Google TV is close to becoming a reality, with expectations for the set-top box steadily rising as mobile devices and multimedia access become more integrated with our daily activities.
Incorporating that into home entertainment is an un-plotted future for Google’s Android platform, leaving plenty of room for imagination. Here are some practical and fanciful Android apps we’ve come up with in anticipation of Google TV.
Daily news fixes
As one of the first major news sources to launch an Android app, USA Today has a clean interface for delivering semi-custom news. Select which categories you’d like to read and efficiently access the topics you care about through this free app, bypassing the rigmarole of morning news.
If it’s just the weather and driving info you need before you leave for work in the morning, WeatherBug will more than suffice. Get traffic conditions and weather reports for your area to give you the quick and dirty rundown. As GPS is less of a factor with a television app, the free version of WeatherBug is the sensible option.
Celebrity gossip is irresistible and often fun to share, so skip the commercials and pull up the E! News Android app. Free, you get breaking news, photos and videos, and the ability to keep up with E! programs. Add stories to your favorites and share them with friends, which should be an easy task given the number of social networking apps supported on Android.
Media galore
While social networking may not be the primary reason you get Google TV, apps such as Facebook are sure to be popular for their media-sharing capabilities. View your friends’ photos on a screen much bigger than your phone’s, and leave a few comments. As Facebook is expanding its Like option across the Web, we’re sure to see more integration options for social networking and Google TV in the future.
Hulu for Android has yet to be released, but the Web-based media portal could be a huge hit on Google TV. Custom, on-demand media options that incorporate ratings and personal preferences are the features you dream of when you hear about Google TV, and it’s even better when it’s free.
Meridian Media Player may not be necessary, depending on Google TV’s own media player default offerings, but for those seeking an enhanced experience, the free Android app may be ideal. With advanced search features such as lyric search, Meridian’s app collection can leverage the perks Google TV will likely offer.
Using your TV to listen to music is nothing new, but Rhapsody’s Android app has its own benefits. If you already have a Rhapsody subscription, accessing your saved music library and preferences is simple through Google TV. As Rhapsody has other access points on different devices and services such as DirecTV, you’ll never be without your favorite tunes.
Interactive possibilities
With DirecTV program search expected for Google TV, music isn’t the only point of integration we’ll see for the satellite provider. As DirecTV already has an Android app for existing customers, GoogleTV access and syncing could offer a great basis for content recommendations, social media-sharing and other personalized services.
Twitter, which recently launched its own official Android app, is still focused on social networking. Yet the future of Google TV could very well incorporate an array of social media-sharing options. Tweet about programs you’re viewing and interact with friends in real-time with the free app.
Best Buy may not have optimized its free Android app yet, but the company is still dedicated to its developer base. Creating an app that offers product searches, recommendations and purchasing based on media and other apps you have on Google TV is one way to look towards the future.
