Gear

Logitech Box Brings Google TV to Living Rooms

Nearly five months after Google announced its first Android-based set-top box software, Logitech has announced a device based on Google TV with hopes that the gadget will soon become a part of living rooms nationwide. Logitech’s box for Google TV is called the Revue and will cost $300. The Logitech Revue has two main functions: […]

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Nearly five months after Google announced its first Android-based set-top box software, Logitech has announced a device based on Google TV with hopes that the gadget will soon become a part of living rooms nationwide.

Logitech's box for Google TV is called the Revue and will cost $300.

The Logitech Revue has two main functions: The first is melding cable television and internet video, and making them both easier to search and browse.

It connects to your existing cable company's set top box via HDMI, and to the internet via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Then, using its Google-powered interface, you can search, browse and display video from any of your cable channels as well as a variety of internet video sources, such as Netflix and YouTube, all on your teleivison screen.

The second function is as an HD videoconferencing box. With the addition of a Logitech webcam (which is not included), the Revue can turn your television into a giant videophone. (Separately, Cisco on Wednesday also announced a home TV videoconferencing system called Umi. Cisco's solution costs $600 plus a monthly fee of $30, however, while Logitech's system uses your existing internet connection.)

In addition, the Revue will let you browse photos from Flickr, play games, and listen to music from sites such as Pandora and Rhapsody. It will include the Chrome browser, for viewing web sites, and an app that lets you use your iPhone or Android phone as a remote for the device.

The box is currently available for pre-order on Logitech's website and on Amazon.com and BestBuy.com. It will be in retail stores by the end of the month, Logitech executives say.

Google first announced its set-top box platform, Google TV, at the company's developer conference in May. Since then, it has partnered with content creators such as HBO, CNBC, Turner Broadcasting and the NBA.

So far, only Logitech and Sony have agreed to build hardware that includes Google TV.

The Logitech Revue is a slim device powered by an Intel Atom CE4100 processor and a keyboard controller. To use it, consumers will need a broadband connection. With the bundled HDMI cable, users can link the Revue to the port on their TV, while another HDMI cable connects the Revue to the cable TV box.

Logitech's thin, lightweight but rather clunky wireless keyboard controller lets users interact with the device, search and choose what they want to watch.

If you are wondering why the equivalent of the remote has so many buttons on it, Logitech says it chose a keyboard layout so anyone can just pick up and use it without going through a "learning curve." While ugly, that makes some sense given Google TV's PC-like capabilities, such as text-driven search and web browsing.

The controller also has a rather smooth touch pad with a scrolling control and buttons such as back and home. Logitech has included buttons that control the TV, A/V receiver and DVR, which explains why the entire device looks so complicated: After all, it combines the TV remote and a computer keyboard into a single package.

Video calling from the sofa

One of the interesting features of the Logitech Revue is the ability to make HD quality video calls from your TV. The optional video accessories -- Logitech TV Cam and Logitech Vid HD software -- let consumers connect to the the Revue using USB and make calls without the need for a computer.

The TV Cam has a wide-angle lens so it can capture the entire living room. And it includes 5x digital zoom so consumers can get up, close and personal, if they want.

The TV Cam and Vid HD software enable high-definition video calls of up to 720p. It includes some neat features such as call notification. For instance, if you receive a video call, the TV cam will blink to alert you of an incoming call.

If your TV screen is on, you will hear it ring and have the option to pick up or miss the call. The software also ensures that the TV lights up when you’ve missed a call – even when your TV is off.

Overall, the Logitech Revue seems impressive with its hardware specs (1080p, 60 frames per second output, two USB ports, Wi-Fi and ethernet connectivity). It will be interesting to see if Google TV can go mainstream, something that Apple with its Apple TV has failed to do so far.

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Photo: Logitech