Money Matters, Simplified.
Google, Apple to vie for the Internet TV market
by Jamie Anderson - September 8, 2010 - comments
Google CEO Eric Schmidt disclosed that the company’s TV service will go live in the United States over the next few weeks
The battle lines are drawn. It’s Apple versus Google. Market share of the ‘Internet TV’ is what these behemoths will battle it out for.
One winner for sure is the customer who may be confused at the outset but will surely reap the benefits as these majors vie for a larger chunk of his living room time.
A week after Steve Jobs unveiled a refurbished Apple TV product, Google CEO Eric Schmidt uncovered a new service to compete it.
"Once you have Google television, you're going to be very busy. It's going to ruin your evening," said Schmidt at the IFA conference in Berlin.
Google not to venture in content production
The CEO further declared that Google TV, which aims to integrate content from the Internet with traditional broadcast television, would be available to viewers in the United States in autumn. The global launch is expected next year.
Google has claimed that it will work with a vast array of programmers and electronics manufacturers so that it can bring the free service to its consumers
The Mountain View, California-based company is expected to use shows produced by TV studios and production companies and not venture on its own into show production.
"We will work with content providers, but it is very unlikely that [Google] will get into actual content production," said Schmidt.
Regarding the mainstream content, Apple has already divulged that viewers will be able to rent first-run movies and TV shows from ABC and Fox initially.
"We think the rest of the studios will see the light and get on board with us pretty soon," Jobs had said during the unveiling of the new Apple TV.
Google, on the other hand, has not announced its content partners as yet and has highlighted the world of free online videos only.
The devices
Google has said that it will work with wide-ranging programmers and electronics manufacturers to bring the free service to its consumers.
A deal with Sony has already been struck wherein the Japanese television manufacturer has agreed to embed Google TV in its television sets.
Google is likely to ink a similar deal with Samsung and Logitech who have expressed their willingness to develop the requisite hardware in good time.
On the other hand, the device from Apple, which will cost $99, will be hooked into a television set and will enable users to stream content that from iTunes.
Google will also offer the option of a stand-alone device.