Google reveals the Nexus Q, Claims to be first "Social Streaming Device" Is Apple TV in trouble? [Videos]

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Google announced two Android devices at the Google I/O conference, the Nexus 7 Tablet and the Nexus Q. I would imagine most of you have an idea of what the Nexus 7 Tablet is, but what exactly is a Nexus Q? Lets find out what all the fuss is about with “The first social streaming media player.”
The Nexus Q is what Google is referring to as a “Social streaming hub”. It is a sphere-shaped device that is essentially an Apple TV competitor.

It will allow your friends and family, who own an Android device, to make their very own playlists of favorite music and videos to enjoy wherever a Nexus Q might be.

When an Android user is at home or at a friends house with a Nexus Q nearby, they will be able to whip out their Android smartphone or tablet and watch/listen to their favorite media on the big screen.

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Google’s Nexus Q media content isn't actually streamed directly from your Android device (like the Apple TV from an iPhone or iPad, using AirPlay), it's actually pulled from the cloud.

The Q will connect to Google Play through a WiFi internet connection. If you have already purchased a Movie or music through Google Play, you will be able to tell the Q to download it directly from the cloud by using your Android device.

An Android user will connect to the Q via Wifi, then the Google Play content you select on your handheld device is played back by the Q.

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You will be able to enjoy your media through your favorite HDMI display or any bookshelf speakers, since the Q also features a built in 25-watt internal amplifier.

The Nexus Q looks like a small black Ball, with a ring of light that splits the sphere down the middle. The top half of the entire Q is used to adjust the volume control.

Check out this YouTube video, from Google, explaining how the Nexus Q was designed.



The Nexus Q also enables a party mode where Multiple people can pair their Android devices to the same Q. They can then add their own music and videos to the parties playlist. Think of the Nexus Q as a jukebox.

Every Android user connected to the Nexus Q can see what songs are being added and also have the ability to add their own tunes to the list. Users can move existing songs up and down the playlist while adding songs. Google claims the Q is the first device of its kind to allow “social playlists”.

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If you don't want people messing around with that perfect playlist you created for your party, you can switch off guest mode and no one will be able to make changes to your playlist.

Users can connect to multiple Nexus Q’s simultaneously that are connected to the same network. For example, If the kids want to watch a movie downstairs on one Q and you want to listen to music upstairs on another Q, you can send separate media to each Nexus Q individually from the same Android device.

The Nexus Q also supports YouTube videos. You just find the YouTube video you want to see on your Android device and the Q will take over and retrieve it from YouTube. It doesn't yet stream non-Google content such as Netflix, but that is surely a software limitation that can be addressed with a software update.

Here is a video explaining how the Q works and some features you should expect when the Google media player is released.



The Nexus Q features and specs:
  • OMAP 4460 CPU processor (Same as the Galaxy Nexus)
  • 16GB of storage
  • 1GB of RAM
  • Dual-band WiFi and Ethernet
  • Bluetooth
  • NFC - for tapping a device to the Q to exchange software and media
  • microUSB port (Google encourages “general” hack-ability)
  • 25W Audio Amplifier
  • banana jack speaker outputs
  • Micro HDMI
  • 1080p Video

Here are three important points to note about the new Nexus Q:

1) Who makes the Nexus Q?

The Nexus Q is built completely by Google. Google will now join a growing trend of major tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon and Apple that are now creating their own software and hardware.

2) Where Is the Nexus Q manufactured and assembled?

Designed and Manufactured in the U.S.A, Google is one of very few major tech companies that make a device entirely in the US. Now remember, only the Nexus Q is made in the US, all other Google products are made in other parts of the world in order to keep prices low. With the Nexus Q being made in the US, this means the price is going to be a lot higher than if it was made say, in China. This leads to the third question…

3) How much is the Nexus Q and when can I get one?

The “Made in the U.S.A” sticker under the Nexus Q doesn’t come cheap. Google hopes that people will be willing to pay more for the device because it is made in the US. With a price tag of $299, some people might be turned off.

The Nexus Q doesn’t really have much more feature wise when comparing to the Apple TV’s $99 price tag. Android users will really have to figure out if that “party playlist” feature on the Q, is really worth the premium price tag.

The Nexus Q is available for pre-order now from the Google Play Store and will ship mid-July.

How do you feel about the Nexus Q? How do you think it will compare to the Apple TV? Will you be pre-ordering a Q? Let us know your thoughts down below.

Here is the official presentation from Google’s I/O keynote:



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