AccessoriesAndroid

The Nexus Q is now on life support, isn’t supported by Google Music All Access

play-music-new-no-q

Google I/O didn’t bring along too many new products, whether devices or software. One service that did get a decent update, though, was Google Play Music, which added new All Access streaming, as well as a completely new interface to the Android app. However, a few users have noticed that the update actually removed one noteworthy feature: Nexus Q support. This shouldn’t be unexpected, as there were hints that the Nexus Q was dying off early this year, but as someone who was holding out hope for a new Nexus Q, this isn’t good news.

Previously, one of the most useful features of the Nexus Q was the ability to play music through the Q from Google Music’s Android app. Now, Q fans not only are left with the disappointment of not getting a new Nexus Q from Google I/O, but also the increasing fear that Google’s streaming orb is dead. While nearly all Nexus Q users did get their device for free either from Google I/O last year or ordering before Google cancelled the Q, there are a small number who did pay for the streaming device on sites such as eBay. I was almost one of them, and at this point I’m quite happy that I didn’t elect to purchase a current Nexus Q, as I would be left with a good looking brick at this point

An official Google forum spokesperson said that the Nexus Q is currently incompatible with the new version of Google Play Music, and went on to justify the decision by noting that most Nexus Q users got the device for free. Still, he avoided making it totally clear that the Nexus Q wouldn’t be supported any longer, so perhaps there is some hope. In addition, Google’s support pages were updated to note that “All Access … is not compatible with the Nexus Q.” While again inconclusive, this seems to be trying to avoid saying that the Nexus Q is dead or alive, which leaves at least some slim hope that it could still live on.

Still, the current predicament is probably quite frustrating for Q owners. Even though I don’t have a Nexus Q, I’m still hoping that an update will restore some functionality to the original device, and that Google will eventually continue the line with new hardware.

[Droid-Life]
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Aaron Orquia

Aaron Orquia is an associate editor at Pocketables. He has been using Android and Linux since he bought his first computer years ago, and his interest in technology, software, and tweaking both to work just right has only grown stronger since then. His current gadgets include a OnePlus One, a Pebble smartwatch, and an Acer C720 Chromebook.

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