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Google just doesn't get it - TV is about simplicity. It is not about having a clunky keyboard. Apple probably had the best chance to succeed... There is no chance for Google to succeed when the venerable Apple did not...

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Sure it's about simplicity at times, but how convenient would it be to read an article or browse the internet on half your television screen while a basketball game you want to passively watch is on simultaneously? I wouldn't mind eliminating the laptop that constantly sits on my lap (fittingly.) while I watch tv. If they are able to make television content searchable as well, that's gravy for me.

WebTV died years ago. I don't think many people really want a modern website on their TV.

I wouldn't mind twitter/RSS updates in a side area or Growl box (like a chat box in a FPS), but the web doesn't fare well on the lower-resolution TV; similarly as with mobile devices, websites would have to be redesigned for TV usage.

People may not want modern websites, but articles and/or documents can still be read not in the context of a standard browser. Twitter updates along a side is a good idea, perhaps email notifications such as comcast does with caller id too.

I don't think Google is completely hopeless. They understand the need for the passive watching default mode of operation. See http://www.youtube.com/leanback

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