Sony underwhelms with Google TV at CES

January 7, 2011 By Jeffrey Van Camp

Google may have asked it to hold back, but Sony is proudly showing off its Internet TVs at CES this year. Our impressions inside.

Google may have asked TV makers to hold back Google TV, but that isn’t stopping Sony. At Sony’s CES booth, Internet TV is all over the place, and it’s all powered by Google. We first tried out these TVs at Sony’s launch event back in October, and it doesn’t appear the software has changed since then. Though the concept is good, Google TV is still underwhelming, both in set-top boxes like the Logitech Revue and embedded in TVs, as seen here.

Two big problems stuck out with Sony’s Internet TVs:

The Google TV interface is sluggish.
The keyboard remote control is confusing and strangely built.

Though I did begin to get used to the device, the remote control remains far too complicated for many users. It took me several minutes to figure out how to do simple things like move my mouse, which is done using a touchpad button on the right side of the remote. Hopefully Google will revamp its software in the months to come and Sony will simplify the remote control in next year’s model. Until then, check out this run through of some Google TV features.

Showing 8 comments

Jason at 9:39am 13th January 2011 Working at DISH network I have gotten to play with Google TV a lot. I believe that Google TV will have an impact on TV viewing, The internet right at your fingers, and if you don't want to buy the TV you can get the Logitech Revue to go along with your TV. I don't quite understand the problem he was having with the remote either, it just had a small learning curve on it.
ezst at 9:27pm 8th January 2011 I'm not sure why the reviewer has such an issue with the remote. Have they never used a cell phone to text with before? The remote feels right and is easy to use. I love how it controls everything plugged into it. When I first went into the Sony store they told me the TV was going to be evolving over time to become more functional with more content over time. So far this has been completely true. Very large strides for functionality came with the latest update. I'm not sure what the reviewer was looking for, but it lives up to what Sony said it would be. I like a device that keeps improving through software. So I have to say the "2 big issues" seem to be not so big.
urca braz at 10:58pm 7th January 2011 reviewer's a moron if they can't figure out the google-tv remote. i sat down with it and after 10 minutes if felt very comfortable and natural. the logitech revue remote isn't a standard keyboard ... but the parts they changed make perfect sense. awesome navigation. a bit sluggish i admit, but jumping from news and other web content to internet video to tv to netflix on a bit flatscreen is awesome.
1. @JeffreyVC at 8:11am 8th January 2011 I figured the controller out just fine, but it was not a natural, easy, instant learning process a new service like this needs. If it takes me 10 minutes to figure something out, someone who knows less about tech like my mother may never grasp it completely. The remote is functional and usable once you learn it, but it could be a much simpler user experience. The actual interface, while sluggish, is much simpler than the controller used to operate it. I didn't comment on Google TV's content issues. I am optimistic about the service and unit, but it could use some work.
Michael Sean Kennedy at 10:40pm 7th January 2011 Also side note, I can't view this vid on my droid idk why
CircusDad at 8:35pm 7th January 2011 I own a Sony blu ray google tv box and, while I do no regret my purchase, I do admit that my satisfaction is based somewhat in what it promises to become rather then what it is right now. Most dissatisfied people/reviews wanted it to replace there need for cable/satellite and so there dissatisfaction is understandable. The reason I am taking the time to comment is only because this reviewer made such a big deal of the remote. Honestly, it's not as complicated as he makes it sounds. It's really easy and natural actually. My hands naturally fall on the buttons I use the most. It looks complex when you see a picture of it and so I think most people reach a conclusion before they even touch it. Fact is. It's easy.
1. Michael Sean Kennedy at 10:39pm 7th January 2011 Ditto on everything you said lol I was afraid that I woudnt like the remote at first but was soon proven wrong, after you use it a few times you rememeber it haha
Sang Kancil Guru at 7:02pm 7th January 2011 Frankly, even the Sony Playstation 3 has a better user experience than Google TV. Why is Sony depending on the UI guys at Google?