In the same vein as a recent update to Google TV’s “TV& Movies” App, the YouTube App for Google TV has just been updated to enhance search functionality. Search-related improvements included in last week’s rollout include recommendations to help users find new offerings based on things they have been watching, and Channel Search so that one can find an exact channel rather than search for content only. In addition, variable bitrate streaming will allow the YouTube App to determine the best resolution and switch to a lower one if need be to prevent rebuffering, and users can use the Google +1 feature directly from the YouTube App.

[via ReelSEO]

Last week Google upgrated their “TV & Movies” App to offer Netflix-style reccommendations. Similar to the movie-streaming giant, the revised Google App utilizes a baseline rating tactic to generate an understanding of the user’s interest by asking the viewer to rate a series of movies and TV shows. There is also an option to receive recommendations based on identifying shows that you currently watch or for those who really don’t have a clue or are looking for something entirely different, to check out the “Trending This Week” section.

Most notable about the app is that it not only allows users to browse a selection of live TV and movies as well as offerings on pay stations and sites like HBO and HBO Go and pre-recorded options, and it will even direct users to online retailers like Amazon to purchase recently released media that is not yet available through cable or Netflix. Sounds pretty nifty!

‘[ via PCMag.com]

LG’s Google TV 2.0 was set to hit shelves as early as this past weekend. LG, which will be offering their 3D LED TV model in both 47 and 55-inch sizes, with pricing set at $1600 and $2100 respectively, is postulated to be getting a jump on the competing sales of Apple TVs, which should be released later this year. While LG also has its own smart TV software called “Netcast”, only the version carrying Google TV software will be making an appearance this week, and LG will likely cling to the combined market power of Google TV as the threat of Apple TV approaches. Will brand banding be enough to push Google TV past Apple TV? Stay tuned, we may know soon.

[via Slash Gear]

Starting in September, Google TV is tipped to finally get its shot abroad after all– the new Sony Google TV set-top box and Sony Blu-ray player integrated with Google TV, expected to retail for €200 (~$266) and €300 (~$400) respectively, will be released in France, the UK, Spain, and Germany. No word yet if other Google TV partners have confirmed plans to cross the pond.

With the next wave of Google TV products poised to hit shelves here in the US later this year, the retail costs of the Google TV products hitting Europe seem high. While the new Sony products do include improvements like Google Play buttons on the remote and Sony’s own Music Unlimited built in, the upcoming switch from Intel’s chipset to the new Marvell ARM-based system is expected to drive costs down. Will European Google TV shelves remain stocked until they too have access to the lower cost options?

[via Slash Gear]

International apps were added to Google TV recently, but international sales may be a larger leap. In Australia, both LG and Samsung have said that they will not launch Google TV options this year.

Philip Newton, head of Samsung’s TV division in Australia, was anything but gentle when debunking rumors that a Google TV would be launched along with other new Smart TV options emerging this April in Sydney. Newton unapologetically stated, “Why would we launch a Google TV? It only takes away from [what] Samsung is already offering with their new range of Smart TVs…we see no point in introducing another content platform when we already have an excellent platform.”

Throughout everything Google TV has been through at home, it looks as if a whole new battle awaits it abroad. Will distribution of Google TV be given an international opportunity? The only thing we can be sure of is that Google TV still has a lot to prove.

[via Smart House]

Google TV has expanded content to include a fresh batch of international channel-apps that can be accessed via the Android Market, however it hasn’t yet expanded to include international sales. While Google TV continues to only be available here in the US, the new international content, including Euronews, PPTV (chinese-language), IslamBox, Raaga (South Asian music), al-Jazeera, Yupp TV (Indian content), and Japan’s Crunchyroll, will collectively offer music, breaking news, live and on-demand shows, and cartoons from around the world.

Currently, the addition is being aimed at individuals who live in the US and are missing content from home. However, in keeping with an earlier announcement made at last years Edinburgh International Television Festival, a Google spokesperson has said that Google TV is “looking to roll out internationally through the course of 2012″. No word yet on specific release dates and locations, but we will keep you posted as more details will likely surface at Google I/O in June.

[via SlashGear and TechCrunch]

A recent study by analyst group Xyologic suggests that less than 1 million homes are using Google TV. In order to determine this, the group used data from the Android Market to analyze the number of app downloads for Google TV products. Though this isn’t an ideal method and won’t provide a perfect picture of user-ship (especially given the low number of apps available), it seems to be the closest we can get without Google releasing numbers themselves (which isn’t likely).

With few current options to purchase a Google TV (the Revue having been discontinued and Sony HDTVs currently not in production), the chances of Google TV truly cracking the living room market are looking dim. Will the number of new Google TV devices hitting shelves later this year be able to compete with the Apple TV, also rumored for release this year? At this rate, perhaps not.

[via TG Daily]

It seems GTVHacker has done it again, this time bringing Sony Google TVs a software root that will allow access to restricted content from Hulu, NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and others. While the root can be filed among the gentler GTVHacker solutions, it still required some extra effort: try four USB drives with at least 5121MB of storage space, and a month of the GTVHacker team’s time.

The rooted version of the software, achieved for Sony’s NSX-GT1 HDTVs and the NSZ-GT1 Blu-ray player, will make the warranty void, but can be reversed. It’s modified Flash plugin by-passes the locks that sites restricting content have placed on Google TV and opens the door for future alterations including a possible adblocker for the browser.

Be advised that messing with your Sony Google TV could certainly have disastrous consequences, but with the tantalizing toys that Sony is releasing in 2012, it might be worth the risk!

[via The Verge]

Rumors have been swirling around Google’s highly secretive “Project Tungsten”, a media streaming device which Google recently filed an application with the FCC for permission to test outside of the lab. Very limited knowledge of the device suggests that it is a kind of Android Powered all-compassing home entertainment device which acts as a hub to rally TV, internet, and “other home electronics equipment”, and it will be controlled by either smart phone or tablet via a blue-tooth connection. With the recent Google-Motorola acquisition, it is also rumored that Motorola will be the manufacturer.

While still quite vague on details of functionality, I imagine Project Tungsten to be the ultimate Google TV: a device which acts as a lighting rod for all media-streaming efforts, siphoning music, television, radio and all forms of internet-based offerings (podcasts, YouTube videos, Hulu Television shows, sports, etc.) all into one place. Just imagine being able to turn on your hyper-evolved Google TV and browse for anything and everything entertainment related with literally a single search.

With whispers surrounding Project Tungsten getting louder, we could know details very soon. Will the project be a new direction for Google TV, or will it be something else entirely? It is rumored for release this year, so stay tuned as more informations surfaces.

[via Mashable]

In keeping with their promise to release more frequent Google TV updates, Google introduced Honeycomb 3.2 last week. The new software, currently for Sony devices only with the Revue soon to follow, provides the following improvements:

• It supports hardware acceleration, making apps with animation effects move faster
• It supports HTTP live streaming which will help with HTML5 video and make local media streaming through apps work
• Improvements to the way Google TV identifies channels will make it easier for app developers to use their own EPGs
• Chrome is getting a boost

This update will likely be one of many before the arrival of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which is rumored to occur before the end of the year. Stay tuned to see what Google rolls out throughout the next year of Google TV.

[via GigaOm]