Google TV 2.0 Box based on Android 3.1 already in Developer Hands

Google has kept rather quite on how they plan to continue with Google TV. The first attempt last year is considered a failure despite big support from Sony and Logitech that launched products based on Google TV. Now some interesting information surfaced about a secret developer program called Google TV "Fishtank". According to Geek.com Google has given about 50 developers a reference box that runs Google TV 2.0 based on Android 3.1 to develop apps for it.

The reference box is based on the Intel CE4100 system on a chip (sodaville). The Google TV 2.0 beta is basically a stripped down Android 3.1 with a Live TV function. Google also installed a full Chrome browser on the Google TV 2.0 prototype box.

Geek.com received several photos of the box and some screen-shots. It is hard to tell though what Google wants to achieve with Google TV 2.0. It might revolve around overlay apps that correspond to live TV. 

If the recent acquisition of SageTV will have an impact on the next Google TV release is not clear yet. Google needs to find a functionality mix that is setting Google TV 2.0 apart from Samsung's and LG's Smart TV and the Apple TV. It needs to add something new that users actually want. The universal search that the Google TV 1.0 offered wasn't it.

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