Google’s Nexus Q media streamer is somewhat of a “hybrid” between media devices like a stereo player or HDTV, and Android-powered devices. It comes in a spherical shape which gives it a completely unique look and feel, in a tech world dominated by squares and rectangles in every modern home.
The Nexus Q is also ringed around the center with LED lights which changes its color display to indicate the status of the device and also to show when it is being handled.
Google claims that their social streaming media player can play music and video streamed from the net straight to your entertainment system with your smartphone functioning as a remote control. It is a compact stereo system for Android and Google Music fans. You will need an Android-powered device in order to use the Nexus Q, so if you don’t own an Android tablet or phone, you won’t be able to operate it.
If you do have an Android phone, the Nexus Q can stream tunes from Google Music and reproduce it through your stereo speakers. It can also display video from YouTube as well as TV programs and movies purchased or rented from Google Play. Regrettably, these are all what Nexus Q can play, and therefore your media is only limited to the Google Play Store.
Peeking under the hood, Google’s Nexus Q essentially has the same hardware as the Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone, except that it is enclosed inside a sphere. It also comes with the same processor, is powered by Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, and can directly connect to the television and speaker using optical audio ports, micro-HDMI, and standard banana cables. The Nexus Q is equipped with a built-in amplifier which Google claims to be of audiophile quality.
The Nexus Q carries a high price tag at $299. So, would you want to purchase the device from Google Play? It will all depend on where you keep your music, what features do you need in your digital entertainment system, and how much you’re willing to part with.
While the Nexus Q can stream movies or music, dozens of devices have been doing that already and most of them offer more and better features. The Apple TV at $99 offers more functionality than the Q.
With all these great and state-of-the-art features, the Nexus Q is undoubtedly an impressive device that can develop into an exciting piece of hardware over time. However, at the moment, the Nexus Q appears to be another expensive novelty.
Nexus One sold 20,000 handsets in its first week. Droid sold 250,000 units in its opneing week. The iPhone 3GS sold 1.6 million units in week one. It’s true that Google is looking long term and hence they won’t loose a lot of sleep on opneing week sales, but this does underscore the fact that despite all the hype (Google splashed the Nexus One ads on it’s home page, which is accessed by a gazillion people), Nexus One is off to a bumpy start.