Google Eyes TV With Dish Network

Wired reports: Google reportedly is setting its sights on the television set-top box with a small test in conjunction with Dish Network that adds Google’s Android operating system to the satellite television experience. Viewers search satellite programming alongside websites such as Google’s YouTube with a keyboard and watch videos from either source on their televisions, the Wall Street Journal reports.

“Google’s trying to replicate the Internet experience on TV,” WSJ’s Jessica Vascallero says, “but it’s early days, and they’re testing a lot of formats.” She claims a small group of Google employees is currently kicking the tires on the service, but that Google nor Dish Network would comment about the test.

Google dominates online search and is apparently eager to extend its reach to the other main screen in most homes. When people search for television programs and Web video content on these boxes, they would encounter Google’s keyword and display ads, giving the search and advertising giant another way to reach consumers and profile their preferences.

Meanwhile, given the sorry state of most set-top boxes’ search functions, satellite and cable providers should be grateful for any help they can get as more televisions connect to the Internet. They can’t even offer acceptable search for the programming that is available now, let alone the torrent of video available online. Google would be able to help them in that regard the same way it's helping the major labels deal with online music videos.

In addition to showcasing video from YouTube, possibly Hulu, and other Web video sites alongside television programs, these set-top boxes reported run the Google Android operating system also found on Google’s phones. The same way apps designed for the iPhone will (mostly) work on the iPad, apps designed for Google Android phones could find their way onto televisions as a result of potential deals between Google and Dish or other television providers.

Whatever happens with these boxes, Vascallero said consumers shouldn’t hold their breath because it could be years until they can get their hands on a Google-powered television.