Ouch on the couch: First Google TV device costs 300 dollars

Oct 7, 2010, 2:52 GMT

San Francisco - The first Google TV device was launched on Wednesday.

While the Logitech Revue may give hope to those fed up with wading through clunky TV menus, it might also cause sticker shock to savvy fans of the new way to merge the best of television and the internet.

Logitech's Revue set-top box will cost 299 dollars. It is designed to bring programming and movies from multiple sources including the Internet, broadcast providers, PCs and mobile devices to the large- screen TV, said Junien Labrousse, executive vice president of products at Logitech, during a product launch event.

Perhaps most importantly, it also features a built-in specialized version of Google's famous search engine, customized to find and record the programmes you want, whether they be lurking deep in cable channel directories or on obscure websites.

'There hasn't been a products that bring all of this content together with a single interface,' said Labrousse.

'This rich content is available from a variety of sources with a variety of interfaces. It's challenging to search for what you want to watch or discover new content. No one's provided a complete solution, until now.'

The Revue includes a controller than functions as a remote control and a keyboard. It will start shipping at the end of the month. Accessories include a high-definition camera that will allow videoconferencing through the TV screen.

The launch of the Logitech device comes days after Google announced its initial content partners for the new platform, which the web search giant is hoping will give it the inside track in the battle for control of the digital living room.

The platform will also be built into televisions and Blu-ray players from Sony, and will include Google's Chrome browser to enable TV watchers to surf the internet using their television screens.

Google has partnered with Turner Broadcasting to optimize the viewing of channels like TNT, CNN and Cartoon Network through Google TV. HBO will also bring its programming to Google TV, while online streaming video companies like Amazon and Netflix will offer access to their huge libraries of content.

Apple last week launched its rival, 99-dollar Apple TV device, which allows users to easily download movies and shows directly to their televisions from Apple's iTunes. The device has less content available than its Google rival because of the reluctance by major media companies to pay the high commissions Apple is demanding on all revenues earned through its service.

Read more about Television

Read more about US Technology