How big of a flop has Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) TV been? Since launching in October of 2010, estimates are that there are currently fewer than 1 million of the Google TV-specific devices currently in use.
Logitech's (Nasdaq: LOGI) Revue set-top box accounts for about half of the devices still in use, according to news reports based on numbers from the Android Market.
When Google rolled out Google TV with its partners Logitech and Sony, it struggled with a lack of content-owners, who were convinced giving the search giant access to their programming was akin to giving the barbarian hordes keys to the castle gate--a perceived guarantee of increased piracy-the cost of devices like the Revue, and software that was less-than overwhelming. Consumers quickly took a pass, opting instead for devices like the Roku and Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) TV, which have sold 2.5 million and 4.2 million units respectively, and for smart TVs, which are in the middle of a booming sales cycle.
Google has never officially said how many Google TV users it has or has had in the past, but the company has said the numbers increased when it rolled out Google TV 2.0.
GigaOm said Xyologic, meanwhile, estimates that number to be between 600,000 and 900,000 Google TVs, based on how many apps specific to Google TV were installed.
For more:
- see this article
Related articles:
LG rumored to be in line for Google TV 3.0
Samsung Google TV to land in early 2012?
Google TV won't be saved by Motorola acquisition
Logitech is having a fire sale for its Google TV Revue set-top boxes
Will a revamped Google TV finally make an impact on the market?