YouTube is rolling out a new feature that will enables viewers to transform their mobile devices into a YouTube remote, the video site announced today.

With the new “send to TV” feature, you can find a video on your mobile device and push it to a larger screen. (If you’ve ever used the device-pairing functionality between an Android device and Google TV, you’re familiar with how it works.) YouTube’s new feature is based on the idea that people can navigate through content much more efficiently via a smartphone or tablet.

YouTube plans to show off the new “sent to TV” feature at this year’s CES event, along with the latest TV-optimized version of YouTube (shown above). Initially, the feature will work with a variety of televisions and set-top boxes, including those from Bang & Olufsen, LG, Panasonic, and Sony — with support for devices from Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba, Vizio, Western Digital, and others later in the year.

Check out the demo video embedded below, and let us know what you think in the comment section.

The box will come bundled with a controller that looks like a typical computer keyboard with media controls. Logitech showed the product off at media events in New York and San Francisco today. It certainly felt thin and light in my hands, but its size may turn off many consumers. Luckily, Logitech also developed a smaller keyboard it’s calling the mini controller which is far more compact.

The keyboards will use the same technology used in Logitech’s Harmony universal remotes. Both keyboards will also functional as universal remotes. For example, they will be able to control the volume on your stereo receiver, or other television functions.

Logitech will be releasing Revue apps for both iPhone and Android phones that will let users control the set-top box. Users will be able to perform voice searches for content, and also push certain media like YouTube videos to the Revue box. Both of these features were demonstrated when Google first announced Google TV.

Logitech reps also showed off the TV Cam — a $149.99 high-definition webcam that takes advantage of Logitech’s Vid HD video conferencing software. The software is built into the Revue box and can communicate with Vid HD software on Macs and PCs. Consumers will be able to digitally zoom during a video call and pan the camera left or right digitally. When asked if Logitech’s recent line of HD webcams for computers would work on the Revue, the rep said they won’t “at the moment.” The TV Cam apparently features hardware compression, something that Logitech’s computer webcams don’t offer yet.

Surprisingly, Logitech brought out a Dish Network representative to promote the Revue’s Dish integration. Previously, it was assumed that Dish will integrate Google TV directly into its satellite receivers. That may still happen, but for now the Revue is Dish’s ticket to Google TV. The Revue will be able to communicate with Dish’s programming guide and DVR. The Dish rep also mentioned that Sony’s Google TV sets won’t be able to take advantage of Dish DVRs yet. [Update: Google says Sony Google TVs will integrate into Dish's DVR just fine.]

The Revue box will be available for pre-order today for $299.99 (Dish subscribers can snag it for $179) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Logitech’s websites. Logitech expects the device to be on store shelves, and ready for shipment, by the end of the month. The mini-controller will retail for $129.99, and Logitech will also make the bundled keyboard available separately for $99.99.

Google offered ABC’s Nightline a glimpse at Google TV tonight (see video below), and with it came our first look at Sony’s proposed Google TV controller for its new internet-enabled televisions.

At first glance, the controller seems incredibly busy and is reminiscent of the horrendous Atari Jaguar gamepad. It has a full QWERTY keyboard, two circular directional pads, and pretty much every video function you’d need.

But while it’s certainly functional, it doesn’t appear to be very user-friendly. Sony seems to have created a next-generation nightmare of a TV remote. I can’t imagine anybody could look at Sony’s Google TV controller and not have a spontaneous seizure.

Then again, at least Sony is trying to adapt a keyboard to the living room. Logitech’s solution for its Google TV set-top box, the Revue, is to simply bundle a keyboard with media buttons. While the Revue keyboard does appear thinner than typical PC keyboards, it’s still much bigger than any other controller people keep in their living rooms.

When it comes to remotes, Google TV partners can take a cue from Boxee — the web video startup that has developed a nifty remote for its upcoming set-top box. One side of the remote contains a simple directional pad and a few buttons, while the other features a thumb-friendly keyboard.

Boxee’s remote is an elegant solution to the problem of bringing a keyboard to the living room — but it’s also clear that Google and its partners have other solutions in mind. In the Nightline segment, we also see Google’s Rishi Chandra using an Android phone to control a Google TV interface — something that was mentioned when Google TV was first announced. Using a phone means you’ll be able to take advantage of its software keyboard, and you’ll also be able to search Google TV content with your voice.

We’ll be hearing more about Google TV in the next few weeks. Logitech is holding its Revue unveiling later today, and Sony will officially unveil its Google TV televisions on October 12.

Check out Nightline’s Google TV segment below:
http://www.hulu.com/embed/DFnz_Dwa4DiKcC70gqQbkw

via Engadget