Google TV Beta Reflash. Logitech Revue updated to Android 3.1

 




Check out the slideshow video below, i made using my iOS flixlab app. It is a slideshow of some of the key visual progress points you will see if you attempt to reflash your Google TV , Logitech Revue device.

We got a Google TV a few days ago, and immediately after connecting it to our home theater / projector set up. We knew that in order to use it we needed to update ASAP to get the android marketplace. Lets be real Chrome, and Android Marketplace are the top 2 things that are interesting about Google TV, and at the reduced $99 price point for the Logitech Revue, at Fry's, it was too hard to pass up.

So as soon as we booted up the Revue, and figured out that it shipped with Android 2.1 ,  we found an Android honeycomb 3.1 beta. Google for some reason was delaying the release of the official beta for the Revue, although they released the update for Sony devices.

Some things to note are that none of the TV& Movies sections, or Video content search worked for me. Netflix was also not available in this beta build. Chrome, Android TV Marketplace (another post on this will be coming), Youtube, all worked fine. Pandora and other apps worked great.

You can find the needed Beta file here:
http://www.load2all.com/files/BE2FD2F97/1b3a6b1aa9fd.mp-signed-ota_update-b55579.zip.html

You will need the .zip file and a USB thumbstick to reflash your device.
If you want a more detailed how to , here is where you can find it. They are copy and pasted below though for your convenience.

Caveat Lector (Reader beware) : Reflashing your Google TV is a delicate process. It may even brick the device if you mess it up. So proceed at your own risk. P.S. its TOTALLY worth it though.

I am copying and pasting the how to install instructions here, but you should definitely go check out the forum on GTV hacker. The comment are really useful.


Copy and Pasted from : http://forum.gtvhacker.com/revue-f12/topic15.html
"To install:

Copy the update.zip to a Fat32 formatted USB drive, place it in its root (ie /mnt/usb/update.zip or E:\update.zip)

Plug USB drive into Revue. Fully unplug revue. Plug it back in, count to One (a long one, say one mississippi), then hold down the connect button (keep it held). The Revue logo will come up, and the box will reboot, your tv will lose signal, and come back to the Revue logo. At this point, let go of the button.

The GTV logo will then show up, with an arrow and a horizontal "barbershop scroll". At this point, on your Revue's keyboard, press the FN key (in yellow) and the left arrow (to the left of the OK button). It will then come up to a recovery menu.

Hit "Apply update from sdcard:/update.zip"

The box will verify the update, and reboot. This is normal. It is installing an updated bootloader and recovery image (both, heavily encrypted).

Then, the box will come back on, and flash the latest kernel and system files. Once this is done, the box will reboot again.

This bootup may take a few minutes, at first you will see the Revue logo, then the Google TV logo, then the "new" logo (a grey tv over a ball glowing red). Just wait it out.

You can then begin setup, as normal. You may notice some crashes - this software is still beta, you should be able to force close and continue.

EDIT: There have been reports of issues proceeding with the honeycomb setup wizard that we are still looking into. Please at least for the time being refrain from installing the update unless youwant to risk not being able to use you're revue.

EDIT 2: People are now reporting that one can go thru the setup wizard without issue now, but still - update at your own risk as you can't downgrade!

EDIT 3: Note: Holding the recovery button will automatically reboot the box, also a Ctrl+Alt+Del from the keyboard will work as well. Unplugging the box could result in a corrupted NAND (which could result in a brick)!