Logitech to Stop Production of Logitech Revue with Google TV
NOTE: If you are looking to win a Google TV, I’ll have the email list back in order by November 15th. In the meantime, use my contact form to express interest. We’re looking for 100 people to contact me, comment on this blog or Like my Facebook page (button at end of blog) and I’ll start the giveaway.
I turned on my Logitech Revue with Google TV waiting for the Android update that has yet to come. Then I see the news online that Logitech is stopping production and selling off its inventory of Logitech Revues. According to The Verge, in an investor and analyst event yesterday, the new Logitech Chief Executive Guerrino De Luca called the 2010 launch of Google TV “a mistake of implementation of a gigantic nature.” He stated that their foray into Google TV was part of a $100 million loss in operating profits.
It’s not particularly surprising that Logitech has pulled out of the Google TV business. Anyone who owns a Logitech Revue is certainly disappointed that Google never made deals with the TV networks so that there was no way to watch TV shows for free on the web. Hulu doesn’t work on Google TV. The network websites block content on the Google TV’s Chrome browser.
Even with the update to Google TV (which has come through on the Sony Google TV but has not reached my Logitech Revue yet), there are few free TV shows available. On the TV and Movie app, you might find a few old Sony-owned 60′s and 70′s sitcoms but nothing current. Yes, the new Google TV can find TV shows to watch, but they are only free in that you already receive them from your cable or satellite TV service.
What about those of us who own a Logitech Revue with Google TV? According to Logitech’s Official Blog , owners will receive the Android update before the end of the year. But beyond that, will there be future updates? We’ll try to get comments from our Logitech contacts and will keep you posted.
This Sucks… So was hoping this would be good
I tried the Logitech Revue but at the time it was being blocked by every major TV channels website. I’d like to try it again, hint hint,
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I would have loved if they had created a true unlimited device harmony remote with it, because then I wouldn’t have felt as cheated when I realized that it only worked with a receiver, TV and cable box type setup.
Google Tv press event real look cool ….
I like the idea of a set top box. Most built-in interfaces on tv’s are not any good. I expected google to have better partnerships with the content providers. Non the else, I find this product to have some value. Accessing netflix here is a nice experience, and the youtube interface the best of any other set top box. Let’s hope google can workout agreements, so that the original vision of google tv can come to place.
Heard you on home theater geeks and would love to win that revue that’s just laying around.
Barb, I’m interested in winning also!!
I’m returning my Sony Google TV. I feel for everyone’s disappointment. For example, there’s a Crunchyroll App that was suppose to let me watch Asian movies and TV series. What the App didn’t tell me was after I downloaded it, I would just get a commercial to upgrade to $14 per month and then a blank screen. Meanwhile I can watch CrunchyRoll for free on a computer. Talk about false advertisement.
Barb, liked you on Home Theater Geeks. Very interested in Google TV. If Google keeps working on it, it should be great.
I like to review these products myself. I usually buy most of these streamers and I’ve found that each has it’s own relevance. The companies that manufacture these units do not put in the time and effort (aside from Boxee) to make them what they really could be. Why would you want to buy something that is incomplete. Boxee is really the only streamer that I can say is worth the money. It does everything. DLNA, Netflix, plays almost any format including blu-ray, dvd, mkv, avi, etc… I would like to review this unit.
As far back as the early ’90′s computer users longed for big screen monitors. The bigger the better. Last year Google TV made that possible with the Sony/Google TV’s and the Logitech Revue and the bottom line is – it works. It’s really exciting to edit documents, surf the web and check social media on a wide screen TV. Too bad Logitech and Google are pulling the plug on the Revue. Sadly, I think Logitech and Google will miss and are missing the bigger picture.
Enjoyed watching you on Home Theater Geeks. I own three Roku boxes and a Logitech Revue. I love them all. Just wanted to correct one comment you made about the Roku regarding “streaming”. I believe you said it was not possible to access your pics or your music over the Roku unless you upload that content to TuneIn or Flickr. In fact if you plug a USB flash drive in the back of the Roku it will play your pics and your music via the Roku USB Media Player. p.s. Sure would like to win that Logitech Revue for my mother. She’s starting to take a liking to all things tech and this might really get her enthused. Thanks
I’m listening to you on Home Theater Geeks talk about Google TV. I hadn’t even looked at these devices until this week. I’d love the opportunity to try and win the one you were talking about.
BTW I had a Microsoft UltimateTV and that included WebTV. Over dial-up it was painfully slow and I only activated it to see what it was like.
I also heard about you on Home Theater Geeks and would love to win the Revue even if Logitech isn’t going to support it in the future!
I saw you on Home Theater Geeks and would like to enter the Logitech Revue even if Logitech isn’t going to support it in the future!
Barb- saw you on home theater geeks. Would love to win one of the Logitech revue’s . An setting up a new home theater and it would be a great addition
I also heard you on hometheater geeks, I’d love to win the Logitech revue for my son’s room.
Listened to you on HTG and they saw the FB post you still hadn’t given it away – I’m in!
Keep up the good work.
Will the Revue pass 5.1 audio from a high definition source connected to a Slingbox Pro? Last I read the Revue was stuck with 2.0 stereo audio.
Hoping I win the Revue 5.1 or not.
I wanted to add that we recently cut all execpt the broadband cord at my home. My wife and children are enduring life without cable by substituting Netflix, Hulu Plus from our new TiVo Premiere. Amazon Prime comes through our entry level Blu-ray player and beautiful uncompressed high definition come down from a roof mounted UHF/VHF antenna. The Slingplayer function would allow the missus to catch up on overseas TV that we can’t get from any cable/sat/telco provider.
Hi Barb,
Enjoyed the “Streaming Mimi” episode of HTGeeks. The Logitech Revue is not available here in Australia but I ordered one thru Amazon when the price dropped to $99.95. Most of the On-line sites like Netflix etc. are not available outside North America but I still thought it was good value for streaming media to my TV from my home media server & also having Chrome Browser for web surfing. The fact that it is an Android device too means that although Logitech may not provide updates in the future, new features may come via the Android Market place. I think the wireless device & keyboard great value (at $99.95)