The battle for the living room ...

It seems - at least according to an article in the New York Times - the battle for the living room is heating up again. After Google announced it's plans for Google TV earlier this year Apple can hardly stand behind leaving it's Apple TV in the stage of a "hobby" as Steve Jobs called it almost two years ago. Where is it going to get us? Looking at the situation and the moves of the combatants it sounds like each of the players is trying to get hold of the living room - just by extending their respective dominant business model. Google is promoting search-capable TV-sets, Apple is after an extended iTunes on yet another sleek device and MSFT (yes, they're still there) are still trying to sell media center licenses.

Ok, extending core capabilities into other business areas may strategically not be the most stupid idea. However, the question whether it will work this time, remains. In our opinion the extension of PC-like usage into the living room will fail. Who wants to sit for 30 minutes in front of the TV-set just searching the favorite show or movie?

TV is entertainment and entertainment should be fun - not work. The TV should be able to come up with intelligent proposals, tailored to what the viewer wants - an it should be able to learn. That's the major step which would really make the difference. In the end it's not a question of technology but a question of choice and comfort. Stay tuned ...