by Jason Inofuentes on 7/28/2011 2:06:00 PM
Posted in Logitech , Revue , android , Google TV

It hasn't been a great year for Logitech, and that's owing in part to the failure of their Google TV platform to take off in a market filled with cheaper alternatives. Amidst their dismal Q1 Financial Statement, Logitech announced that they would be slashing the price of the Logitech Revue below cost in order to boost sales. The box was somewhat well received by reviewers, but the original price of $299 was a sore spot, and the previously discounted $249 price garnered no favor. At $99, though, Google TV is now competing with the likes of Roku and Apple TV, still a tough fight, but not nearly so unbalanced by price. 

This is, of course, all as the Google TV 2.0 update is in process, and the opportunity to run Android apps on the big screen for $99 could be a truly enticing opion. It's unclear when this pricing will take affect, but it'll be interesting to see if future Google TV product pursue this aggressive pricing. We hope to get a chance to chat with Logitech reps soon so stay tuned and post any questions you might have. 

Source: Logitech

 

UPDATE: Per Logitech PR, we have a few clarifications. First, as many have noticed, the Revue's $99 price is now live. Further, Logitech wanted to emphasize that the Revue was not being sold below cost, merely at a discount, this is possibly an accounting matter as there's no denying that Logitech already charged themselves $34 million this quarter as a cost of this discount. Lastly, reports that the Revue had negative sales this quarter, that is that a greater number of units were returned than sold is erroneous. The figures invovled are actually regarding channel returns, units that sat on store shelves long enough that they were sent back by the retailer. So, that's not really much consolation. It's not that it was returned too much. It never sold at all. The good news? The Google TV 2.0 update has leaked and adventurous users are welcome to see what's in store.

Great by notty22 on Thursday, July 28, 2011
I find the evolving story interesting. 99 Dollars for a device that offers connectivity to Internets ever expanding content is worth a BUY. IMHO. Hopefully the discounts will extend to the proprietary video camera used for video chat. Making the idea interesting for long distance families, being able to reunion on their televisions.
Gadgets such as these expose less tech savvy to cutting edge PC goodies. At this price, more will adopt.
notty22
iOS users by steven75 on Thursday, July 28, 2011
For anyone with an iOS device, the Apple TV is still a better buy for AirPlay alone, especially with the iOS 5 features such as iPad2 wireless mirroring.
steven75
RE: iOS users by quiksilvr on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Go away troll, we like Netflix and web browsing without having the need to get another device.
quiksilvr
d.rock by d.rock on Thursday, July 28, 2011
AppleTV2 has Netflix. And he's right -- for iOS users AirPlay + AppleTV2 is probably a more compelling solution than Google TV at this point.
d.rock
RE: d.rock by KoolAidMan1 on Friday, July 29, 2011
Yup, also any PC/Mac through iTunes. It works really really well and its affordable. GoogleTV priced itself out compared to better solutions like the AppleTV and Roku from go, and even at the same price it currently isn't worth getting over those. Its no wonder it failed.
KoolAidMan1
RE: iOS users by JasonInofuentes on Tuesday, August 02, 2011
No need to call names. Remember, this is Apple's strategy, and it does make for a very compelling ecosystem. There's no arguing that buying into an entirely Apple environment makes for some incredibly high ease of use and a broad feature set. And, given how effective AirPlay is and what sort of potential it has there's no doubt in my mind that anyone with an iPhone should pick up an Apple TV just for the simplicity. It beats hooking up a mini-HDMI cord any day.
JasonInofuentes
RE: iOS users by rs2 on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Apple *anything* is never a better buy. Unless you enjoy getting ripped off.
rs2
RE: iOS users by KoolAidMan1 on Friday, July 29, 2011
Right, and the Revue at $300 was so much better than the equally or more capable AppleTV or Roku at $100.

Fanboys of any stripe are hilarious.
KoolAidMan1
For $99, why not? by MagickMan on Thursday, July 28, 2011
No way I'd pay $300, or even $250, but for $99 I'll try it out. My Dish DVR even has support for it, so this has turned into a Must Buy for me.
MagickMan
tempted... but holding out by jjdenhup on Thursday, July 28, 2011
i'll wait and see how Google TV2.0 actually runs on the thing before purchase...

i mean, it's not like they'll raise the price back up if i wait a few more months.
jjdenhup
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