MediaCenter was born and everyone thought Microsoft would make HTPC’s relevant to all consumers – not just the tech-savvy crowd. This HTPC technology became popular with the techies and Microsoft jumped in shortly after highlighting BeyondTV software at a CES event. For SageTV that meant a more DIY version of TiVo with movie, music and photo playback built-in. The concept for these HTPC ventures was very similar – make the computer the hub of home media.
There was Snapstream’s BeyondTV started in 2000, SageTV started in 2002 and several other apps available for free at first. Home Theater PC software (HTPC) was relatively new at that point – especially as a commercial business. SageTV is a company that’s been around since 2002. “Because it’s the fastest way to fill out some of these broader strategies.”
“Last year, as part of our policy, we agreed to accelerate our rate of acquisition of small companies,” he said. Here’s a quote from Eric Schmidt in the NYTimes article, Google’s Deal-Making Math: How Did Google Find SageTV in the First Place?īefore we jump into why Google made this purchase, lets step back and ask a question less often considered – how did Google find out about SageTV? It might be helpful to understand Google’s recent strategy of buying smaller companies like SageTV. Read on for my take on the reasons Google acquired SageTV. Google is a company looking to acquire technology where they can inject quick & tested technology for it’s vision of home media. There are many things about SageTV that might have been appealing to Google. Now that the dust has settled it’s time to review what we know. The tech blogs, mainstream media publications and even former competition have weighed in on the acquisition. It’s been three weeks since Google gobbled up the tiny Home Theater PC company, SageTV.