Q: What are Google TV’s capabilities and future prospects? I would like to surf the Internet and stream movies from Netflix, etc., to my TV.
Doug Snyder
A: Google TV allows you to do all of that and more. You can use a Twitter app to send a Tweet or a Pandora app to listen to music through your TV set. You can search for shows by typing in the name rather than flipping through channels. You’ll need special equipment, currently available from Sony and Logitech. Google TV can also be integrated with Dish Network’s service for $4 a month. Dish is the only pay-TV provider that currently sells the service, which requires a set-top box that has Google’s software. Google plans to launch an Android market this year that sells apps designed for the TV set. Internet-connected TVs are the future, but it’s too early to say whether Google TV will catch on. Other companies like Samsung are working on similar services.
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