Google TV made a big buzz this year with it’s launch on Logitech and Sony devices and then came out with severely cut down features and was almost immediately ex-comunicated from most of the major online streaming sites and networks.  We are all waiting patiently for access to the Android Market to arrive so we start to really appreciate what this platform can do.  In the mean time, Google is releasing an update that will add some wizardry to existing apps and features, but won’t really improve our Google TV experience that much.  I really hope that there is ore to this update under the hood that we don’t know about.

So what are we getting and when?

According to Google’s Google TV blog we will be seeing some updates to the NetFlix application to allow searching, more dual view (picture-in-picture) versatility, the release of the Google TV remote control application for Android (already available in the market) and better searching functionality for movies.

As to when we are getting it, It’s supposed to be starting right now, but I haven’t heard of anyone who has received it yet.  I don’t even know if the update is controlled and pushed out by Google or if it comes through the manufacturers.

Here’s what Larry Yang, Google TV Product Manager had to say:

What’s new with Google TV?

It’s been two months since the first Google TV device went on sale. Since then, we have been hard at work thinking about how we can make the platform even better for our users. In fact, one of the greatest things about Google TV is that it comes with free, automatic “over-the-air” software updates that give you the newest features and content as we release them. It’s as if Google TV goes up in value over time.

Today we’re excited to start pushing out our first Google TV software update. In addition to fixing some bugs, there are four significant improvements to the platform:

Netflix

We’ve partnered up with our friends at Netflix to upgrade the app so that you can search, browse and watch any movie or show that is in the Netflix streaming catalog. You can even add these titles to your DVD queue if you want them mailed to you. Not sure what to watch? The new Netflix app will also give you personalized recommendations based on what you’ve watched before. Your TV is now an unlimited source of entertainment.

Dual View

Google TV brings the TV and web together in one seamless experience so you can easily watch your favorite TV show and browse your favorite website together at once. With the feature, you can do things like watch Conan while tweeting about him on Twitter at the same time. Since launch, we’ve had users give us feedback that they want even more customization options for this feature, and so today we have enhanced it to allow you to re-size and move the window however you’d like.

Standard capability	New capability to move and re-size

Remote Control App for Android Phones

What if you could control your TV with the power of your voice? Starting today you can download the Google TV Remote app in Android Market. Apart from the standard TV remote options like changing channels or accessing your DVR, you can now interact with your TV in ways you never have before. For instance, try using the integrated voice search which allows you to find your favorite shows and movies just by speaking into your phone. Or, go from small screen to big screen by sharing videos and websites directly from your phone to your TV. We’ve included a short preview of these features below. Stay tuned for more information about the Google TV Remote for other platforms in the near future.

Movies

Say you’re searching for a movie like ‘Harry Potter’. Google TV now has a movie results page that shows you all films associated with the title so you can quickly watch what you want, wherever it’s available — ranging from sources like live TV, Netflix, and Amazon Video on Demand. You can also read a quick summary, see photos, and find the cast list. Click on the name of a cast member and we’ll take you to a new search landing page where you can find other movies featuring that actor. Trust us, you’ll never leave the couch again.

Google TV users will start to see these updates roll out to their devices throughout the week. The Google TV Remote app is available today (click here from your Android device or scan the barcode below) but all features may not work until your device has received the update.

Scan from your Android phone

We are continuously listening to feedback and are excited to bring you more Google TV updates in the future. Please leave your feedback in the comments, on Twitter, or on our Facebook page. Don’t have a Google TV device yet? Submit a video telling us why you should receive one and you might just end up with a 46” HDTV to kick off the new year right. Happy Holidays from Google TV!

So there you have it, some minor updates to Google TV to keep us happy for a little while longer, but nothing life changing.