Google TV Honeycomb explored on video

The recently leaked Google TV Android 3.1 revamp has had its first trial runs through video (below) and reports from those on GTVHacker willing to experiment. A run-through from Channel Android on a Logitech Revue has shown more of the interface than what was seen at Google I/O in May and shows that virtually none of the original interface is left over, and much of it is now devoted to apps and widgets. Android Market is the most relevant as it's now known to have a "featured for TV" section much like that for tablets as well as a clearly TV-native interface.

Some of the apps clearly aren't ready, according to the eyewitness accounts: only a small selection of apps is visible and omits major TV-friendly apps like Netflix. Some apps, particularly those that weren't explicitly optimized for Google TV, are either listed but won't install or will install but won't launch. Google isn't expected to make backwards compatibility a priority given the lack of touch input.

Widgets do work and include special ones for installed apps like Pandora.

The run proves that Google TV is still some distance away. Publicly, Google is aiming for the fall and will bring Samsung and Vizio into the hardware lineup along with existing partners Logitech and Sony. All new hardware should be faster than seen in the demo given Google's endorsement of faster Atom processors. [via Engadget]

By Electronista Staff