The updates are interesting but aren’t likely enough to mainstream the product…yet.
Google (GOOG) this morning announced an update to their GoogleTV software running on Logitech (LOGI) Revue and Sony (SNE) Internet TVs and BluRays. The updates are significant, but don’t address all of the major issues that consumers are having with the product.
Netflix(NFLX) is now a full client, allowing users to decide what programs to watch rather than only watching what is in their queue. DVD and BluRay delivery by Snail Mail can even be initiated within the app.
Google’s TV remote now officially supports search/navigation with Voice Actions, something promised during the introduction of GoogleTV but not delivered in the initial release.
[Youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGBMFxN_eys&w=600&h=375]
Google has also updated the picture-in-picture functionality called Dual-view which allows movement and resizing of the smaller window.
Finally, Google added a ‘Movies’ classification in search which will isolate and catalogue long form videos in search results.
These upgrades are good but they don’t address the major concerns of consumers who want programming from the major networks (most of which have blocked Google), a consistent user interface/experience throughout and a Cable-less option which will allow people to cut the cord entirely.