Google unveils ‘social media streamer’ Nexus Q

Google has announced the Nexus Q, a media player that allows users to stream content from Google services. Social features are built into the Android environment, such as putting together playlists.

The device is mainly intended to easily stream Google Play content and YouTube videos to televisions and audio installations. Via a WiFi connection, the Nexus Q connects to the home network and the Internet, after which the user can stream content stored in Google Play. With this, the internet giant seems to want to promote the sale of its digital content via Play with the Nexus Q. The device can be operated with a smartphone or tablet that runs on Android.

The Nexus Q, the first device in the consumer electronics market developed by Google itself, serves as a media streamer as well as a 25W amplifier: four speakers can be connected to the analog audio outputs at the rear. Furthermore, a micro HDMI and a digital audio output are available. An LED strip is incorporated in the housing that lights up when music is played.

The beating heart of the Nexus Q is Texas Instruments’ two-core Omap 4460 processor, which is also built into the Galaxy Nexus. Furthermore, the Nexus Q media player has dual-band WiFi, NFC, micro-USB and Bluetooth, while the device also offers 16GB of internal flash storage. The RAM is 1GB in size. With the connectivity options, users can connect their mobile devices to the Nexus Q. Google also indicated that the micro-USB port is primarily intended for developers who want to adjust the underlying software of the media streamer.

Multiple users can operate the Nexus Q at the same time. For example, if a music playlist is compiled, it can be edited by multiple users. Like the new Nexus 7 tablet, the streaming device is sold in Google’s own Play store. The device will cost $ 299 and will be delivered in July, just like the tablet, although the Nexus Q is only available in the US for the time being.