SageTV acquired by Google

[Dargason]

I'm optimistic.

Sage is an awesome concept that has been crippled by a lack of investment dollars, IMO. They've had to perform backflips to get the HD-PVR working properly because there weren't any better choices. They've had to rely on user support for things like mobile devices because they didn't have the resources to handle it in-house. There are so many features that could get so much better with some additional work -- I'm still waiting for a usable intelligent recording feature, which was one of the reasons I bought the software 6 years ago.

With some money from Google and some exposure which would lead to a larger install base (which would mean more money and more leverage with hardware suppliers) these guys could really turn Sage into a game-changer.

Of course Google could ruin it, but I don't think they will. Sage is already a solid line of products that fits well with Google's 'cloud' mentality. It has a thriving development and support community already. It is already very close to something they can roll out on mobile android devices.

On the google side of things, they already have movies on their app store, but they don't have their own player.. you have to watch using Youtube or Xoom. (They say support for phones and Xoom WiFi coming soon... maybe via sage?) Having Sage means that they can sell movies, music, TV, etc to people to watch not only on their phone and computer, but also on their HD TV. That could be a huge boon to traffic on their App store which is ultimately where they will make their money.

The combination of Sage and Google is a good thing.

(On a related note, I believe (hope) that the future of television is a subscription service. I would subscribe to the programs I want and they would be delivered to my TV set automatically when they become available for playback whenever I choose. Google+Sage could do this.)

[joematt]

Originally Posted by davephan

It would be a sad day if the SageTV forum was also shut down. If that happened, maybe people could meet on Facebook or somewhere and start a new forum somewhere.

Dave

How about a Google Group?

http://groups.google.com/group/sagetv-annex

[maceie]

I was pretty cheesed earlier today, but I've had time to reflect on the sale now.

I JUST got my V7 server running how I want it to and it's pretty stable, BUT rather annoyingly, I reckon I've only got half the PC clients I need!

I was buying one a month as I wanted to spread the outlay and have got 1 client for the main room and one for Child1.
Child2 and the back room look like they're going to miss out.
Which is a shame for the $60 it'll cost.
If I'd have know about the store going into hiding, I could have just bought 2 more and be sitting pretty(ish) now.

I hope they open the store up for existing customers only, for some final purchases type of thing.

If anyone from Sage/Google is reading this...
Pretty please...

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by najames

It would have been nice if there was some sort of transitional period instead of just pulling the plug and walking away. They could've redirected it to a new "Google store" or something so I could've continued.

We've entered the transitional period. Jeff's email to users stated current users would continue to get support and that the forums would stay open to continue dialog with users (so I don't think a 7.1 final is "dead" yet).

Frankly I think closing the store was not a bad thing under the circumstances. Certainly it's better than what Snapstream did where they continued selling BeyondTV to (unsuspecting) users long after they'd abandoned it.

So like I said in another thread, I'm going to continue one, watching what happens with great interest, and getting myself caught up on what else is out there that I've not been paying much attention to, so if the worst happens I'll be prepared.

[brainbone]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Frankly I think closing the store was not a bad thing under the circumstances. Certainly it's better than what Snapstream did where they continued selling BeyondTV to (unsuspecting) users long after they'd abandoned it.

This is a very good point.

[stevech]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Frankly I think closing the store was not a bad thing under the circumstances.

I'm left in the lurch, cannot get Sage 7 License upgrade from Sage 6. I just got HD-PVR working, with HD300. I went to the store to buy the upgrade to Sage 7 and that's where I saw the Google notice.

My Sage 7 trial is ending.

I can hope they sell or otherwise sell a license, but I suspect the jump-ball is in the air now, on who is authorized to sell. So in a day or so, I have no server unless they extend the trial or sell a license.

[apschaefer]

Perhaps its wishful thinking, but this could work out well.

Android native Placeshifter
Placeshifter preinstalled in many new STB type devices
Native Cablecard support for premium channels?
...Not having to touch WMC!?
...They weren't bought and buried by Microsoft!

I see a whole new line of new extenders in our future. Maybe we should watch the Silicondust site and see if Google snatches them up for the Prime

[wado1971]

The original start post by stuckless on the GoogleTV thread is worth a re-read.

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47466

Edit: This whole post is full of optimism about SageTV and GoogleTV working together - interesting.

Edit2: Ha - the very last post is golden. Spot on PAF

[jaminben]

Here's another one......

Here comes Google, here comes GoogleTV,
and I say it's all right

Little SageTV, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little SageTV, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes Google, here comes the fun
and I say it's all right

Little SageTV, the smiles returning to the faces
Little SageTV, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes Google, here comes the fun
and I say it's all right

GoogleTV, GoogleTV, GoogleTV, here it comes...
GoogleTV, GoogleTV, GoogleTV, here it comes...

Little SageTV, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little SageTV, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes Google, here comes the fun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tV1...eature=related

Yes, I'm bored.

EDIT

On a roll now......

Yesterday,
All my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though GoogleTV's here to stay,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly,
GoogleTV's not half the man SageTV used to be,
GoogleTV's hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.

Why SageTV
Had to go I don't know, Jeff wouldn't say.
I said,
Nothings wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday,
Media content was such an easy thing to play,
I don't need a place to hide my HD300 away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Why SageTV
Had to go I don't know, Jeff wouldn't say.
I said,
Nothings wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday,
Media content was such an easy thing to play,
I don't need a place to hide my HD300 away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXp-...eature=related

EDIT 2

Hey Jeff, don't make it bad
Take your extender and make it better
Remember to let Goolge into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

Hey Jeff, don't be afraid
You were made to go out and make extenders
The minute you let GoogleTV under your skin
Then you begin to make it better

And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jeff, refrain
Don't carry the HTPC world upon your shoulders
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it with WMC
By making his HTPC a little slower
Na na na, na na, na na na na

Hey Jeff, don't let me down
You founded SageTV, now go and get GoogleTV
Remember to let Google into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

So let it out and let it in, hey Jeff, begin
You're waiting for someone to code with
And don't you know that it's just you? Hey Jeff, you'll do
The movement you need is in your fingers
Na na na, na na, na na na na, yeah

Hey Jeff, don't make it bad
Take a bad program and make it better
Remember to let GoogleTV under your skin
Then you begin to make it better
Better, better, better, better, better, oh!

Na na na, na-na na na
Na-na na na, hey Jeff
Na na na, na-na na na
Na-na na na, hey Jeff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDdI7GhZSQA

Last one I promise

[SteveD]

Remember sagetv was working on usb stick versions that included the os and app all in one that could operated on any platform. Maybe it was perfected and it is the path to the future that was presented to Google.

[ChrisFix]

I'm a relative newbie to SageTV...I started setting it up about 4 months ago. I've got the SageTV 7 media center and one placeshifter license and two HD300s (the second one bought just last week!). I'm using this with OTA only and have cut the ATT UVerse cord. I run it through two HD Homeruns...so I have a networked 4 tuner dvr, running form a Core I3 Windows 7 desktop I already had and use for my daily (minor) computing activities.

It is working perfectly with the 7.1.8 beta and I absolutely love it - especially the plugins (comm skip, playon, diamond, and widgets).

The small, silent extenders is why I went this route over WMC (even with one XBox 360 already in the house).

I'm sad the store has been unceremoniously shuttered...hopefully that will be temporary as they re-brand things?

If this system just continues to run like it is, I'll be okay...so that is my minimal hope for this outcome (and my $400 just spent with Sage). It won't be what I thought I was buying into (as I like to play with new features like the rest of you), but won't be the end of the world either. Best case, they actually continue to offer some new features to the existing base while rolling out new products.

[kranzel]

To the folks at SageTV, congrats. I hope you got a good chunk of change, cause you deserve it, and I also hope this transition works well for you and all of your users.

I have been a sage user since almost the beginning and must admit I am very concerned about this acquisition.

In my best ambitions, this product will continue on and even be integrated into Android@home, in my worst nightmares, Google will bury it.

I ten to think the latter is more likely but we shall wait and see.

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by reggie14

I can't buy a new HD300 anymore.

You don't know that. All you know is that you can't buy one today.

[dealsdyker]

If it is "done" then watch ebay for hd300 as people drop them on the market.

Just curious... Does google currently sell any hardware devices at retail to customers?

[peternm22]

Originally Posted by dealsdyker

Just curious... Does google currently sell any hardware devices at retail to customers?

I believe they sell an Android phone called the Nexus.

[starfire]

Originally Posted by peternm22

I believe they sell an Android phone called the Nexus.

It's not directly sold by Google, their ill fated attempt to sell direct and support it is well documented.

[Fuzzy]

I can't write a lot right now, but let me just say that when i pulled this up on my lunch-break today, My heart sank into my stomach. First reaction, of course, but very telling. No matter WHAT happens to the SageTV product, this is definitely the end of the current SageTV community and environment that is the cornerstone of my home's entertainment system. Does that mean it will no longer function? No, it should continue to function as is for years to come, with other guide data.

What is bothering me, though, is that I have posted almost 5000 posts here, I'd like to think most of them were helping sagetv's customers. I have no problem with this, as I really liked sagetv, and wanted others to be as happy with it as I am, and I think the small company could gain a lot from my volunteer support. I also feel this community was one of the greatest parts of the sagetv product. I can't see myself being nearly as active on a google product. I suppose my wife would end up being happy about that (as long as sage still works for her), but in the end, this news makes for a pretty crappy father's day.

Long term, the unfortunate truth here, is that this will probably push the techies out of the community. I would honestly be happier downloading tv shows from usenet and playing them in the current sagetv software, than I would be watching recorded/streamed content from google approved sources riddled with targetted advertising.

[robk]

I'll bet Google will demand a paid subscription for guide and "enhancements", which would turn off a lot of people.

[srothwell]

Originally Posted by robk

I'll bet Google will demand a paid subscription for guide and "enhancements", which would turn off a lot of people.

As I mentioned earlier, we are going to soon be receiving an email starting with "in an effort to serve you better..." and the ending will be a monthly fee.

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by robk

I'll bet Google will demand a paid subscription for guide and "enhancements", which would turn off a lot of people.

Why? SageTV is such a niche market and Google has billions of dollars ready to buy off companies, they aren't exactly hungry for a few more thousand dollars a month...