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I haven't ever played with a Google TV device, but my first thought upon reading that is that I could and would rather do all those things today on my phone (or

I haven't ever played with a Google TV device, but my first thought upon reading that is that I could and would rather do all those things today on my phone (or tablet), not on my TV. E.g. I can separately look up supplemental information on my handheld device and then, if there's something I want to share with the rest of the people in the room, I can: verbally share it, pass the device around, or (with Apple TV, which I'm fairly pleased with, but certainly isn't perfect) beam that info up to the big screen via AirPlay. I'd hate to subject my viewing-mates to watching me fiddle with a UI that overlays and takes screen space/otherwise distracts from the thing they're trying to watch. tl;dr: Why would I want wikipedia on my TV when I've got it on my phone?

rmrm 15y ago
If I am by myself, I agree -- I always have a laptop nearby and use it quite often for this sort of thing. Except in the case of video -- I much prefer to watch any video of any sort on my TV and having full Youtube on my TV in such an accessible way is more or less worth the price of admission for me. But what I have found with viewing mates is actually quite the opposite -- looking something up and verbally telling them/passing the device is I think a much less pleasant and engaging way of doing things -- unless perhaps you are the one looking them up. If you are the controller its fine -- but for the other people in the room I think it can be pretty annoying. I have found it actually more enjoyable for the group to watch the interaction and to be a part of things. It is more communal. I think we underestimate how boring it is to watch someone sitting on a couch with a computer and wait for an answer with no idea where they are in the information retrieval process, unable to suggest they click on some other link, and unable to be a part of it. tldr: I think people actually like the internet, and don't mind looking at it when they have a reason to want something from it. Doing this in the relaxed, living room, communal viewing context is a pleasant, conversation invoking experience. EDIT: I should add -- this must be used wisely and with discretion. The ability to turn your TV into the internet is a powerful thing, with great potential for annoyance, and one not to be abused. I find myself doing it with guests not when I have a question, or remember something on the internet that relates to something -- but when they do. With great power comes great responsibility.

rmrm 15y ago

If I am by myself, I agree -- I always have a laptop nearby and use it quite often for this sort of thing. Except in the case of video -- I much prefer to watch any video of any sort on my TV and having full Youtube on my TV in such an accessible way is more or less worth the price of admission for me. But what I have found with viewing mates is actually quite the opposite -- looking something up and verbally telling them/passing the device is I think a much less pleasant and engaging way of doing things -- unless perhaps you are the one looking them up. If you are the controller its fine -- but for the other people in the room I think it can be pretty annoying. I have found it actually more enjoyable for the group to watch the interaction and to be a part of things. It is more communal. I think we underestimate how boring it is to watch someone sitting on a couch with a computer and wait for an answer with no idea where they are in the information retrieval process, unable to suggest they click on some other link, and unable to be a part of it. tldr: I think people actually like the internet, and don't mind looking at it when they have a reason to want something from it. Doing this in the relaxed, living room, communal viewing context is a pleasant, conversation invoking experience. EDIT: I should add -- this must be used wisely and with discretion. The ability to turn your TV into the internet is a powerful thing, with great potential for annoyance, and one not to be abused. I find myself doing it with guests not when I have a question, or remember something on the internet that relates to something -- but when they do. With great power comes great responsibility.