Logitech

Will Kevin save Google TV's bacon?

I am worried about this Google TV thing. Not because I don't think it could somehow play a role in my complicated and, well, infernally messy life.

It's just that the darned thing looks so complicated and infernally messy. And I've endured so much of that already.

There seem to be so many buttons and thought processes through which to twist one's mind. Even those who are wise about these things worry that there are considerable complications to this attempt at dominating your living room's focal point.

The Logitech Revue is the first set-top box … Read more

Google TV roundup: The first wave of products

Google TV had tons of hype in the run-up to its mid-October launch. Now that we've had a few weeks to live with the first wave of released products, we have a better idea of what Google needs to fix and which products (if any) are worth considering.

What Google needs to fix A lot of our early reviews of Google TV products may seem negative, but that's doesn't mean we aren't impressed with the platform's potential. Google has laid the groundwork for a lot of great functionality, but until it addresses its long list … Read more

Dish selling Logitech Revue at discounted $179

Starting today, Dish Network customers can buy the Logitech Revue set-top box for $179.

The discounted price is available to Dish customers who subscribe to the DVR integration service, which costs $4 per month. The Logitech Revue, which features the Google TV platform, otherwise costs $299.

Dish Network announced the reduced price for Logitech Revue last month.

With the help of a Dish DVR, Revue owners can do a bit more than those who connect the Revue to a cable provider's DVR. Like their cable counterparts, Dish subscribers can surf the Web from the Revue and view programming from … Read more

Indoor light recharges Logitech solar keyboard

A new wireless keyboard by Logitech reduces power consumption and eliminates the hassle of replacing/recharging batteries--both using next-generation solar technology. Whereas other solar options force you to place the solar panels in direct sunlight to recharge, the Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 features two panels on top of the keys that charge the keyboard using ambient light, so even indoor light can can be used for juice.

Logitech tells us that a full solar charge can power the keyboard for at least three months, and a convenient on/off button conserves energy while it's not being used. Additionally, the … Read more

Logitech keyboard goes solar

Just when you thought solar was headed everywhere--rooftops, utility poles, and deserts, to name a few places--it's coming to your keyboard too.

Logitech today launched a wireless solar keyboard, its first. The K750 powers itself via integrated solar panels. Without light, the $79 keyboard can operate for three months.

The keyboard's tech sounds very familiar to what you can find in a watch. Logitech's solar keyboard is powered by integrated solar panels across the top and comes with an app that will be available November 15. The app tracks battery levels and has a meter to alert … Read more

Logitech Revue with Google TV: Tons of potential, but too many caveats and bugs for now

When we first saw the Logitech Revue demos, we were sold on the idea of a single set-top box that could search all our content sources--online or offline--and control our home theater components. Now that we've had our hands on a unit for nearly a week, we still love the concept, and the Revue has an undeniable amount of potential, but it's hard to give it an unqualified recommendation with all of its current issues and caveats.

As of press time, major content providers such as Hulu, CBS, and ABC are all blocking Google TV devices from streaming-video … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 21: 5 Reasons To Wait for An Android Tablet (podcast)

Steve Jobs attacks, a pre-rooted phone, and 5 reasons to wait for an Android Tablet, All that and more coming up on this week's edition of Android Atlas Weekly for Thursday, October 21st, 2010. Join Justin Eckhouse and guest host, Senior Associate Editor, Nicole Lee for all the Android news of the week.

A misguided rebuttal to Steve Jobs’ Android attack http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20019997-264.html

Revenue for Android beats iPhone on ad network http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20020016-94.html#ixzz130Pbd772… Read more

Hulu doesn't work on Google TV, even with 'hack'

After reports earlier this week that Google TV users could access Hulu with a simple hack--despite Hulu's attempts to block Google TV--it appears that Hulu has blocked even the workaround method. We fired up our Logitech Revue today, opened Chrome, changed our user agent to "Generic" and although we didn't receive the splash warning on Hulu's home page as usual, we still were blocked when we tried to play back actual content.

Hulu's move to block Google TV users makes sense when you consider the company has blocked other set-top boxes, like Boxee, in … Read more

Logitech Revue (Google TV): Photos and initial hands-on with the hardware

The Logitech Revue with Google TV showed up at our office today and we've had enough hands-on time with the hardware to give our first impressions.

The Revue set-top box doesn't approach the impossibly small standards of the Apple TV, but it's still a good deal smaller than, say, a cable DVR or Blu-ray player. The box feels very light, weighing only 1.32 pounds. The finish is all matte black, with just a few glossy flourishes, mostly around the IR emitter built into the unit. Like many modern set-top boxes, the Logitech Revue doesn't have any buttons on the front, with only a simple power button hidden away on the back. While the box itself is relatively slim, it does require a power brick, which is a little over half the size of a standard laptop AC adapter.

The back panel also houses the rest of the connectivity options and there are no surprises from what was announced at Logitech's press conference. The HDMI input is for connecting a cable/satellite box, while the HDMI output will connect directly to your HDTV or AV receiver.

There are two USB ports--for connecting a Webcam or USB drive--plus an Ethernet port if you prefer a wired connection over the built-in 802.11 Wi-Fi. There's also a digital audio output, which is useful if you have an older, non-HDMI AV receiver. Finally, there are two ports for connecting a separate, physical IR blaster, although we've had no problems using the built-in IR emitters so far.… Read more

YouTube Leanback launches on Google TV

YouTube's made-for-television viewing experience has fittingly found its way to Google TV.

YouTube Leanback, which was announced over the summer, will be available on all Google TV products starting this week. The launch of Leanback, which automatically plays YouTube videos in full screen at the highest available quality, coincides with the imminent release of the Logitech Revue set-top box, one of the first products that integrates Google TV.

When a Google TV viewer clicks on the YouTube icon, a video that is similar to clips in the person's YouTube viewing history will start playing immediately in full screen … Read more