Web WonderAll things web related plus a few surprises

Logitech Revue: A Swiss-Army Approach to Internet TV

After I attended Cisco’s unveiling of its ūmi telepresence system this morning, I hopped in a cab and went to Logitech’s launch event for Revue, its Google TV box. It made for a fascinating comparison.

Cisco’s product, like Apple TV and Roku, is about doing one thing. All three devices compete with Revue, because it does many things:

Like Roku and Apple TV, it’s a way to watch movies and listen to music;
It supports not only services Google has partnered with, such as Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand, but just about any video on the Web;
It attempts to meld Internet video, live broadcast video, and DVR video into one seamless entertainment extravaganza;
It integrates with Dish Network boxes at a deeper level-it can control them and search recorded videos;
It lets you browse Web sorts of all sorts using the built-in Chrome browser;
It uses Logitech’s Harmony technology to let you control all your living-room gizmos;
It offers iOS and Android apps that let you use your smartphone as a remote control;
If you spend $150 for an optional Webcam, it provides ūmi-like HD videoconferencing (although at 720p rather than Cisco’s 1080p);
It’ll let you download and install Android apps (but not until early 2011, when Google makes its TV Android Market available).
Whew. (I’m probably forgetting a capability or two.) Revue costs $299.99, which is 3X the price of Apple TV and 5X the cost of the cheapest Roku, but it does so many things that I think the price isn’t nutty — if it turns out that the many things it does are things people want to do on their TVs. (That’s not a given: In many ways, Revue is a modern take on the idea Microsoft tried to popularize as WebTV a decade and a half ago, and which has fizzled in one form or another ever since. I’m still unclear whether there’s a critical mass of real consumers who want to use the Web on their TVs.)

Revue’s pricetag is also explained in part by its remote control — which, from what I’ve seen so far, is one of my favorite things about the box so far. It’s a wireless, notebook-like keyboard with no-compromises QWERTY. After having experienced a couple of gazillion TV devices that force you to enter text using painful on-screen keyboards, I’m really happy to see Logitech give you the input device you really want as part of the package. (It’s also selling an optional mini-QWERTY keyboard.)
Logitech is releasing a Swiss Army Knife of a product into a market otherwise mostly populated by less versatile kitchen knives. (In the case of Apple TV, which doesn’t yet have a full slate of TV episodes and movies, its sort of a kitchen knife which can only slice cetain kinds of vegetables.) I’m reserving judgment until I get hands-on time with with one, but I like the fact that Revue is so very far from being an Apple TV wannabee — it’s a choice, not an echo, and it’s going to be fun to see which type of Internet TV box consumers gravitate towards. (And of course it’s still not clear whether teeming masses of them will gravitate towards any TV box at all.)

Logitech and Amazon are taking orders for Revue now; it’ll show up in stores in two or three weeks. Check out more details on Google TV, including a peek at the interface, at Google’s site.

About the Author

cisco unboxing wireless adapter

Cisco-Linksys Wireless-N Internet Home Monitoring Camera $129.99 Send live audio and video to a smartphone or web browser anywhere in the world! The Cisco-Linksys wireless-N internet home monitoring camera connects to your network wirelessly, and delivers a live audio/video stream to a smartphone or browser anywhere. Also captures video streams and sends email alerts with video clips upon motion detection….

Logitech Stereo Headset H250 – Graphite (981-000353) $14.85 The Logitech Stereo Headset H250 helps you engaging to clear and audible communication experience thanks to its noise-canceling microphone. Manage to integrate this headset on your devices through its 3.5 mm input and output jacks….

Logitech Stereo Headset H230 $9.70 Package Contents – Logitech ClearChat Style Headset, User guide : Behind-the-head design – Increased comfort for extended use : Rotating, adjustable microphone boom – Stow it away while enjoying music and movies : In-line controls – Conveniently adjust audio volume and mute : Noise-canceling microphone – Minimizes echo and other background distractions : Ideal for PC communications – In…

Cisco WVC210 Wireless-G PTZ Internet Security Video Camera with 2 Way Audio $187.99 Cisco® Small Business Video Surveillance products provide customizable ways for small business owners to monitor and protect their companies. These high-quality solutions can be optimized for many different applications and sites.The Cisco WVC210 Wireless-G PTZ Internet Video Camera sends live video through the Internet to a web browser anywhere in the world. The camera supports dual codecs (MP…

Foscam FI8918W Wireless/Wired Pan & Tilt IP/Network Camera with 8 Meter Night Vision and 3.6mm Lens (67° Viewing Angle) $76.00 The Foscam FI8918W Wireless IP Camera (White) offers features such as high-quality video and audio, pan/tilt, remote internet viewing, motion detection and night-vision. With 1/4″ color CMOS image sensor, it delivers clear images in MJPEG format at a resolution of 640 x 480. A minimum illumination of 0.5 lux makes the camera suitable for low-light surveillance. With 11 IR LEDs effective up to 26′ …

Videosecu 2-6 Inch Adjustable Universal Pan Tilt Video Camera Mounting Bracket with Ceiling Clip 1BO $4.99 Professional 2-6″ Camera Bracket, MADE OF SOLID METAL. All parts are interchangeable and can customized into 12 different combinations! This neat little kit gives you a lot of versatility for creative indoor and outdoor mount applications, even around corners and near windows, etc.. Works with a WIDE variety of CCTV cameras and camcorders. Each set includes two 2″ shafts, one 2″ X-base, one 1″ bas…

D-LINK INTERNET IP WEBCAM WIRELESS 802.11g $400 D-LINK INTERNET IP WEBCAM WIRELESS 802.11g

Cisco 802.11 Wireless Networking Quick Reference by Velte, Toby; Velte, Anthony Edition ILL, 1 $28.49 Cisco 802.11 Wireless Networking Quick Reference by Velte, Toby; Velte, Anthony

Webcam Stories $139 Webcam Stories

CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate Wireless Study Guide (Exam 640-721) by Chou, Henry; Kang, Michael Edition ILL, 1 $31.99 Part I: Wireless LAN FundamentalsChapter 1: Radio Frequency BasicsChapter 2: Wireless LAN Standards and TopologiesChapter 3: Other Wireless TechnologiesPart II: Wireless LAN SecurityChapter 4: Wireless Security FrameworkChapter 5: Wireless Authentication and EncryptionPart III: The Cisco Wireless ArchitectureChapter 6: Understanding the Cisco Unified Wireless Network ArchitectureChapter 7: Understanding Cisco Mobility Express SolutionPart IV: Implementation of the Cisco Wireless LANChapter 8: Deploying Cisco Wireless LAN ComponentsChapter 9: Understanding and Deploying the Wireless Control SystemChapter 10: Understanding and Installing Wireless ClientsPart V: Maintaining and Troubleshooting a Cisco Wireless NetworkChapter 11: Administering and Maintaining a Cisco Wireless NetworkChapter 12: Cisco Wireless Network Troubleshooting TasksPart VI: AppendixesAppendix A: Cisco Wireless LAN ControllerAppendix B: Cisco Aironet Wireless Access PointsAppendix C: About the CDGlossaryIndex

Cisco Wireless LAN Security $85.94 This book is in New – Excellent condition

Building a Cisco Wireless Lan $39.21 This book is in Used condition

Building a Cisco Wireless Lan by Ouellet, Eric; Padjen, Robert; Pfund, Arthure; Fuller, Ron; Blankenship, Tim Edition , 1 $14.99 Building a Cisco Wireless Lan. Ouellet, Eric; Padjen, Robert; Pfund, Arthure; Fuller, Ron; Blankenship, Tim

Cisco Wireless LAN Security by Sankar, Krishna; Sundaralingam, Sri; Miller, Darrin; Balinsky, Andrew Edition ILL, 1 $55.99 Cisco Wireless LAN Security by Sankar, Krishna; Sundaralingam, Sri; Miller, Darrin; Balinsky, Andrew

Deploying and Troubleshooting Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers by Gress, Mark L.; Johnson, Lee Edition ILL, 1 $29.99 Deploying and Troubleshooting Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers by Gress, Mark L.; Johnson, Lee

Fundamentals of Wireless LANs Lab Companion by Cisco Systems, Inc Edition , 0 $13.99 The only authorized Lab Companion for the Cisco Networking Academy Program Many of the book features help facilitate a full understanding of wireless LANs by: Stating the objectives that will be accomplished in each lab. Providing you with scenario overviews that relate the labs to real-world experiences. Providing the network topology designs that will be required to complete the lab. Detailing any preparation and setup that will be necessary before beginning the steps listed in each lab. Listing any tools or outside resources that are needed or are helpful to the completion of each lab. Asking questions within the labs that elicit particular points of understanding and that verify your comprehension of the technology being implemented. This convenient Lab Companion provides you with the complete collection of lab exercises specifically written to accompany the Fundamentals of Wireless LANs web-based course in the Cisco Networking Academy Program. The labs give you hands-on experience and a thorough introduction to wireless technologies and concepts. They are grouped according to topics corresponding to the chapters in the Cisco Networking Academy Program Fundamentals of Wireless LANs Companion Guide. This Lab Companion contains 57 labs allowing you ample opportunities to connect theory with practice. Most of the labs are hands-on and require access to a Cisco lab or a simulator. Additional paper-based labs, which are practice exercises for complex topics, are included to supplement the online course. All are designed with real-world examples to give you practical experience. Step-by-step instructions walk you through the methods necessary to successfully complete each lab, making this Lab Companion a valuable reference you can use on the job. Companion Titles: Cisco Networking Academy Program Fundamentals of Wireless LANs Companion Guide ISBN: 1-58713-119-6 Cisco Networking Academy Program Fundamentals of Wireless LANs Engineering Journal and Workbook ISBN: 1-58713-120-X This book is part of the Cisco Networking Academy Program Series from Cisco Press. The products in this series support and complement the Cisco Networking Academy Program. 158713121803152004

Wireless $159 Wireless

Cisco 802.11 Wireless Networking Quick Reference $51.02 This book is in New – Excellent condition

Wireless Desktop 3000 $49.99 Stylish keyboard with a comfortable mouse that works on virtually any surface. Mouse and Keyboard Features Reliable 2.4 GHz Wireless Up to a 30-foot range and less clutter on your desktop. Device Stage Quickly and easily access common tasks, including product information, registration, settings and more for popular devices such as cell phones, cameras, printers, and mouse, keyboard and webcam products. Battery Status Indicators Battery status indicators tell you when your battery power is low.

Cisco: A Beginner’s Guide, Fourth Edition by Velte, Toby; Velte, Anthony Edition ILL,REV, 4 $33.99 Part I: Cisco OverviewCh. 1: Cisco and the InternetCh. 2: Network PrimerPart II: Cisco Internetworking ToolsCh. 3: Router OverviewCh. 4: Configuring RoutersCh. 5: SwitchesCh. 6: Security OverviewCh. 7: Security Building BlocksCh. 8: Cisco Wireless SolutionsPart III: Cisco Business SolutionsCh. 9: Cisco Unified Contact CenterCh. 10: Storage ToolsCh. 11: Cisco Content Networking and Video SolutionsPart IV: Designing Cisco NetworksCh. 12: Routing ProtocolsCh. 13: Network ManagementCh. 14: Network Design ProcessCh. 15: Troubleshooting Cisco NetworksINDEX

My Webcam $6 Do you need to keep an eye on things? Set up your own home USB webcam using My WebCam Broadcast software (FREE: PC / MAC). Ideal for home security or just looking in on the family. Compatible with all major USB webcams. You can remotely control Logitech and Creative Pan Tilt webcams.

Webcam C160 $14.99 Logitech Vid™ HD is free, fast, and easy for you and anyone you call. It sets up when you set up the webcam. Find out more about Logitech Vid™ HD. Technical Specifications Video capture: Up to 640 x 480 pixels Video calling (640 x 480 pixels) with recommended system Photos: Up to 1.3 megapixels* (software enhanced) Built-in microphone with Logitech® RightSound™ technology Hi-Speed USB 2.0 certified (recommended) Universal clip fits laptops, LCD or CRT monitors Snapshot button for capturing photos Manual focus System Requirements Windows® XP (SP2 or higher), Windows Vista® or Windows® 7 (32-bit or 64-bit) Basic requirements: 512 MB RAM or more 1 GHz (1.6 GHz recommended) 200 MB hard drive space Internet connection USB 1.1 port (2.0 recommended) Warranty Information 2-year limited hardware warranty Package Contents Webcam with 5-foot cable Logitech webcam software with Logitech Vid™ HD User documentation

Cisco CCENT Mind Share Game and Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices, Part 1 (ICND1) Bundle by Cisco Systems Inc. McQuerry, Steve Edition , 1 $35.49 Computer Game and Book $110 value! Learn CCENT Networking Basics While You Play   15 levels of interactive, hands-on training for Cisco networking basics plus a best-selling ICND1 study guide in one value priced bundle!   Includes: A world-class learning game featuring 75 game stages and covering 15 core CCENT/CCNA topics The official foundation learning guide from Cisco providing comprehensive ICND1 exam topic coverage “We worked with the best serious game developers, educators, and technical experts to produce a game that is not only fun, but will help you learn.”–Jerry Bush, Mind Share Game Project Lead, Cisco   This package lets you test your technical knowledge as well as your ability to perform under pressure in a stimulating PC game setting plus it provides deeper insights from the official Cisco foundation learning guide. The game features 75 game stages across 15 topic areas. Interactive tutorials supplement game play and help reinforce concepts being taught in each round. The book provides you with the knowledge needed to configure Cisco switches and routers to operate in corporate internetworks. CD-ROM contains: Cisco CCENT Mind Share Game and four additional networking games: Binary Game, Subnetting Game, Wireless Explorer, and an offline version of Multiplayer Challenge.

Managing and Securing a Cisco Swan Structured Wireless-Aware Network $75 This book is in New – Excellent condition

The Cisco Kid $6 The Cisco Kid – War

Cisco Networking Academy Program Fundamentals of Wireless: Lans Engineering Journal and Workbook, by Cisco Systems $6.85 This book is in Like New condition