It’s no secret that Google TV is having a rougher launch then some might have envisioned. (Some users have even said that it’s the first Google product that needs the "beta" label but doesn’t have it.) Mark Cuban has even blogged about how Google TV could hand Netflix the entire streaming universe.

Not only is Hulu being blocked on Google TV, but so is the content at network sites like ABC, NBC, and CBS. Essentially, the TV stations are just blocking people from watching their content on the web (via their own sites). I’m having a hard time figuring out why this makes sense for a variety of reasons. 

First of all, Google TV is simply providing a web browser for users to access web content on their TVs. With regard to the content, it’s no different than if you were to hook up your computer to your TV and go to these stations’ sites. 

Connected TV isn’t a new concept anymore, but it’s about to get way more interesting, courtesy of Google TV. WebProNews was there for the unveiling of the product at Google I/O back in May, and having seen it in person, I can tell you it’s pretty cool. 

ABC Nightline ran a story last evening about Google’s plans to take over the living room with Google TV. As you may know, Sony is one of the launch partners and will launch HD TVs and Blu-ray players supporting the service. 

Google launched a new Google TV site today, and announced some new content and app partnerships. A few of the apps that will come pre-installed on Google TV devices are Twitter, Pandora, and Netflix. 

Each of these companies is talking about their respective Google TV experiences today. From the sounds of it, users are going to be in for some cool things. 

Google has set up a new site for Google TV, with a "quick tour" spotlighting the features. Many of these were on display at the product announcement at Google I/O earlier this year, but it’s still nice to be able to look at the details in one place. 

Dell and Google have worked together a lot over the years, from the time they partnered on a toolbar in 2006 to when Dell’s CEO flashed an Android-powered tablet earlier this week.  As for what’s next, it seems possible they’ll coordinate something related to Google TV.

One of the people responsible for Netflix’s jaw-dropping selection of content now works for Google, according to a new report.  Indeed, Robert Kyncl should even hold the important title (and position) "Vice President of Content Partnerships" at the search giant.

Google said right from the beginning (Google I/O in May) that Google TV would be available in time for the holidays. They were never specific about the when, however. A week ago, Eric Schmidt confirmed that Google TV would be out this fall. A day or two later, Intel CEO Paul Otellini reportedly said that Google TV devices should start shipping as soon as this month.

Google has a post on its Public Policy blog talking about moving forward on white spaces. As the company notes, the five current FCC Commissioners will soon meet to set final technical rules for white spaces. 

When Google unveiled Google TV at Google I/O in May, the company said it would be out for the holidays. CEO Eric Schmidt is now saying more specifically, this autumn, according to Reuters. It’s unclear whether this is ahead of the originally planned schedule or if it was always intended to be Autumn (as opposed to Winter), but Apple’s release of Apple TV may provide a little motivation to get Google TV on the market as soon as possible. 

When Google TV launches, don’t look for all – or maybe any – of the major networks to throw parties or send fruit baskets.  A new report indicates that Google’s had little luck convincing the networks to partner with it.

Jessica E. Vascellaro wrote earlier this morning, "In recent weeks, Google has met with officials of TV networks including ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC to encourage them to work with the service, according to people familiar with the matter."  Which is kind of good news, since it at least shows a dialogue is taking place.

As the world waits for Google TV to be unleashed this holiday season, Yahoo is doing its best to remind consumers that it already has a foot firmly in the space. The company did so when Google made its announcement, and now on the heels of a survey released by iSuppli last week, they’re at it again.

Logitech has started a contest to promote Google TV, the upcoming service for which Logitech is a launch partner. The contest is called "Host with the Most", and asks if "you have what it takes to be a ‘host with the most’ for Logitech Revue with Google TV?"

Logitech Revue is the company’s set-top box that will help the Google TV service launch (alongside TVs and Blu-ray players from Sony).

A job listing for an "Android Video Playback Expert" under Partner Product Development has been spotted on the Netflix job listing page (via BGR > Nerdcast).

Google has posted a new video showing off Google TV. Those who watched the keynote at Google I/O won’t see much new here, but it does show some of the different things you can do with it that previous videos didn’t show. It shows actual footage, rather than animation, anyway.

Watch here:

Google TV made something of a splash when it was first announced, earning bloggers’ approval and even some early commitments from would-be buyers.  Then everyone moved on to the next big news story.  But today, a Forrester analyst returned to the subject, claiming Google TV "is a bigger deal than you think."

Apple CEO Steve Jobs thinks Google’s television efforts with Google TV are going to fail. At least that’s the impression he gave earlier in the week, speaking at All Things Digital’s D8 conference when an audience member asked him about TV.

Do you think Google TV is destined to fail, or does its outlook look better than its predecessors? Tell us what you think.

While there are other mobile operating systems that shouldn’t be ignored (Blackberry for one), there are two that seem to get the most attention, and that may end up competing most for user and marketer attention above the rest in the foreseeable future. These are of course the iPhone OS and the Android OS.

Which will you place more focus on: iPhone or Android? Let us know.

Last week at Google I/O, Google TV was announced by the company, along with its launch partners DISH Network, Sony, Intel, Adobe, Best Buy, and Logitech. Just after the unveiling presentation was given, WebProNews spoke with Ashish Arora, the Vice President and General Manager of Logitech Digital Home, about Logitech’s role in the service.

Last week at Google I/O, we witnessed the unveiling of Google TV. One of Google’s launch partners is DISH Network, who will offer the service to its customers beginning in the fall, via its HD DVR receivers.