Android HoneyComb 3.1 on Logitech Revue

Not satisfy with the original Logitech firmware? You want to unlock the potential of the Logitech Revue Google TV box?

Here is the solution from HC3.1onRevue

Someone from the gtvhacker forum has released the Android Honeycomb 3.1 (Beta) for the Logitech Revue.

Before the action, I would like to warn you that update at your own risk as you can’t downgrade or restore back to the original firmware!

I re-produce the steps taken from gtvhacker.


Copy the update.zip to a Fat32 formatted USB drive, place it in its root (ie /mnt/usb/update.zip or E:\update.zip)

Plug USB drive into Revue. Fully unplug the power. Plug the power back in, count to One (a long one, say one mississippi), then hold down the connect/reset button (keep it held). The Revue logo will come up and the box will reboot, your TV will lose signal, and come back to the Revue logo. At this point, let go of the connect/reset button.

The GTV logo will then show up, with an arrow and a horizontal "barbershop scroll". At this point, on your Revue's keyboard, press the FN key (in yellow) and the left arrow (to the left of the OK button). It will then come up to a recovery menu.

Use up-down arrow key to select "Apply update from sdcard:/update.zip" and press Enter key.

The box will verify the update and reboot. This is normal. It is installing an updated bootloader and recovery image (both, heavily encrypted).

Then, the box will come back on, and flash the latest kernel and system files. Once this is done, the box will reboot again.

This bootup may take a few minutes, at first you will see the Revue logo, then the Google TV logo, then the new logo (a grey tv over a ball glowing red). Just wait it out.

You can then begin setup as normal. You may notice some crashes - this software is still beta, you should be able to force close and continue.

The whole process probably takes about 20 minutes.

Now, Logitech Revue is upgraded to Honeycomb 3.1 (beta)
Logitech Revue Google TV

With the Android Market availability, there is endless possibilities to enhanced your Logitech Revue.

Android Market
Logitech Revue Google TV

LeTV
Logitech Revue Google TV

PPTV
Logitech Revue Google TV

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What’s in the Google TV?

When Logitech Revue rebooted and now let’s check what’s in the Google TV.

The original firmware shipped with the Logitech Revue is 2.1 update 1.

Logitech Revue Google TV

Basically, the box comes with a few pre-installed apps, such as Google Spotlight, Youtube, CNBC News, Google Chrome, Napster, NBA Games, Vimeo, Amazon VOD and many others. Most are free contents as well as some paid contents.

Let’s see some shows :)

Logitech Revue Google TV

Logitech Revue Google TV

Playing Youtube.
Logitech Revue Google TV

Using Chrome to surfing on AsiaOne.com website
Logitech Revue Google TV

Video on RazorTV.com
Logitech Revue Google TV

USA Today news app
Logitech Revue Google TV

Beside these apps, nothing much interesting on default 2.1 firmware. You can’t access to Android Market, USB drive, install Android apps, etc.

My suggestion is to upgrade Android HoneyComb 3.1 that will unlock the potential of this Logitech Revue box. Will share more on this in next post. :)

Popularity: 3% [?]

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Power On Logitech Revue Google TV

Connect the cables to various devices is simple. As I don’t have set-top box nor any audio-video receiver, so my Logitech Revue setup is very straightforward.

1) Connect the HDMI Out port to my TV HDMI port
2) Connect Ethernet port to the router LAN port
3) Connect the mini IR Blaster
4) Connect the power plug
5) Power everything on

The first screen is to adjust the Logitech Revue Google TV screen size to fit the TV display area. Use the up-right-down-left arrow keys to adjust till blue area is totally covered by black box.

Logitech Revue Google TV

Next is to setup network connection. Logitech Revue support both wired Ethernet 10/100 and Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n.

Auto detecting the network because DHCP is configured on the router.
Logitech Revue Google TV

Logitech Revue Google TV

You need a Google account to setup the Google TV. I signed up a new Google account for my TV :) , I don’t wish family member could access to my personal Gmail. This Google account is also for other Google integrated services.

Next part is to pair-up your cable TV providers. This is for US market, where Revue is able to pull contents from CNN, Netflix and other cable TV providers. Anyway, I skipped this part, as I don’t reside in US.

Lastly, is to pair-up with your TV and AV receivers. This is where you can programs the Logitech keyboard controller to control your TV/AVR.

Logitech Revue Google TV

Logitech Revue Google TV

Logitech Revue Google TV

Logitech Revue Google TV

Logitech Revue Google TV

Logitech Revue Google TV

The Revue setup process is about 12 steps only. On screen instructions is easy to understand & user friendly. After completed all steps, Revue will reboot.

Voila! My Google TV is just begin.

Next, what’s in the Google TV?

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Unboxing Logitech Revue Google TV

I stumble across an interesting post about
Logitech Revue Google TV from HWZ Forum and heard that Amazon is selling for only US$99. Plus the shipping charges, the price is US$126.43, which is around S$160.

With the price S$160, I think it is quite reasonable.

Logitech Revue Google TV is running on Android OS which is what I’m looking for. I preferred Android media player because I could modify or hack the device on my own if something don’t work the way I like.

OK, let see the box.
Logitech Revue Google TV

What is in the box?
The Logitech Revue, Logitech K700 mini keyboard, HDMI cable, IR mini blaster and power adapter.

The Logitech K700 Keyboard controller build quality is quite good. Amazon is selling this keyboard alone at US$99.

The Revue interfaces, from left to right.
Reset button, HDMI In, IR Blaster Ports (2), USB Ports (2), Ethernet, HDMI Out, SPDIF for non-HDMI AV receiver and last one is power plug.

Continue to next post: Let’s connect to TV ..

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Fundsupermart lower sales charge! But still not good

Just got email from Fundsupermart.com, that with effective from 24th May 2011, upfront sales charge for all unit trusts will be 1% or lower. [Read New Pricing Structure]

This should be a piece of good news, but still no good enough, because the platform fee still remain. This mean that investors still have to pay up-to 0.05% platform fee per quarter or 0.2% per year for non-CPF funds.

Many unit trust brokers already having on-going 1% sales charges for long times. They don’t charges platform fee at all.

I would be happy to stay with Fundsupermart.com if no platform fee were charged.

Popularity: 1% [?]

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