LogitechRevue
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Amazon Prime Instant Video hands-on
Amazon has just turned on its Prime Instant Video service, letting paid Prime subscribers (sorry, students) in the US (sorry, foreigners) stream any of 5,000 movies and TV shows directly to their machines free of charge -- well, free beyond the $79 Primers already pay. Jeff Bezos has confirmed that there will be no extra charge going forward for this service and that Prime itself will not be getting more expensive to pay for all these bits and bytes. Right now the selection is limited, particularly if you already have a Netflix subscription, but we just had to try it out. Click on through for our impressions on a variety of devices.
How would you change Logitech's Revue with Google TV?
Remember Google TV? It's still kickin', but El Goog still has quite a few content distribution quibbles to solve before it can be taken seriously -- at least in our estimation. Logitech was one of the first outfits to buy into Google's scheme to take over the television, with the Revue first out of the gate to provide Google TV access to existing sets. We had our fair share of gripes with the box, and while it definitely enabled quite the unusual videocall in a prior episode of The Engadget Show, we were never convinced said fun was worth the price. Enough about us, though -- how's your Revue treating you? Has it revolutionized the way you consume television content? Anything you'd change about it? Tweak the user interface? Broaden compatibility? Change up the keyboard? Let us know in comments below -- something tells us Google's still listening up for input.
Logitech Revue hack brings Android Market, requires brute force (update)
It's not exactly what we'd call a easy jailbreak, seeing as how it requires a soldering iron, a NAND format procedure, and a Logitech Revue that's never even been powered on, but it looks like it is possible to root a Google TV box after all. GTVHacker has a thirteen-step walkthrough to cracking the Logitech Revue -- and physically crack the case you must -- after which point custom firmware can let it download, install and run apps from Android Market and bypass pesky television network blockages. Risky? Definitely. Worth it? Depends on how patient you are. Update: Looks like the GTVHacker team won themselves $500 for their trouble, due to the hack's likely use -- it may give developers a head start building apps for Google TV's version of Android. Find the details at our more coverage link. [Thanks, Jason W.]
Logitech says Google hasn't asked it to halt Google TV production
It was a bit too late to fend off a more than 3% drop in its stock price, but Logitech has finally come out and refuted those rumors that it was asked to halt production of its Google TV hardware until a significant update could be rolled out. As VP of corporate communications Nancy Morrison explains, Logitech "has not been asked by Google to suspend production of its Google TV products," and that such a suspension wouldn't even be necessary as "every Logitech Revue companion box will receive free over-the-air updates whenever Google and Logitech release software enhancements." That statement has now also been backed up by Logitech's official blog, which assures customers that "all's well with Logitech Revue," and that Logitech will be out in force at CES next month to demonstrate "how Google TV is transforming the TV-watching experience."
Logitech said to be halting Revue production until Google TV software revamp
Oh dear. Google TV isn't having the best of starts to its life in the internet-connected TV world and Logitech seems to have taken notice. DigiTimes' nameless sources today report that Gigabyte, the company charged with building Revue units for Logi, has been instructed to stop production of them for the period covering December 2010 through January 2011. The restart in manufacturing will be conditional, we're told, either on a significant update to the current Google TV software or a whole new version rolling out. The Revue is still available to buy through Logitech -- shipments are only drying up in the channel between manufacturer and vendor -- but if the insiders have their story straight, this'd be a clear indication that early sales expectations have not been met. Better luck next year, we say.
Google TV gets a major update with new Netflix, movable Dual View, Android remote app support
The first update for the Google TV platform since its release is now available on Logitech and Sony devices, and takes major strides towards addressing issues we pointed out in our review. The antiquated Netflix app is now sporting a new HTML5 based UI that resembles the one seen on the PlayStation 3, while Dual View has addressed one of our biggest complaints by allowing users to move and resize the video window at will. Another major upgrade is support for an Android remote app arriving today with iPhone version "coming soon." The last major update should be appreciated by Kevin Bacon stalkers enthusiasts with a new info page for movies that pulls in plenty of relevant information and availability online and from the listings all on one page. Our Sony Google TV had the 218 MB update downloaded and ready to install when we turned it on that also promised a few other updates on top of Google's as seen above. We'll check back in a moment to see how things are working -- no word from Google yet on any progress breaking down the walls networks have put up around their streaming content -- peep the updated Dual View and a video of the new remote control app after the break. Update: The Google TV Remote for Android is now available in the Market, click this link from your Android device to download or snag the QR code after the break.
Logitech, Google TV enlist Kevin Bacon (and his biggest fan) for a new ad
They keep pulling us back in -- Logitech's latest Google TV ad takes a different, and yet still stalker related tack to sell users on the viability of search and web in their living room, focusing on the Kevin Bacon obsessed (and incredibly familiar looking) Ivan Cobenk. The main gist is that the Google TV is the key to easily finding your favorite video content, wherever it is... along with the slight danger of turning into Kevin Bacon. Give it a watch, while we're still not totally sure the Revue belongs in every living room this bit is far more convincing than the old screaming anthromophized HDTV.
Google TV receiving an updated Netflix app?
One of the many gripes about Google TV so far has been the ancient version of Netflix's Watch Instantly app it shipped with, but Scott Greczkowski from Satellite Guys appears to be the first to receive a new version on his Logitech Revue. Pictured above, it seems to reflect one of the (many) versions of the PS3 Netflix app, with queue management and search functions available. Android Central notes that the last update arrived less than a week after the date of the build and this one is marked November 22 so hopefully it should arrive any day now, until then check out the video (embedded after the break) or more pics at the source link.
Logitech Mini Controller for Google TV now available
You may have been lucky and able to find one floating around before now, but Logitech has just officially announced that its Mini Controller for Google TV is now widely available for purchase. As you'll recall, the controller is basically just a Google TV-friendly version of Logitech's classic diNovo Mini controller, and a decidedly smaller alternative to the standard keyboard that comes with the Logitech Revue. At $130, though, it's not exactly a cheap alternative -- head on past the break for a brief video of the controller courtesy of Logitech, and don't forget to check out our hands-on with it right here.
Dish Network officially starts pushing Google TV integration
There's no surprise on the pricing front ($179 for the normally $299 Logitech Revue, plus $4/month service fee) but today Dish Network officially started offering the integrated Google TV experience for its customers. The $4 fee applies to and will work with Sony's Google TV devices as well, but the Revue is the only unit to get a price break up front. Dish is so far the sole TV provider that will let Google TV search through and control its compatible DVRs, and it's put up a video demo to show how that works (embedded after the break.) Beyond the continuing questions about the Google TV platform itself, we'll wait and see if Dish got the price right, those interested can check the press release for details on how to sign up.
Logitech Revue with Google TV review
The Logitech Revue is in many ways the flagship Google TV launch device. While Sony integrated Google's new media platform into its line of Internet TVs and the Internet TV Blu-ray player, the Revue is a dedicated Google TV device, albeit with a few additional features like optional an optional video calling camera. It's also the cheapest, at $299, and possibly the easiest to add into an existing A/V system, since it has Logitech's Harmony universal remote technology built-in. We've already covered Google TV as a platform, so let's take a closer look at the Revue to see if Logitech's riff on the connected TV is worthy of its lead-dog status. Read on for the full... Revue review! %Gallery-107004% This review is primarily of the Logitech Revue hardware -- make sure you read our full Google TV review to get a feel for the platform itself!
Logitech Revue gets OTA update, a cure for the framerate jitters?
Revue owners, have you been frustrated by some of the framerate issues? We hear ya, as do Google and Logitech. The latter said in an official post earlier today that an over-the-air update would arrive to fix such an issue, and like that, our Google TV box prompted us to download a 163MB file denoted update 39953. We've heard from a number of tipsters, too, who claim to have received the patch. Will this fix all the stuttering? We're hearing mostly yeas in that regard, so don't be shy, give the set-top another go -- and let us know if you see anything else that's new or improved. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
The Engadget Show - 014: Aaron Woodman, Windows Phone 7, Google TV, MacBook Airs, Palm Pre 2, Halloween Costumes, and more!
Get ready humans, because we have an all new, amazing Engadget Show fresh out of the box. For your viewing pleasure, Josh sits down with Microsoft director Aaron Woodman to chat Windows Phone 7 and demo nearly all of the new devices, including the Dell Venue Pro. Next up, Darren Murph joins the round table for a bunch of demos, including the new MacBook Airs, Palm Pre 2, and more Windows Phone 7. Nilay leads a thorough demo of Google TV via the Logitech Revue and Engadget editors Ben Drawbaugh and Tim Stevens make some unbelievable cameos. We've got highlights from the New York Reader Meetup, plus a Halloween costume contest that quickly gets out of hand. To round it all out, Kris Keyser brings the jams with a rocking set of chiptunes music with visuals from noteNdo. What are you waiting for? Watch it now! Hit up the new video stream after the break! Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller Special guests: Aaron Woodman, Darren Murph, Ben Drawbaugh, Tim Stevens, Tim Stevens' dog Bowser Produced and Directed by: Chad Mumm Executive Producer: Joshua Fruhlinger Edited by: Danny Madden Music by: Kris Keyser Visuals by: noteNdo Reader Meetup music by: Zen Albatross Opening titles by: Julien Nantiec Taped live at The Times Center Download the Show: The Engadget Show - 014 (HD) / The Engadget Show - 014 (iPod / iPhone / Zune formatted) / The Engadget Show - 014 (Small) Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V). [RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.%Gallery-105882%
Logitech Revue with Google TV torn down, netbook specs found within
There's a lot we already know about Logitech's Revue with Google TV, and after our walkthrough on Saturday's Engadget Show, we also know just how NSFW the search results can be. All jesting aside, we did notice some amount of stuttering during our testing, and now we know why: for all intents and purposes, it's a netbook. The knife wielding gurus over at iFixit tore into the Revue in order to see what kind of internals were powering it, and sure enough, a 1.2GHz Atom CPU was at the core. That's marginally faster than the 1GHz A4 housed in the newest Apple TV, but there's a lot more to process here than on Cupertino's darling. There's also 1GB of DDR3 memory as well as a grand total of 5GB NAND Flash (split between a Samsung and Hynix chip). Essentially, the hardware here is on par with netbooks from fall 2008 (the Dell Mini 9 is accurately mentioned), with "tons of open space" allowing the box to stay cool under pressure. So, you down with paying $300 for hardware you could've scored two years ago, or are you just now realizing that a basic HTPC isn't that hard to setup.
The Engadget Show returns today! With Windows Phone 7, Aaron Woodman, Google TV devices, and our first Halloween costume contest! (update: no livestream)
Attention all humans and empathetic robots: The Engadget Show is back in a big way today, October 23rd at 6:30pm! To get things started, Josh and the gang will be taking a first-hand look at a plethora of Windows Phone 7 devices with Microsoft's Aaron Woodman, then we'll be demoing Google TV, and Engadget's own Darren Murph will be joining Josh, Nilay, and Paul on stage, Guinness World Record in hand. What's more, we're hosting our first ever Halloween costume contest! There will be giveaways at the show for the best costumes (as voted on by you, the audience), so get to work on your winning masterpiece now! We'll also have the usual random giveaways, but why leave it to chance when you could win stuff with a little creativity and a black turtleneck? There will also be music from Kris Keyser and visuals from noteNdo and plenty of other giveaways at the live show only, so make the trek and join us at The Times Center in person. We have a new ticketing policy, so if you're coming to the live show, be sure to read about it below. If you're geographically incapable of joining us in New York City laster this evening just tune into the stream right here on Engadget. Update: Due to a technical issue, we won't be livestreaming the show tonight. Update 2: Or maybe we will! We appear to have worked out some of the issues, so head on down! The Engadget Show is sponsored by Sprint, and will take place at the Times Center, part of The New York Times Building in the heart of New York City at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues (see map after the break). Tickets are -- as always -- free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served... so get there early! Here's the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know: There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free The event is all ages Ticketing will begin at the Times Center at 2:00PM today, Saturday October 23rd, doors will open for seating at 5:45PM, and the show begins at 6:30PM We now have assigned seating, so the first people to get their tickets -- and the Sprint text-to-win winners (see below) -- will get priority seating. This also means that once you get a ticket, your seat is guaranteed -- you won't have to get back in line to get a good seat. We still had plenty of tickets left over at the last taping, so just because it's 5:00pm and you finally finished Halo: Reach doesn't mean you won't get a seat at the show -- so get your butt up to the Times Center this evening! Ticketing will continue until all tickets are given away You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket Seating capacity in the Times Center is about 340, and once we're full, we're full The venue is located at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in New York City (map after the break) The show length is around an hour If you're a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we'll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com. Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V). [RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.
The Engadget Show returns, tomorrow! With Windows Phone 7, Aaron Woodman, Google TV devices, and our first Halloween costume contest!
Attention all humans and empathetic robots: The Engadget Show is back in a big way tomorrow, October 23rd at 6:30pm! To get things started, Josh and the gang will be taking a first-hand look at a plethora of Windows Phone 7 devices with Microsoft's Aaron Woodman, then we'll be demoing Google TV, and Engadget's own Darren Murph will be joining Josh, Nilay, and Paul on stage, Guinness world record in hand. What's more, we're hosting our first ever Halloween costume contest! There will be giveaways at the show for the best costumes (as voted on by you, the audience), so get to work on your winning masterpiece now! We'll also have the usual random giveaways, but why leave it to chance when you could win stuff with a little creativity and a black turtleneck? There will also be music from Kris Keyser and visuals from noteNdo and plenty of other giveaways at the live show only, so make the trek and join us at The Times Center in person. We have a new ticketing policy, so if you're coming to the live show, be sure to read about it below. If you're geographically incapable of joining us in New York City, just tune into the stream right here on Engadget. The Engadget Show is sponsored by Sprint, and will take place at the Times Center, part of The New York Times Building in the heart of New York City at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues (see map after the break). Tickets are -- as always -- free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served... so get there early! Here's the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know: There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free The event is all ages Ticketing will begin at the Times Center at 2:00PM on Saturday, October 23rd, doors will open for seating at 5:45PM, and the show begins at 6:30PM We now have assigned seating, so the first people to get their tickets -- and the Sprint text-to-win winners (see below) -- will get priority seating. This also means that once you get a ticket, your seat is guaranteed -- you won't have to get back in line to get a good seat. We still had plenty of tickets left over at the last taping, so just because it's 5:00pm and you finally finished Halo: Reach doesn't mean you won't get a seat at the show -- so get your butt up to the Times Center! Ticketing will continue until all tickets are given away You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket Seating capacity in the Times Center is about 340, and once we're full, we're full The venue is located at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in New York City (map after the break) The show length is around an hour If you're a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we'll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com. Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V). [RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.
Remote control app for Logitech Revue hits the Android Market
Logitech may have it's own set of accessories for its Revue Google TV box, but the best peripheral may just be that Android phone you already have, which can be turned into a full-fledged remote control with the Logitech Revue app that's just hit the Android Market. Like other similar smartphone remote apps, it will give you both a trackpad and a keyboard in addition to the usual remote control buttons, and it's thankfully free to download. Hit up Android Market to find it right now, or head on past the break if you'd prefer to download it QR code-style.
Logitech Revue and accessories hands-on! (Update: video of video calling!)
We just got some serious hands-on time with the Logitech Revue Google TV box, and it's all pretty slick, hardware-wise. The Keyboard and Mini Controller are just as well-done as you'd expect from Logitech, and the video calling features worked pretty seamlessly. We also managed to confirm that the Dish Network DVR integration is exclusive to Logitech -- it won't work on Sony Google TV devices, which is totally strange. We're headed back for video and we'll have some more in-depth impressions in a bit, but check out the pretty pictures in the galleries below for now. Update: Dish and Google have both chimed in to clarify the "exclusive" deal. While Dish will exclusively sell Logitech's Google TV hardware, any other devices, including the ones from Sony, will pair with its DVRs in exactly the same way. Fragmentation (apparently) avoided -- for now. Update 2: Okay, we've added some impressions just after the break. We're still trying to figure out exactly what's going on with the whole Dish integration thing, since we can't seem to get a straight answer, but we'll keep digging and let you know. %Gallery-104459% %Gallery-104453% %Gallery-104456%
Logitech's 'Lonely TV' Revue with Google TV ad may be sending the wrong message
Logitech's promoting its Revue with Google TV box in a new "Lonely TV" series of advertisements, but while they're suggesting the relationship between internet, TV and you should be closer this latest spot only makes us want to search for a restraining order. In light of concerns some have about online privacy and exactly how much information Google is revealing about our habits, maybe a giant screen with an eyeball on it sending a teenaged girl into a panic (and not the Bieber fever) is the wrong mascot. Check out the full ad after the break and see if we're wrong -- remember, being weird worked out great for Palm.
Logitech Revue Google TV box hits the FCC
It may not be reaching consumers until sometime this Fall, but Logitech's Google TV companion box, the Revue, has recently landed in a few important hands: the FCC's. Not much in the way of surprises with this one, but we do at least get a glimpse of the device's internals (check out a shot after the break), and the mystery of the FCC label has been solved at last. Of course, if it's information and excitement you're after, you can always check out our hands-on from Google IO.
