Google Inc (GOOG) vs Apple Inc. (AAPL) in the TV Space: Who Will Win?

While Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) continue to fight it out in the smartphone and tablet markets, another battle brewing: the TV space.

Last week, Google announced a new television product known as Chromecast. And as we know, Apple has been dabbling in this space for many years and there have been quite a few rumors that Cupertino will be pushing its own television to market sooner rather than later.

Tim Cook and team have their hands full as it is. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has to concern itself with its own products, not worrying so much about what else is going on in the market.

Image below: Tim Cook

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)

However, you have Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) looking to dive into the action with Chromecast. CEO Larry Page is not one to back away from a challenge, and that is exactly what he is getting with this battle.

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) or Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)?

Display Search recently took a closer look at how things are shaping up. More specifically, they dove into the finer details of the newest product from Google.

While this product may sound exciting on the surface, and there are some definite benefits, Paul Gagnon of Display Search is not convinced of what it brings to the tablet. He said, “having received one and set it up, preliminary conclusions are that it is not a Smart TV device, and is far less capable than an Apple TV or Roku or any of the major Smart TV platforms; however, it is a very simple and effective device for streaming content from a smartphone, tablet or even a PC.”

There is some good and bad there. Gagnon is honest in his opinion that the new offering from Google is not as capable of an Apple TV (or Roku for that matter). He does say that it is a simple and effective device that makes it easy to stream content via a smartphone or tablet.

The TV battle between Google and Apple doesn’t have much to do with design at this point. It is not the same as the smartphone and tablet markets in which both companies (and key execs such as Jony Ive) are trying to one up each other in the design department.

All in all, everybody from consumers to analysts (including Gene Munster) are keeping an eye on this battle and what the future holds.

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) may not have hit it out of the market with Chromecast, but it does put pressure on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to make the next move.

You can guarantee hedge fund managers David Einhorn and Christopher Hansen are watching this story closely. And don’t forget about Robert Karr’s 287,000+ shares in Google.

For more on what the Apple TV has to offer, check out the following video brought to you by Matthew Moskovciak of CNET.

Disclosure: none