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Twitter is shutting down Revue, the newsletter platform it bought last year
Twitter will shut down its Revue newsletter service early next year.
Twitter wants writers to publish longform content with 'Notes'
Twitter has finally shown off its long-rumored feature for longform writing. The company confirmed that it’s beginning to test a new “Notes” feature, which will allow writers to publish freeform content on Twitter without a character limit.
Twitter adds one-click Revue newsletter signup buttons to tweets
The feature should help writers convert followers into newsletter subscribers.
Twitter is bringing Revue newsletter signup buttons to profiles
It's another salvo in the fight for newsletter supremacy.
Twitter jumps into newsletters with Revue acquisition
Twitter wants a piece of the fast-growing newsletter industry. Today, the company announced that it’s acquired Revue for an undisclosed sum. In a blog post, Twitter argued that newsletters were a natural expansion of its platform.
Logitech's Harmony app brings smart home control to Android TV
Logitech's ill-fated Revue was one of the first devices with Google TV -- how could we forget that ad campaign -- and now it's back in the fold with an Android TV app. Compatible with hub-based Harmony remotes, it brings control of Harmony Activities to the big screen. Given enough home automation tie-ins throughout your home, it can adjust the blinds, thermostat, speakers and lights to create the desired viewing experience. If you have a Harmony Hub and an Android TV device (like one of Sony's smart TVs) on the same WiFi network then you're ready to go, just install the app from the Play Store right here.
Google TV update touts Google Play and YouTube movie rentals, distinct lack of popcorn
If you own one of Sony's Google TV devices, it's now considerably easier to curl up with a flick or two. Google has just pushed out a 2.1.1 update that allows watching movies rented through Google Play as well as in the browser, with YouTube. The update rollout should grace both Internet TVs and Internet Blu-ray Disc Player owners within the next two days. Logitech Revue viewers aren't quite so well off: Google is only asking them to "stay tuned," which to us is a sign we shouldn't give up Netflix just yet.
SlingPlayer for Google TV is out of beta, still a web app
We don't know what the folks at Sling have in store for CES 2012 but they are finally checking items off of last years list, including announcing the launch of SlingPlayer for Google TV. Officially dubbed SlingPlayer for Logitech Revue (it works fine on the Sony hardware too) any Google TV owners can find a link to the web app under the "Spotlight" section of their menu, and only need to login to enjoy remote TV viewing. The connected device SlingPlayer experience here is similar to that of the one on the Boxee Box, however running as a web app has a few specific disadvantages. While it mapped some of the Google TV's remote functions (channel up/down, pause, FF, rew etc.) directly to the box being remotely viewed, doing a simple thing like hitting back takes you out of the webpage and app entirely without warning. One advantage over the standard Android app however is that this one's free to use, so if you have both kinds of boxes (Sling and Google) at your disposal, go ahead and try it out or check out a video preview embedded after the break. %Gallery-113341%
Logitech Revue Android 3.1 upgrade starts rolling out (Update: It's official)
It appears owners of the Logitech Revue will finally be able to get their taste of Honeycomb starting tonight, as a few lucky users have already received an upgrade to Android 3.1 and support techs have informed them a wider rollout is beginning this evening. That puts it about a month behind Sony's Google TV boxes in receiving the upgrade, but will finally bring owners a whole new UI, and access to the Android Market -- and live up to those stickers on the outside of the box. The usual considerations apply about it being a rolling update so while your $99 box may not see the new software right away, it's definitely coming. Update: Despite doubt by some over the news earlier, both Logitech and Google have just officially announced the Honeycomb upgrade for the Logitech Revue is going out OTA this week. Check the blog links for more details if you're still not convinced. [Thanks, Brian]
Google TV, take two, arrives next week with Honeycomb, Android Market
It has been a long year for Google TV. The first (and only, so far) round of hardware started shipping in October 2010 and at the time, promised the Android Marketplace with its wealth of third party apps early in the next year. That clearly didn't happen, and it quickly became most notable for what it was being blocked from doing, like streaming video from TV providers like Hulu and various network TV websites. After various false starts and delays, Sony Google TV and Logitech Revue hardware will finally receive updates to Android 3.1 Honeycomb (congratulations Google, now where's Ice Cream Sandwich?) starting this weekend with Sony up first and Logitech "shortly thereafter." The biggest additions are the aforementioned apps, a new interface, and a refocused system for content discovery that starts with the new TV & Movies app pictured above. Check out the gallery for more pictures of the new Google TV, while more details and videos follow after the break. %Gallery-137800%
Logitech Revue on sale promising 'new & improved' Google TV with Android 3.1, Market (Update: Logitech responds)
Well, well, what do we have here? These Logitech Revue boxes just hit the sales floor of a major electronics retailer, prominently sporting "New & Improved: Google TV with Android 3.1 and Android Market" stickers. Logitech also released its quarterly earnings overnight, claiming $7.9 million in sales from the Revue and accessories since dumping its CEO and slashing prices to $99. These haven't been cracked open yet to see if any Honeycomb leaks out, so it's possible they're just waiting for the long-delayed OTA update like all the others. Still, if you're trying to get a jump on the second major Google TV push without any hackery needed, it could be worth scouting store shelves in your area. Update: As a few commenters have pointed out, a support rep on Logitech's forums indicates these boxes have been updated with a sticker only. You'll still have to wait Google to deliver the goods along with everyone else. Update 2: Logitech reached out to us with the following statement: We'd like to clarify that these products do not include the next version of Google TV software. The boxes were prematurely updated with the stickers in anticipation of the next release of the Google TV software, which, once available, will be a free and automatic update pushed to all Logitech Revue boxes that are installed and connected to the Internet. [Thanks, DevonTheDude]
Logitech Revue gets second Honeycomb leak, TV apps sneak into Market
Did you empty your piggy bank for a Logitech Revue after the first Honeycomb sighting about a month ago? If not, there's new fuel for the Google TV set-top box hacking fire... so get your Hamiltons in order. Channel Android's latest reel showcases a newer, more polished leak of Honeycomb that reflects the preview we spotted running on Sony hardware last week. It's not without its fair share of bugs, and you'll need to install the first leak to avoid turning your device into a paperweight (read: brick), so proceed at your own risk. Also of note: apps built specifically for TV have started to pop up in the marketplace -- it seems devs have been busy since Google dropped the SDK a while back. For a closer look at the payoff straight from the hive, take a look at the video above or check out a slideshow of some Google TV apps that are in the Market now put together by NewTeeVee.
Logitech Revue running Honeycomb caught on camera, looks pretty good
Now that eager hackers have actually managed to shoehorn the latest flavor of Android onto Logitech Revue units, the question is what does it actually look like? We got a few screenshots at Google I/O but now there's pictures and videos popping up all over. One of our tipsters sent a few shots over, while the Channel Android folks on YouTube have posted a video walkthrough (embedded after the break). So far it looks good, with little remaining of the original Google TV UI, now replaced by widgets, box art-style listings of TV content and more. Thinking about dropping a Benjamin on one of these units and upgrading to Honeycomb yourself? Be warned -- it's very raw, so with no Netflix and not much app compatibility to speak of, remaining a voyeur is probably advisable for now. %Gallery-130060% [Thanks, Michael]
Honeycomb beta update now available for Logitech Revue, only the intrepid need apply
Logitech Revue users are waking up to some exciting news today, because they can finally run Honeycomb on their TVs -- if they're brave enough to try. As expected, the folks over at GTVHacker have leaked their Android 3.1 beta update for the recently discounted set-top box, now available for download and flash without even requiring a root. You can find all the requisite details and downloads at the source link, though you'll have to register with the site to do so. It's also worth noting that the update is still in a buggy, beta phase of development, and that once you upgrade, you may not be able to go back. If you're willing to dance with danger, let us know how you fare.
Google TV hackers slide Honeycomb into the Logitech Revue
We're still waiting for Google to release updates that bring Honeycomb and Android Market apps to the Google TV platform, but the folks over at GTVHacker have apparently gone the DIY route. They haven't released the full details yet, but this does not apparently require a hardware mod like the first hack that added Market access, just a thumb drive to load the update onto an eager Logitech Revue. We don't expect the Revue to suddenly become a darling at retail even at $99, but once there's actually some potential of hackery and apps we'll see what the community is able to do with it.
Logitech CEO steps down after money losing Q1, Revue price slashed to $99
This is becoming a trend. After a disappointing Q4 saw Logitech reduce the price of its Revue it revealed today that after a net loss of $29.6 million for the first quarter it is cutting the price of the Revue to $99, as well as saying goodbye to CEO Gerald P. Quindlen. Quindlen had been an outspoken supporter of the Google TV box (see the video after the break) but according to Logitech this price cut and corresponding $34 million hit to its finances are necessary to "remove price as a barrier to broad customer acceptance." In the midst of these results -- as well as lowered sales in several regions and key products like Harmony remotes -- Chairman and former CEO Guerrino De Luca will assume the role of acting CEO while a long term replacement is sought. Until then, and before the Google TV Honeycomb update arrives, does anyone think the Revue will be more appealing for one Benjamin than it was for two, or three?
Google TV 2.0 'Fishtank' developer kit revealed running Honeycomb and apps
As Google TV gears up for a Honeycomb-based v2.0, the team announced at the I/O event that developers could get access to "Fishtank" hardware for them to test their apps on and here it is, revealed by Geek.com. The hardware itself is a relatively nondescript box packing an Intel CE4100 processor (no ARM...yet) and a Logitech Revue wireless keyboard that connects wirelessly via a USB dongle, plus a few more ins and outs than retail boxes have including coax. The software is the real star with its Android 3.1 style blues and blacks in the new menus providing access to a list of running apps, logged in accounts and notifications. Things could change before the beta ends, but this report indicates a major issue between is how developers will get to display or interact with live TV. Being able to overlay data on a live feed, or at least have Dual View picture-in-picture is a big part of many developer's plans and so far Google has apparently not committed to making API access available. Bringing interactivity to broadcasts would be a major advantage for Google TV as a connected TV platform if it can pull it off, we'll see if it makes it into this summer's update or if it ends up on the waiting-for list alongside SageTV integration. [Thanks, @ohpleaseno]
Logitech Revue price drops to $199 on Amazon
While we wait for the OTA update that will bring Android 3.1 to existing Google TV devices, Logitech's Revue -- check the official blog post linked below for some of the features being added -- has apparently already received its price cut and CrunchGear points out it is currently available for $199 on Amazon. As we noted a couple of weeks ago when the company announced weak sales and a plan to drop the price to $249, getting the price under two bills was probably as important as smoothing out the software experience. Of course, after Google I/O we wonder if anyone interested in Google TV is still jonesing for a launch device (even with the promise of updated software and Android Market access in the future) when something newer and better is likely on the way. After all, you can get Honeycomb on a T-Mobile G1 now, but that doesn't mean you would want to do it.
Google TV getting Android 3.1 and Market this summer; Sony, Vizio, Samsung and Logitech onboard
As expected, Google just announced at I/O that the Google TV will be upgraded to Android 3.1 this summer (existing devices will get an OTA upgrade) with access to the Market coming "soon." According to Mike Cleron from the Android Development team, developers will be able to use the vanilla Honeycomb SDK to build apps for Google TV, and also announced hardware partners will include Samsung, Vizio, Logitech and Sony (as seen after the break) -- no word on previously mentioned possibles like Toshiba, Sharp or LG. There were also no details on a switch from Intel to ARM even though we heard whispers of that at CES, we'll check in to the keynote tomorrow to see if there's any more revealed on hardware changes for the platform. Check the liveblog for more info.
Logitech's 'disappointing' Q4 results not helped by poor Revue sales; will cut price to $249
There wasn't much good news for Logitech investors when the company revealed its results for the financial fourth quarter, as it fell far below targets for sales and revenue. Most of the blame went towards weak performance in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, but it also suffered from far lower than expected sales of the Google TV-powered Revue and its accessories, accounting for only $5 million in sales, down from $22 million the quarter before and short of its estimate of $18 million. Beyond fixing its issues overseas, CEO Gerald Quindlen still sees a future where internet connected TVs follow a similar path to smartphones and cited the next generation of Google TV as a major opportunity. Starting in May, the company will cut the price of the Revue to $249 (which is still at least $50 too high) and plans to "re-accelerate" its marketing at "the appropriate time" -- probably sometime after Google I/O and the addition of the Android Market. As for that current hardware, both the Revue and the Sony Google TV products received unspecified "security updates" today, although Qriocity and Music Unlimited access remained offline on our Sony Internet TV unit. So let's do the postmortem and guess what contributed to the low sales more: high prices, a half baked product or ads featuring a hairy-legged TV and Kevin Bacon?
