Remember the buzz surrounding Google TV? Adding the popular search engine into consumer electronics devices didn't exactly take off like people were expecting. Some think it may be too late for the streaming set-top box.
Logitech, however, is hoping that a price drop could be the push that the flailing platform needs. Starting today, the Revue box can be had for a mere $99.
When the Logitech Revue launched last year, it was priced at is a $299. This year, the priced dropped to $249. We reviewed the Revue last October saying, "Logitech may be the first company to come to market with a Google TV product, but at $299 for the Revue, they'd better hope Google works out a few of the bugs and content agreements to get early adopters on the bandwagon." (Read the full Logitech Revue review for more information.)
Apparently, those issues were never fully fixed. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the Revue's returns were actually outpacing sales.
"We launched Revue with the expectation that it would generate significant sales growth in spite of a relatively high price point and the newness of both the smart TV category and the underlying platform," Logitech's new CEO Guerrino De Luca told the WSJ. "In hindsight, there are number of things we should have done differently."
Besides a lower purchase price, there will be a few new tweaks. Logitech says that Version 2 of Google TV will be coming later this summer. One of the expected enhancements will be a better user interface, as well as access to the Android Market.
Built on Android 3.1, the Revue offers web access and a selection of apps, including Netflix, Twitter, Pandora, and Logitech Vid HD (which requires the optional Logitech TV Cam). All of the content is accessible via the included Logitech Keyboard Controller. A Logitech Mini Controller, Android and iPhone apps, and other add-ons are also available.
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