Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2010/12/27/logitech_suspends_revue/

Logitech said to turn off Google TV

Sucky software slapdown

By Rik Myslewski

Posted in Legal, 27th December 2010 19:18 GMT

Updated Logitech has reportedly suspended production of its Google TV settop box, the Revue, which it unveiled with great fanfare in early October.

Industry sources told the Taiwanese rumor-peddlers at DigiTimes that the suspension was prompted by Google's desire "to complete updates or to launch a new version" of the software that runs its internet-TV offering.

That may well be true, but the actual cause may run deeper than mere scheduling: Google TV hasn't exactly set the world on fire.

Plagued by Google TV's poor reviews and justified criticism, Mountain View has reportedly asked Toshiba, LG Electronics, and Sharp to hold off on announcing their Google TV products until it can get its software act together.

Sony, by the way, has already launched its (expensive) line of Googly Internet TVs, and Samsung has said that its offerings would be unveiled soon, most likely at next week's Comsumer Electronic Show.

However, with Monday's rumor of the Logitech pullback, and continuing concern over crappy less-than-glowing reviews of Google TV, it now appears that CES may not be the coming-out party that Google had surely hoped it would be for its internet-based TV offering.

The Revue's supplier, Gigabyte, declined to comment to DigiTimes about the rumor, and Logitech was also mum when Cnet asked them for confirmation. ®

Update

After we published this article, Logitech's VP and GM of the Digital Home Group, Ashish Arora, blogged that "All’s Well with Logitech Revue", saying in part:

At Logitech we usually refrain from commenting on rumors and speculation. But I can’t ignore the recent puzzling speculation that Google has asked Logitech to suspend production of Logitech Revue to address software issues...

...Logitech and Google continue to have a collaborative, effective working relationship as we listen to consumer feedback and work together on enhancements to the Google TV platform. We at Logitech are enthusiastic about Google TV and our role in bringing this new platform to U.S. consumers.

Although Arora also details the Revue's software-updating procedure, he doesn't address whether or not Gigabyte has suspended production of the Revue. Logitech did not immediately respond to our request for clarification as to the Revue's production status.

Update2

Later on Monday afternoon, Nancy Morrison, Logitech's VP of corporate communications, provided us with a bit more clarity, saying in part:

Suggestions that production of the Logitech Revue companion box might need to be halted to address software issues are unfounded... Every Logitech Revue will receive free over-the-air updates whenever Google and Logitech release software enhancements.

...Logitech does not discuss the specific production plans for any of its products. As a high-volume manufacturer of electronic products, Logitech’s use of its own factories as well as those of its manufacturing partners, provides the company with flexibility in how and when it produces products to accommodate customer demand.

In other words: a) if and when Google upgrades its Google TV software, Revue owners will receive those upgrades, and b) Logitech declines to state whether it has suspended production of the Revue.