TECH WATCH
Photos by Tanya X. Leonzo
Nancy Chaffin Vice President, Administration and Operation The Bakersfield Californian
We all know Google. It’s helped us with our buying habits, finding that perfect cocktail. It’s also helped us figure out how to fix that printer configuration setting so we can finally print! But Google is more than a search engine, a map into the unknown digital world. Google has TV. Whoa. We asked Nancy Chaffin, community volunteer, Californian top brass and proud owner of a Google TV, to give us the insight. Here’s what she had to say: My device is Google TV. I am technically challenged, so I have not come close to using all the functions. I am also not a big TV watcher but this has made me watch more and switch back and forth from live TV, to the DVR, to the Internet. I think these kinds of devices are the future and wanted to get more techy. In researching it, I found I can even use my iPhone as a remote — not sure why I thought that was a really a great thing, but I did. It's like an oversized laptop. I sit in my
TV.
comfy chair and the control has a full keyboard that allows me to do anything via the Internet that I can do on a computer. It's super easy to set up. I was stunned that I got it right on the first try. I also like that I got rid of a bunch of cords behind my
There are fewer connections for this device with my TV and cable box than I had with just the TV and the cable box. My TV has apps! Google TV comes with pre-loaded apps like Netflix, CNBC, Pandora and a bunch of others. Sometime this year they are supposed to add new options for apps. No need to worry about logging on your computer. With Google TV, I can check my checking account and e-mail as a new movie was downloading. I love to stream photos from photo-sharing sites — perfect for my two beautiful granddaughters. Streaming movies from Netflix is so convenient. Want to watch a National Geographic documentary or catch up on the last 11 years of “Law & Order SVU”? It's there! You can create your own homepage. OK, I confess I am having some trouble with this option, but I will prevail! Google regularly updates, so I get the newest features for free. I get a message and I click OK, or remind me later — takes a few minutes and it's done. www.BakersfieldLife.com 67