TV is actually between the current Apple TV and Google TV: the remote controller is not as large and complex as Google TV, but its functions are much more abundant than Apple TV. The problem with Yahoo! Connected TV is: Can Widgets make effective use of TV content? With the increasing number of tablets and smart phones, widgets that are not related to TV content will become less attractive to consumers (they can directly use mobile devices on their hands).
Streaming video box: Roku and Boxee Box
Roku sells devices that are closer to Apple TV, and the main function is also simple: watch streaming videos. Roku offers many options including Hulu Plus and Netflix (Hulu Plus is not available in the above three manufacturers), and the minimum device is only 59 US dollars.
Of course, compared to Apple TV, there are still some things missing (all from Apple's own): iTunes Movie, AirPlay, iTunes Home Sharing, etc., but here depends on the choice of customers. Depending on demand, Roku ’s price and content competitiveness will not be lost to Apple TV.
Boxee Box is a very special device, the special thing is that in fact its software is released cross-platform free (the official website also teaches you how to fill Boxee on your own hardware for free), and the remote control of Box is turned It is a small keyboard. Functionally, Boxee is closer to Apple TV or Roku. Its main function is to watch streaming videos or video files you have at home.
For now, Boxee's strength lies in playing files through the home network or SD card. It is reported that it can play files in almost all formats. In the online streaming video, the number of supported sources seems to be inferior to Roku. In addition, the price of $ 199 is also an obstacle compared to Apple TV or Roku. Of course, you can use the computer you don't need at home as you said.
Home musical instruments: corners that are easily overlooked
The first thing to talk about is Wii. Yes, Nintendo's home musical instrument was released in 2006.
Was it unexpected? In Japan, in addition to watching the weather and news, or watching photos with an SD card, Wii can also view TV program listings, go to the general website (also has Flash Lite on it), and even call out. Even in the US, there is Netflix on it.
The advantage of Wii is that its Wii Remote's remote control is very intuitive. Comparing the experience of Google TV with the general website of Wii, you will know that Wii Remote is used to scroll, zoom in and out on web pages, and it is intuitive and easy to understand. In addition, due to the hot sales in the past, there are already tens of millions of Wii in the market. It is a pity that it is limited by Wii's own video output capabilities, and it is difficult to expect him to compete with competitors in streaming movies.
Microsoft's Xbox 360 is a combination of film and community in the US market. In addition to their own Zune movies and Netflix, there are Last.fm music and EPSN sports programs. In terms of community, Facebook and Twitter are combined. In addition, you can also chat and share photos through Xbox Live. In addition, the company's hot selling Kinect after its launch last year is expected to bring a more intuitive operating experience to the Xbox 360.
PS3 has the ability to play BD (Blu-ray Disc) from the beginning, and now PS3 can also be connected to Sony's own PlayStaTIon Store and Netflix in the United States. In Japan, after connecting with the small box "torne" sold by Sony, the PS3 can also receive TV numbers to watch TV, and can also use the same company's handheld upstream instrument PSP to remotely control and watch movies.
So ... the future connected TV?
Although these are called "connected TV" at a stretch, everyone can see that they are quite different. So, how exactly will these devices affect the future of connected TV?
First of all, although Wii, Xbox360 and PS3 and other home game instruments gradually have functions other than games, they can also easily occupy a place near the home TV. But after all, the main game is a game, and their versatility is more like an added value for people who already have game needs. Due to the huge amount of sales, they can still have a considerable influence, but from this perspective, their position is similar to the palm-type game instruments that are also more and more versatile. TV is just a way to output.
The essence of Apple TV, Roku and Boxee Box is "watching movies on TV", whether it is to rent movies online or put them on a computer or iOS device at home. With the gradual completion and expansion of pricing strategies and functions, they may have good development. However, like home musical instruments, they are an independent information output device, which has nothing to do with the TV programs broadcast in real time every day.
Yahoo! Connected TV and Google TV are two programs that will be directly related to the programs broadcast by TV stations. On Google TV, you can directly use the keyboard to "search" for programs. On the Yahoo side, it is expected to launch a Widget that displays extended program information. The musical instrument industry has existed for more than ten years, and the types and models of streaming movies (or "online rentals") have gradually been established, but no matter what Yahoo! Connected TV or Google TV does, no one has yet Achieve universal success worldwide.
Of course, this does not mean that they will eventually sell well. No one's success here may mean that the market does not need similar products, but it can be said that this is a direction that is still full of uncertainty and development space. TV shopping and TV commercials have huge business opportunities every year, but the way they are presented has not improved and cleverly compared to thirty years ago. Perhaps, we can expect a successful idea and product, completely subvert our method of using TV, and bring new weather to the TV industry.
Rice Mill,Rice Mill Machine,Small Rice Milling Machine,Rice Mill Equipment
Hunan Furui Mechanical and Electrical Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. , https://www.thresher.nl