Logitech’s Standalone Google TV Box is powerful

Well that is according to Intel anyway. Engadget was at Google I/O and snuggled into the Logitech’s booth hand played with the Google TV box by Logitech.

The Logitech’s standalone box is powered by Intel’s CE4100 1.2GHz “Sodaville” Atom processor (*if not?), 4GB of RAM, 802.11n Wi-Fi, two USB ports (*should be USB2.0), a rear I/O panel with a wired Ethernet port (*unlikely to be Gigabit), two IR headers, and a pair of HDMI 1.3 ports.

Wondering if I missed the GPU part? Nope, I didn’t. The CE4100 is a SoC (system-on-chip) Atom processor, running on Powervr SGX535 on-die, and Intel calls it GMA500. Intel claims that the processor only uses seven to nine watts, able to decode two simultaneous 1080p video streams at up to 60 frames per second, contains 7.1 audio outputs, and will be able to run Adobe Flash-based content. Sounds wonderful? But no benchmark is out yet, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed.

“To our surprise, the Logitech product manager pulled out a Nexus One and iPhone,” writes Sean Hollister. “He explained that the companion box has all the technology of Logitech’s $400 Harmony 900 remote and extends it to your handset over Wi-Fi.” – Engadget.

It seemed like you can control your Google TV with your smartphone via either an iPhone or Android application. So your smartphone is now your remote too.

[via Engadget]