Logitech's Google TV companion box includes smartphone apps, we go eyes-on (updated: video!)
By Sean Hollister 
posted May 20th 2010 4:33PM
posted May 20th 2010 4:33PM
Update: Now with video, after the break.
Update 2: Details and specs after the break, too.
When we got to Logitech's demo space, we expected to see a keyboard and mouse. To our surprise, the Logitech product manager pulled out a Nexus One and iPhone. He explained that the companion box has all the technology of Logitech's $400 Harmony 900 remote and extends it to your handset over WiFi. Several scrollable pages of dedicated buttons let that particular iPhone control not only the Google browser but also a Samsung TV, Onkyo receiver and TiVo set top box, and the product manager showed us that there were three additional control schemes (including a touchscreen D-pad, gesture swipe pane and virtual keyboard) that could be activated simply by shaking the phone. Should you not have a more modern smartphone, it won't be your only option by far -- the box will have an optional RF keyboard / touchpad available at launch, and a pair of USB ports in back allow users to connect dongles for 2.4GHz peripherals. In addition to standard Google TV functions, Logitech said the box would come with Logitech's free
The unit itself is based on Intel's CE4100 "Sodaville" Atom processor, with this particular chip operating at 1.2GHz, and the board features 4GB of memory and 802.11n WiFi. In addition to the aforementioned twin USB sockets, the rear I/O panel features wired LAN jack and two IR headers for additional connectivity (the former presumably affording the system direct IP control over DVRs) and has a pair of HDMI 1.3 ports that handle all visual content, with Dolby 5.1 surround sound transferred via either HDMI or S/PDIF out. If your home entertainment setup is entirely wired with HDMI, you'll find the unit allows full digital passthrough; if your sources use any other kind of jack (component, composite, etcetera) you may need a receiver of some sort; reps available couldn't tell us if the box required HDCP to stream content.
Update 3: Logitech just informed us that Vid will actually run at a resolution of 720p.
iPhone Google TV!
@Almo
Funny, I see WP7 pulling off a better platform for this than Android or iPhone.
@Almo
However you can see that the android app has more options..
aside from that, thats what I like about google, nothing is restricted, they work with everyone, even competitors.
@banisssh
Welcome to Engadget.
Ok, Apple haterboys. No more complaining about Apple overload.
This is what we call Google overload (not enough overload, though...)
@Almo
Man, google sure did hit a homerun today!!! Exciting stuff!!!
Bye bye TiVo!!! I prefer FreeVo!!!! :-)
Also:
Poor Boxee box :(
@acidhax really?
@owen66
Your WP7 home screen quietly updating which shows are on, or coming up. I can just imagine it being integrated being much more elegant and subtle.
@acidhax Windows Phone 7 doesn't quite exist yet. Don't get me wrong it actually looks pretty sweet from what I've seen. Once it does exist I would expect an app for wp 7 that works with this.
@crawdad689
Bye Tivo? What are you going to use for a DVR? The GoogleTV is not a DVR. It only interfaces with them.
@crawdad689 What, when their demonstration of apps loading slower on their phone OS compared to the iPhone.
@crawdad689 Your kidding right?
@banisssh I think that's what the "edit" button is for. They probably added more options on the Nexus One to make it look better.
@banisssh I feel you on THAT!
@Almo
Am i the only person here who would like to know a price?? Logitech is not known for being cheap ya know...
@commenter7
Its not Google it's Logitech
@wicketr
For NOW... how long until the video is "recorded" in the cloud?
@banisssh Notice that same screenshot show that the menu has an "Edit" option. Similar to other iPhone apps. Using it would allow you to add /remove items. The Nexus One obviously just had more items added. And probably wasn't shown in the video because those options weren't show.
And it was the Logitech guy showing off the box and the App. So don't blame Engadget or make uneducated statements without your dunce-hat
@wicketr
I wish they would let us hook up an external HD and let the Google TV act as a DVR, that would be pretty awesome.
@commenter7
Are they working with Bing and Yahoo, placing their ad networks in the box? Wow, it's amazing how Google works with it's competitors!
@Cy Starkman
Actually they already showed in the keynote video from today how they pull ads specifically based on what fits best, even if it's a competing ad network.
Care to eat the other foot?
@commenter7 Well, sure they work with the most popular smartphone on the market, I don't see them on WebOS or Blackberry. They are making an iPhone app for the same reason Apple makes a windows version of iTunes, because the platform is too popular to ignore.
@acidhax your the only one
@banisssh
"Yeah! Why are Engadget assholes using the iPhone app when the Nexus One has a "video call" option. what the hell is that"
Engadget wasn't running the demo. Can't you see Google was showing off how well they work with other companies, even if they might be competitors? Why else would they showcase MS, Apple and Tivo products during their demonstration. You'll rarely see MS or Apple doing similar.
I am one of the silent readers who believes Engadget is too Apple biased, and laughed at their childness when they turned off comments. But, the fact that your innate fatuity, spilled out into the comment section, is (or hopefully was) highly ranked makes me shake my head in dismay at the Engadget readers. :(
@commenter7 How bout, Google TV with a Free Nexus One remote controller? lol. I wonder what will the folks of Tivo have to say with this innovation. http://j.mp/tivo-premiere
I just don't see why is this soooo coooool. AppleTV with boxee or WMC can play video and music and do much more and cost less.
This is just another device. For $400? Ouch
@Jimbojones
low power, silent, tiny, can control your DVR, can run apps, FULL integration with your Harmony Remote...
This might finally be the perfect little home theater box and we can say bye bye to the does half of it well sort of thing: WDTV Live, Boxee, Popcorn Hour, Xstreamer, Asus, Lacie, etc etc...
@CTTHosting Yes its logictech, they make the settop box you need to buy - unless of course you want to buy a new tv from sony
Very nice!!!
The photo gallery isn't working on the application. At least it isn't for me.
Please turn off your bluetooth
@nathands Turn on the other box
@nathands
I have a message for the audience:
TURN OFF YOUR F*CKIN PHONES RIGHT NOW!!!! DO IIIIT!
... Thank you.
@nathands
all your bluetooth are belong to us.
@nathands
what the heck are ya'll talkin about?turn off bluetooth?why?
@nathands
You had to watch the live stream of the Google event today. They were having so many issues getting the remote to work for this because of all the interference in the room.
They even had to carry a guy out in a wheel chair... Though, he did come rolling in with it.
@nathands new meme
@Wiizer
You mean that Vincent guy? He sounded so gay (literally) for someone who looked in their 70's...
@MegaJapan seriously, how is gay supposed to sound?
@RincewindWiz
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/cyb3rglitch/the_other_box.png
:P
How the heck are you guys already using this?
@slickpaki
they are probably at I/O
Without DVR? Explain Engadget! They clearly demoed the ability to record shows through the Google TV UI. Is that only if the TV has an onboard drive? Otherwise, if you want to watch or control the DVR, you have to through the DVR interface and ignore/bypass Google TV?
@Jakejd
usb on the back, external hard drive?
@Jakejd
According to the live stream today. The device will have HDMI passthrough and will overlay the cable/sat box video to this device. DVR control will be through an IR blaster.
@nathands
Sneaky Engadget -- the original version of this article said "(without DVR)." It now says "including DVR." When I posted my comment, it hadn't been updated yet.
Okay, so I can see this working with most DVRs based on the IR blaster, and that does square with what was said during the keynote. It could even work with Tivo if you turn off Tivo's own "live TV GUI overlays," and as long as the GTV doesn't have any GUI elements that are reiterative of the Tivo's (like progress bars). But it seems to be asking a bit much to have this box schedule a recording through the IR blaster, no? On a Tivo, depending on how you do it, it's like 5 or 6 clicks just to record a show (depending also on where you are in the Tivo interface) -- not to mention the numerous clicks and variable involved in finding the precise show you want. Or a Verizon DVR, it could be more like 8 or 9 before all is said and done. Is this "companion box" really going to be able to pull that off?
@nathands
Actually, I just watched the video (that also wasn't there when I posted my original comment) and there don't appear to be IR blasters on that Tivo. Is the Logitech box actually controlling the Tivo over HDMI? Or perhaps Bluetooth?
@Jakejd Tivo's support network control. That's how I control mine using my iPod. It's instantaneous and is able to jump around much more easily. The logitech box is probably using the same method. Gets around the IR blaster nicely.
Not convinced at all. This sounds like something Microsoft would do.
It's not optimized for the TV at all.