4. Google TV
Back in 2010, Google made a bold statement regarding how in just a few years, Google TV would be in virtually every home. Fast-forward to now, it seems like Google is going to chalk up its statements out the room. Two generations and 10 different versions in, and still, it has failed to caught on. Google's first official partner in the set-top box production was Logitech. Entering the new territory of internet and TV convergence was risky, but it was one that Logitech dared to wander into. Fast-forward one year later, and it turns out to be a costly mistake that could have tanked the Swiss company forever. The first generation Google TV by Logitech, the Revue was met with less than stellar reviews, truckloads of backlogged inventory, and a negative return in investment. The marriage of the web and TV was supposed to be the next big thing, ushering a post-PC era. People criticized Google TV for the clunky interface and the general lack of features available at launch. It's pricing was also a bit of a tough sell. At $300, you don't get what you pay for. By the end of its production cycle the Logitech Revue was being sold at $99. Current iterations of the Google TV hasn't been making splashes too, as they have become overshadowed by low-priced alternatives such as the Ouya, and Google's own Chromecast dongle. Even game consoles seem to be taking over the role of set-top boxes, as the Xbox One works as an all-in-one entertainment system. At least Google's dream of web and TV convergence was fulfilled, right?
Current Alternatives: Ouya, Apple TV, new-generation Google TVs