Google announces 'Nexus Q' home media streamer

[garyopa]

Available in July for... $299?!



Google has unveiled the Nexus Q streaming media player. With it, Android devices are used as remote controls to stream media.

Google has officially announced the Nexus Q, an audio and video streaming appliance for users at home.

It will allow Android owners to stream media from the cloud, pulling content from YouTube and the Google Play music app -among other services-.

The Q delivers the media to your television or a set of external speakers — it features a 25-watt amplifier as well — and is powered by the same chipset as the Galaxy Nexus. It features ethernet, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity, and owners will be able to use their Android devices to control the streamer. Optical audio and micro-HDMI output are included, and the device also features banana-style connectors for connecting speakers.

Multiple Qs can be controlled from a given Android device, turning it into a multi-room solution, but the big selling point here is the social aspect. Different users can add music from their own Google Play music collection to the Q's queue, turning it into a clever option for parties or group events (Bowers & Wilkins offers similar collaborative functionality with its Air Zeppelin app for iOS). 32 LEDs ring the sphere-shaped device, and change color and rhythm depending on the music that's playing (the entire top of the device is a rotating volume control, while a capacitive touch sensor allows for quick and easy muting).

It includes an OMAP 4460 processor (the same as in the Galaxy Nexus), 16GB of storage and 1GB of RAM. The OS included is Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean).

Well, this one isn't cheap. The device is priced at $299.00 and will ship in July. According to Google, the Nexus Q is "Designed and Manufactured in the U.S.A.", so, that's why you'll have to pay more for it.

Google is also selling a pair of accessories to go with the Nexus Q: a pair of bookshelf speakers for $399.00, and two speaker cables for $49.00.













Also, watch the introductory video below!

NEWS SOURCE #1: Google Nexus Q streaming media player announced (via) TheVerge
NEWS SOURCE #2: Google reveals Nexus Q streaming media player (via) ArsTechnica

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!

[sm0kie]

Looks like an expensive pile of crap to be honest. plus $49.99 for speaker cables?!? I'm guessing it's aimed at the market that pays $40 for an hdmi cable and thinks it must be better than other because it costs more (as long as they can tell their friends how much they spent on cables to prove their media prowess, what's the point otherwise? )

[msanchez]

If not for the "apple" like pricing I would have jumped on this one.... GRRRRRRRRR still pissed about the Nexus 7.