Hasta La Gadget!

There’s plenty of official news about Google TV this week at CES, but if you’re more interested in cracking the platform wide open unofficially this video may be of interest. The GTVHacker team reveals that it has been developing an exploit that will let it run custom kernels on “most” second generation Google TV devices, along with a custom recovery designed specifically for Google TV. It’s not ready for prime time just yet but in the video you can get a peek at it being loaded on a Sony NSZ-GS7 box, opening up wider access to the kinds of adjustments we’re already used to seeing on mobile Android devices. There’s no word on when this will see wide release, but you can hit the source link for more details plus a history of what the team has been up to since coming together over two years ago

Continue reading GTVHacker shows off custom recovery for Google TVs (video)

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: GTVHacker

LG only experimented with a Google TV lineup in 2012; for 2013, it’s committing to the concept in earnest. The 47- and 55-inch sizes we know today should be joined by 42-, 50- and 60-inch models that cater both to frugal viewers and those who like to live large. We should also see the spruced-up designs that come with yearly updates, including newer zero-bezel frames and distinctive stands. We’re less surprised by input and software updates — all of the new screens will ship with voice-enabled Google TV and OnLive support from the get-go, and the company’s multi-talented Magic Remote is making its return. LG is remaining coy on further details beyond promising a release sometime in the first half of 2013, although there’s a good chance we’ll know more in Las Vegas.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google, LG

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Source: LG (translated)

Despite its crucial role in the Android ecosystem, ASUS hasn’t taken the plunge on Google TV so far. An FCC approval for a new adapter, the Qube, suggests that reticence is coming to a quick halt — and in an uncommon way. Rather than build a full media hub, ASUS appears to be crafting a possibly Roku-like dongle that would graft Google TV on to a host device through USB. The Qube’s components aren’t outlined in earnest, but it would pair up with an RF-based keyboard and touchpad for its main input.

Some details may have been given away through Google Play listings for O!Mobile Control Center and Remote apps linked to the Qube — they hint that ASUS could use the same Marvell Armada processors that power modern Google TV boxes, as well as extend smartphone control beyond what Google’s official remote app can offer (we tried it with an existing Google TV unit and it wouldn’t connect.) At this moment, we’re less curious about when and where the Qube releases than how it will sell; its dependence could see it destined for an equipment bundle instead of sitting on shelves by its lonesome. We’re asking around for possible details and will let you know if we hear more.

Continue reading ASUS Qube with Google TV pops up at the FCC

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, ASUS, Google

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Source: FCC, Google Play (1), (2)

Thought Google TV emptied its bag of tricks with that nifty new YouTube feature that lets folks shoot videos from their phones to their Googlefied TVs with a single tap? Think again, friend. GTV’s far from a one-click pony, and today the platform’s getting voice search and a new quick guide to make finding your favorite shows, movies and videos a more painless experience.

Voice search allows users to now access channels and apps by simply speaking their names into either a Magic Remote or Android phone with the GTV remote app — it’s rolling out to folks with LG Google TVs this week, while other GTV hardware should get the update in the coming months. Searching by show titles and movie genres is supported, and it returns results from YouTube, live TV, Netflix and more. Plus, the system can also answer natural language queries with results from the web, too.

In addition to voice search, GTV has renamed its TV & Movies application and added a quick guide version of the app to let folks find other video content without having to navigate away from what they’re watching. Called PrimeTime, the quick guide is a less obtrusive means for finding shows, videos and movies. It still uses the suggestion engine to make recommendations based upon viewing habits, and, of course, the full PrimeTime app experience is still available. We got to chat with Google TV’s Director of Product Management, Rishi Chandra, about the updates, so join us after the break to hear what he had to say.

Continue reading Google TV gets voice search and a quick guide to make content discovery easier than ever

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Google

Google TV gets voice search and a quick guide to make content discovery easier than ever originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google is expanding its media umbrella to cover more countries, and it’s marking the occasion with a new version of the Google Play Music app for Android and Google TV. While there’s no explicit mention of the newly opened regional access, the update does add long-requested support for gapless audio playback: Jelly Bean users will hear smooth transitions between tracks, although it works best when all the music is offline. The tweak also turns listening into more of a hands-off process, as it now automatically generates Instant Mixes (instead of requiring input) and lets us cache free, purchased, recently added and thumbs-up songs. If you’ve refused to sully that DJ set or Pink Floyd album by playing it through Android’s stock music player, it’s time to give the app another chance.

[Thanks, K]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video, Mobile, Google

Google Play Music adds gapless playback, automatic Instant Mixes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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