Logitech has launched its Google TV box in the US and named it Revue, as well as keyboards, accessories and apps for both iPhone and Android. However there is still no official release date for the UK. Revue is designed to be a companion for your HDTV, not a TV itself.
Logitech are one of Google’s initial partners on its Google TV project, which it hopes will take on Apple and numerous other rivals in the growing field of internet-connected TV – which combines traditional broadcast television with on-demand services streamed or downloaded from the web.
An amazing feature of the Revue is its ease of use, especially the quick and easy setup. Simply connect your TV, cable or satellite set-top box, and your internet connection to the Revue, and you have Google TV. As long as your TV has an HDMI port, it has all the requirements for it.
While Sony have built a rnage of TVs with Google TV inbuilt, Logitech’s Revue box can attach to any pre-existing TV that can take an HDMI cable.
The Revue comes bundled with a keyboard with integrated touchpad, allowing users to easily search for content.
Other control options include the diddy Mini Controller, and smartphone apps for Android and iOS that turn your phone into a TV remote.
And a camera called the TV Cam, which attaches to the top of the television set, will allow video calls to be made through Google TV.
The Logitech Revue bundle will be priced at $299.99 (U.S. dollars), while the Mini Controller will cost $129.99 and the TV Cam will sell for $149.99.
The devices are all available for pre-order now, and will be available by the end of October – but only if you’re in the US. Currently the UK launch date for Google TV is unknown, although it estimates put it some time next year.
Logitech released a statement: ‘The preorders are only open to US customers as the product is designed and produced for the US market only. We are not in a position to disclose European availability and pricing at this stage.
‘Google has already announced international deployment for 2011 but we cannot give any more details at this stage.’
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