Beside their first tablet and Android 4.1, Google also announced Google Nexus Q media player running Android 4.0 (ICS), and powered by Texas Instruments OMAP4460 processing with 1 GB RAM and 16 GB Flash.
Here are the specifications of the device:
- CPU – Texas Instruments OMAP 4460 dual core Cortex A9 @ GHz + PowerVR SGX540 GPU
- System Memory – 1GB LPDDR RAM
- Storage – 16GB NAND flash memory
- Micro HDMI (Type D)
- TOSLink Optical audio (S/PDIF)
- 10/100BASE-T Ethernet (RJ45)
- Wireless Connectivity:
- Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n
- Bluetooth
- NFC
- Micro AB USB (for service and support)
- Banana jack speaker outputs
- Amplifier – 25W class D (12.5 watt per channel)
- Power Supply – Integrated 35W switching power supply
- Dimension – 116mm (diameter)
- Weight – 923 grams
The device also features a rotating top dome volume control, a capacitive touch sensor for mute, 32 RGB perimeter LEDs and 1 RGB LED for mute indicator, and the product finish looks really good.
The software provided with the device includes:
- Google Play Music
- Google Play Movies and TV
- YouTube
It is controlled with your Android mobile device, you simply need to tap the Nexus Q (it’s using NFC) to load the app on your device. One interesting use case is that if you have a party, all guests having an Android smartphones and can add music to the current playlist by simply selecting the song(s) they want to play on their mobile.
You can watch Nexus Q video introduction about the device where they show manufacturing, why they designed it the way it is, and how it can be used.
Google Nexus Q can be pre-ordered for $299, which is a quite stiff, and the package includes the Nexus Q itself, a power cable, an HDMI cable and a Quick start guide. At this price point, even if it looks really awesome, I doubt many people will buy this particular device, when other media players are available for around $100. And if you want the speakers (Triad Bookshelf Speakers), you’ll need to fork another $399 as well as $49 for the speaker cables.
If they ever plan to sell it in French speaking countries, they may also consider adapting another name because people may simply refer to it as the “Q” instead of the “Nexus Q”. So you’ll end up with plenty of jokes, such as “do you want to see my Q?” which translates into “do you want to see my bottom?”
You can find more information on Google Nexus Q page as well as on Google Play store.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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