The concept of Google TV when it launched 4 years in the past was to make it simpler to seek out content material throughout a sea of streaming companies, however as the subsequent chapter in Google TV begins, what if the platform developed that can assist you simply swap backwards and forwards between companies?
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For a lot of, signing up for 2 or three subscriptions can price as a lot as some cable packages, all whereas nonetheless not providing you with entry to the entire content material you truly need. In consequence, we’re seeing increasingly bundles.
However, in actuality, most individuals are solely utilizing a few these subscriptions at a time, making spending the tens of {dollars} every month on those you’re not utilizing as a lot really feel largely pointless. Recently, I’ve been retaining Disney+ and Hulu energetic primarily, and turning Max, Peacock, Paramount+, and Netflix on for a month or two at a time. It’s slightly tedious, however it saves a bunch of cash.
What if that could possibly be automated, although?
The concept of Google TV again in 2020 was to assist everybody discover the content material they need to watch shortly and simply from a central location, and I can’t assist however really feel like the subsequent logical step there’s the flexibility to automate what companies you’re truly utilizing.
Think about it this fashion. You’re including content material to your watchlist on Google TV, and a brand new Netflix present catches your eye. However, at present, you’re not subscribed. This hypothetical model of Google TV might spin up your account, set a timer for a few months, after which cease the fee while you’re performed. In concept, this might leverage Google Play’s “pause” perform for subscriptions, permitting Google TV to automate the duty of pausing one subscription whereas maybe enabling one other.
This may be an extremely helpful perform, however the unhappy actuality is that it’ll possible by no means occur.
For one, the “pause” thought would require all of those streaming companies to truly use Google Play Billing, one thing that’s extremely unlikely so long as a 30% reduce is within the image. Past that, it’d additionally in all probability create some dangerous blood between Google TV and people companies. Simply take a look at Netflix’s response to Google TV even merely eager to floor Netflix’s library exterior of their app. They’d by no means be on board for one thing like this. Plus, there would in all probability even be a variety of friction with the money-saving bundles that exist now, just like the one that bundles Disney+, Hulu, and Max.
That is all a dream, however it’s a pleasant one in my e-book. If Google ever managed to do that – and to be clear, there’s no signal that is even on the drawing desk – it’d in all probability usher in a brand new period for the platform.
At the very least we’ve obtained the Google TV Streamer to sit up for this coming week!
This Week’s High Tales
Google TV continues to construct up ‘Freeplay’
Google TV is choosing up the tempo in relation to free channels, including properly over a dozen new choices previously couple of weeks, in addition to launching a revamped “Freeplay” app expertise.
Hell has frozen over: The iPhone has RCS now
It’s been an extended wait, and lots of thought it’d by no means occur, however the iPhone has RCS now. The rollout of iOS 18 has enabled RCS assist throughout all main carriers, lastly bettering messaging between iOS and Android. There are nonetheless some hurdles left to beat, however it’s by no means been higher than it’s now.
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