Google Delays Nexus Q Launch, Pre-Orders Get It Free

MBCook writes "After a mixed reaction from the press, Google will be delaying the launch of the Nexus Q. People who pre-ordered will receive the current version of the device for free. 'When we announced Nexus Q at Google I/O, we gave away devices to attendees for an early preview. The industrial design and hardware were met with great enthusiasm. We also heard initial feedback from users that they want Nexus Q to do even more than it does today. In response, we have decided to postpone the consumer launch of Nexus Q while we work on making it even better.'"

Comments

preorder

[Anonymous Coward]

is it too late to preorder?

Re:preorder

[ronocdh]

Honest question: could you really not tell that AC was joking?

Re:Twins!

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah, most reports are that they're scrubbing the launch because the reviews have been pretty bad.

It only does Google content out of the Play store and YouTube videos. You have to use a second screen device as a remote. It was going to be $300.

They botched it and they know it. I won't be surprised if they tack on some software to play other content and release it just to get them off the shelves... but they really need to be working on the next attempt.

Re:Between the lines

[MBCook]

Where has Apple said anything about the Nexus Q?

This is a smart move on Google's part. The device was very strange.

• While the hardware was better, it was $300. An Apple TV is $100 and you can get a Roku for $50-$60.
• It had no remote, you had to own an Android phone. The Apple TV's remote isn't very good, but at least it exists.
• The stereo amplifier was an odd decision. Peopler either already have an amp, or they don't have speakers. What's the point of having an amp that connects to my TV to play video if I can't direct the TV's sound through the amp?
• Google doesn't have much content right now. They can show other people's content (Hulu, Amazon, Netflix), but a Roku does that at 1/5th the price.
• It would be possible to play games on it... but it has no remote/controller. I guess you could buy a bluetooth one.

They could make a pretty interesting device out of it. AirPlay is a fantastic feature, I'd love to see Google come up with features like that to extend your Android device. But as announced, it seemed like final hardware designed for a vision that was still in the alpha stage, with no real software ("Let's just stick Android on it!"). I think it says a lot that since that was announced the Ouya was announced at $100, can do most everything the Q can, costs 1/3rd as much, and has had a ton of interest. Google missed the mark, and they're smart to fix it instead of launching it to die in the market.

Re:Between the lines

[93 Escort Wagon]

"In response to learning of possible patent litigation from Apple, et. al., we have decided to delay the launch of the Nexus Q while we cover our asses and try to remove the infringing bits."

Wouldn't the Q first have to be able to - oh, I don't know - actually do something USEFUL before it could infringe on anything?

As it is, I imagine the folks at Apple, Roku, Boxee, et. al were too busy laughing after the Q's announcement to think about suing anyone.

Maybe they should just call it

[jforr]

the Nexus Qcat?

I agree

[Overzeetop]

No wifi, less space than a Nomad....lame.

Re:Twins!

[Cajun Hell]

Google just has to let go of their fears of it being used for piracy and open the device.

Just reading about the [lack of] capabilities of the device, it was clear what Google's concern was, and ultimately what is going to drive the company to evil. In 5 years, when we talk about what went wrong with Google so that they became the next Apple, my next paragraph is what we're going to be talking about.

It's not piracy. It's anything that doesn't involve looking at Google ads. That's the only explanation for the otherwise-capable device's shocking crippledness. They want you to use their streaming services, but that's not anything that anyone wants. Only lock-in will get people to use that stuff, so they're trying lock-in, without even disguising it with some stupid pretense.