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If you thought nothing about Google TV was going on at Google I/O this year you are mistaken. Although they didn't mention anything specific to Google TV during the keynote, since then they announced some cool new things for the service. First, Google is now sending out the latest Android 4.2.2/Jelly Bean to Google TV. This is a welcome upgrade and should get GTV users excited. Additionally, they are also sending out the latest version of Chrome as well. Now browsing on your Google TV should be even faster than before.

That's not all. Google also announced they plan to bring updates to Google TV on a much more timely basis, specifically stating “weeks rather than months.” Here's a quote below from the Google TV developer's blog G+ account with all the details,

Over the past few months Google TV has gathered momentum by launching powerful features for our users such as the highest quality voice search of any TV product and strong manufacturer adoption of the platform. At Google I/O, it’s time to talk about developers and enabling them to bring more great experiences to TV.

Today, Google TV is moving to the latest version of Android (Jelly Bean, 4.2.2), and we’ve refactored Google TV so that our TV OEM partners can update to future versions of Android in a matter of weeks rather than months. For developers, this means you can build TV experiences using the latest Android APIs, including the NDK.

Today Google TV is also moving to the latest version of Chrome, and from now on Google TV benefits from Chrome updates on the same six week cycle that you’ve come to expect from Chrome. In Chrome on Google TV, we’ve added support for hardware-based content protection, enabling developers to provide premium TV content in HD within their web apps.

Google TV-powered devices in market will start to receive updates in the coming months, and we expect to see new devices launched later this year. If you are attending Google IO, please check out the “Android: As seen on TV!” session and stop by the Google TV Developer Sandbox area.
https://developers.google.com/tv/

LG has already updated some of their new Google TV equipped LG HDTVs with the newest Android 4.2.2 version. Above is a video of the TV with the new update.

Source: Google TV Developer's Blog Google+

It looks like the business relationship between Google and LG is being strengthened. Larry Page met with LG Electronics CEO Koo Bon-joon in Seoul last week. Supposedly, they discussed the future relationship between the two companies and worked out ways to improve their bond. They also supposedly discussed future LG Nexus devices, which indirectly confirms we will see more of them in the future.

It also appears that LG wants to commit more fully to a Google ecosystem, and wants to dive into other Google products like Google TV and Google Glass. Specifically LG intends to implement Google TV directly into their next-gen OLED displays. Apparently, LG has been doing a remarkable job at staying competitive and are now firmly in third place world-wide in mobile behind Apple and Samsung. Besides the LG-made Nexus 4 devices selling well, the manufacturer has also done well internationally selling the LG Optimus G and Optimus G Pro.

It's good to see LG making strides to close the gap on Samsung and Apple. It would be a shame if the mobile manufacturing world degraded to a duopoly like the U.S. almost has in the carrier world with Verizon and AT&T.

Source: KoreaTimes

Are you willing to give Google TV another go? If so, the latest option for adding the Google TV platform to your TV is the Asus Cube, which is now being offered for sale by NewEgg.com for $140.

Today Asus formally announced the launch of the Asus Cube with Google TV. The 4.9-inch black box puts Google TV on users’ HDTVs through a custom cubed UI. Included with the purchase is 50GB of Asus WebStorage, a cloud-based service for storing your media content. In addition to playing live TV from your service provider (an IR repeater is included for controlling your cable or satellite box), the Cube can access a variety of streaming video services, including Amazon, HBO Go, Netflix, and YouTube. Apps can be organized into categories, such as TV & Movies, Games, Sports, Music, News, and Favorites, for easier and quicker access. Web browsing through Chrome is also supported, and a ‘Quick Guide’ feature lets users watch content picture-in-picture while web surfing.


Specifications

Ports In: HDMI In port x 1
Ports Out: HDMI Out port x 1
IR Blaster Out port x 1
Platform: Honeycomb 3.2
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
USB 2.0 x 2
10/100 Base-T Ethernet port x 1
Dimension: 4.92" x 4.92" x 4.92"
Weight: 520g
Power input rating: 12 V DC, 2A
Power Consumption: 10W

As a note, if you buy it today, you get a $10 gift card with your purchase.


Buy now @ NewEgg.com

Also, be sure to check out our Asus Cube section!

Although it's a little bit on the pricey side compared to the competition, the Asus Cube just became available on Newegg for $139.99. They also revealed the new GoogleTV device will be available on April 24th. We aren't sure why it would be worth $20-30 bucks more than the competition, but it does have a unique look and Asus reputation backing it. If you want to grab one of the pre-orders, here is a link below.

Source: NewEgg

It looks like Google has not given up on Google TV and is still continuing to push it forward. Perhaps one could argue that it is an idea that was a bit ahead of its time, but you have to hand it to Google, they have remained committed to it. Here's a quote,

Google’s (GOOG) TV platform has gone largely unnoticed and untouched for the last two years. The company has announced new hardware partners and said goodbye to old ones, but Google TV hasn’t revolutionized the market as was once expected. It would seem that Google may finally be ready to commit to the platform, however. The company has promised that it will announce “Google TV news” at its annual I/O Developers Conference in May, though no other details were provided. Google I/O is scheduled to take place from May 15th to May 17th.

Continue Reading @: Google TV: Google promises new TV news at I/O press event | BGR

Although this is not an official confirmation, it's jut about as close as you can get. The Wall Street Journal just confirmed earlier rumors that Google plans to launch a series of physical Google Play Stores throughout the United States. They further confirmed the company plans to use the stores to showcase their Nexus lineup and Chromebook products. They also shared Google plans to show off Google TV and Google Glass in the stores. This is something earlier rumors hadn't picked up on yet. The WSJ couldn't confirm a timeframe for the launch of these Google retail outlets, but more than likely they will launch around the same time as Google I/O.

Updated: Google shot down the WSJ report. They indicated they have no plans to open Google retail stores.

Source: WSJ