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Google introduces Nexus Q, a $299 social streaming device

June 28, 2012 Calob Horton 1 Comment Google, Google Nexus, media box, media streamer, Nexus Q

Google’s I/O developer conference keynote brought a number of awesome things: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the Google Nexus 7 by ASUS, updates to Google+, more information on Google Glass, and a new device altogether: the Nexus Q.

The Nexus Q is a brand new type of device for Google. Instead of a tablet or a smartphone, the Nexus Q is a set-top box that can’t be used on its own. It has to be used in conjunction with an Android device – one that’s running Android 4.1. You can stream media to it from your media collection in Google Play, but again, it has to be used with a Jelly Bean device that’s on the same WiFi network as the Q for anything to stream to it.

Google’s also selling a pair of speakers for $399.99, and the Nexus Q can act as an amplifier for your music, thanks to its 25-watt amp. Should you want to mute that music, you can press a capacitive mute button on the device itself.

Other Q specs include 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, NFC, and Bluetooth. Surprisingly, the Nexus Q is running Ice Cream Sandwich, but shouldn’t matter since it’s meant to be a media device and nothing else.

Google touts the fact that the Q is designed and manufactured in the United States. Unfortunately, this is the reason that it’s so expensive. One Nexus Q costs $299 – three times the price of an Apple TV.

Still, it’s a beautiful media streamer, and it should be able to work with all Google services flawlessly, so it may be worth it to you. Let us know in the comments if it is!

[Google Play | The Verge: 1, 2]