Xyologic: Google TV users under 4.8m, few download new apps
updated 02:55 pm EST, Mon February 13, 2012
Xyologic sees few third-party Google TV apps used
Mobile analysis firm Xyologic may have gauged the real size of Google TV's user base and shown a problem getting adoption of its support for third-party apps. Of the 64 apps exclusive to the TV-sized platform in Android market, only 4,793,300 people have one or more of these apps installed, making it possibly representative of the entire Google TV base. The number could be lower given that only 4,441,000 have the six preloaded apps on their devices.
In the top 10 Google TV apps, aftermarket apps didn't appear until the bottom four and never saw a usage base larger than 76,000 owners. Non-exclusive apps are possible and exist, although Xyologic noted that they "do not get significant downloads" from Google TV users. The data showed an "underwhelming experience" where customers not only didn't download many other apps but, based on Android Market, were giving even preloaded apps low ranks.
The low turnout was credited both to the limited availability of Google TV so far, which extends only to Sony TVs and Logitech's now defunct Revue line, as well as to overly expensive devices and unintuitive remotes. Samsung's internally developed Smart TV app platform by itself was much larger, with over 10 million apps downloaded as of this past October.
Samsung, along with LG and Vizio, are joining Sony in producing new Google TV hardware for mid-2012. Most haven't fully shown their offerings, though, and won't be in the market until the spring or summer. The delay could leave Google TV marginalized next to Apple TV's relatively brisk sales.
