Want A Free Google TV? Become A Developer; Google Is Giving Away 10,000

Release Date: Oct 28, 2010

by MG Siegler

keyword: Google TV

What is Google TV?

Google TV is a new experience made for television that combines the TV you know and love with the freedom and power of the Internet.You can learn more from here.

Google TV is now out there in the wild. There's no indication of how it's selling just yet, but my hunch is that like early Android, it may be some time before sales really take off. That shouldn't be too surprising considering that the platform is built on top of Android. But there aren't a lot of apps and sites yet that are tailored for these new devices. They need more. And they know the way to get them. Free giveaways!

As they've announced on their Google TV blog today, the search giant is giving away 10,000 Google TV units to developers. Yes, 10,000.

The give-away started this morning at the Adobe MAX conference where they dished out 3,000 units. And it will continue over the next couple of weeks as Google will patrol the Google Code forums to look for developers who sound even remotely interested in developing for the platform. Or you can submit a request to get a unit for development.

Says Google:
As we've always said, the coolest thing about Google TV is that we don't even know what the coolest thing about it will be. The experience is in the hands of its users and developers, and everyone is invited. Come play.

The Google TV unit being given away is the Logitech Revue, a device which normally sells for $300.

Sadly, this giveaway is U.S.-only for the time being. And yes, they want some sort of proof that you are actually a developer that plans to make an app or optimized site for the platform. I'm thinking about learning Java to build a solid fart app for the platform to get a free unit myself.

Update: Google wanted to make it clear that these units are meant to spur developers into making optimized sites for Google TV — not necessarily app developers (not yet at least).

Features of Google TV:

1. The web is now a channel

With Google Chrome and Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Google TV lets you access everything on the web. Watch your favorite web videos, view photos, play games, check fantasy scores, chat with friends, and do everything else you're accustomed to doing online. Plus, the world's best websites are now being perfected for television -- check out our Spotlight gallery for examples.

2. A new world of apps for your TV

Google TV will come pre-loaded with apps like Netflix, Twitter, CNBC, Pandora, Napster, NBA Game Time, Amazon Video On Demand and Gallery. Starting early next year, apps from Android Market will work on Google TV as well.

3. Your phone = remote control

Your Android phone or iPhone can be used to control your Google TV in place of a remote control. Use your voice to search, and even use multiple phones to control the same TV. No more fighting over the remote!

4. Fling a video to your television

Find a great website on your phone and want to show it to everyone? Now you can. "Fling" what you're watching, listening to, or doing on your phone by sending it to your TV with the press of a button.

5. Watch it now

Never miss a show again. With Google TV, you can access over 40,000 shows and movies whenever you want with Netflix ($8.99 a month) or Amazon Video On Demand (shows start at 99 cents!).

6. YouTube perfected for TV

YouTube is great on the web, but it's even better on television. With YouTube Leanback, you can watch videos without ever clicking play -- just sit back and watch all of your favorite YouTube content, personally chosen for you, in full screen HD. You can even create new channels on the fly.

7. Watch and browse,simultaneously

With Google TV, you can browse the web or open an app and watch TV on the same screen. Check your fantasy football stats while watching the game, check your @replies on Twitter during American Idol, or purchase a product online right after you watch the ad. It's just like picture-in-picture mode, but with the web and the TV.

8. TV gets a homepage

Turn on your television and you'll instantly have access to your favorite channels, apps, podcasts, and websites, thanks to the Google TV home screen. The home screen is customizable for you, by you, so that you can always change your preferences.

9. Create a TV playlist

Want to watch something, but don't have time right now? Send it to your Google Queue and watch it later. You can also subscribe to your favorite websites and video podcasts, add YouTube videos, and more. It's like building a DVR for the web.

10. Record from the search bar

If you're a DISH Network subscriber using Google TV, you'll enjoy many enhanced TV and DVR features, including recording a show right from the search bar and being able to search all of your recordings at once.

11. Rock out in your living room

Listen to your favorite music on the best speakers in your house by creating a personal radio station on the fly with Pandora or listening to any song, any time, with Napster.

12. The ultimate picture frame

Turn the biggest screen in your house into a beautiful, high definition photo gallery. Now your TV can stream photos from Picasa, Flickr, and every other photo-sharing site. Plus, you can access any public gallery, not just your own.

13. Over-the-air updates

How many consumer electronics products go up in value after you buy them? Google TV updates itself automatically, so you'll get new features for free.