As well as launching the Nexus 7 tablet Google also announced the Nexus Q media streamer.

Google say that the Q is the first social streaming media player, I am not sure people like Boxee would agree but it’s designed around streaming content from Google Play and YouTube, it doesn’t say if it will support local network content or DLNA.

It has Micro-HDMI, optical output and a 25 Watt amplifier so you can connect speakers directly to it.

At $299 it does seem expensive but it does have the powered amp something which a device like the Apple TV doesn’t have.

If you want one you can pre-order now in the US, anybody think it’s a good idea?

Built to Play

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.

Tech Specs

DIAMETER

4.6 inches (116 mm)

WEIGHT

2 pounds (923 grams)

FINISH

Die-cast, precision machined zinc bottom housing
Injection-molded, interactive balanced top dome with precision bearing and satin touch coating

HARDWARE CONTROLS

Rotating top dome volume control
Capacitive touch sensor for mute on/off

LIGHTING

32 RGB perimeter LEDs
1 RGB LED for mute indicator

CPU

OMAP4460 (dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU and SGX540 graphics core)

MEMORY

1GB LPDDR RAM
16GB NAND flash memory

OS

Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

SUPPORTED APPLICATIONS

Google Play Music
Google Play Movies and TV
YouTube

CONNECTORS AND PORTS

Micro HDMI (Type D)
TOSLink Optical audio (S/PDIF)
10/100BASE-T Ethernet (RJ45)
Micro AB USB (for service and support)
Banana jack speaker outputs

WIRELESS

WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth
NFC

AMPLIFIER

25W class D (12.5 watt per channel)

POWER

Integrated 35W switching power supply
World-ready 50/60Hz 85-265V AC input
Automatic shutdown for audio amp supply when not in use

 

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