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Dec

Logitech Revue, Meet Recovery Mode

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Development, Google TV, Logitech, News, Revue

Last Updated: December 4th, 2010

While Android hackers figured out how to boot Sony's Google TVs into recovery mode sometime ago, the Logitech Revue has been waiting for something similar. But now the wait is over, thanks to @Stericson, who took no more than a day to accomplish the task on his Revue unit, sent to him by Google.

While we are now one small baby step closer to having root access, I feel obligated to remind you that Sony's Google TVs have yet to see any real attempts at root or software mods of any kind, despite having had access to recovery mode for over a month now.

Nov

Samsung Developing Google-Powered TV Of Its Own, Planning On Unveiling The Product At CES 2011

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Google TV, News, Samsung

Given all the heat Google TV's been taking from the networks lately, the platform needs all the good news it can get - and Samsung might be giving it some come January 2011. Samsung Hub has just learned that the world's largest television manufacturer is indeed working on a Google TV-powered set, which Boo-Keun Yoon, Samsung's President of Visual Display Business, plans to unveil next year at CES.

What the blog didn't learn was what the actual TVs would look like; in fact, the only detail they provided was that the company's "open" to using Intel's processors as opposed to its own offerings.

Nov

Google TV: Now With 95% Less TV, Thanks To Networks

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Android OS, Google TV, News

Looks like Google is hitting roadblocks at every turn with their eponymous TV hardware - which is really a shame, given just how much potential it seems to have. A few weeks ago, the major networks decided to start blocking Google TVs from accessing their content, whether it was via their proprietary feeds (i.e. ABC.com) or directly through Hulu. Just about the only method of streaming left was Fancast (which actually backdoors content from Hulu). But no more: the door has been shut, with few options left for users.

While Google TV's capabilities extend far beyond simply streaming content, that's doubtless its biggest selling point - especially in an age where most content is available on demand online, with fewer ads and minimal delay.

Oct

Broadcast Networks Block Google TV, Stay Stuck In The '90s

Posted by Brad Ganley in Google TV, Internet TV, Logitech, News, Sony

Google TV hasn't been in the wild for long, but major content providers like ABC, CBS, and NBC are already blocking their content from Google's awesome little TV companion. This, as you might have guessed, sucks.

With the advent of TV on the Internet, broadcasters have shown us time and time again that they just aren't ready to embrace the fact that we can get their content from sources other than our TVs. Luckily, says Reuters, Google is reported to be in active negotiations with the networks to get this content back on. As I'm sure you've guessed already, that essentially means that Google is figuring out how much money the networks are going to demand.

Oct

Sony Announces Four Google TV Fueled "Internet TVs", One Blu-Ray Player

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Google, Google TV, Internet TV, Sony

Looks like New York's the place to be tonight, especially if you're an Android fan looking for a Google TV built by Sony - the company has just announced the "Sony Internet TV", which will be available in four sizes: 24", 32", 40", and 46", priced at $599.99, $799.99, $999.99, and $1,399.99 respectively. While each model does offer unique specs (all of which are listed in the press release at the end of this post), all will come with:

Google TV built in
four HDMI input ports alongside four USB inputs
a 1080p LED display (with the exception of the lowest-end 24-inch model, which will feature a plain CCFL backlit LCD panel, with the 1080p resolution remaining unchanged)
an Intel Atom processor
access to the Android market in early 2011

Sony also announced that users will be able to control their Internet TV with the RF QWERTY keyboard (pictured above) as well as with an Android app that will be available from the Market "later this fall."

Finally, to put it in the words of Apple CEO Steve Jobs, the company announced one more thing - a $399 Blu-ray Disc Player, which will offer only one HDMI input port and the same four USB ports, although with the addition of an HDMI output port.

Oct

Sony Opens Android Developer Registration For Sony Internet TVs

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Apps/Games, Google TV, News

Things are really coming along in the Google TV world, aren't they? First, a survey by Appcelerator showed that developers were showing strong interest in Google TV. A few days later, Google revealed that major players in the entertainment industry were backing GTV in a big way - and also gave us a short preview.

Fast forward to today, and Sony has opened up registration for its Android Developer Site. Thus far, there doesn't seem to be much to it - but they promise that there will be "... exciting news for the Sony Internet TV very soon," and "In the future, look for more extras such as images, examples, tips and techniques to help you create exciting new applications."

As mentioned above, the big players already back GTV - but that's only half the equation.

Oct

Logitech Revue Unveiled, Now Available For Pre-Order

Posted by Nate Kimmey in Google TV, Logitech, News, Revue

The Logitech Revue site has gone live, and it includes all the details on the Google TV-powered box we've already heard so much about. You won't find much information on Google TV, but what you will find is plenty of information on the Revue itself, as well as its many accessories.

First things first: the Revue is available for pre-order right now, and is priced at $299.99. That price includes both the box and the keyboard; the keyboard has a touchpad and remote controls so you won't need a separate remote (you can check out a picture of the keyboard below).

Oct

Google Announces Boatload Of New Partners For Google TV

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Applications, Apps/Games, Google, Google TV, News

According to Google’s announcement today, it seems that content providers really, really like the idea of Google TV – which is a good sign, as content can often make or break new platforms. Specifically, Google say they've "been overwhelmed by interest from partners on how they can use the Google TV platform." And by "partners," they mean a fairly significant number of big players:

Turner Broadcasting has been hard at work optimizing some of their most popular websites for viewing on Google TV, including TBS, TNT, CNN, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, available anytime through Google TV.

NBC Universal has collaborated with Google TV to bring CNBC Real-Time, an application that allows you to track your favorite stocks and access news feeds while enjoying the best financial news from CNBC directly on the TV screen.

Oct

Logitech Schedules Google TV-Related Event For October 6

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Google, Google TV, News

What do you think of when you hear the word "TV"? Fox News? Family Guy? Creepy Logitech ads?

If you just chose the third answer, it appears that, come October 6th, Logitech will finally have a chance to explain (or excuse) itself for that god-awful advertising campaign. Oh yeah, and the company will also introduce a "line of products for Google TV," which could end up being seriously awesome considering what Google unveiled at the I/O developer conference, but if I were Jerry Quindlend, Logitech CEO, all I'd be thinking of right now is the best way to publicly apologize for this.

Aug

Logitech Releases Commercials For Revue - "Creepy" Is An Understatement

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Development, Google, Google TV, Logitech, Off-Topic, Revue

Logitech has released its first commercials for the Revue, the first Google TV box to hit the market. The commercials are so weird on so many levels - it looks like Logitech is going to be using a giant TV with legs as the mascot. Not creepy enough? The TV either displays a giant human eye or a giant human mouth. Like I said, freaking weird.

_{I'm not going to lie, I'd probably freak the hell out too.}

Luckily, that's the worst of them.

Oh, wait...

_{Pictured: breakfast at a typical American household.}

Maybe not.

On the plus side, we can clearly see what they're shooting for with Google TV (although we already had an idea): gaming, web browsing, video chatting, and so on.