SageTV acquired by Google

[peternm22]

Brent from Geektonic says he will be talking to a Google rep tonight about this, so hopefully we will have some answers.

[sleonard]

Woot, yay, hurrah, woopee. We just got acquired by Yahoo. Now we will be able to do all kinds of great things for you.

Last thing ever heard from the Meedio Team.

S

[mr_lore]

longtime friend works at google, already emailed him but I doubt he is even aware of this move given his position, I can dream though...

[Rico66]

I switched to WMC a couple of weeks ago due to Colossus issues (and the somewhat lackluster support from the Sage side) with the idea of switching back at some stage.

Looks like this is not going to happen...

[robogeek]

Originally Posted by bastafidli

Time to make my wildest predictions and then check with my friends at google :-)
...
2. Sage gui will get professional make over
...

And I would predict the same people that have been complaining about the current and past GUIs will still complain about it when it gets a professional make over...they will never truly be completely happy with any GUI on their TV

[wbarber69]

Version 7.1.9 media center for windows http://db.tt/CB3iJlJ

[gblinckmann]

Originally Posted by PLUCKYHD

Wow guess it's time to look at wmc again

And here I had just the opposite reaction. I set up a WMC7 system so that I could get Cable Card & HD Cable. I really miss Sage a lot. I'm hoping that this means that there will again be a good solution with Sage integrated with Google TV. If an HD solution better than Cable Card (and those *&%$Y Cisco tuning adapters!) comes out, I'm there! If it's Sage-powered IPTV, I'll dump WMC in a heartbeat.

[nyplayer]

I guess pretty soon the guide data will be unavailable that will make Sage TV totally useless... for me as I use mainly the PVR function.

[wado1971]

We could finally get native support for Netflix - I don't think they'll have a user base issue too much longer

[gblinckmann]

Originally Posted by Narflex

Does that answer your question?

That's good enough for me! I have Google-everything in my house - 2 CR-48's, 2 Xooms, 2 Android cell phones (will be 4 when I renew) and pretty much every Google service they offer. I'm optimistic that Sage will make Google TV worth buying. You'll have your work cut out for you!

Now all that development in Java doesn't seem like it was such a silly idea.

[clayginn]

Well I can see direct Android support now. I think this is good but I am worried about the hardware side. I love my extenders

[setherd]

Originally Posted by starfire

Let's hope so, I used to be a user of Meedio until Yahoo acquired it....

Although I'd be surprised if Google acquired SageTV to kill it, can't believe its a competitor to anyone it's more an enthusiast's play thing.

that is my fear, I loved Meedio!!!!!!

[reggie14]

Wow! I didn't see this coming, but I did suspect something was up- development of Sage v7.1 was moving at a suspiciously slow pace.

First, congratulations Jeff and the SageTV team! They always should have been proud of themselves for the product they created, but to have a company like Google be interesting in acquiring them really shows what a unique and high-quality product they had.

Second, I'm quite concerned. There's a chance this could be great news in the long run, but its almost certainly bad news in the short run. The fact that the website is basically completely down shows that. I can understand why the store might have to shut down, but I don't understand why they took down the downloads page. I've always been concerned that Sage could basically close down overnight without any warning, due to its size. It's possible this effectively just happened.

But, it's also possible this is just the beginning. Ideally, SageTV will continue on in its current form, with Google continuing to provide EPG data and bug fixes to the software and firmware. Major development might stop on the existing product, but current users wouldn't be left out in the cold. Instead, I'm hoping we'll see a new product based heavily on the SageTV backend that would work with new GoogleTV devices. Hopefully we won't lose any current functionality, but will gain some of the things many of us have been hoping for, including online streaming video (e.g., Netflix, Hulu), CableCard support, and an improved interface (particularly for music, please).

I assume Google bought Sage for possible inclusion of Sage into GoogleTV. At the same time, Google has shown its perfectly willing to create or acquire products without really knowing what to do with them. I can't imagine Google things that GoogleTV is going to be their next big thing- I think its pretty clear cloud services will be- so its likely there won't be a huge push from Google executives to create anything here. It's perfectly possible- perhaps even likely- that Google will let Sage-related efforts flounder for a while before killing it completely (maybe without ever releasing a product to the public).

I don't know what Sage and/or Google are willing to share at this moment, but I have a list of questions:

• At this point, my #1 concern is EPG data. How long will it continue?
• What will happen with the SageTV website? Will we still be able to access past versions of SageTV software?
• What will happen with these forums? How long can we expect them to continue operating?
• What will happen with the extenders? Will you continue selling the remaining stock? Will we be able to get warranty service on our recent purchases? If so, how?
• Will we see any additional releases of Sage software, or will development cease on this particular product?
• Will the current SageTV development team continue working on this and/or related new products from Google?

I also have a couple questions for the community. What are your plans if Sage really does completely shut down, including the forums and EPG data? Do we have a plugin for SchedulesDirect already? Do the plugin developers know how to create plugin installers for Sage v7 if the repository shuts down? What other web forum will we try to continue on at?

I was seriously considering putting together a new SageTV server that is better suited for handling the H.254 files from the HD-PVR and Colossus. I'm definitely putting that on hold until we get some answers on the future of the SageTV software.

[bastafidli]

My guess is Google bought Sage for both hw and sw. Google is loosing battle for living room. Xbox/PS3/Wii/Roku/Boxee/LG TVs/Samsung TVs. Google is dependent on all of these to get their properties in front of users. Google needs presense in living room and Sage extenders are the best HW on the market (price/functinality/usability standpoint).

My prediction is that HD400 will be next Google TV. Linux may be replaced by Android. some Android apps may run on HD400. Google properties will be properly integrated. Sage software will be provided for free to get users ability to integrate their own media.

[jriver]

Congratulations! A well deserved honor.

[ptzink]

Wow, can't believe this. This one blind sided me. I think there are lots of positive things that could come from being acquired. Unfortunately, my mind can only think of one scenario right now - Google takes the underlying technology for Google TV 2.0 and leaves SageTV for dead. I fear of monthly fees, DRM, and less customization. I really feel for the developers of SageTV. I think I have put a lot of time and money into my system. Phut! This is nothing compared to what you guys have done. For your dedication, I thank you. I really want to stay positive about this - just think what this product could be if "done right" by Google. I have an unsettling feeling in my gut though. I had better start drinking heavily to get rid of it and start thinking on the bright side. Here's to a bright future.

[Nadim]

I am hoping for the Best, but I am also developing a Backup plan for the Worst.

Because I also remember that SimplifyMedia (audio streamer to Iphone/Ipod) got bought out by Google. Killed the product, it never was heard from again.

[BrianAz]

About the only good that can come of this is if Sage becomes the basis for GoogleTV going forward. If so, and it includes native CableCARD support it should give WMC a run for it's money.

As for current SageTV users, I don't see how this can be considered a positive development at all. Best case scenario is no further direct Sage development and you hope and pray that your hardware is compatible with GoogleTV and that they included the parts of Sage you care about.

[Arioch5]

While I can see google TV improving on the areas that Sage clearly lacked (audio, Netflix, Cablecard). I fear we'll loose the ability to install it on the hardware of our choise. I was very seriously considering 2 more HD300's for my house and an ESXi to combine my Sage machine with my Unraid.

I very much doubt the Google solution (assuming the make one with Sage) will be something you can install on just any hardware. I see the sage backed becoming at best dedicated hardware.

Don't get me wrong 2x android phones, and when Kal-El hits 2x Android tablets between my wife and myself. I use gmail, google sites, and google groups. I just really liked Sage TV. I only need the two or three improvements above and I'm afraid we'll never see anything like it again now.

[Sparhawk6]

Well, this is always a risk when you support and buy into a little guy. Congrats to Jeff and the Sage team. I'm still miffed that we never got cablecard support, but otherwise you made a great product.

The tough question is - do I move on to the next product, or do I wait and see what google will do with this? Even if google does something, it will take them ages to accomplish it. Sage is likely dead for at the very least a year.