Chapter 2. Getting Started

In the previous chapter, we introduced you to Google TV and we discussed the opportunity that this new platform presents for developers. We’re still in the early days of the platform, but even now it’s evident that Google TV has the potential to become a revolutionary platform that provides developers with another avenue to distribute content. The web and TV are a natural fit, and their integration via Google TV has opened up a new avenue for developers to build and deliver a compelling experience for users.

Before we dive into a technical discussion in the next chapter, we’d like to ensure that you have some context and background that will help you as you get started. This is an opportunity to pass on some wisdom that will make your life easier as you build an app for Google TV.

What Makes a Compelling App?

As we discussed in the previous chapter, we’re talking about a lot more than just thinking of a TV as a big monitor. Imagine how you, your family and friends, and billions of other people around the world interact daily with a TV. The possibilities are enormous and yet building a compelling app for TV, not just Google TV, may not be as easy as it sounds.

Let’s take a look at some key characteristics that we think contribute to the popularity and value of web apps for Google TV.

Compelling Content

The web is full of all kinds of content, and the amount of content being generated and added to the web is staggering. The number of web pages worldwide grew by ...

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