• by ryan.y , October 7, 2010

At the end of this month, Logitech is set to release its Revue companion box with keyboard controller. The companion box will come pre-installed with Google TV and is currently available for pre-order from Logitech.com, Amazon.com and Bestbuy.com for just under three hundred dollar (299.99USD), and I cannot wait to become an early adopter of Google's latest product.

WHY ITS GOOD

Google TV, in my opinion, stands to be one of the greatest innovations of the year. Why? Because it combines two of our biggest media, television and the internet, into an easy to use UI that allows for seamless integration between the webs features and televisions programming.

One of its key features is that it turns your TV, big or small, fat or thin, into a fully functioning version of Google’s Chrome internet browser, complete with Adobe Flash player V10.1. giving you access to every thing you would normally do on the web from checking your email, to watching web related content, or just browsing, all within the confines of your HDTV.

WHY ITS GREAT

Not only does it give you the web, It integrates the webs best features with your television programming. Most impressive is its implementation of Google’s search engine that not only allows you to search for your favorite websites, but also for all of your television programming. When searched, the television program will be conveniently listed within your search findings, identifying the time and the channel that the show will air.

Another feature is that it’s integrating our societies recent fascination with the world of applications. Applications have become an iconic image within the realms of our mobile devices and serve as the focal selling point of all current smart-phones and are now making their way towards our television through Google TV. Not only will GoogleTV come preloaded with applications such as Netflix, Twitter, and Pandora, starting early next year, applications from the Android Market Place will be available for download on Google TV.

WHY ITS UGLY

I look forward to becoming an early adopter, along with the others who have already pre-ordered their Logitech Revue Boxes, but not every one may be as eager as us. The problem with Google TV may be its price point. In a previous post, I discussed the implications of 3D TV and its difficulties that it would find in the marketplace that has grown to be increasingly conservative. The same applies for Google TV products. Many aren’t willing to drop the money for something they already have on devices they already own.

Sony has yet to announce its line of Google TV products, but its estimated that Sony TV’s with Googles OS will coast roughly anywhere from $1299.99 for a 32” to $1899.99 for a 46” version. That's a large chunk of change for any family, and while the Logitech Revue is more competitively priced at $299.99 it seems pricey compared to similar devices such as Apple TV and the Roku, priced at $99.99 and $59.99 respectively.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT!

For those of you who aren’t discouraged by the initial price point. Think about giving it a try. I have a feeling along with many other media industry experts that are as excited as I am, that Google TV will be big, very big. Smart TV may very well be the future of how we view our content, and may become one of the most prominent mediums within the next decade, But that's pure speculation based on my own opinion. Regardless I cannot wait for Google’s next big product and will gladly give my soul to Google as they slowly work for complete world domination.