The Nexus Q connects Google Play’s
music and movie services to your TV and hi-fi. Hooray! But, wait: Music on
Google play isn’t available in the UK, and neither is this – yet. What are we missing?
Google Nexus Q
Price: $300
Google
Nexus Q
The Nexus Q is a media streamer similar to
the Boxee Box or Apple TV, but all its music and movies come from the cloud –
that includes any you upload yourself. It’s exclusively Android-app-controlled
– sorry, iUsers.
Set up looks to be pretty simple thanks to
contactless NFC skills: just tap your phone/ tablet on top of the Q, and you’ll
establish a connection. Sync your iTunes or Windows Media library to Google
Play, and it’ll even keep your playlists intact. Boogie on down.
Unlike with Bluetooth or Air Play, you’re
not streaming to the Q from your mobile device – you just tell it what to
retrieve from the cloud via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Pick up another Q, and it’s easy
to set up simple multi-room audio – and not a Sonos in sight.
The Q’s unusual spherical shape is an
eye-pleaser. Above a ring of pulsing LEDs, the top half rotates to control
volume and mutes if you tap it. The integrated 25W digital amp will power a
pair of hi-fi speakers via standard-issue ‘banana’ jacks.
Most new movies on Google Play are $5.5,
compared to Apple’s $70 HD rentals – and the Q streams at 1080p. we’ re hoping
that other Android apps will soon be ported to the Q – BBC iPlayer would be a
real win, as would OnLive’s cloud gaming service.
It’s always a party round at your house,
and the Q’s Guest Mode lets anyone signed into your Wi-Fi network add track to
the playlist. Yes, Spotify can do this, but the Q allows you to quickly (and
subtly) revert back to your original playlist. Fresh Prince? Not tonight.
Alternatively…
Apple TV
Price: $155.5
Cheaper, yes – but without an amp, it’s an
exobrain for your TV, not a potential hi-fi replacement. See our cover feature
for help with Apple vs Google.
Apple
TV
Stuff says
It’s an amazeball, and we want it. Go on,
Google – add apps and bring it to the UK
Tech specs
CPU: dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 (SGX540 GPU)
Ram: 1GB
Storage: 16GB
OS: Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Connectivity: Micro HSMI, optical audio,
Ethernet, micro USB, ‘banana’ speaker jacks, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth, NFC
Amp: 25W (12.5 watt per channel)
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