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HDTV Almanac - Hard Times for Logitech; Trouble for Google TV?
by Alfred Poor on August 1, 2011 Categories: General Interest

Don’t look know, but one of Google TV’s few proponents just took a big hit. The company announced a $29.6 million first quarter 2011 loss, which represents more than a $49 million swing compared with the same quarter 2010. And in a phone call for investors, it was revealed that its Google TV product, Revue, was suffering from more returns than sales. The company later clarified this statement, pointing out that they sell to distributors and retailers, but it’s still not a good sign that the returns are so high.

Logitech lowered the price of the Revue from $299 to $249 last spring, and now has lowered it again to just $99 so that it can compete better with other network media players. Still, this does not reflect well on Google TV, which asked its licensees just before CES 2011 last January to hold off on releasing new products with Google TV. Logitech had already been shipping the Revue so it was allowed to keep shipping, but other major brands had to make some last minute course changes.

Until we see the next version of Google TV it is hard to predict its chances of success, but at this point, the choice to back it does not seem to have helped Logitech.

Posted by Alfred Poor, August 1, 2011 6:00 AM

Reader Commentary

Reply
jbowen01 • Aug 4, 12:39pm
I don't blame Logitech....Google has not delivered on APPS MARKET for GoogleTV. The current apps are crap excluding Netflix and Pandora which my Samsung Blu-ray does better than Revue.

I love my other Android products (smart phone and Galaxy S Tablet) but looks like Revue has been completely neglected by Google.

So I pissed away 250 bucks.....

Lesson learned....
Reply
ccclvib • Aug 5, 9:05pm
I bought the Sony NSZ-GT1 for only the ability to watch ESPN3 (for obscure sports broadcasts) on my TV rather than having to watch them on my computer. I got a BD player out of the deal, and a way of connecting my U-verse set-top box through the Sony unit. I'm already ahead of the game as far as I'm concerned, but I also get access to Netflix and Pandora. I've looked at the other things available, and I'm probably just way too cynical for having the need for much of it. The fact there may be apps out there that will - one day - have some value for me is not a big deal. If and when it's true, it won't change that I've already got what I went after. As for how much I spent, I'm sure I got my money's worth. Couldn't possibly have paid what turns out to be the incremental cost of the Google TV and bought a computer. That's what counts. If at some point Google and Sony decide they're not going to do anything else for the NSZ-GT1, I'm OK with that, too. Just as long as they don't d...
Reply
iwampfler • Aug 19, 4:29am
It appears that the soon to be released version 3.1 (Honeymoon) of the Android OS for the Logitech Revue will allow running more usefull applications.

The promise of this plus the price drop to less than $100, even at DISH Network, might make this product and Google TV
a popular way to browse the internet for us couch potatoes.

I am now again putting the full sized keyboard equipped Revue on my wish list. I am not certain, however, if I want to
integrate the device with my DISH receiver and pay the monthly fee to do so....

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About Alfred Poor

Alfred Poor is a well-known display industry expert, who writes the daily HDTV Almanac. He wrote for PC Magazine for more than 20 years, and now is focusing on the home entertainment and home networking markets.

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