AfterDawn: News

Logitech: We are out of Revue units

Following the company's quarterly earnings report, it was revealed that Logitech has finally sold out of the Revue set-top box, the failed Google TV experiment that caused the previous CEO to be fired.

Logitech has also taken its name of the Google TV supporter list, but says there is a chance they can return in the future.



The company took a massive loss on the boxes, being forced to drop the price from $299 to $99 after just a few months on the market. CEO Guerrino de Luca admitted the company was far too bullish on the technology when it launched the box, overinvesting at a time when it was still unclear whether the technology would be widely embraced.

Google TV allows users to stream videos and access sites and apps via their TVs using a set-top box and impressive keyboard. Media companies have mostly blocked access to their streaming sites via Google TV, however, making the service useless in its current form.

Logitech took a $90 million loss on its Google TV expenditure and its attempt to revamp European retail operations in the quarter before this one.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Jan 2012 12:56

• Previous article

• iPhone 5 ready for production?

• Next article

• RealNetworks sells $120 million worth of patents, software to Intel

• 4 comments

• ThePastor

  Quote:Media companies have mostly blocked access to their streaming sites via Google TV, however, making the service useless in its current form.
  This is far from true... the "service" is quite useful. It's just not available on all sites. But certainly the majority of sites are available.
  Hulu Plus (An abysmal service) is not available.
  But you can get Netflix and Amazon Video and countless other streaming sites as well as the ability to play your local files.
  
  Not to mention the very cool web browsing with a very functional keyboard.
  
  Hey, it wasn't as good as it could have been. But it's still very cool. And at $99 it was a steal.
  
  :D
  

  "But the bigger point here is that UMG has effectively admitted this takedown was never about copyright. They demanded YouTube censor Megaupload and justify that by saying they have a contract which allows it so its fine. Its painfully clear what they would do with a law like SOPA that gives them much more power"

  26.1.2012 13:01 #1

• DVDBack23

  Originally posted by ThePastor: Quote:Media companies have mostly blocked access to their streaming sites via Google TV, however, making the service useless in its current form.
  This is far from true... the "service" is quite useful. It's just not available on all sites. But certainly the majority of sites are available.
  Hulu Plus (An abysmal service) is not available.
  But you can get Netflix and Amazon Video and countless other streaming sites as well as the ability to play your local files.
  
  Not to mention the very cool web browsing with a very functional keyboard.
  
  Hey, it wasn't as good as it could have been. But it's still very cool. And at $99 it was a steal.
  
  :D This seems like a major improvement from when I tested the unit a month after launch however, the point still stands. No Hulu, no CBS, no ABC...you can get much cheaper set-tops like Roku that have Netflix and Amazon VOD.
  

  AfterDawn News
  AfterDawn Guides
  AfterDawn Downloads
  AfterDawn Hardware Section

  26.1.2012 13:10 #2

• ThePastor

  Yes, I would agree that if what you want is streaming Video services and nothing more, then this is not for you.
  The browser with keyboard and the market are what makes it different than a Roku.
  Also, the channel integration in the search is great as well. I don't use cable TV (cord cutter) but if I did, this function would be very good.
  
  

  "But the bigger point here is that UMG has effectively admitted this takedown was never about copyright. They demanded YouTube censor Megaupload and justify that by saying they have a contract which allows it so its fine. Its painfully clear what they would do with a law like SOPA that gives them much more power"

  26.1.2012 15:48 #3

• xaznboitx

  smart, same price as the PS3 bundle
  

  26.1.2012 18:23 #4