- Google TV Event Shows Off Android-Loaded Logitech Revue Components
- A Gathering for Google TV
- An Introduction from Logitech
- Setting Up Google TV
- Revue Companion Box and Keyboard Controller
- Keyboard Controller
- Companion Box
- Mini Controller Phones
- TV Cam for Video Calls
- Time for a Demonstration
- Recording Top Gear Episodes
- Top Gear on YouTube
- Top Gear Dual-view
- Keyboard in Action
- Mini Controller in Action
- Controlling Google TV from a Phone
- Making Video Calls
- Connecting a Call
- Most Visited Apps
- Looking Over the Components
- Logitech Pricing
Google TV Event Shows Off Android-Loaded Logitech Revue Components
by Clint Boulton
A Gathering for Google TV
The crowd awaits the start of the event.
An Introduction from Logitech
Junien Labrousse, executive vice president of products for Logitech, introduces the crowd to Google TV with the slogan: “If you can think it, you can watch it.” We don’t know what that means, but it sounds fun.
Setting Up Google TV
This is the Google TV setup Logitech used to show off the service. Note Chrome as a Web app option on the monitor. Chrome is the Web browser for Google TV.
Revue Companion Box and Keyboard Controller
Revue comprises this companion box and keyboard controller, which the company is selling for $299 now.
Keyboard Controller
The Keyboard Controller is much like a computer keyboard, with a directional pad and touch pad on the right. Buttons on the top of the keyboard control users’ TVs, receivers and DVR boxes.
Companion Box
The companion box is designed to easily connect to users’ TVs. Moreover, it’s infused with Harmony Link, Logitech’s universal remote control technology to let users switch seamlessly between TV and Web content.
Mini Controller Phones
The Revue box-keyboard combo isn’t the only way to access Google TV. Users may also buy a mini controller or use their iPhone or Android smartphones.
TV Cam for Video Calls
Logitech is also offering this TV Cam for an additional $149.99 to let users make 720p video calls from their TV sets to other users of the Logitech Vid HD software.
Time for a Demonstration
Logitech TV product manager Kevin Simon takes the stage to show off Google TV on Logitech products.
Recording Top Gear Episodes
Simon likes Top Gear—a lot. He shows off his list of saved Top Gear episodes. For users connecting to Google TV through the Dish Network, DVR recording will be available.
Top Gear on YouTube
Simon checks out Top Gear on YouTube.
Top Gear Dual-view
Simon taps a few buttons and calls up the Top Gear Website while watching Top Gear. Note the Top Gear program in the lower right-hand corner of the screen in the Google TV dual view.
Keyboard in Action
Simon did all of this with this Keyboard Controller.
Mini Controller in Action
Simon also displayed the mini controller, which does everything the Keyboard Controller does, but is about the size of a large cell phone or PDA.
Controlling Google TV from a Phone
Simon accesses his Logitech Revue controls from his phone, flinging a video from the phone to the TV. Users may also do voice searches and call up TV and application content by speaking into their phone.
Making Video Calls
Logitech’s TV Cam and Vid HD software can be used to conduct video calls between Google TV users.
Connecting a Call
Here is what the connection looks like between the TV Cam and Logitech Vid HD software. Note the upper right-hand corner, which shows the media in the room where the call originated from via Google TV.
Most Visited Apps
Check out Simon’s most visited apps on Google TV.
Looking Over the Components
Logitech summarizes Revue and its peripherals and apps for Google TV.
Logitech Pricing
The price for the Logitech Google TV package of $299 for the box and controller may seem steep to some looking at Apple TV and its $99 price tag. But from what eWEEK has seen, the extra dough may be well worth it. Stay tuned for testing!