Google's romance with gadgets continues. The search giant proved once again, at its annual developer's conference, that it has several aces up its sleeve to rout competition. Following the Nexus 7 launch, the conference heralded many firsts in the world of technology, and for Google, as the company showcased its first social streaming media player - the Nexus Q.
The Nexus Q, expected to ship in July, is Google's version of a "cloud-connect jukebox" that streams music and entertainment directly to your home, piping content from the cloud platform. What's more it can be monitored via multiple devices and serves both as a streaming hub and a 25-watt amp for speakers. The device packs a punch and will surely have gizmo freaks drooling over it.
Weighing about 2 pounds and 4.6 inches in diameter, the orb-shaped gadget comes with Bluetooth, a micro USB, NFC, and micro HDMI - all of which can be controlled via a capacitive touch sensor on the front of the gadget. The ring of 32 LEDs shift and change color, in time to the music played. The Q runs on Ice Cream Sandwich and comes with 1GB RAM and 16 GB of storage. The need for remotes is obliterated as either an Android phone or tablet, connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Nexus, would be able to control everything. But the drawback her is that nothing else will work.
The Nexus Q's introduction video proudly states it is "the first device that lets you create social playlists with your friends. All they need is an Android phone or tablet and connection to your Wi-Fi."
Meanwhile, though little time has lapsed since its unveiling, the Nexus Q is already facing backlash for its steep pricing. The spherical-shaped Q will set consumers back by $299, which is more than its competitors Boxee and Apple TV. According to The New York Times, the overpricing could be a result of the high labor and production costs incurred owing to the Q being manufactured in US and not overseas. Labor costs are significantly lower in countries like China, which is a primary factor in most overseas-manufactured gadgets being reasonably priced.
The Nexus Q is a Google gamble at redefining home entertainment as we know it, built on the hypothesis that people want the experience to be more social. However, with only Android tablets or phones being able to control the device, the Nexus Q comes across as limiting in nature.
Google's plunge into our homes seems to be a daunting task for the company. Whether the Nexus Q will indeed make home entertainment more entertaining and a social experience remains shrouded in mystery and can only be validated post the product hitting the shelves.
