Google TV 2.0 Already Pushing Out to Select Sony Products

October 31, 2011

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Google TV 2.0 Already Pushing Out to Select Sony Products 3

Wow, that was fast! As we reported last week, Google planned to start pushing out the Android 3.1 update to Sony branded Internet TV boxes and televisions starting this week. Today, select Sony devices have already received the update, unleashing multiple new features for the Google TV experience.

Although Logitech boxes are further down the roll-out schedule, today I was sent an email reassuring me that my Revue box would not be forgotten about:

Hello,

Thank you for having purchased a Google TV product with the initial version of our software.

We’re excited to send you this advance notice about a number of software improvements that will soon be coming to your device through an automatic update. The update is rolling out over the next few weeks.

The email went on to explain what what we already know, basically what to expect when the Android 3.1 update hits. In case you forgot, here are highlights from today's email:

Keep it simple

The interface is now much simpler. The new customizable home screen gets you to your favorite content quickly. And within “all apps” you can see all of your shortcuts, similar to your Android phone or tablet.

Make it easy to find something worth watching

We’ve improved search across the board for content from live TV, Netflix, YouTube, HBO GO, and more. But what if you don’t know what to search for? There’s now an app called “TV & Movies” that let’s you easily browse through 80,000 movies and TV episodes across cable or satellite, Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, and many other sites. If you’ve opted in to recommendations, we can better predict what you want to watch next.

Make YouTube better on TV

We’re launching a new YouTube experience specifically built for Google TV. It is now fast and easy to get to your favorite HD-quality YouTube entertainment. And we’ve integrated YouTube more closely with Google TV search, so that you can turn virtually any topic – mountain biking, cooking, etc. – into a channel.

Bring more apps to TV

We are opening up the TV to the creativity of content creators large and small through Android Market. Android developers can now bring existing mobile apps or entirely new ones to TV. Initially, the number of apps won’t be large – for example, apps requiring a touch screen, GPS, or telephony won’t show up – but 50 developers have seeded the Market with some cool and useful apps for the TV. We’re excited to see the number of apps grow.

I am sure it goes without saying that I am really looking forward to this update as I am sure many of you are as well. I will personally report back as soon as I get the update on my Logitech Revue, details and user experience included. As for you select lucky Sony owners, let us know what you think of the new Google TV 2.0!

[via Android Central]

Stacy Bruce Author

Stacy Bruce was born and raised in Spokane Washington. He attended the University of Washington to study pre-med only to change his course study a year later to forensic science. Although currently not a doctor or a scientist, some believe he posseses the knowledge of both. He was a resident of San Diego California for ten years, lived beachside and sometimes wonders why the hell he moved back to Spokane. A multi-talented man, Stacy is a fabricator, an artist, a gear head, a tech junkie and at most, the disciple of Casanova. Growing up, he was always enthralled with electronics, gadgets and gizmos. Throughout his life he has had one, if not two, of every cool and new electronic device available. He began his smartphone experience with the original iPhone. After realizing it was more like theirPhone, he decided he wanted the ability to customize, so Stacy moved to the OG Droid and has been a loyal Android fanatic ever since. Moving through all of the top tier Verizon phones, he recently retired his Droid Charge in favor of the Galaxy Nexus, only to wonder what great device Samsung will come out with next. Stacy is a busy new homeowner in where he lives with his beautiful girlfriend and two dogs.

2 comments

Bharat Popat says:

November 10, 2011 at 11:32 PM

I updated my 46″ GTV to 3.1 and it broke the Wi-Fi connection. No longer able to connect with the wireless router. Works if you take away the security encryption on the wireless connections. Surprised that Sony or Android has no way to roll back to previous version. Otherwise I like the product.

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Hood Hussein says:

October 31, 2011 at 8:33 PM

I’ve been waiting for the Google TV/Android OS to come to the Sony internet tv boxes or to Samsung smart tv boxes since last year when both products came to Indonesia’s market. It’s time now for me to check whether I’ll have to get one in the coming weeks.

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