So today, Google announced a 7 inch tablet computer – as expected. Less expected was the world of entertainment in a globe, otherwise knows as the Google Nexus Q. Before I get into what it is, let me say this – don’t get too excited, it isn’t yet for Australian shores.
What is the Google Nexus Q? It’s a media player, streaming content from the cloud, through the glorious globe that is the Q, and on to your TV, or out through speakers, or both. It’s using the tried and true method of the Apple TV and the walled garden of content, and replicating the model with Google’s content offerings – music, TV shows, movies, games, apps. All of which Google has humming along nicely in the USA apps store, more so than other countries, hence why the Nexus Q is US-only initially.
The Nexus Q is 11.7 centimetres in diameter, and is made of “Die-cast, precision machined zinc bottom housin, with an injection-molded, interactive balanced top dome with precision bearing and satin touch coating”. Even the materials sound kind of fun! It runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), and the CPU is a OMAP4460 (dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU and SGX540 graphics core). Connections, are Micro HDMI (Type D), TOSLink Optical audio (S/PDIF), 10/100BASE-T Ethernet (RJ45), micro AB USB (for service and support) and banana jack speaker outputs. Inside is a 25W class D (12.5 watts per channel).
The Nexus Q is operated by an Android phone or tablet computer, that will need to be Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) or higher, and it will need to be able to access the Google Play store. And of course you will also need speakers, an AV system or HD TV to stream the content.
There are two accessories available separately for the Nexus Q. They are a set of Triad Bookshelf Speakers, and a set of speaker cable.
Price. In the US the Nexus Q sells for $299, and will ship in July. Again, it is not yet available in Australia, instead it is marked as “Coming soon.”
For a look at the design and manufacturing process and the main features of the Nexus Q, watch this short video:
Google Nexus Q image gallery
Click the thumbnails to go to the Nexus Q image gallery, and view larger images of the device.
