Logitech Revue with Google TV

I recently looked at the Apple TV as I wanted a companion to my new HDTV. My TV is a smart TV and has BBC Iplayer already integrated aswell as Youtube and a browser, however it is hard to type into the TV remote and I wanted an option that did everything together. After much thought, I decided against Apple TV as it didn't seem to do much other than connect to Itunes and give you access to your existing Itunes content. So, I took the plunge with the Revue. I have to say I bought it about £50 cheaper than listed here and would say to anyone considering buying it to really think about it first.
Google are set to try to corner the market and challenge Apple with their Google TV software over the next 18 months, whether they achieve that or not, we will have to see but the Logitech Revue was one of the first iterations of the operating system/device which was panned by critics upon it's release in the US back in 2010. It has recently had a significant software upgrade to Android 3.1 (Honeycomb). When I connected this for the first time, it automatically updated to the latest version and then prompted me to input many settings, which could be confusing to some, however I have several Android devices already, so it was okay.
Now that I have it installed in the UK, I can tell you that it has it's good points but also negatives and it doesn't quite fulfil my TV desires. So.....

The Good:

* Really clean futuristic user interface that is easy to follow and intuitive enough.
* Has Flash, so great for video content online (mostly), such as BBC Iplayer, 4OD etc.
* Built in Chrome browser, which is very fast and easy to use, much as it would be on your Android phone or Tablet.
* The Revue connects with HDMI, so you will get the best possible resolution with an HDTV.
* Has built in Youtube which is really good and the search function works well with the keyboard.
* You receive a wireless keyboard with integrated mouse. It connects easily.

The Bad:

* There are really no great apps available in the UK for this yet, though that may change once Google TV has officially launched in the UK. Apparently, Google intend to add international integration to a future update. In the meantime, there is a limited selection of market apps, Netflix works well following it's recent UK release.
* Unless you have Sky HD or an equivalent HD set top box, mostly all of the TV functions won't work. Even if you do have an HD set top box, you will not be able to use the guide features as again it's not optimised for UK use. This also prevents any recordings I believe.
* I have been unable to get the Revue to play nicely with the Freeview HD intergrated in my LG television. I may be doing something wrong but I suspect it is not compatible because it's already inside the TV.

When weighing up the pros and cons, it's pretty much a 50/50 situation. I am going to keep it as it works well as a TV web browser and I am hopeful that by the end of the year, their may be an update to Android 4.0 which would include UK specific apps and comprehensive UK TV support. That said, I would most certainly be returning it if I had paid anymore than £80 on it.

This product is a great idea with a ridiculously bad implementation. I don't know if the content providers are deliberately sabotaging this product, but all of the content streams so poorly, it makes it unusable. The product probably has the potential to be a disruptive force in the way content is consumed, so I imagine there is a great force to make it unsuccessful, and unfortunately, those forces have won this battle.

I hate wasting my time and money, and this did both. Quite frankly, I have never been as disgusted with a purchased good, if I could rate it with less than 1 star, I would.

Hopefully the next iteration of this product will deliver, but my recommendation for now is to save your money and wait for another, better implementation.

Don't bother trying Boxee either, it suffers the same fate.

Having read quite a few negative points on this product i found it time to do a proper down to earth review.
First of all its clear that quite a few people have written their review based on ill thought out niggles and problems that are unfair to google tv.
I got this product as a xmas gift for a friend and can say that its a excellent little gadget if you look at what its good at.
It allows you to visit any site on the web, email friends, chat with friends, watch films/tv shows, listen to hundreds of radio stations, shop till you cant shop anymore and many many more things you care to mention.
Now people have complained its a useless product given they have a laptop/pc hooked up to their tv already and can do all the above plus they have sky or virgin and can watch what they please.
Now i dont know about most people but to hook up a pc or laptop to a tv is rather expensive and you already have a device that lets you do the above activities so why are you complaining about google tv if you have the above, pointless complaining.
To do all the above would cost you easily £500 plus were as google tv can be purchased for as little as £80.
Secondly with google tv being released this year in the uk, 2012, you will get all the uk content you wish for.
This was never meant to compete with £500 plus pcs or sky/virgin subscriptions, again £40 plus a month to watch football.
Then again we come to the playstation 3/xbox 360 which i have also, yes they both have some of the content mentioned but again you need the machines, £120 upwards and a yearly subscription, pointless argument.
To put it clearly and in a sensible review, google tv is a very good product that lets you do alot of things you only dreamed of on your tv just wearing you socks and pants in the privacy of your home.
Im very happy with the product and so are my friends and have had countless fun shopping, playing games with the kids and learning things they never knew before.
If your after a cheap versatile way to get on the web then i highly recommend google tv.