Yesterday, Logitech formally introduced the first Google TV product in form of their “Revue” television companion box. I think we have a decent handle on basic Google’s initial TV functionality – in terms of web search, video, and apps. But Logitech has layered on some additional functionality, which is compelling… and potentially confusing.
However, we here at ZNF roll geekier than most. IR blasters may not be the most efficient technology, yet they don’t scare us. And while we may be surprised by Logitech’s $300 price tag, it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker… if Revue delivers something both unique and powerful. Until we see a Google TV with native DVR capabilities, Logitech’s video pass-thru and Harmony-esque remote control capabilities do indeed seem promising.
Instead of merely adding another box to the mix, the Revue actually controls our other boxes (via integrated IR transmitter or additional external IR blaster) and relays video (via HDMI input). So while set-up may be a bit more complex, the end result appears to be a bit more of an integrated home entertainment experience. The tightest integration thus far is specific to DISH Network set-top boxes that extends search across one’s program guide, recorded shows, and DISH VOD:
No IR blaster required for set-up with DISH Network. Simply connect the Logitech Revue Companion Box and your DISH receiver to your home network. With a wireless home network, just connect the Revue box to the network and use a single Ethernet cable between the Revue box and the DISH receiver to provide Internet connectivity to both devices.
Bundled with the Revue is a very nice looking, slim wireless keyboard, with integrated touchpad. However, that’s it — there’s no traditional remote control included. And there isn’t even an optional remote accessory, at least not at launch. Yet Android and iPhone smartphone users will have access to a free Harmony app for full-on (and more compact) control.
Speaking of accessories, Logitech is also leveraging their extensive video camera experience to bring conferencing/chat capabilities to the Google TV platform by way of a $150 camera. It seems a bit pricey, but I assume you need beefed up hardware to properly capture audio and video from across a living room – as opposed to sitting inches away from a typical computer-based webcam. It’s not my thing and, given the number of iPhone 4s saturating the marketplace with Facetime, I wonder if others will want to join into Logitech’s “Vid” network. But it’s a nice value-add for Logitech.
So we’ve got a lot to chew on here. And I’m not convinced we’ll have all the answers until Revue units start arriving. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on one towards the end of the month, but Mari‘s a bit more skeptical. From our informal email exchange, which she didn’t realize I’d be quoting, shortly after Logitech’s presentation:
Looks fun, but not sure it’s useful.
Click to enlarge:
There are too many alternatives for TV add-on boxes right now. We have the above, Apple TV, new Rokus, Xbox, PS3, Boxee Box, Popcorn, and of course the granddaddy of them all—TiVo. There are probably others that I am forgetting.
I’m waiting to see what shakes out before jumping in any further. I already have an HTPC, a Tivo HD, and a Roku HD. That’s enough. Besides there’s still nothing worth watching.
Yeah, I’m percolating a small post on my “favorite” boxes and maybe some suggestions for folks who do things a bit differently than me.
The $299 price astounds me, especially considering how fast Apple TV has been selling (I’ve bought two of them – but I’m tied to the iTunes ecosystem and have been on a 160GB Apple TV for two years; I’m Apple’s core audience on this device).
In addition to that, Google & Logitech really had the chance to kill the Apple TV fast by making this a cheap, application-ready box. It’s clear from the jailbreakers that Apple is prepping the Apple TV for apps. My guess is they launched it early, with a premature feature set, to get out in front of Google.
Either way, Google & Logitech might be seriously shooting themselves in the foot with this price – no matter the feature set.
I get excited about Google TV only to then get disappointed with TiVo again when I realize the reason I got excited for Google TV. The things I want to do are things TiVo should already be doing and should have done a long time ago such as a universal My Shows/Now Playing option. Let me see all the shows recorded on every TiVo in my house and give me the option to include any TV show I have queued for Netflix that is available for instant watch to display on the same screen.
GoogleTV’s support for OTA, the immanent YouTube movie rentals, YouTube live broadcasts and implied support for Amazon VOD is all I need.
I won’t even mention how trivial it’ll be to connect an Android phone to the GoogleTV box and placeshift.
Todd, where’s the OTA tuner?
I don’t think there is OTA support, other than what one would have setup from their STB setup. I am in SFO area, I get x from y, and OTA in these stations. There isn’t actually any direct communication with the STB, no intelligent passage of info – just a push and a pray. “I pushed the signal to play X show recorded last week, hopefully, that is what you are now seeing” Actually, if I enter the DVR directly and delete it I am certain the gtv doesn’t know it is now gone.
I also would like to see some LAN enabled scanning and playing of content. In the future, we’ll all have some form of digital media on computers, NAS devices, etc. Having the goog search it all (okay, actually that might sound pretty scary to some) and then offer THAT up for consumption as well might make this more compelling.
And, as JT is oft to say, it really has to have a UI made for the environment. From what I have seen, the browser is just chrome dumped on the box. I don’t see any optimization. The youtube app is a BIT of an overlay, but again it takes you to CHROME when you want to search more than just categories. There isn’t any direct integration with accounts, so it doesn’t know who you are when you get to the CHROME youtube page. And of course the ADS are now just bigger when watching youtube.
The starting UI is more complicated than it needs to be. I still don’t think the tree structure UI is going to be the best one for the TV environment, but from the startup UI or idle UI I don’t need direct access to EVERYTHING.
A simple browser on my tv, does NOT work for most. Too much moving around, too much detail.
I really hate that it appears that the NFLX app is the crippled one, so better get your QUEUE setup before starting the app, since there is NO search from within it. Of course with nflx on iphone/android, we can just fire up that simpler mobile app, add stuff from there, the hopefully refresh QUEUE and go.
VOICE control is going to be interesting, but apparently only from android devices, maybe soon iphone. why not just put a little “listen” mic on the keyboard?
Not a huge Gartenberg fan, but he got this absolutely correct a month back when he tweeted:
“Apple and Google taking two different approaches. Google wants input one. Will never get it. Apple wants input two and might.”
That’s for the mass market, of course. But for the enthusiasts, his tweet yesterday seems apropos:
“Not sure why Google TV experience is better than sitting in front of my TiVo with iPhone in hand.”
The current Google TV is a weird proof of concept. Nothing more or less. It’s like most of the products that Microsoft has shipped in the past ten years that weren’t Windows or Office related. Google’s real TV ambitions are going to have to wait until Android establishes a more sure footing in the hand-held space. That’s base from where they’ll make their real bid for the lean-back space. And if Cupertino keeps holding onto its impossible middle-man dream on video distribution, then Google will still have a real opportunity there in a year or two.
—–
Dave writes:
“Until we see a Google TV with native DVR capabilities…”
I think it’s reasonably clear that we’re never going to see that. TiVo is going to be the last 3rd party DVR standing. When video providers finally turn off the lights on CableCARD in somewhere between 5 and 10 years and move to an all-streaming model, the last folks using 3rd party DVR’s will all be running TiVo or Windows, not anything from Google or Apple or anything else.
Chucky, someone could take the Google TV platform and make an OTA DVR. I think there’d be some (or a lot!) of value in that. But of course it’s a risky proposition given the numbers TiVo moves (or doesn’t move…). Hopefully someone at least provides OTA tuning. Also, someone like DISH may try to integrate the whole experience into their existing hardware. Probably depends how well this “weird proof of concept”, as you say, goes. All the more reason we need that cable gateway… but I’ll believe it when I see it.
Either I missed or forgot that soundbite – it’s interesting. But may vary depending who and how the various Google TV devices/features are implemented.
“Apple and Google taking two different approaches. Google wants input one. Will never get it. Apple wants input two and might.”
tivoboy, the integration you describe partially implemented with DISH hardware using Ethernet to communicate. I’m sure it’s leveraging their same existing remote DVR management and such.
Honestly, I’m a little surprised that Gartenberg claims IR blasters are a problem. Yeah, they sure nailed the Tivo’s coffin closed.
But. I have both Logitech’s Harmony 880 and a few of its Squeezeboxes. I have no idea where the 880 is, because Logitech’s control-freak insistence that you couldn’t even change a button without hooking it up to a USB port and running its proprietary software to connect to its Web-based configuration server was *insane.* And if you wanted a button to do something Logitech hadn’t assumed, you *couldn’t.* You had to email them for permission and they’d either set up a special configuration file for you or reject your request.
*Insane.*
And the Squeezebox is *worse*. The Radio: an alarm clock that loses a minute a week and there’s no way to set the time. The necessary server software is horrible bloatware (and the new version is stunningly buggy — the alarm clock may go off at random times, and may ignore the alarms you’ve set). Some of its codecs don’t work; AAC files that play just fine elsewhere sound like machine guns on my Squeezeboxes. And beyond setup, it’s all undocumented, and much of the documentation that exists is wrong. Simple accessories like spare remotes and batteries are unavailable for months at a time.
So… I’m happy to wait for Google’s next partner before I even *think* about this product. Anything more complex than a mouse or keyboard is beyond Logitech’s core competency.
Well… TiVo isn’t a huge mass market product. Google (and their partners) surely hopes to move more than 1.5 Google TV products.
From my conversations with TiVo, IR blasters were like the number one support issue – costing them tons of money on phone support. Probably also led to some returns. For folks who read ZNF, it’s not a big deal (even if inelegant/clunky) but the non-tech savvy could have conceptual problems and won’t want to build IR tents and the like. ;)
Personally, I wanted to see TiVo go back to IR blasters and capture HD video off component – take the whole CableCARD and satellite limitations out of the equation. But I’m not a typical consumer.
The Squeezebox Radio did interest me until I read all sorts of those complaints via Amazon customer reviews. Yikes. Hopefully Sonos chooses to do an alarm clock piece of hardware.
@dave. Indeed just DISH tighter integration, but I have d* and comcast, so no worky for me and the other 97 million households
I remember my one and only experience with a IR blaster was on my TiVo Series2 in 2003. It was such a kludge, I also returned it. I tried the serial cable with my Moto DCT-2000 cable box and the experience was a vast improvement over the IR Blaster – Fast channel changes, and visually clean (the boxes, that is).
I have never looked at a product with an IR Blaster since, and LOL’ed when I saw one in the annoucement today.
I still have the TiVo.
I just don’t get the appeal vs Tivo. Is it really just the powerful search and the interactive TV stuff? Tivo already does NFLX and Amazon VOD etc. If you are using a cable co DVR you still have its terrible interface for lots of things.
Google would have been better off following the Android model and getting Motorola, Scientific Atlanta, etc to use it on their cable boxes.
To paraphrase Homer Simpson, Google is trying to cram another box into America’s already bloated entertainment system pie hole.
I’d pay $300 (hell $500) for a GoogleTV appliance that could DVR and interface with my HDHR.
Even if you don’t have a Tivo I do not see this providing an extra $200+ worth of value over a Roku.
I want one box. Maybe 2 if a BluRay player can’t be integrated into box 1. Right now the best way to get there is to roll your own HTPC. Not viable for most people but the market has not caught up yet. It is not even close.
“For folks who read ZNF, (IR blasters are) not a big deal (even if inelegant/clunky)”
I’m tech savvy enough to have built a nicely functioning HTPC for my input two from the ground up, and I avoid anything with IR blasters like the plague.
I’ve just never seen any real-world situation where IR blasters work without constant hassles. And while I don’t mind hassles when I construct my setup, or when I manage my setup, I really want a hassle-free situation when I, or others, want to simply use my setup.
I just can’t imagine an IR blaster setup that ever works hassle-free. One-way communication leads to constant headaches, pretty much by definition. And two-way communication isn’t something that cableco boxes are ever going to allow, for obvious reasons.
Similarly, I wish I could get a universal remote for my setup, but I know full well that Logitech is never going to get it right. And I’m not sure that’s even Logitech’s fault.
A coax OTA input would still be easiest, but OTA could be handled by network tuners like the HDHomeRun.
Still it’s stunning (and obvious) that OTA is left out of devices like this and the Volcano box. The obvious part is that letting people record free stuff OTA cuts out a big ‘middle man’ aspect for the providers.
Heck, even DirecTV culled the OTA input from their DVRs boxes and instead offer a secondary piggyback unit for an upcharge. I don’t know if DirecTV even offers basic subscriptions without locals anymore, but when they did, this upcharge seemed more like a penalty for not just acquiescing to their local channel fee.
The other concern is the analog hole; how long will that last for units like this. The google TV box looks to have an HDMI in, but I thought that was a no-no? Isn’t an HDMI input at risk of being cut off at some point?
Ryan, HDMI licensing let’s you pass signals over HDMI but you can’t retain the content for more than the time required to pass it. Something like that. Basically: no recording from HDMI. Last I heard, they were working on an approved and locked down recording addendum of some sort, but not sure where that went.
Chucky, before I dissembled my HTPC and projector rig, I had very satisfactory performance from a Harmony solution controlling everything (including my overhead Lutron lighting).
“where’s the OTA tuner”
The box doesn’t have an OTA, but my TV does.
The box will search and find my local stations
http://www.kxan.com/subindex/entertainment/tv_schedule
…that’s what’s important – search – something my TV can’t do
Personally, I don’t see the appeal of the full size keyboard over the TiVo slide remote or text input via a smartphone app. I just don’t want a large keyboard on my coffee table.
Thanks for the interesting background on IR blasters, Dave… had no idea that was such an issue. (And thanks for letting my vent about Logitech. I really hope their exclusivity period for GTV is short.) Anyway, on the blasters… I actually am surprised by the problems. When RCN switched to its current cheapo digital converter boxes, it took TivoCommunity a few days to figure out which set of IR codes to use, but beyond that I’ve never had a problem beyond one or two incorrect channel changes per year… and my S2 setup hasn’t changed or moved for years now. (And I started with the S1 in ’00 and don’t remember any problems back in those days.)
I still use IR blasters for my slingbox. Not a big deal.
The price is a HUGE deal. I can’t imagine why they would bother launching at a $300 price point. Until the price drops under $200 it’s a loser, flat-out. And it really needs to be $100. Clearly logitech isn’t selling at a loss.
As for the huge keyboard, a lot of the attraction of the googletv is that it promises a really GOOD couch browsing experience, much better than hooking up a HTPC.
I take issue with Gartnerberb. DLNA if done right and supporting BROAD codecs is a killer feature and could make all the difference with infrequence’s who are waiting on hacked apple TV’s to do that oh so useful local bit of magic.
Price point is nutty though. I might be able to argue a $30 premium, but not $200.
Was interested in this till I saw the $300 price tag. With a Tivo S3, PS3, Xbox360, and Wii all connected to my AV system, I’m pretty well covered in the streaming space.
I have a bedroom set that’s looking for a streaming solution, but a $79 Roku or $99 Apple TV makes a lot more sense, since all I want is a Netflix feed.
Just not seeing the value here. $300 doesn’t provide enough over what I currently have.
Nobody will. Based on that pricing alone this is a major misstep from google. On the bright side (for google), it won’t actually hurt them, just logitech and sony.
Lots of talk of price, all are making the same total cost of ownership mistake made in handset subsidies for mobile phones.
Tivos have a monthly fee, perpetual, resulting in three year ownership cost over $1,000.00
Be sure to factor in monthly fees of any box/service when claiming GoogleTV is “overpriced”
GoogleTV – $0.00 a month
YouTube rentals – $0.00 a month
Amazon VoD – $0.00 a month
Local TV channels ( in HD ) – $0.00 a month
Total cost of ownership for three years – nothing
But again, this is not the equivalent functionality of a TiVo. The Google TV (from Logitech) is NOT a DVR. I don’t understand how you are getting local TV channels with that Logitech box, where would the antenna go? It relies on a separate piece of hardware to tune (which needs to be added to the Cost).
NOTE: I think it is misleading to say there is no cost with PPV services like Amazon and Youtube rentals.
It seems more reasonable to compare it to a ROKU, in which case the ROKU hardware is considerably cheaper. There seems to be a specific use case where the Revue controls your DVR that is the only value added compared to other setups and that seems troublesome for the average user.
I think marketing and customer expectation for this box are going to make or break it. I have already had 3 people at my work talk about getting one to “replace” their DVR. It is obvious this is going to be an issue.
Price is very, very high. And this is coming from someone who preordered $200 Boxee Box.
Even assuming codec support is decent (they did mention MKV), the main appeal versus Boxee is the app ecosystem and, for additional $150, video chat.
Doesn’t sound very appealing to me… Would have to think about it if the box had OTA tuner & DVR.
Large keyboard is not a problem — Logitech offers you a choice… err, upsells you special version of DiNovo Mini.
BUT, the thing that Dave forgot to mention is that the box has gimped Harmony functionality (http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/logitech-revue-and-accessories-hands-on/). It doesn’t do activities or remember states of devices or anything that one might find useful. That’s really puzzling.
In conclusion, it makes sense to have GoogleTV built-in into TVs (as an evolution of widgets currently avalable on some TVs) as long as it’s done in similar fashion as 3D functionality (good 3D TV = good 2D TV and price difference is small, if any, compared to previous-year 2D models). This particular box seems like a half-baked idea. If it offered video chat, full Harmony functionality, OTA DVR, and placeshifting for $299 — it’d be a much better proposition.
“I think it is misleading to say there is no cost with PPV services like Amazon and Youtube rentals.”
There are no recurring monthly subscription fees for Amazon VOD and pending YouTube rentals.
“I don’t understand how you are getting local TV channels with that Logitech box, where would the antenna go?”
My TV has an OTA tuner built into it. I watch all my local programming, in HD, for free ( compare to U-verse who charge extra for that ).
DVR recording not much value to me since everything on cable TV is shown four times a day or more, and then in re-runs all season long.
But Sling-esque *place* shifting very valuable! GoogleTV OS ( Android ) and apps make place shifting a foregone conclusion.
Doesn’t a Sling Box have a recurring monthly fee?
Ivan, Logitech’s documentation led me to believe it’s real Harmony Activities…
The Harmony software uses the same straightforward commands to control your home entertainment system that makes our other Harmony remotes so popular. Instead of having to remember which devices need to be turned to specific channels and inputs, make it easy for yourself with the Harmony software: one touch of “Watch Google TV” turns on your TV, cable/satellite box, and A/V receiver, and, just like that, you’re ready to start using your Revue.
Todd, there are no recurring Sling costs.
GoogleTV makes a lot of sense built-in to your display, gaming console, or blu-ray player. As a standalone $300 product, I can’t see it successful. The price needs to drop, fast.
There is a recurring cost for those who have Dish Network. You have to pay $4 a month for the full DVR experience. Regardless if you buy the $179 version from them or pay the full retail $300.
$300 is overpriced. Those who were waiting to see what GoogleTV had to offer over Boxee i’m sure are going to be placing there pre orders for the Boxee box.
Boxee cannot search my local TV listings, nor can it read RSS feeds from Amazon VoD.
I won’t even mention Hulu on Boxee or Roku
http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/google-and-hulu-in-talks-about-google-tv-integration/
TV listings? What is it, 1997? Use a DVR, man.
Lack of paid content is boxee’s achilles heel, yes. Obviously they’re talking to amazon, hulu, etc, and trying to rectify that, but haven’t announced their content partners yet.
Dave — just going by what Engadget said. From reading live blog and Q&A, I get a feeling not all the details are ironed out yet, so I guess we’ll find out when reviews come out.
Todd — I’m sure there’s an Android app (or phone-friendly site) where you can get your local listings/guide. And since GoogleTV lacks a tuner, it’s not as if you’d be able to set a recording or jump to a show anyhow (unless you had Dish, I suppose).
Anyway, I don’t think anyone here is rooting for GoogleTV to fail — we just are trying to find scenarious in which it’d be useful. After thinking about this some more, I really wish for a combo of Revue, Boxee Box, and an OTA DVR :)
This thread is interesting to me!
I run 3 Series 2 Tivos with Dish Network, using IR blasters & have never had a problem in many years.
Sadly, I have no Tivo upgrade path, given that cable and FIOS are not options. I use multi-room recording & viewing a lot. Moving to HD will be a major project for me, one of these days!
I think that we’re in for a couple of years of turmoil, while various combinations of cable boxes, satellite boxes, DVRs, and internet video devices go through a shakeout and a winning TV model emerges. The end result will be wonderful, but many dead-end products will be sold before we get there.
The solution has to be seamlessly integrated and simple – get TV, internet programming, streaming or downloaded content, and locally stored video from the sofa with a simple inexpensive remote.
I have always envisioned the solution as light, dumb, TV clients, connected to one main house-wide server that holds, caches, & serves the content, and handles all interaction with the content sources.
I also have a Squeezebox radio. Another product that feels like the beginning of a big change – the beginning of the end for broadcast radio, plus music, radio, and podcasts on your nightstand. Oddly, Logitech can’t seem to make the alarm clock function work! Have to laugh at that! The alarm function is implemented client-server, with the server holding and initiating the alarm. A brilliant design..not. And I thought that clock radio alarms were a design that was understood years ago! LOL. Like the internet TV boxes, a future product will get it right, after learning from the pioneers.
The keyboard is actually not that large
I am lost on what this solves for me.
So I can put the remote in a drawer and have only a keyboard to control things? Unless I want to buy an iPod Touch that is and then have it nearby for remote duties.
For that I can display my current devices on the screen unless I use DISH and then I see my Netflix and DISH (if I had it) and movies on my PC server offerings on one screen.
or I can stay with TiVo setup
and see the current DVR shows on screen – at the bottom have
my other TiVo DVRs listed (I like this since my TiVo’s have specific things they record like kids shows on one, sci-fi on another)
my movies from PC server
any shows I pulled off TiVo to my PC
and Netflix queue
– I can also go to TiVo search and see all the options for getting any show or movie in my listings
so I give up the shiny google TV display and the shiny remote that would cost me 400$ and keep on trucking with my klunky old TiVo interface that everyone in my family has been able to use after holding the peanut remote for 2 minutes.
I will stay klunky, thanks. :)
Well I think its going to flop in its current form, but I still think its interesting. Maybe if enough of the Android zealots support it the thing can survive long enough for them to fix it.
The integration with Dish is nice. The blasters for everything else, lack of knowledge of what your DVR recorded if you’re on cable or DirectTV aren’t good. For most people it won’t know whats on your DVR, won’t know what’s on Netflix. What am I searching this thing for again?
Don’t buy the need to browse from the couch. Happy with my iPhone for that mostly, or a laptop I already don’t use.
Won’t work with Hulu out of the box. Obviously you’ll be able to get around this if you know what you’re doing, but Hulu will fight it. No Hulu Plus out of the box is stupid. Suspect that ABC.com etc will also fight playback of full episodes.
Odd that the whole DLNA playback, flicking thing is a Logitech app, presumably not going to be available on the Sony Google TV.
The keyboard is stupid. A cell phone style keyboard or something like Tivo slider or Boxee would have been cheaper and felt more natural in the living room. The other keyboards should be extra cost options.
Its WAY too expensive. If the rate at which the new Apple TV is selling compared to the old is any indication, the price of this thing is CRITICAL. $300 for this thing and a $400 premium on top of Sony’s TV prices for it built in isn’t good.
Lack of OTA support is bad. Relegates this thing to input 2 again.
Wonder how ‘flicking’ will work… does the video actually go to your Android phone and then again over Wifi, or does it shortcut the circuit and just go direct to the Google TV box?
The 2 HDMI hops thing is a problem. Apparently won’t work with Motorola STBs if you have a receiver in the path (see the support site).
The App support is the biggest unknown. Could create immense industries and unleash all kinds of creativity. If they sell enough for it to gain any traction. Don’t know if it will.
If this device has HDMI passthrough why does it need IR blasters, why not just use HDMI-CEC (or whatever brand name a manufacturer gave it). That will enable you to power on/off, change channel and volume just about everything I think you could want from a Google TV controlled device.
For Todd:
Why do you want the Google TV to have OTA guide listings, just to change channel for you?
I am interesting in place shifting if it is good quality. I was just playing with ORB on a Windows Media Center and it left a lot to be desired.
Brian,
HDMI-CEC would be a great idea for when you want to change the channel on … what? The TV? Most people don’t use OTA reception, and the only time that’ll work with Google TV is if like in the Sony TV’s, Google TV is built in to the TV, in which case you don’t need HDMI-CEC to change the channel. With Logitech they’re assuming they can overlay the Google TV experience on TOP of some external tuner, and they’d have to use HDMI CEC to change the channel on the STB? Meaning the cable or satellite STB? I don’t think any of them support HDMI-CEC honestly, not sure they ever will. Certainly would be a nice thing for them to do though, and yes would obviate the need for blasters.
It would NOT give you everthing you can get with Dish however. With Dish the Google TV can query your DVR to find out what it has recorded, allowing that stuff to come up in searches. And Google TV can initiate playback of any show from your DVR that you find via search and click on. I doubt HDMI-CEC has been extended yet to handle these sorts of things, though obviously it could be…
I am a BIG Apple fan. I have had an Apple TV for years BUT, this device is sooooo much more and VERY worth the $300. They just haven’t marketed this device right. This is my favorite device in a long time. Go play with it.
I have been using the Logitech Revue with the TV Cam and as a developer I am aware of many things that can be improved. But for now, there is absolutely nothing the Google TV is lacking when compared to other devices. Even in its early stage it is second to none. I am not saying this because I spent the money getting it, in fact, it didn’t cost me a single dollar (lucky me and 9,999 other Android developers). The truth is that the Revue and what Google TV stands for, is true Internet on the biggest screen in the house, without the hassles of temporary setups like when attaching a computer to the HDTV. On top of that, it is a lot more. Logitech’s Vid HD is incredibly good (it needs some additional features, but its really good already). I am already keeping in touch with friends and family that are in remote locations. As soon as the Marketplace opens for the GTV and we, developers start building apps for it, I predict the GTV will be an integral part of any household that prides about the technology running in the house.