Logitech Chief Executive Guerrino De Luca, speaking at an Analyst and Investor Day earlier this week, said that there are no plans to do a follow-up to the Google TV-based Revue, reports AppleInsider. Mistakes implementing the device cost the company $100 million in operating profits.
To make the long story short, we thought we had invented [sliced] bread and we just made them. [We made a commitment to] just build a lot because we expected everybody to line up for Christmas and buy these boxes [at] $300 […] that was a big mistake.
He also laid some of the blame at the feet of Google itself, for treating Google TV as beta software that could be fixed after the launch. Google “executed a full scale launch with a beta product and it cost us dearly, ” said De Luca.
Logitech struggled with the Revue sales from the start, as reviewers dismissed the platform as a step in the wrong direction. Tech journalist Walt Mossberg labeled Google TV his second worst-reviewed product of 2010, calling it “complicated” and “Chaotic”.
Attempting to be a little more upbeat, De Luca did say he believes that Google TV will eventually succeed at some point, saying it would probably be a “grandchild” of the product. For now, Logitech will sit “on the bench” while Google improves the platform.
Apple has experienced modest success with last year’s $99 redesign of the Apple TV set-top box, but the device still remains a “hobby.” Some analysts believe Apple could “go pro” by combining iOS, Siri and FaceTime in a new connected television set. The LCD TV market is predicted to top $100 billion next year.