Google's New Modular Television: Practical or Not?

By Kaitlynn Bayne

CNBC recently reported on Google’s next big invention: giant TVs made out of blocks that can be arranged any way you please.  “Think Legos, but with screens that together make up a giant TV of different sizes and shapes.”  My first thought: wow, this is so amazing!  After reading CNBC’s article and thinking more about the idea, I’m not sure this idea will catch on.

Mary Lou Jepsen, a former professor at MIT, is the genius behind this product.  Don’t get me wrong, the idea sounds absolutely awesome.   Comparing the technology to Legos makes me think of giant, brightly colored blocks with TVs on them.  It sounds like it would be entertaining to put together and would make for some interesting interior design.  However, the price and the practicality don’t seem like it will catch on to the general public.

According to CNBC’s article, the screens may piece together to take up a whole living room wall, and may be priced over $100,000.  Which leads me to ask, where would this be useful?  Who is dying to have a TV the size of their entire wall?   As for the price, will people actually spend as much on their TV as they can on a house?  I don’t see a TV that costs six figures appearing in the common family household any time soon.

Granted, Google has not released much information on this product yet.  It is likely that there will be smaller, slightly cheaper TVs for purchase as well (although I’m sure they will still be on the pricey side).  I’m interested to see where this technology goes.  It kind of reminds me of the Google glasses: super cool, but not necessary.  But who knows, maybe modular televisions will be normal in the next few decades! 

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