GoogleTV Gets Major New Update

Back in August, I reviewed the Sony GoogleTV I had just purchased. At the time, one of my complaints about the otherwise enjoyable unit involved its often confusing on-screen menus. Today, Google announces a major software update rolling out to Sony GoogleTVs early next week and to Logitech hardware shortly thereafter. I’m techcited to report one of the major changes involves a simplified user-interface. You now have the ability to place the features used most on a customizable home screen and shortcuts can be viewed from within all apps, as has been possible with Android on a phone or tablet. The new UI also promises improved search functionality and a streamlined look and feel. Perhaps more importantly though, this update unlocks the long promised ability to download custom applications to the TV from the Android marketplace. Android developers can rewrite existing apps for GoogleTV or create new ones from scratch. At launch time, there won’t be a large selection, but Google claims 50 developers have already seeded the marketplace with “cool and useful apps.” (Many existing apps require the use of a GPS, touchscreen or telephony features, so they’re currently unsuitable for a television.)

With recent rumors flying about that Apple plans to release their own smart television (likely with Siri voice recognition built in), it may be stimulating Google to put more effort into GoogleTV, if they have any hope of the product’s success.