Google I/O 2012: Google announces Nexus Q social streaming media player

Google Nexus QThe Google Nexus 7 tablet was not the only Nexus device unveiled today. Google also introduced Nexus Q, billed as “the world’s first social streaming media player.”

Nexus Q streams your favorite entertainment directly from the cloud to your living room. Just use the Google Play and YouTube apps on your Android phone or tablet to surf an ocean of music, TV, movies and music, and Nexus Q will play it all on the biggest speakers and screen in the house. There are no downloads, no syncing, no running out of space. Just the stuff you love — at home and out loud.

The Nexus Q streams content from Google’s services such as Google Play Movies and Google Play Music. You can also stream music that you uploaded to Google Play through Music Manager. As for the social aspect, the Nexus Q supports a guest mode that lets others connect to it to stream their own music, movies and videos. It can only be managed via Android devices.

Google Nexus Q specifications:

  • Processor: Dual-core OMAP4460 with SGX540 GPU
  • Operating system: Google Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
  • Cellular connectivity: None
  • Other connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
  • Display: None
  • Input: None
  • Memory: 1GB RAM
  • Storage: 16GB onboard
  • Rear-facing camera: None
  • Front-facing camera: None
  • Connectors: Micro-HDMI, TOSLink Optical audio (S/PDIF), 10/100BASE-T Ethernet (RJ45), banana jack speaker outputs
  • Battery:
  • Dimensions / weight: 116 millimeters in diameter / 923 grams
  • Supported applications: Google Play Music, Google Play Movies and TV, YouTube

Multiple Nexus Qs can be set up in different rooms. All can be managed through a single Android device.

The Google Nexus Q will be available initially in the U.S. It will sell for US$299 and ship in mid-July. Pre-orders began today.

Read more: Google Nexus Q (Source: Android Official Blog)