Living with the Logitech Revue and Google TV
By Julia on January 2, 2011, 11:28 am
Unfortunately, the justification for buying a Google TV is its ability to deliver the full Web experience. But with more and more content providers banning access to the device browser, the argument to ditch Google TV in favor of a connected laptop or home-theater PC becomes even more compelling. Sony hasn’t helped matters by discounting its own Google TV products, a lever designed to move more products off of the shelves. But with the $99 Apple TV and inexpensive Roku products serving as a perfectly adequate TV peripheral, who can blame them?
Google TV Delay
First, you should know that I’m a gadget/tech hound. I’ve had everything there is out there, from Amiga to Zenith. Remember the WebTV? I had one some 15 years ago. I bring that up because, frankly, I don’t see much difference between that failed attempt at bringing the “web” (as it was called then) to TV and Google’s latest try. Sure, the graphics are fancier and, yes, there will eventually be more you can do with Google TV, but for now, it’s a disaster.
Google TV Update
Aside from being a communication device, do you know that you can also use your Android phone as a remote control to your Google TV? With the newly-launched Android remote control app you can! And this remote app lets you do more besides changing the channel via Android phone.
Video-calling review
I had no trouble placing a test call from a Kinect-equipped Xbox to a Dell netbook, but things didn’t work well in the other direction. Sometimes Windows Live Messenger failed to detect the computer’s built-in webcam and therefore wouldn’t allow me to place an outgoing video call. On another occasion, only seconds after ending a video call from Xbox to the laptop, Xbox informed me that “None of your contacts are available to join a Video Call.” Another time, the Xbox responded to my attempt to answer a video call by flipping me over to a text chat.
Perfect Gift
My 16-month-old might be the biggest fan of the Logitech Revue in the whole family, watching his favorite toddler videos on YouTube. When my wife and I put the little one to sleep, the Netflix application and the integrated DVR options from Dish Network are the things we tend use the most. TBS, TNT, CNN, HBO, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim are the first networks to integrate right with Google TV, and CNBC has a useful application to get your financial news. Google TV is also a very capable way of searching the internet, and is perfect if you need to look something up, check your email, follow the game that you are watching, or just about anything else you do when you are surfing the web. So, in essence, you are purchasing a little computer that is easy to hook up to the TV.