Google TV is officially on the market

As of this week, you can finally pre-order Logitech’s new Google TV device, which means no matter what channel you are watching, you can search for other TV programmes, find web-based content and find related videos on YouTube via Google’s intelligent overlay (and eventually, pull up an app that can enhance the show you’re already watching).

It’s called a Logitech Revue and will set you back $299.  It is a device that can bring Google TV to the masses.

The Revue features a small keyboard with a built-in touchpad to help navigation; a HD camera, which allows access to high-quality video calling facilities (to other Logitech Revue owners as well as users of PCs or Macs running the Logitech calling software).

You will also be able to download apps to your iPhone or Android phone to control the device via WiFi (or control it via voice command technology).

Logitech’s new device is the first of its kind on the market, although Sony is expected to unveil a Google TV-enabled product later this month.

Despite the excitement around the Logitech product, there are still questions about the Google TV offering – namely, how much it will cost (when other manufacturers decide to get on board) and whether the take-up will be as good as Google is hoping.  If manufacturers charge too much, will people simply opt for a cheaper connected TV device?  And if people miss out on Google TV due to cost (and/or having so much other choice), will developers spend time inventing the wonderful things expected for a less-than-mass audience?

For Google, having a product on the market ahead of the pre-Christmas rush is definitely a good start. Now it’s just a case of waiting to see how many Revue devices Logitech sell…