Nexus Q Streaming Media Player, Nexus 7 Tablet: New at Google I/O

Google Unveils New Nexus Products at 2012 I/O Conference

As predicted, Google unveiled a branded Android tablet at the 2012 I/O Conference in San Francisco. Google partnered with Asus to create the Nexus 7 tablet. Also debuting: an Android-run media-streaming device called the Nexus Q. You can see demo videos for the Nexus 7 and the Nexus Q below.

• Google I/O 2012 Predictions- Watch Live
  

The Nexus 7 tablet boasts a 7" screen, 1GB RAM, and 8/16GB internal storage. The new Android tablet runs Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). It ships within three weeks, and will retail for  $199/$249; CA$209/$259 (Accio cross-border shopping!).

• Nexus 7 Tablet on Google Play

Funny enough, it also comes in white. That snarkily said, the very first Google Nexus phone came in white, way before the iPhone did.

Nexus Q: Streaming Media Device

Google also unveiled the Nexus Q streaming media player, which looks like a small black ball. The Nexus Q can be connected to a modern TV or stereo, and may be controlled by Android devices running 2.3 (Gingerbread) and above. Sorry, Motorola owners: time to hack.

• Nexus Q on Google Play
• Hands-On with Nexus Q (It Looks Like a Sentinel from The Matrix)
  

The Nexus Q will be priced at $299 in the US, and is not yet available online in Canada (See above, re: cross-border shopping). No mention of Hulu, Pandora, or Netflix compatibility: these things had better be present, considering how expensive it is compared to, say, Roku or Xbox 360. Otherwise, Nexus Q does not have a promising future.

Both the Nexus 7 and Nexus Q will be accompanied by all manner of accompanying products, naturally.

As for Jelly Bean, the improvements to Android 4.1 over 4.0 are pretty cool. However, they're kind of... geeky. Not in a bad way, but still. The benefits Jelly Bean will do nothing to sell Android at a mobile phone store, but would be very helpful while rushing to find a bus to avoid missing a flight that may be delayed due to weather: real-life search.

Jelly Bean will be released as an over-the-air update to Nexus S, Galaxu Nexus, and Motorola Xoom handsets. Other OEMs, you're at the mercy of the manufacturer.

Videos

Introducing Nexus 7

see larger video

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