Delays are hitting Logitech's Revue, a set-top box that some have called an active competitor to the Apple TV. But it's not Logitech's fault—rumors are circulating that Google itself has stepped in and asked the company to suspend production, in the hopes that the company can finish tweaking its Google TV software by the time the new expected shipping date of January 2011 rolls around.

Logitech itself hasn't confirmed the allegations, however, noting that sales of the Revue are ongoing. If true, this would be the second set of products that Google has asked manufacturers to delay as a result of Google TV not being quite ready to ship out. According to the New York Times, Google has allegedly asked Sharp, LG Electronics, and Toshiba—amongst other television manufacturers—to delay launching any Google TV-based sets for the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in January.

Google, as well, isn't confirming that said request for a delay took place—"rumors and speculation," said a spokeswoman to the Times.

"Our long-term goal is to collaborate with a broad community of consumer electronics manufacturers to help drive the next-generation TV-watching experience, and we look forward to working with other partners to bring more devices to market in the coming years," added Google spokeswoman Gina Weakley.

While Sony has chimed in to throw its support behind Google TV sales thus far—the company started shipping Google-TV-backed televisions to consumers in October—it's clear that the introduction of Google TV itself has done little to hamper Apple's surge to one million units sold of its competing Apple TV device. But its not alone at the top—Roku, a manufacturer of TV set-top boxes since 2008—is allegedly on-track to sell its millionth device as well by the end of 2010.

So where does that leave Google TV? Unclear, given that sales figures have yet to leak out for the few devices actually being sold at the moment.

"It's interesting that no one is impressed about Google TV at this point (including me). Yet it's interesting that only a few months ago, Apple TV/iTunes was seen as a missed opportunity for Apple to make it into the streaming video business. Now, after a second try, Apple TV/iTunes is being seen as a model, given its new $99 box," said Gary Schultz, president and founder of MRG Research, in an interview with FierceOnlineVideo.

"Maybe Google TV will get it right on the second or third try. They need big-time help on their negotiations with the media companies in Hollywood, New York, London, et al," he added.

UPDATE: Logitech on Monday said in a blog post that Google has not asked it to delay production of the Revue.