Google TV Vs. Apple TV: Logitech Revue to Offer Google TV

The first iteration of Google TV is set to hit the streets and will be released by the Logitech corporation as a $300 set-top box that plugs into your television. The Logitech Revue connects to the Internet and will use Google TV software to bring streaming content to your television.

You will be able to watch regular television, stream Internet movies, YouTube, and listen to Internet Radio. In addition, agreements are expected to be in place that will bring content from professional sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB to your desktop while you watch the game. Imagine being able to pull up all of your favorite statistics and news stories about your favorite basketball player while you watch the game.

Dish Network will offer a reduced priced Logitech Revue for $179 that will have advanced integration with

your satellite receiver. The Logitech Revue will ship in just a few weeks, at the end of October. You will also be able to buy the Google TV box at Best Buy Stores.

At $30, the Google TV is more expensive than the Apple TV, which is only $99. There is are more features available in Google TV than in Apple TV. However, some technology sites say that the full potential of Apple TV has yet to be realized since it is running iOS 4, the same operating system that the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch use. Gadget gurus believe that Apple will start to unleash more capability with the Apple TV with future iOS upgrades. You may soon be able to download and use many of the same applications that run on your iPhone or iPod right on you Apple TV.

Google TV runs the Android operating system which is currently found on many smart phones that compete with Apples iPhone. The Android operating system is a Linux based operating system that offers thousands of applications that can be downloaded and instantly installed on your device. There are applications for Netflix, Pandora, E-mail, Games, Facebook, and many others.

Apple TV and companies that produce set-up boxes like the Logitech Revue will be facing stiff competition from television manufactures in the very near future. Sony will be making an HDTV that has the hardware and computer to run Google TV inside the television itself. There will be no need to buy the extra set-top box. It will an all-in-one television that has an integrated computer. This is a similar concept as Apple's iMac all-in-one computer, yet it integrates television. Expect Sony's new TV to hit the streets soon. As more television manufactures integrate the hardware into their sets in the near future, look for the battle between the set-top boxes to come to a quick end.

If Apple wants to see revenue from its Apple TV project, it may need to strike up deal with major television manufactures to integrate its software directly into these new televisions.