Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) hasn't had much luck with its Google TV platform so far.
The first wave of compatible hardware from Logitech (Nasdaq: LOGI) and Sony (NYSE: SNE) is underwhelming and downright confusing to some reviewers. Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) and News Corp. (NYSE: NWS), among other major networks and video sources, can't be convinced that it's a good idea to allow these machines to access their content. And even though I've left Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) behind in favor of an all-digital infotainment existence, Google TV never even made it onto the watchlist of media-streaming gadgets for my living room. And I say that as a longtime fan of Google's products, philosophy, and overall mojo.
Despite all of these headwinds, Google's hardware partners haven't lost all interest in developing the platform. Both Toshiba and Vizio are said to be developing their own takes on Google TV, supposedly introducing their products at the CES electronics confab in January. Samsung is another probable contributor. Samsung and Toshiba are members of the backing committee for Google TV's underlying Android software, so it makes perfect sense for these electronics giants to make the leap from handsets to set-top boxes or TV sets in the near future.
The next update of the Android platform is expected to include better support for large screens such as tablet computers, which should also play well with the giant screens in our living rooms. As an Android developer myself, I've already been asked to update my software with positively enormous application icons, which could indicate that we're on the cusp of a major living-room push where those large graphics would make sense.
Google TV is still facing big roadblocks until the networks come around to Google's point of view and the hardware gets both cheaper and more refined. Add Google to your Foolish watchlist to keep an eye on how the platform develops -- or doesn't develop, as the case may be.
