Category Archives: Google TV

Second Honeycomb Leak for Logitech Revue Walkthrough [Video]

Posted by on September 14, 2011 No comments

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There has been a second leak of Honeycomb for the Logitech Revue, apparently, and with the leak comes a juicy 8 minute video showing what to expect once the official update comes to the Revue.

If you were worried that the unit wouldn’t be powerful enough to run the update smoothly, guess again. Some have even said this thing runs smoother than the original build.

Video’s above and if you want to apply the leak manually links and instructions can be found here. (Before you go, do make sure you’re on the first leak before updating to this one – you’ll brick the thing otherwise). Anyone else suddenly wanting one of those $99 Revue units? [via Channel Android]

Google TV Apps Begin Populating the Android Market

Posted by on September 13, 2011 No comments

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Though the release of the Honeycomb-based update for Google TV is up in the air, a number of apps tailored to the device have begun to make their way to the Android Market. A quick search of the term reveals apps including Fox News, TNT, CNN and more. Games, utilities, and music app Napster can also be found. We know Google has been making a recent push to get Google TV-ready apps in the Market. The apps could indicate we are even closer to the release of the update that will grant Android Market access on currently existing devices.

[Thanks, Tommy!]

Updated Google TV Hardware Shown at CEDIA Along With Honeycomb [Video]

Posted by on September 9, 2011 2 comments

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Fresh off the CEDIA show floor the boys at Engadget came across some new Google TV hardware. The set-top was updated with the couldn’t-come-soon-enough new version of Honeycomb for Google TV showing off some of their highlighted app as picked by Google. Honestly, I can’t wait to update my Logitech Revue and get some Android Market lovin’ on this aging device. Oh – here’s a video too for good measure.

[Via Engadget]

Google TV Not Going Anywhere Soon, Platform Looks to Expand

Posted by on August 29, 2011 1 comment

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Speaking at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, Chairman Eric Schmidt reaffirmed Google’s commitment to their struggling TV platform. In fact, Schmidt says Google TV is looking to expand with more partners moving forward, pointing to a limited selection of hardware and software integrated into televisions sets, devices that consumers buy sparingly. With a new build of Google TV in the pipeline, the planned release of the platform in Europe, and a new set of hardware waiting in the wings, the tech giant hopes to make another big push in the coming months. Schmidt also did not deny talk that Google could leverage its recent Motorola acquisition to place Google TV directly into the set-top boxes dished out by cable companies.

While we here at Phandroid are avid supporters of the platform, we admit that the platform still has some work to be done. Google seems bent on making the internet television revolution a reality, if only to find a way to reap the advertising profits of the main source of media consumption in the household. For now, Google has enough excess funds to keep pumping money into the business in the hopes that someday it will take off.

[via Engadget]

Google TV Said to be Announced for the UK, Lands Within Six Months

Posted by on August 26, 2011 No comments

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It seems Google’s finally ready to get over this Google TV hump as Eric Schmidt is rumored to be announcing the service (and hopefully some hardware partners) for a UK launch within six months. Google TV’s launch here in the US hasn’t exactly been an easy one for Google.

It looked promising from the start, but a lack of support from television networks and applications (namely ones from the Android market) seemed to keep consumers at bay when considering units at retail. With Honeycomb/Ice Cream Sandwich coming, it should appeal to a lot more people one they see all the great things they’re enabled to do.

Internet TVs are great, and with the flexibility Google TV provides for OEMs, there’s a lot of excitement for it. Instead of an OEM having to deliver and maintain their own apps, Google TV provides a pool of developer-created apps and content, meaning the possibilities for OEMs’ users are almost endless. That’s an important factor when it comes down to marketing.

It seems Google’s happy with where Google TV is going and will be making a very big push, and that will especially be evident if a forthcoming announcement is indeed set to go down. Any of you UK folks jumping in once Google brings Google TV to your shores? [Daily Mail via EuroDroid]

Google TV Preview Comes to Android SDK, One Step Closer to Apps on the Big Screen

Posted by on August 22, 2011 No comments

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Back at Google I/O it was announced that a future update would move the Google TV platform over to a build based around Android Honeycomb. Along with the overhauled interface would come the Android Market, a feature promised since Google TV first hit the scene last year. While it is unclear when the Honeycomb update will eventually be pushed to old devices (and come installed on new devices), a Google TV preview has been released today as part of the Android SDK.

The preview will allow developers to emulate the GTV ecosystem to test and develop apps for the television platform. Along with the preview comes new features specific to televisions, such as the ability to call up channel lineups. Google warns that apps calling for non-television features such as a touchscreen won’t show up when the Android Market is accessed from a Google TV box and encourages developers with apps currently in the market to test their software for compatibility with the platform. Google admits it expects few apps available at launch, but hopes this early preview will jumpstart interest from developers.

[via Google TV Blog]

Sony Cuts Price On All Google TV Integrated HD Televisions

Posted by on August 12, 2011 No comments

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Looks like Google TV hasn’t been faring too well for Sony and as a result, the company has reduced the price of their current Google TV integrated HD televisions. We pretty much all saw this coming. Following in Logitech’s footsteps who recently dropped the price of their Google TV set-top boxes to a paltry $99, Sony’s new prices are as follows:

24″: Was $600. Now $295
32″: Was $800. Now $498
40″: Was $1000. Now $723
46″: Was $1400. Now $961

Sony did make mention that the reason for the price drop wasn’t because of newer/better ones coming soon, but because well – these were probably too expensive to begin with. Hopefully this isn’t a sign that Google TV is nearing its end. Google TV is still a great concept and with Ice Cream Sandwich just right around the corner, hopefully the new version of Android will breathe new life into Google TV.

[Via GTVSource]

One Lucky Soul Got a Logitech Revue for $50 With Erroneous Coupon Code

Posted by on August 9, 2011 No comments

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Some of you might want to check your inboxes for a 50% off coupon code from Logitech. A user on Reddit received one such code, and although Logitech said it wasn’t applicable to the Logitech Revue, he went ahead and tried it anyway – it worked. Since the device now retails for $99, he walked away having to pay nothing but $50 for a still-pretty-serviceable Google TV unit. Only time will tell if Logitech will end up correcting the mistake and if they’ll honor this guy’s order, but you should get your order in now just in case (the coupon code is unique to each user who receives one).

Logitech Revue Now $99

Posted by on August 1, 2011 2 comments

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Late last week, it was revealed that the Logitech Revue’ MSRP would be reduced to $99 to help drive the adoption of Google TV. We didn’t get an indication of when the price drop would happen, but thankfully it was sooner rather than later. As of right now (it happened yesterday, actually) the Logitech Revue is $99. You’re getting the first ever Google TV device that Logitech has committed to bringing Android Honeycomb to once the upgrade is available. For the price, it’s going to be one hot commodity in the face of overpriced internet TVs and newer, presumably more expensive units from Logitech and other OEMs. If you want yours now, head to Logitech to purchase it for just $100.

Logitech Revue Will Soon Be Just $100

Posted by on July 28, 2011 No comments

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The Logitech Revue – the first Google TV device – launched at a pricey $300. Many folks didn’t want to pay $300 for an unproven platform and their skepticism was definitely justified. We imagine market penetration was low initially as Logitech has had to continue to lower the price of their product to this very day. The Logitech Revue STB companion unit will now be just $100.

Logitech cites the price cut as a reason why they lost money in Q2, though as it stands I have yet to see the device at this price-point anywhere. You’re still getting a very serviceable Google TV device for this price, but you should know that more powerful devices are on their way and that we may see some of those devices this holiday season.

We’re not sure how the latest version of Google TV (with Android market support and Honeycomb) will run whenever it does come to the Revue, but it may be worth the money to buy, wait and see. For now, Logitech and Best Buy are still showing the device at $250 but we expect that to change there and at retailers soon. [Logitech via Electronista]