Google TV is more like a computer. Apple TV is more like on-demand TV/video programming.
I'm not saying one is better than the other (ok, well, the computer is better ;) ) but it should be apparent why the inputs are so different.
The difference between Apple and everyone else
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Re: The difference between Apple and everyone else
#32Boxee hits a sweet spot on the remote IMO
Agree, however the box itself is another story. Aside from the needlessly wacky shape, isn't it obvious that it should fit in the ~2" high gap between the top of the table/stand and the bottom of the display? Apple has it right with the AppleTV, and it seems like they figured it out with the new Mac Mini, which is much thinner than the old one.
Re: The difference between Apple and everyone else
#33What's really amazing is that people seem to believe that Google designed products that were actually manufactured and designed by Sony and Logitech.
Well, I never said that Google was responsible for the design of the remotes or hardware in the post, that's clearly on Sony and Logitech. But Google did design the interface that requires a keyboard and mouse to operate, so they have some of the blame. You can bet that in the unlikely event Apple had a product where other companies designed the hardware for their software, they'd have some pretty detailed specs to make sure stuff like those remotes didn't happen.
Re: The difference between Apple and everyone else
#34I have already implemented The Right Solution for my MythTV.
Two remotes.
One is a TiVo remote control. Fits nicely in my hand, has the important buttons laid out nicely. Good for watching and selecting and OK for most other tasks.
The other is a remote keyboard with built-in mouse, similar to the Logitech board. I pull it out when I want to search for something or manipulate the system in a more complex way (like firing up Firefox to play a Flash game). The rest of the time, it's propped next to the sofa.
There's no reason not to ship a simple remote and a complex one, and let people decide what they need when they need it.
Re: The difference between Apple and everyone else
#35What's really amazing is that people seem to believe that Google designed products that were actually manufactured and designed by Sony and Logitech.
Well, I never said that Google was responsible for the design of the remotes or hardware in the post, that's clearly on Sony and Logitech. But Google did design the interface that requires a keyboard and mouse to operate, so they have some of the blame. You can bet that in the unlikely event Apple had a product where other companies designed the hardware for their software, they'd have some pretty detailed specs to m…
I haven't used a Google TV either, but I believe a keyboard is required for a lot of the use. I don't see how that is a bad thing. If a user needs to type something in, how are they to do that without a keyboard?
"I haven’t used a Google TV, but based on these remotes, I would bet the rest of the interface is just as clunky." - From the blog
I think that's an irrational assumption. Again, I haven't used one either so I cannot dispute the claim, but I think one should hold off their opinion until they try it.
Re: The difference between Apple and everyone else
#36I had a really good conversation yesterday at the Dev Lunch in Toronto about so-called Smart TVs. Here's a quick summary: * TVs are about media consumption, not about interaction in the PC-sense of the word. * When one wants extra content or information regarding the media they are consuming, they tend to use a secondary device (e.g. iPad, notebook) * Most devs in the room merely wanted a device that would allow them…
So I think you're going to see a few trends happening here which may change your mind.
One of the big gaps here is that most TV App platforms are independent of the video you are watching (they are not content aware). Take the Yahoo! platform which is (very well) designed to be used while watching TV, yet the apps don't know what is being watched. This adds some serious difficulty to app developers who want to enhance existing TV content which is kind of the current holy grail for TV apps (Actually most TV apps right now provide alternatives for delivering video content - and that is the killer app on TV right now. I'm going to try to focus this screed on TV apps whose main purpose is not to deliver video). This disconnect between app and video is currently being addressed. Early next year these apps will be able to be content aware and you will be able to have apps which are sync'd to the broadcast and this will add a lot of value to the chain. Unfortunately enhanced ads will likely be the first area where you'll see this functionality but someone needs to pay the bills.
The second trend is that a lot of TV interactivity will likely move from the TV to your tablet PC. We've already seen a first implementation of this with ABC's "My Generation" TV Show app (show's already canceled unfortunately). This app sync'd to broadcast using audio fingerprinting. I think that at some point these "second screen" apps will be the main type of TV Apps you see. Likely using the TV app platforms for some simple updates. Think a leaderboard or something while playing - or a twitter feed.
With respect to social. I think where the most interesting social aspects for TV aren't "Friend Feeds" via Twitter or Facebook. But using social networks for content discovery. I think we're going to be so inundated with video content that our primary method for content discovery won't be a guide (or search) but some sort of social recommendation system. Maybe a reddit for TV?
Re: The difference between Apple and everyone else
#37I have to wonder how many people proclaiming that "Apple just gets it" have actually used the remote in question rather than looking at its (admittedly gorgeous) picture. We have one of the previous generation Apple TV's with a very similar remote. It currently sits unplugged next to the television on top of an upturned yogurt container.
It's on the yogurt container because its lack of vents causes it to overheat if sitting on a smooth surface. It's unplugged because there's no clear power button on its very stylish remote. I happen to know that if you hold down one of the keys long enough it will turn (mostly) off, but I don't think this knowledge is shared by others in the house. It needs to be turned off because of the whine of the harddrive and the aforementioned overheating problem.
Using the remote to enter search terms for Youtube is possible, but is a dreaded chore. Generally one says "Here, let me show you something" and then has to call the other party back from another room when done with the laborious process. This is not attempted as much as when the device was new. A keyboard as a remote may look silly, but would at least make simple things like this possible.
Overall, it's very cute and warm little boat anchor. We'll probably eventually manage to get Boxee installed on it, but the lack of a reasonable means of entering text will really limit its utility. So while I agree that Apple "really gets it", at least in this case I'd apply this solely to their marketing rather than their usability.
Re: The difference between Apple and everyone else
#38Apple TV is meant to be a media browsing and consumption device, whereas Google TV includes Chrome(with Flash). You can use an Android phone to control Google TV anyway. I would love to see Apple solving the problem with typing using a remote(especially things like URLs) without using resorting to an iPhone or iPod Touch.
> without using resorting to an iPhone or iPod Touch Why not? You have iPod/iPhone in your pocket, or iPad on your coffee table. They can be used to look something up, and with AirPlay you can send content to TV once you find it.
>Why not? You have iPod/iPhone in your pocket, or iPad on your coffee table. They can be used to look something up, and with AirPlay you can send content to TV once you find it.
No, I don't. Do I need to buy one to search?
Re: The difference between Apple and everyone else
#39I have to wonder how many people proclaiming that "Apple just gets it" have actually used the remote in question rather than looking at its (admittedly gorgeous) picture. We have one of the previous generation Apple TV's with a very similar remote. It currently sits unplugged next to the television on top of an upturned yogurt container. It's on the yogurt container because its lack of vents causes it to overheat if…
I have that Apple remote and it's nowhere near as useful as what you can get for Windows Media Center.
I much prefer my Gyration remote - http://www.amazon.com/Gyration-GYR4101US-Air-Music-Remote/dp...
Re: The difference between Apple and everyone else
#40I have to wonder how many people proclaiming that "Apple just gets it" have actually used the remote in question rather than looking at its (admittedly gorgeous) picture. We have one of the previous generation Apple TV's with a very similar remote. It currently sits unplugged next to the television on top of an upturned yogurt container. It's on the yogurt container because its lack of vents causes it to overheat if…
I really like how the Boxee Box team approached the "simple remote vs. youtube searching" problem. Their remote has two sides. On the top is a four-way directional pad, a select, and a menu/back button. On the bottom is a full, cell-phone style keyboard. I think it's the best of both worlds.