Google delays TV product launch

INTERNET TV OUTFIT Google has delayed the launch of its TV software and decided not to show it off at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) next month in Las Vegas.

Google already has a deal with Sony for its Internet TVs, and other television makers were all set to make a big splash with their gear at CES.

According to Steve Jobs' favourite newspaper, the New York Times, Google has asked the TV makers to delay their introductions.

Its unnamed sources "familar with Google's plans" say that the search engine company wants to refine the software, which has apparently received a lukewarm reception. Unlike the Apple TV which has done rather well, apparently.

The Times then criticises Google, claiming that it is not ready to "expand into the tricky, unfamiliar realm of consumer electronics", and drum up broad interest in a web-based TV product that consumers want.

Its rationalisation is that Google has a long history of putting out new products and then revising them on the fly. It said that in the consumer electronics market, companies place big, well-timed bets.

The Times said that Google's inability to get the Chrome OS software to compete with Apple in time for Christmas was proof of the uselessness of the search engine company at making consumer electronics.

All that was missing was a dig at Google's meteorically successful Android operating system.

Oh hang on, here it is. "Google has notched a big win with its Android software for smartphones. But, again, phone and computer makers have been forced to push back their plans to release tablets based on a refined version of the software, leaving Apple's iPad as the tablet king this Christmas," said the Times, which apparently had forgotten that the Galaxy Tab is doing quite well.

So far Google has not commented about the TV delay. It seems that Apple wants to take advantage of Google's TV delay and released its tame hacks.

Already Google was refusing to give a date when the technology would appear in Blighty. The Times was incorrect that it had been panned by reviewers, but they have commented that it is still a bit buggy.

What Google perhaps does not understand is that when it is taking on Jobs' Mob it will have the tame Apple press against it, so it had better not mess around. µ