Google TV has made great strides since its introduction in 2020. In this interview with product management director Ben Serridge, he explains the keys to the product’s success.
Top news stories (0:50)
Interview with Ben Serridge – Director of Product Management at Google (6:00)
The difference between Android TV and Google TV (6:30)
Ben explains that Android TV is the TV OS and that Google TV is the TV experience on top of Android TV. He also explains that Google TV is a content-forward experience.
Why TV OEMs and viewers pick Google TV (8:15)
Ben explains the features Google TV focuses on to incentivize TV OEMs and viewers to prefer Google TV. Recommendations are a key feature, and Ben explains how they are generated.
Updates to the live guide and live experience (12:30)
In the latest update to Google TV, the company rolled out a substantial upgrade to the live guide. Will and I asked Ben about these upgrades and the motivations behind making them. I also asked Ben about my favorite new feature: integrating over-the-air channels into the smart TV linear guide.
Upcoming improvements to the live guide (17:30)
I asked about some of the upcoming improvements to the live guide and possible improvements in voice support. We also discuss how recommendations could help improve the guide experience.
Why the company invests in Chromecast with Google TV (21:40)
Ben has clearly stated that the company focuses on the TV OEMs. I asked him why it was selling a dongle. He also explains why he thinks the dongle is not dead, as some TV OEMs have stated.
What are some of the priorities for TV OEMs (25:00)
Ben explains some of the motivations for large and small TV OEMs.
What’s the future of the TV OS (27:30)
Ben discusses some of the priorities for Google TV and if he sees the TV OS converging on one or two key players, as the smartphone did a decade ago.
