I purchased two Revues when it was first released (about 3 years ago?): one for my parents, one for myself. The premise of being able to watch Live TV, surf the web from a desktop-style browser, install apps (this was introduced over a year after the initial release of the Revue), watch Netflix, do TV-based video conferencing, and the ability to watch DLNA/network-shared movies was exciting.



The Revue was, at its initial release, a mess. I will not address these as that's in the past. Logitech updated the Revue to the Android Honeycomb-based Google TV software, which introduced installable apps. Logitech eventually and abruptly abandoned the Revue due to dismal, and sold the remaining units in a flash sale.



I will not review the Google TV software itself. What I will cover, however, are items specific to the Revue, and why I ultimately got rid of it and its associated TV Cam.



GOOD:

1. Netflix streaming quality was consistently better than the same app on the Sony BluRay player I had. Its interface was also better than Apple TV v3: as you fast-forwarded/rewound through the movie, you were presented with thumbnails. Apple TV does not do that.



2. Keyboard was nearly full-sized, allowing for quicker typing. The included TouchPad also worked very well, and using TWO fingers, you could scroll up and down pages with it. It was very responsive. Compared to the Apple TV, Roku, or PlayStation 3, finding things was galaxies easier on the Revue keyboard.



3. Logitech added unique value to the Revue, which was both a good and bad thing. Good: Video Conferencing ability (more on that later) and ability to play movies from network-based shares. Bad: manufacturer customization can delay the release of updates. The Revue was consistently behind the competition with getting the latest software updates.



4. Movies (DivX, etc.) played well from network-based shares (Windows, NAS) via DLNA. The browser interface was a bit clunky, but it worked.



5. Logitech TV Cam, when working, was excellent for video conferencing with the parents. See the BAD section for more.



BAD:

1. Logitech abandoned the Revue. Do not expect any more updates from Logitech, though Google promised to still support the product. During the time I owned both Revues, updates were far and few in-between.



2. Chrome web browser was horribly slow. I often found myself browsing on my smartphone or tablet instead.



3. Amazon Prime and NBA apps were abandoned. They no longer worked.



4. Logitech TV Cam, which I had used to do video conferencing with my parents, was a pain to configure. Ports had to be opened in the firewall, and although I am an IT Systems Engineer with sufficient knowledge on firewalls, I had struggled getting this to work. I couldn't imagine how an average person could set this up. Once it was up and running, video conferencing worked GREAT... Until the Honeycomb Google TV update. My parents' TV Cam still worked well and doing a test call to Logitech VID's test account succeeded. I could never get it to work on my own TV Cam at home again. Video conferencing was now broken, and the Revue was primarily used for Netflix viewing only. I have been considering to get 2 Logitech TV Cam HD units, which is a stand-alone, HDMI-connected, Skype video conferencing device.



5. Memory leaks would eventually slow down the Revue, requiring a reboot.



I ultimately sold both Revues and the TV Cams after my parents replaced theirs with the Apple TV. They lost the video conferencing ability, but an iPad or iPod via Skype or Facetime over AirPlay would suffice. They are quite happy with the Apple TV.



My brother gave me an Apple TV v3 as well, and after playing with it, it reaffirmed to me that I do not like Apple's closed ecosystem or its tight grip on the use of its devices. I am eagerly awaiting for someone to jailbreak/hack the Apple TV v3 to allow the installation of XBMC, freeing it to do things that I liked the Revue for: freedom from shackles. Ability to play movies from network shares, and more. Alas, this review is not about the Apple TV, but about the Revue.



I do not suggest you purchase the Revue. For $99, there are better Google TV alternatives out there from Vizio, Sony, Asus, etc. However, I feel that the Google TV platform still has a long way to go. Roku, AppleTV, WD TV Live Streaming (my choice among the three) are not as extendable as Google TV, but are far less frustrating to use. I am happy to see, however, that we are seeing more and more TV-centric, connected devices being introduced.



NOTE: those of you who still own the Logitech TV Cam for Revue, note that Logitech is discontinuing its Logitech VID service due to the availability of other video services, such as Skype. Since the TV Cam ONLY works for the Revue (well, I got it to work with Windows 7 before after tinkering with drivers), Logitech is offering an exchange program for qualified owners. The exchange program ends sometime in September 2013 and started April 18, 2013.



I had been a long-time customer and supporter of Logitech products: keyboards, mice, speakers, and remotes. However, with the sudden abandonment of the Revue, its poor support of the Google TV platform (during the years when the manufacturer still provided official support), and its questionable call to lock the TV Cam to ONLY work with the Revue (and not PCs/Macs), left a VERY sour taste in my mouth. The quality that the company used to be known for severally dropped, making me question whether I would purchase another Logitech product again. The company has an uphill battle to win this customer back, though the recently-announced exchange program for the TV Cam was a good, first step in the right direction. Kudos to the new CEO!