OnLive on Google TV 2.0? Dominance in Summer 2012? Future Logitech Revue Updates? – Q&A with GTV Product Manager

Continuing their latest trend of communicating directly with their users, another Google TV product manager, Larry Yang, held a Q & A Hangout session today. There was a lot he wouldn’t comment on in detail, but he did offer up some great information on Google’s plans for Google TV 2.0 and beyond.

I’ve paraphrased some questions and answers from the Hangout below. Larry goes into more detail in some of his answers, and there are also some questions that I’ve not included here. I posted a full video of the Hangout at the bottom of this post for those who are interested.

Comment regarding Logitech Revue Google TV 2.0 Honeycomb update:

The Logitech Revue update is already out. There are users who have already received the update. They are phasing the roll-out very slowly initially to make sure there aren’t any issues. They are starting by updating a randomly selected 5% of Logitech Revue boxes. They will monitor these updates and ramp up the roll-out over the next several days. If you don’t receive the Google TV 2.0 update after about a week then you should contact Logitech support.

Why do I get a message saying some Google TV apps are not compatible with Google TV?

If you just received the update, give the Android market time to sync, then try again. If you continue to get the message, contact Logitech Support.

Can we expect to see OnLive on Google TV?

They have been talking with OnLive off and on. They are very interested in bringing their application to Android and Google TV- but right now there is nothing to announce.

Regarding Amazon Video in HD and the performance of the new Netflix app for Google TV:

These questions would be best directed to the developers of the respective applications.

Will we get access to the Chrome web store (extensions) on Google TV?

The version of Chrome running on Google TV 2.0 (Chrome 11) does not have access to the Chrome web store because this browser version does not support all extensions features. But, they are working on bringing the Chrome web store to Google TV- stay tuned.

Regarding Google Music app for Google TV 2.0:

They are working on a Google Music app that is optimized for Google TV 2.0 devices. No details on timeline or features right now.

Eric Schmidt recently said Google TV will be embedded in most new TV’s by summer of 2012. Are there a LOT of new manufacturers hopping on board with Google TV that we don’t know about yet?

There are other consumer electronics partners who they are talking to. Some of them have been announced already, but there are some new partners for Google TV that have not yet been announced. There is a lot of exciting news about new hardware and partners coming soon.

Could we see mirroring (similar to Apple iOS mirroring) for Google TV?

No comment on upcoming features.

Will the Logitech Revue continue to be updated?

Logitech still has a team in place working on Google TV software for their devices and Google is working with them to determine future releases. When Logitech decides on what the next release will include, they will announce it at that time.

What will be different about Samsung’s version of Google TV?

No comment, wait for Samsung to announce it.

Will the Logitech Revue Google TV 2.0 Honeycomb update roll out in Europe also?

No specific plans to announce yet, but Google is looking at moving into other countries in the future.

I live in Europe and already have a Logitech Revue- will the Google TV 2.0 update be pushed to European IP addresses?

He doesn’t know, contact Logitech support and ask them…

Will we be getting Hangouts on Google TV any time soon?

They are working on it, nothing to announce now but stay tuned for news in the near future.

Will we be getting a game mode to fix the lag experienced when playing console games through Google TV?

He is a gamer himself, and always asks about it. TV manufacturers know this is an issue and are working to address it.

Why was the Google TV 2.0 update delayed for the Logitech Revue?

Each manufacturer has their own development, testing, and release processes and they are the ones who determine when the update is ready for release to their customers. Logitech was working through their own development and testing process. The update is rolling out now in a phased approach.

Will we be able to get movies and music through the Android market on our Google TV’s?

He can’t speak specifically to market plans, but getting this content onto Google TV is important. They are working with multiple partners to bring more premium subscription and rental content to Google TV.

Will someone make a Google TV set top box to fill the gap left by the discontinuation of the Logitech Revue?

He expects that consumer electronics companies will provide multiple devices including set top boxes similar to the Logitech Revue and Sony Blu-ray player with Google TV. There are also companies talking about other form factors that he can not discuss the specifics of currently.

Will we see a “move to external hard drive” option to solve storage issues that will surely appear as users download more and more apps?

It’s on the list of features they are working on.

Ice Cream Sandwich for Google TV?

It’s definitely something they are working on, but they are not ready to announce any specific time frame for Ice Cream Sandwich to arrive on Google TV.

Is there a “pure” Google TV in the works? (like Nexus)

They are working on a number of different Google TV devices, but they don’t have anything to announce right now.

Future plans for video conferencing?

They are working on adding those capabilities to the platform. They’re working with the Google Hangout team, Skype, and other 3rd party video chat services to bring them to Google TV.

When will you bring Google TV to Europe?

They are working with local content providers, consumer electronics partners, distributors, etc to bring a full Google TV experience to Europe- but nothing to announce just yet.

Will Google TV be giving us a “kids mode”?

It’s currently under development.

Watch the videos below:

(Note that the GTV team will probably be publishing a high quality recording of this Hangout, but it’s not available at the time I published this article)

Update: The Google TV Team has now posted their official version of this video.