Logitech's 'companion box' gets a name: Revue with Google TV

Sure we've already had our eyes all over Logitech's CE4100-powered Google TV box and given its WiFi controls on iPhone and Nexus One a try, but we didn't know exactly what to look for (or, according to Steve, what we'd probably be avoiding) when it hit stores. That's been put to rest, as the above picture we received reveals we can expect the Logitech Revue with Google TV. Obviously reminiscent of the "with Google" Android branding on handset, the name also ties into its ability to bring together multiple forms of entertainment, we'll see this this fall if slick branding is enough to get buyers and developers behind the return of Web TV.

[wakeup Posted Jun 16th 2010 4:31PM]

I like it, lets hope box lives up to the hype.

[MoonWalkerCTE Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:29PM]

@wakeup No thanks I already have my companion cube

[Omen20 Posted Jun 16th 2010 8:13PM]

@MoonWalkerCTE I get the feeling that a lot of the community features that go into Xbox Live and BD-Live will get ported to GTV by either Google or 3rd parties. Not sure I'm looking forward to the Pop-Up Video: Twitter/Facebook edition.. but I'm sure someone is.

I'm more looking forward to searching for an artist and seeing all sorts of content being pulled down. My own cds, concerts on Netflix, and YoutubeHD, as well as stuff from their own sites, etc.

Oh, and this could extend Amazon to the living room in a big way. Imagine QVC/HSN addiction but with a single remote click..

[RealHTInfo Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:20PM]

Almost didn't miss a beat when the "Watch TV" button pulled up the Xbox screen. Looks like someone needs to program in a "pause" between turning on the TV and switching inputs.

[Alexpeegs Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:25PM]

Sick, want

[Jacen Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:27PM]

Well, I love me some Logitech and Google...Let's hope they make it work

[Xylias Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:28PM]

I don't know, really. Consumers have proven that they want access to their media directly on TVs time and time again, The web on your TV might scare some off.

Just because it's Google doesn't mean it'll work. Remember WebTV? Microsoft bought them. Didn't work out well.

[AdamSpruijt Posted Jun 16th 2010 8:46PM]

@Xylias
Definitely have to agree, some of the ideas seems great, but I struggle to see its target market. Too complicated for some, to basic for others. I kinda still think I'd prefer Boxee... maybe in this box though... y'know what I mean.

[tad604 Posted Jun 17th 2010 10:10AM]

@Xylias This isn't web tv. Web Tv was sold as an attempt to let non-techy people access the web through their tv. This is more about bringing google search functionality to your tv.

I don't know about you but I absolutely hate the software on my cable box, I hate trying to find channels (let alone shows).

[loadoftoad Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:28PM]

The last thing I need is more ads on my tv, no thanks to Google tv, I already have access to a media center pc which does more than Google hopes to achieve and it has built in search that lets me find and search the program guide as well as internet videos. Thanks but no thanks, ads are so yesterday Google.

[PBB Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:38PM]

@loadoftoad
Did you see ads in the demo?

[loadoftoad Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:44PM]

@PBB

I didn't see ads in Youtube or Gmail for along time either, look now and see what's there. Your argument is moot.

[TheGM Posted Jun 17th 2010 2:08AM]

@loadoftoad Gmail ads were there since the beginning. Your'e gonna see ads on Google TV through searches and free Apps. They get people to use Google searches on their TV = More Ad revenue. They're not gonna pop up while you're watching a sho wthough.

[qwerty58 Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:29PM]

It's true. Logitech confirmed it on their blog. http://blog.logitech.com/2010/06/16/logitech-revue-with-google-tv/

[War Ensemble Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:30PM]

They spelled Revenue wrong...

[NASCAR Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:43PM]

@War Ensemble

LOLLL!!! Witty!

[DefPoet Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:35PM]

They already have devs on track seeing as all android apps work. Also custom Google tv tons Ftw
Somebody buy cynogen a Google tv box

[wakeup Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:36PM]

@DefPoet

I agree I cannot wait for apps on TV!

[aeonys Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:40PM]

it looks too complicated to use: too many stuff

[aeonys Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:42PM]

they should have just made voice control:
email / CBS / NBC / Youtube / etc. too many buttons on this damn app and even the guy who is showing it looks lost for half seconds every now and then....

[mxpx5678 Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:43PM]

Price?

[mxpx5678 Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:49PM]

Also is this using IR blasters? I haven't had great luck with those in the past unless it is in a closed entertainment center.

[lionelhuts Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:05PM]

@mxpx5678

I almost think it must. How else would he be able to be change the volume controls on the receiver (for example) with the iPhone? The IR Blaster probably turns WiFi received gestures into IR commands.

[alex2792 Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:49PM]

Google should really work with Sony to integrate Google tv into ps3 that would be secks.

[iName Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:15PM]

@alex2792 OH MY GOD. i think i would die of joy.

[LazarusDark Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:24PM]

@alex2792
Um, PS3 HAD linux capability on it... they REMOVED it recently if you hadn't heard.

[stnkyminky Posted Jun 16th 2010 6:54PM]

If you used web TV then you wouldn't make the comparison. Not even close..

[Spindel Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:11PM]

The UI looks like crap.

[mxpx5678 Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:18PM]

@Spindel It really does look more confusing than it should, He put in Glee as a search and it gave 6 search results and you couldnt tell what any of them were results for.

[loadoftoad Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:46PM]

@Spindel

It's made by google, they make crap ui's. They have the functionality that works most of the time but they have always lacked making UI's; and fundamentally if you have a poor UI for a television it's not going anywhere.

[Generalguy41 Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:34PM]

Wait, the original name was "companion box"?

Clearly the name change needed to be "The Logitech Companion Cube"

[Psyclotr0n Posted Jun 16th 2010 9:57PM]

@Generalguy41
resistance is futile

[Air2ground Posted Jun 20th 2010 4:55PM]

@Generalguy41 Wouldn't that make Google Aperture Science?

[dkhang Posted Jun 16th 2010 7:54PM]

i hope more channels get on this band wagon.. and stream their tv online. like ESPN. can't wait. death to cable companies

[timotim Posted Jun 16th 2010 10:00PM]

This seems like a product for geeks... all I can say to that is why would a geek want to use it? Its not robust enough when compared to Media Center and lacks AAA gaming... navigating to full web pages on a 50+" HDTV is NOT what people want in the living room... the UI is also very plain.

[sys3175 Posted Jun 17th 2010 12:16AM]

Yeah, I like how he hit watch tv and it brought up xbox 360 so he "showed it to us again" so we can see what happens.. or in other words.. the thing didn't work the first time.

[pspitts Posted Jun 17th 2010 1:25AM]

that is a hot mess. Hotter than a pan of hot chicken fat!
No thanks. I'm moving away from tv anyway. tv makes you stupid. Everyone know sthat. Meh!

[JimJam707 Posted Jun 17th 2010 2:37PM]

So no more Weighted Companion Cube Jokes?
:(

[obiterdictum Posted Jun 17th 2010 9:58PM]

The cable companies will find some way to cripple this or exploit it so as to circumvent Google's ability to profit from it. I don't know how but they will.

[Mike Vick Posted Jun 19th 2010 7:50AM]

A bit complicated but this is slick :)