Vendors looking to launch new TVs at the 2011 CES show in Las Vegas that run the Google TV software have been told to put their announcements on hold after Google TV appears to have gone pear shaped.According to Toshiba sources in Japan, Google is looking to deliver a major upgrade of their Android based software, however Samsung is expected to go ahead with their launch. LG is wavering with the decision as to whether to reveal their new Google TV offering at CES now down to the LG US team handling the CES launch program for the Korean manufacturer, said sources.
Gina Weakley, a Google spokeswoman said: “Our long-term goal is to collaborate with a broad community of consumer electronics manufacturers to help drive the next-generation TV-watching experience, and we look forward to working with other partners to bring more devices to market in the coming years.”
TVs with Google TV allow viewers to easily surf the web from their TV. Google TV devices are already available from Sony and Logitech International.
Jeff Barney, the vice president of Toshiba’s digital products division, said: “We have an understanding with Google about the future product roadmap and will bring the right product out at the right timeframe. We will not launch a Google TV at CES,” he said.
Tech Radar in the UK said that industry analysts have criticised Google’s business culture and its ability to manage relationships with consumer tech manufacturing partners.
“Google as a company is not a particularly partner-friendly or partner-focused company,” said James L. McQuivey, an analyst at Forrester, claiming that it could be well into late 2011 before Google TV really takes off.
