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Google TV blocked. Imagine the protests if sites blocked other browsers than IE and Firefox!
There's a story on Slashdot about how Hulu, NBC, and Other Sites Block Google TV. The summary includes a quote by one Lauren Weinstein:
Yes, imagine that. Imagine the massive protests. The world would be rallying around browsers that are being blocked.
Except that's not what's happening.
Imagine the protests that would ensue if Internet services arbitrarily blocked video only to Internet Explorer or Firefox browsers!
Yes, imagine that. Imagine the massive protests. The world would be rallying around browsers that are being blocked.
Except that's not what's happening.
The fact is that you don't have to imagine browser discrimination. You can find countless examples of sites that outright block browsers like Opera. Indeed, Google is as guilty of this as anyone else.
But there were few protests beyond those who were affected.
Now the Google is on the receiving end. Opera, a browser with more than 140 million users worldwide, has already been on the receiving end of browser discrimination for more than a decade.
It's hard to imagine the massive protests that aren't there.
I would welcome a debate around browser discrimination, though.
Readers' comments 10
Left under the original article, as archived.
About this article
| Published in | A Journal from Behind the Trenches |
|---|---|
| Date | November 7, 2010 |
| Author | Haavard |
| Tags | google tv, google, discrimination, browsers, browser sniffing |
| Original | Internet Archive |
Charles SchlossSunday, November 7, 2010 4:15:34 PM
One of the reasons why I have
as part of every email signature I have
HurrSunday, November 7, 2010 4:20:34 PM
In my opinion, that's the one that should be blocked. Google is open and good. (maybe not that good but if they were to do something bad their whole business model would fail)
Felipe CeprianoSunday, November 7, 2010 4:45:48 PM
Originally posted by HuRRaCaNe:
Apple TV doesn't have a browser. Never ever had.
It can only get content from iTunes Store or partners.
And what the networks don't like on Google TV is exactly that it is open. They want to charge (see Hulu Plus) if you want their content on your TV. PC for free, TV for a pay.
The same happened with Boxee and Hulu already. At first, you could get Hulu on your TV via Boxee, using Hulu APIs and all. Then Hulu stopped the "partnership" with Boxee and them implemented a browser to access Hulu - that soon got blocked and so goes on...
Artur „Jurgi” JurgawkaMonday, November 8, 2010 2:58:01 AM
Indeed.
Even in Poland, where Opera is very popular.
Yeni SetiawanMonday, November 8, 2010 8:51:19 AM
Can u imagine, IE?
Cutting SpoonTuesday, November 9, 2010 1:53:32 AM
Even popular services need to carefully weigh who they're alienating.
Ryan MorilloWednesday, December 15, 2010 11:12:49 AM
ChrisWednesday, December 15, 2010 12:24:34 PM
Originally posted by srart:
Who are you talking to?Ryan MorilloThursday, March 3, 2011 7:24:57 AM
ChrisThursday, March 3, 2011 8:14:05 AM