DOA: Logitech’s Google TV box to retail for $299

Logitech today unveiled Logitech Revue with Google TV, a compact, plug-and-play companion box with its Logitech Keyboard Controller, which controls the Google TV experience and home-entertainment devices. The company’s portfolio of products for Google TV also includes the Logitech TV Cam and Vid HD service for HD video calling. In addition, Logitech is offering the Logitech Mini Controller for Logitech Revue as well as other applications designed for the Google TV platform.

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Once set up, you can use the included Logitech Keyboard Controller to navigate and interact with the content available. Pick up the controller, and type in anything you want to find. Watching the big game on live TV and want to know the latest stats on your favorite player? Simply use the dual-view mode to see the stats on the Web while still watching the game.

The Logitech Keyboard Controller includes everything you need to control Google TV and features a familiar keyboard layout. It includes a touch pad with scroll functionality for control in addition to back and home buttons for Web page navigation. The Keyboard Controller uses Logitech Unifying wireless technology.

Logitech also developed the Logitech Mini Controller for use with Google TV – a palm-sized keyboard, touch pad and remote control combo. Despite its compact size, 6-inches by 3.5-inches, the Mini Controller offers full control over the Google TV experience. It has a touch pad that removes the need for a mouse, as well as illuminated keys that change color depending on the mode you’re in: green for navigation, orange for typing and pointing. Like the Logitech Keyboard Controller, the Mini Controller provides buttons to control your TV, A/V receiver and DVR.

The Logitech TV Cam lets you make and receive high-definition video calls on your HDTV. It connects to your Logitech Revue box using USB to deliver the images and audio. The TV Cam also provides a wide-angle lens that will capture your whole living room so your friends and family can relax, talk comfortably and enjoy a natural conversation. You can use the 5x digital zoom to get up close and personal.

For added control possibilities, Logitech will offer two downloadable smartphone apps: the Logitech Harmony for iPhone and the Logitech Harmony for Android. These apps allow you to use your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Android device to control your Google TV. Tapping the “Watch Google TV” button lets both apps can turn on your television, cable/satellite box and A/V receiver. The in-app keyboard and touch pad allow users to search for things to watch — online or on TV — as well as navigate websites. You can use gesture control, voice searches and much more. You can use the Harmony apps in place of — or along with — the keyboard-based controller that comes with Logitech Revue with Google TV.

Available for pre-order today, Logitech’s line of products for Google TV are expected to be available online and in Best Buy stores across the U.S. by the end of October.

The Logitech Revue with Google TV suggested retail price is US$299.99. The Logitech Mini Controller suggested retail price is $129.99. And the Logitech TV Cam suggested retail price is $149.99.

More info here.

Source: Logitech

MacDailyNews Take: Steve Jobs is laughing his ass off right about now. This thing is far, far too complicated for 99% of the market and the prices are insane – in a bad way. It has a keyboard, an effing keyboard! At first, we thought it was all a joke. Then we began to feel sorry for the people at Logitech who wasted their time on this thing. Of course, some percentage of well-heeled geeks will get all excited. Too bad for Google and Logitech there are nowhere near enough of them to matter. Not even remotely close. Seriously, the vast majority of the world can barely switch inputs on their TVs to see the cable box, DVD player, etc. Frankly, we’re a bit stunned at the cluelessness of it all. This thing is DOA.

169 Comments

  1. ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />

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  3. does it do 1080p? might sway videophiles if it does. also Apple TV is rent only, id rather buy a film n just be able to stream it whenever i want. dont get me wrong i love Apple, renting is a deal breaker, sorry!

  4. does it do 1080p? might sway videophiles if it does. also Apple TV is rent only, id rather buy a film n just be able to stream it whenever i want. dont get me wrong i love Apple, renting is a deal breaker, sorry!

  5. I agree this DOA. Who in their right mind is going to put up $600.00 for this? NO ONE? Steve must be laughing his pants off. That is why he did not go into any detail about the ATV. You can buy a iPod Touch and the ATV and have some money left to buy popcorn. Wait until iOS 4.2 comes out. Google TV will go down in flames!! Stay Tuned.

  6. I agree this DOA. Who in their right mind is going to put up $600.00 for this? NO ONE? Steve must be laughing his pants off. That is why he did not go into any detail about the ATV. You can buy a iPod Touch and the ATV and have some money left to buy popcorn. Wait until iOS 4.2 comes out. Google TV will go down in flames!! Stay Tuned.

  7. @ Andy,

    If you want to buy the film, go through yoru itunes and buy it, then just stream it to the ATV.

    This thing is indeed DOA. Way to expensive and way to complicated and Im in IT. Why would I want all those bits and peices. I need simplicity not complexity.

  8. @ Andy,

    If you want to buy the film, go through yoru itunes and buy it, then just stream it to the ATV.

    This thing is indeed DOA. Way to expensive and way to complicated and Im in IT. Why would I want all those bits and peices. I need simplicity not complexity.

  9. anyone geeky enough to like something with so many buttons would be able to get a media PC for a lower price.

    This is not a consumer friendly product and loses the geek audience so I agree it is DOA, even though it is theoretically pretty fascinating that google is going settop.

  10. anyone geeky enough to like something with so many buttons would be able to get a media PC for a lower price.

    This is not a consumer friendly product and loses the geek audience so I agree it is DOA, even though it is theoretically pretty fascinating that google is going settop.

  11. That’s what I thought, too expensive. That content makes the Google TV too costly! That’s just the hardware prices, wait til they release how much you’ll need to pay for their content. Sticker shock is probably what you’re going to get.

  12. That’s what I thought, too expensive. That content makes the Google TV too costly! That’s just the hardware prices, wait til they release how much you’ll need to pay for their content. Sticker shock is probably what you’re going to get.

  13. At the end of the day, I want to be able to sit down and watch TV with a beer in my hand. After a few beers, my thinking will be impaired so whatever I watch on TV better be easy to control. Apple TV is the only device that will allow me to do this. Google TV is a buzzkill.

  14. At the end of the day, I want to be able to sit down and watch TV with a beer in my hand. After a few beers, my thinking will be impaired so whatever I watch on TV better be easy to control. Apple TV is the only device that will allow me to do this. Google TV is a buzzkill.

  15. There are a lot of people that are deeply steeped in the Google world, with Voice and Mail, and Google Docs, etc. etc. These people are going to gravitate these types of equipment just like people already in the Apple environment go for TV. I wouldn’t count them out so quickly. Not everyone knows the extent of Eric the Mole’s creepiness factor. In fact the majority of average people still revere Google for all their “free” services.

  16. There are a lot of people that are deeply steeped in the Google world, with Voice and Mail, and Google Docs, etc. etc. These people are going to gravitate these types of equipment just like people already in the Apple environment go for TV. I wouldn’t count them out so quickly. Not everyone knows the extent of Eric the Mole’s creepiness factor. In fact the majority of average people still revere Google for all their “free” services.

  17. @ Joe: Perfect answer. That would work too.

    @ Spark: I use alot of the free services of Google. But I would not run out and buy a Android phone or anything else by Google. It just does not measure up to Apple’s. I would count Google out this quick without seeing it working.

  18. @ Joe: Perfect answer. That would work too.

    @ Spark: I use alot of the free services of Google. But I would not run out and buy a Android phone or anything else by Google. It just does not measure up to Apple’s. I would count Google out this quick without seeing it working.

  19. @Vatdoro:

    Looks like $300 for the Revue, $130 for the Mini Controller, and $150 for the TV Cam… at least that’s how I read it. Unless some parts listed come in the $300 box…

  20. @Vatdoro:

    Looks like $300 for the Revue, $130 for the Mini Controller, and $150 for the TV Cam… at least that’s how I read it. Unless some parts listed come in the $300 box…

  21. Timing is revealing. If they had in the confidence in this thing, they would’ve put it out yesterday. Google probably forced them not to, so Google could get at least one day worth of excited announcements and positive headlines out of its Google TV release.

  22. Timing is revealing. If they had in the confidence in this thing, they would’ve put it out yesterday. Google probably forced them not to, so Google could get at least one day worth of excited announcements and positive headlines out of its Google TV release.

  23. I for one welcome the addition of a typewriter to a TV. Clearly this is what has been missing for us B&W 1940s journalists in RKO B pictures looking for a replacement for the glass domed teletype.

    Hoorah! Google. I take my hat off to you.

  24. I for one welcome the addition of a typewriter to a TV. Clearly this is what has been missing for us B&W 1940s journalists in RKO B pictures looking for a replacement for the glass domed teletype.

    Hoorah! Google. I take my hat off to you.

  25. @ Fred,

    To the best of my knowledge, if you have Comcast with On Demand then, yes, WebTV is alive and well. Micro$oft repackaged WebTV and sold it into the MSO(Multiple Systems Operators) market.

    Cheers!

  26. @ Fred,

    To the best of my knowledge, if you have Comcast with On Demand then, yes, WebTV is alive and well. Micro$oft repackaged WebTV and sold it into the MSO(Multiple Systems Operators) market.

    Cheers!

  27. A serious point maybe. Convergence is baldershite here: taking the worst of PC to deliver the intermediated intrusion of look-down kb interaction with lean back content consumption.

    How many of you miss moments on the TV because you are fiddling with your remote with your eyes on it, not the screen?

    Now multiply that by full QWERTYUIOP and welcome to the disjunction between indirect “interactivity” and missed moments of passive consumption.

    That’s why there’s less buttons on an apple remote – it gets in the way.

    And if your nobjection to this thesis is “I can touch type”, it’s time you shaved your neckbeard.

  28. A serious point maybe. Convergence is baldershite here: taking the worst of PC to deliver the intermediated intrusion of look-down kb interaction with lean back content consumption.

    How many of you miss moments on the TV because you are fiddling with your remote with your eyes on it, not the screen?

    Now multiply that by full QWERTYUIOP and welcome to the disjunction between indirect “interactivity” and missed moments of passive consumption.

    That’s why there’s less buttons on an apple remote – it gets in the way.

    And if your nobjection to this thesis is “I can touch type”, it’s time you shaved your neckbeard.

  29. Wow… But I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised by what the crack marketing team in a geek software company would come up with in regards to the hardware. The stuff looks way more complicated than any iMac or MBP, let alone the ATV. And $300? And add a keyboard controller next to all the other remotes that take up space on the coffee table? This is bordering on the comical.

  30. Wow… But I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised by what the crack marketing team in a geek software company would come up with in regards to the hardware. The stuff looks way more complicated than any iMac or MBP, let alone the ATV. And $300? And add a keyboard controller next to all the other remotes that take up space on the coffee table? This is bordering on the comical.

  31. This what it comes with but it still out the budget for many!

    Companion box
    Keyboard controlled with integrated remote, compact keyboard and touchpad
    One HDMI cable
    One IR mini blaster
    Power supply
    User documentation
    Two AA batteries (pre-installed in controller)

  32. This what it comes with but it still out the budget for many!

    Companion box
    Keyboard controlled with integrated remote, compact keyboard and touchpad
    One HDMI cable
    One IR mini blaster
    Power supply
    User documentation
    Two AA batteries (pre-installed in controller)

  33. “It has a keyboard, an effing keyboard!”

    nice.

    Can’t Android phones run this? If so, why the f’ling keyboard? This is what happens when you don’t have control over everything – you get stupid crap.

    Who thought this was a good idea?

  34. “It has a keyboard, an effing keyboard!”

    nice.

    Can’t Android phones run this? If so, why the f’ling keyboard? This is what happens when you don’t have control over everything – you get stupid crap.

    Who thought this was a good idea?

  35. Wow. That is pricey. Slightly off topic, i wonder if we’ll be able to get safari or any browser on to Apple TV and use our iPad keyboard to navigate. Then again I could just use my iPad or computer ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />

  36. Wow. That is pricey. Slightly off topic, i wonder if we’ll be able to get safari or any browser on to Apple TV and use our iPad keyboard to navigate. Then again I could just use my iPad or computer ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />

  37. It’s expensive because Logitech makes the hardware, while Google gets the content revenue. Apple has both, so they can down-price the hardware.

    As with much of Apple’s competition, there are things to like in this product, but its still half-baked, overly-complicated, and inelegantly-executed. It has much greater functionality than the AppleTV, but much of that is fluff, and the rest is too dependent on bandwidth to be useful. For now.

    Apple’s response to this is AirPlay, which could be much more useful in the iTunes world. Now if Apple creates an App Store for AppleTV and Airplay allows other iOS devices to use the TV like a remote display (for content, apps, internet browsing, network management, and even games), it will be game over for this and all other competition.

    But I’m not sure Apple has that commitment to this yet. That’s why these also-rans are jumping into the market with this kind of stuff – they see (well, hope for) a chance to leapfrog Apple to where they think they see it going.

  38. It’s expensive because Logitech makes the hardware, while Google gets the content revenue. Apple has both, so they can down-price the hardware.

    As with much of Apple’s competition, there are things to like in this product, but its still half-baked, overly-complicated, and inelegantly-executed. It has much greater functionality than the AppleTV, but much of that is fluff, and the rest is too dependent on bandwidth to be useful. For now.

    Apple’s response to this is AirPlay, which could be much more useful in the iTunes world. Now if Apple creates an App Store for AppleTV and Airplay allows other iOS devices to use the TV like a remote display (for content, apps, internet browsing, network management, and even games), it will be game over for this and all other competition.

    But I’m not sure Apple has that commitment to this yet. That’s why these also-rans are jumping into the market with this kind of stuff – they see (well, hope for) a chance to leapfrog Apple to where they think they see it going.

  39. The reason it’s not DOA folks… and pay attention… NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT APPLE TV. Let that sink in for a moment.

    Apple has barely done any advertising. The device sits in stores like Best Buy without any indication of what it does, and forget the box… no one reads. Folks assume that it only works if you have an Apple computer for instance, and walk right by. And all that was with the old one.

    Apple needs to do a big push on the new Apple TV… Present it to the general population so they get an idea what it is.

  40. The reason it’s not DOA folks… and pay attention… NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT APPLE TV. Let that sink in for a moment.

    Apple has barely done any advertising. The device sits in stores like Best Buy without any indication of what it does, and forget the box… no one reads. Folks assume that it only works if you have an Apple computer for instance, and walk right by. And all that was with the old one.

    Apple needs to do a big push on the new Apple TV… Present it to the general population so they get an idea what it is.

  41. Somebody forgot to tell Google and Logitech that mobile devices are how people are accessing the internet now…
    With that in mind if I wanted to check out some players stat while watching the game – why wouldn’t I just use my iPhone or even better iPad.
    This thinking that people want to search the internet using the TV is so 2001.
    TV is for viewing content – no keyboard should be needed to control the TV.

  42. Somebody forgot to tell Google and Logitech that mobile devices are how people are accessing the internet now…
    With that in mind if I wanted to check out some players stat while watching the game – why wouldn’t I just use my iPhone or even better iPad.
    This thinking that people want to search the internet using the TV is so 2001.
    TV is for viewing content – no keyboard should be needed to control the TV.

  43. Does anyone suppose there will be an alternative box that will run Android or Google TV (or whatever it is…). Logitech is selling their gizmo. Maybe another tech company can sell something similar cheaper. Yes there’s Boxee and Roku, but they don’t run GoogTV/Android)

    (And don’t tell me Apple TV…. I don’t want to spend 99 cents every time I use it)

  44. Does anyone suppose there will be an alternative box that will run Android or Google TV (or whatever it is…). Logitech is selling their gizmo. Maybe another tech company can sell something similar cheaper. Yes there’s Boxee and Roku, but they don’t run GoogTV/Android)

    (And don’t tell me Apple TV…. I don’t want to spend 99 cents every time I use it)

  45. Google TV: $299

    That price point alone is driving Apple TV sales right now.

    Then toss in the ‘Version 1.0’ effect on the product.

    Then toss in Google’s bad record and inexperience creating and selling hardware.

    Then toss in the lack of SECURITY on the thing.

    Dead On Arrival indeed. But I fully expect Google will give it a version 2.0 effort. They’ve got the money and the ambition. I seriously hope they end up competing with the Apple TV some day in order to further drive Apple innovation. But for now, the Google TV is worth ignoring.

  46. Google TV: $299

    That price point alone is driving Apple TV sales right now.

    Then toss in the ‘Version 1.0’ effect on the product.

    Then toss in Google’s bad record and inexperience creating and selling hardware.

    Then toss in the lack of SECURITY on the thing.

    Dead On Arrival indeed. But I fully expect Google will give it a version 2.0 effort. They’ve got the money and the ambition. I seriously hope they end up competing with the Apple TV some day in order to further drive Apple innovation. But for now, the Google TV is worth ignoring.

  47. MDN member Steve516 sez: “The reason it’s not DOA folks… and pay attention… NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT APPLE TV. Let that sink in for a moment.”

    Um, I tried to let it sink in. The I read THIS:

    Apple TV selling out in US retail stores

    … and THIS:

    Nice Hobby! Apple TV Reportedly Selling Out In Many Stores

    … and THIS:

    Apple TV a Hit, to the Tune of 1M Selling Per Quarter

    etcetera.

    IOW: Apple TV v2.0 is selling well beyond Apple’s expectations. The thing is yet-another bone fide Apple HIT!!!

    If ‘no one’ knows about Apple TV, they certainly are going to in a big frickin’ hurry. It just cracked open and infiltrated the livingroom.

  48. MDN member Steve516 sez: “The reason it’s not DOA folks… and pay attention… NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT APPLE TV. Let that sink in for a moment.”

    Um, I tried to let it sink in. The I read THIS:

    Apple TV selling out in US retail stores

    … and THIS:

    Nice Hobby! Apple TV Reportedly Selling Out In Many Stores

    … and THIS:

    Apple TV a Hit, to the Tune of 1M Selling Per Quarter

    etcetera.

    IOW: Apple TV v2.0 is selling well beyond Apple’s expectations. The thing is yet-another bone fide Apple HIT!!!

    If ‘no one’ knows about Apple TV, they certainly are going to in a big frickin’ hurry. It just cracked open and infiltrated the livingroom.

  49. MDN member MacMarc points out: “Needs more buttons.”

    For fun I counted up the number of buttons on the Keyboard Controller. The total is 81! The Mini Controller has a mere 69 buttons!

    How many buttons on the Apple TV remote? 7

    Clearly the problem with the Logitech Revue is that it is trying to be the usual ‘All Things To All People’ meister werk monster. It’s a mini computer. It’s a Web TV. It’s a video receiver. It’s a search engine. It’s a universal remote. It’s a video camera. It’s an app server. It has gesture control. It has voice control. On and on. So therefore all these buttons are REQUIRED!

    Or are they?! My cute little iPod Touch 4 32 GB, which also costs $299, can do all this stuff with a grand total of 4 buttons and a touch screen, without having to buy any expensive lumbering accessory add-on devices, with a footprint of 4.4″ x 2.3″ x 0.28″ and 3.56 ounces in weight. To hook the device to an HDMI port on an HDTV all I need is an additional $50 cable.

    IOW: Logitech is living in the wrong century. Severely pathetic.

    After this hardware travesty, I’m beginning to wonder if Google TV has any future at all.

  50. MDN member MacMarc points out: “Needs more buttons.”

    For fun I counted up the number of buttons on the Keyboard Controller. The total is 81! The Mini Controller has a mere 69 buttons!

    How many buttons on the Apple TV remote? 7

    Clearly the problem with the Logitech Revue is that it is trying to be the usual ‘All Things To All People’ meister werk monster. It’s a mini computer. It’s a Web TV. It’s a video receiver. It’s a search engine. It’s a universal remote. It’s a video camera. It’s an app server. It has gesture control. It has voice control. On and on. So therefore all these buttons are REQUIRED!

    Or are they?! My cute little iPod Touch 4 32 GB, which also costs $299, can do all this stuff with a grand total of 4 buttons and a touch screen, without having to buy any expensive lumbering accessory add-on devices, with a footprint of 4.4″ x 2.3″ x 0.28″ and 3.56 ounces in weight. To hook the device to an HDMI port on an HDTV all I need is an additional $50 cable.

    IOW: Logitech is living in the wrong century. Severely pathetic.

    After this hardware travesty, I’m beginning to wonder if Google TV has any future at all.

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