A source has told us that Sony has already started testing a fix for the recent exploit and plans to have it coming out as soon as Monday as an OTA update. If this is correct that means that after you receive this automatic over-the-air update you will no longer be able to run the “recovery downgrade” or perform the recovery exploit to root your Sony GoogleTV.

via GTV Hacker » Blog Archive » Rumor: New update coming in Monday patching Sony GoogleTV exploit.

Google’s got a patent application out there for a Siri-like UI for Google TV. What does that mean for Google TV owners? Not much just yet, but it’s a sign you’re not totally abandoned.

The patent outlines a method of transmitting voice data to a TV through an Android phone or tablet, which would handle the voice-to-text processing for the TV. You’d be able to set up which shows you want to watch before you get home, and control basically all of your other gadgets as well, like cable boxes or Blu-ray players.

via Is Google TV Getting a Siri Clone?.

Early Google TV adopters looking for root access can get it easily on their Sony units, thanks to the just released GTVHacker Sony Recovery Downgrader & Rebooter. Unlike brute force hacks weve seen so far for the Revue, this is an all-software method that requires only four 512MB or larger USB sticks to get the job done.

via GTVHacker tool brings Sony Google TVs root access, full Flash streaming – Engadget.

The official Google TV blog revealed “…an updated version of the YouTube app. For what it’s worth, the new version is supposed to be faster with smoother navigation when it starts rolling out “in the next few days.” It also adds a “Discover” feature for browsing by category, new channel pages and better tie-ins for related videos, which should help viewers browse its growing library of premium content, but isn’t exactly the big announcement some may have anticipated.”

via Google TV Facebook page teases new announcement (Update: It’s a new YouTube app) — Engadget.

The Google TV update that rolled out to Sony units earlier this week (no word on the Revue, yet) brought tweaks to Chrome and support for Blu-ray 3D playback on the player, but that’s not all. The bump to Android 3.2 also improved hooks for developers to access channel listings in their apps, enabled hardware acceleration and last but not least, improved support for HTTP Live Streaming. That last detail is particularly important to those streaming video from their PCs using Plex, since additional HLS tweaks were necessary to allow viewing of files transcoded from otherwise-Google TV unfriendly formats. Also supported as in the Plex update is selection of alternate audio streams, subtitles, more channels and a few other fixes. Check out a Google+ post from Les Vogel of the Google TV team for all the Honeycomb 3.2 (API Level 13) details you can stomach, the Plex blog for more info on its software, or just make sure you’re running the latest updates and take a look around yourself.

via Google TV 3.2 update enhances HLS video streaming support, Plex update takes advantage – Engadget.

If a simple tweet by the Google TV squad is to be believed, those of you who own Sony-branded hardware should be receiving an update within the next few days. In a scant 140-characters, Big G promises a Chrome browser that “works faster,” as well as the ability to get your Blu-ray content in all three dees if thats your thing. Googles not telling precisely when the fresh features will make their way to Sonys set-top boxes, so youll just have to stay glued to your GTV and wait for it to magically appear.

via Sony Google TV gets update this week, brings speedier Chrome and 3D Blu-ray support – Engadget.

So far, while not all of Google’s aims to change the phone business with its Nexus brand program there may have been achieved, it has created some admirable devices in cooperation with HTC and Samsung — way to pass on that one Sony Ericsson — and according to Bloomberg, it may try the same with LG for TVs. As product manager Rishi Chandra mentioned in an interview with us, the next focus for Google TV will likely center around increasing its ability to personalize the user experience and further enhance content discovery, and the usual anonymous sources indicate LG could get first crack at it later this year to show others what is possible.

via Google, LG to team up on ‘Google TV Nexus’ edition for next release? — Engadget.

After launching its initial volley in late 2010, Google TV remained in a holding pattern hardware-wise while waiting for the massive upgrade to Honeycomb that would bring third party apps and an entirely new UI. Now Google TV 2.0 has arrived, and it’s been followed by a slew of new product announcements. While Logitech has bowed out this time, new partners Vizio, LG and Samsung are joining Sony for round two, so we took a few minutes to chat with product manager Rishi Chandra about where the platform has been in the last year and a half, and where he sees it going in the future. Check out the video above to see what the team has learned from its users over the last year, and what the folks at Google think it will mean to simplify TV and internet video viewing.

via The Engadget Interview: Google TV Product Manager Rishi Chandra at CES 2012 (video) — Engadget.

If you aren’t content streaming video games to your PC, MicroConsole, Android device or iPad, you’re about to get another option: Google TV. Following the same slow rollout it used when it launched the cloud gaming service for Android devices, OnLive is launching OnLive viewer for Google TVs today. Not enough, fine, fine — the streaming outfit is also demoing a full gameplay update for Google TV on the CES show floor, and promises that you’ll be pwning newbs soon enough. Not a Google TV user? Onlive casually mentioned the service would be hitting Blu-Ray players and other set-top boxes soon as well. Read on to see for yourself, the press release awaits.

via OnLive Viewer comes to Google TV, full gameplay capability coming soon — Engadget.

It turns out Vizio’s plans for Android don’t stop at just tablets and TVs, as it’s list of accessories being announced for 2012 are two Google TV powered set-top boxes. The VAP430 Stream player picks up where the Revue left off (and directly competes with Sony’s NSZ-GS7 network player) adding the Google TV experience and access ot streaming media in any existing setup. Meanwhile, the VBR430 Blu-ray player adds discs to the mix of a VIA platform (standard and Plus) that stands to benefit from a new VOD app, M-Go from Technicolor that should bring first-run movies streaming directly to TVs. There’s a few other add-ons mentioned in the PR (after the break) including a Skype webcam, iPad dock and soundbar, but all of those are available now. Like the other products Vizio has announced at CES, shipping dates and prices are still TBD.

via Vizio tops accessories off with two Google TV-powered players — Engadget.