Logitech this week fully unveiled their GoogleTV-based broadband video device over at the company blog, and began pre-orders via their website. The skinny: the $300 Logitech Revue with Google TV comes with a wireless keyboard and directional pad, a flurry of Google apps (including Netflix support) and broadband streaming capabilities.

There’s also a slew of accessories, including a $150 HD video chat camera, a $100 larger keyboard, and $130 mini controller.

Dish Network meanwhile says they’re going to sell the device for $179 instead of $300 but charge an ongoing yet to be determined monthly fee.

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PowerA just announced their latest iPhone accessory, the iPhone Universal Remote Case. Much like the Red Eye and L5 you can control your IR based products just using the iPhone, that is assuming you’ve also downloaded the accompanying PowerA app. What makes it different from the competition is the form factor, a case that can always be attached to the phone no matter the scenario. The L5 on the other hand is rather impractical because it’s a small dongle that attached to the iPhone’s 30 pin connector and juts out, making it less than pocket friendly. The Red Eye on the other hand is stricken to one room, unless of course you buy additional boxes.

Available from Apple.com website in accessories for $60.

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Verizon has announced on their blog that the telco is letting owners of select Android-based Verizon Wireless phones use the devices to control their FiOS TV service. According to big red, users of the Motorola Droid or HTC Imagio can download the new application that will mimic all the usual controls for Verizon’s HD set-top-box. Verizon says they’ll ultimately expand the lineup of phones that can be used as remotes, but they’re not specifying which ones just yet. It also only works for high definition set tops.

Reaction among users who’ve tried the service in our forums is positive so far, aside from complaints of a few initialization snags. Judging from comments, this works over Wi-Fi – not over 3G (just what users need, getting charged per megabyte for channel surfing). That of course lets you to use the service from anywhere in the house, allowing you to drive your loved ones crazy as an added bonus.

The application actually appears to do more than your remote ever did. The “My Photos” allows users to “flick” a single picture at your set top so it can be viewed on the TV screen. Users can also set the application up to mute or pause your program when the phone rings, then resume when your call ends.

As the phone companies try to differentiate themselves from cable, integrating smartphone functionality is an obvious next step. AT&T allows general U-Verse TV DVR control via smartphones, but it has long been rumored they’re working on a mobile place-shifting solution that ties your iPhone to U-Verse TV service. This is a particular niche that’s only just starting to take off, but will get truly interesting when users are able to watch home DVR content from anywhere via smartphone.

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LaCie has introduced another one of those monolithic looking external hard drive with the “in style” Blue LED and what not. But the LaCie Lacinema Classic HD has HDMI outputs, 1080p playback and a remote control.

The LaCinema Classic HD offers a timeless and sleek design making it a great addition to any TV setup. Providing the widest media format compatibility, LaCinema Classic HD will play all your files without concern – from the most popular DivX format to high-quality MKV H.264 video format via its HDMI 1.3 connection. Uncompromising support for Dolby Digital audio quality enhances the LaCinema Classic HD, as well as your entertainment viewing experience.

The LaCinema Classic HD keeps it easy – use it as an external hard drive to load media from your Mac or PC. Then, simply connect the LaCinema Classic HD to your HDTV for instant playback.

Acting as a DLNA media player, LaCinema Classic HD can conveniently play movies, music, and photos from your computer or network storage. LaCinema Classic HD even offers network access to easily transfer files from your Mac and PC, while keeping it connected to the TV.

Drool. Do want. Comes with a 1TB drive and will cost $249.99 when it comes out shortly at your typical LaCie resellers.

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