For Google, though, the large market for smart TVs and streaming media boxes makes it worth another try. While TV sales have been sluggish, sales of devices that plug into televisions and play video and music are expected to jump to 330 million units by 2017, double the tally from last year, according to market researcher Parks Associates. More than 50 percent of US households connect their TV to the Internet in some fashion, the researcher also said.
The market potential is luring consumer electronics giants, including Apple, whose $99 Apple TV set-top box grew from a "hobby" product in 2007 to a $1 billion business in 2013. Amazon also announced its own set-top box, the $99 Fire TV, in April.
Google's numerous attempts to upset the industry started with the release of Google TV at its 2010 developers conference. Google TV initially promised full access to the Web and easy listings searches through set-top boxes and TVs from companies such as Logitech and Sony. It never took off, though, because popular sites like Hulu and networks like ABC blocked their content. The Google TVs also were criticized for being too complicated and expensive.
Google tried again the next year, ditching initial chip partner Intel for Marvell and updating its software to make it simpler. The October 2011 software update also improved the way people could simultaneously search for content on live TV, Google's YouTube video site, and video-streaming sites such as Netflix. It also struck new deals with electronics makers such as Vizio to bring new Google TV-powered devices to market in 2012. That effort also flopped.
Google most recent push came last year with Chromecast, a $35 dongle that plugs into TVs and streams content from a user's smartphone, tablet, or computer. Initial sales appeared strong among consumers, but usage of the Chromecast may be dwindling after an initial surge of curious interest, according to data from Parks.
From the article, "Google to turn on new set-top boxes with Android TV software" by Ian Sherr, Joan E. Solsman, and Shara Tibken.
