Nexus Q (Google’s first media streaming box) 2012: Full Review – Part 2

Google has deliberately kept the media services to its own applications, maybe to promote them or just to let the users use the services it provides. However, these constrains do not bode well for device’s future sales when the rest of the competition has a hoard of options from Netflix to MLB.TV to other third party applications for live television and recorded content. In addition, Google Play definitely has lesser media content than iTunes or Amazon Instant—available on Roku LT.

The shape however, is a welcome. The device has a spherical blob shape with an attractive matte finish that makes it look alien-like; especially in the dark it illuminates the best looks with a greenish-blue thin line in the centre bisecting the ball into two halves. The top of the upper semi-sphere has pin-point LED light of the same colour as the middle lining. The lights dance with music playing through the device. The upper half can also be rotated to adjust volume; however, due to lack of physical interaction with the device, most of the users will be adjusting volume through their Android devices.

The bottom half has a chord cut at the end to provide a flat surface for the device. This lets the Nexus Q sit comfortably on a tabletop or bookshelf. The back side has the ports and power inlet socket. There are four banana audio jack speaker outputs that directly connect to the 25-watt amp built inside the structure. Directly beneath the audio output set is a micro-HDMI, USB, Ethernet and optical audio output ports. At the bottom is power socket for the adaptor.

Under the hood is a dual-core processor and 1 GB of RAM running a customized version of Android 4.0. Accompanying the processing package is a 802.1 n WiFi, Bluetooth and NFC (Near-Field Communications) chip. The device connects to the WiFi seamlessly and steams the media from Google apps directly from the web, instead of the Android devices. The Android devices-cum-remote controls connect to the Nexus Q via Bluetooth.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=28158

Posted by Usman Khalid on Jul 4 2012. Filed under Sci-Tech. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.