Network Computing is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Logitech Launches First Google TV Hardware: Page 2 of 2

Logitech Revue For Google TV
(click image for larger view)
Logitech Revue For Google TV

Logitech sees Google TV as a way to make the living room into a communication hub. In addition to its Revue hardware, it introduced the Logitech TV Cam ($150) and Vid HD video conferencing software, for those keen to be seen while splayed on the couch, plumbing a bag of chips.

The Revue will be particularly useful to DISH Network subscribers, because Google TV allows the user to search DISH content and control DISH DVRs. DISH customers can purchase a Revenue for $180.

The Logitech Revue is expected to be on store shelves in two or three weeks. It will initially be available from Amazon.com, Best Buy, and Logitech, which are now accepting pre-orders.

Next week, Sony plans to introduce its line of Bravia Internet TVs and Blu-ray players with built-in Google TV support. On Monday, Google launched a Web site to promote Google TV.

The real value of Google TV may not become apparent until early next year. That's when Google plans to release a version of its Android SDK for Google TV application development.

"This is the beginning of a much broader transformation that's going to be taking place," said Google senior product manager Rishi Chandra.

Apple, as it happens, may also be headed in the same direction. The company recently released an updated version of its Apple TV device, which now happens to be running iOS. Apple could open up Apple TV to its considerable iOS developer community following a future iOS update.

Without better search technology, it's not immediately clear whether Apple can transform Apple TV from a living room add-on to a living room nexus. What's more, the company's power as the gatekeeper of iTunes may have made potential partners wary.

Apple TV does have one significant advantage over the early round of Google TV products: price. Set-top boxes have not been huge sellers historically, and at $300, the Logitech Revue isn't as likely to fly off the shelves as Apple's $99 Apple TV.

But if Google and its partners can realize their vision for Google TV, convenience and empowerment may trump cost concerns.