Google I/O 2012’s Biggest Announcements: Nexus 7 and Nexus Q

Summary

This week on Gadget Lab show, Michael Kahlar and John Phillip discussed some of the new releases at the Google I/O developer conference. The two biggest ones were the new operating system, Jelly Bean, and two Nexus devices, Nexus 7 and Nexus Q. Nexus 7 is a tablet that runs Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, and has many cool features that include 3D maps and media purchasing. Nexus Q is a media-streaming device that can play Google Music and YouTube and movies that people rent from Google Play. In this transcript, we will go over the features of these products.

Introduction
Features of Jelly Bean
Features of Nexus 7
The Google Now feature
Features of Nexus Q
Nexus Q’s LED lights and sound quality
Review of Nexus Q
Conclusion

Introduction

At Google’s 2012 I/O conference, new products were introduced, and Michael Kahlar and John Phillip discussed two of the most popular products that were released. The products are Nexus 7 and Nexus Q. Nexus 7 is a new tablet computer that is slick and runs on the latest version of Android, “Jelly Bean.” Nexus Q is a sleek, ball-shaped media streamer that is compatible with both Google Music and YouTube.

Features of Jelly Bean

One of the primary features of Jelly Bean is the ability to use a 3D map. Maps appear in a three-quarter isometric view of your city that you can glide through. It also provides users with direct links to the movies, TV shows, and books section of the Google Play Store. The Google Now feature and voice search are enhanced features of the operating system.

Features of Nexus 7

Nexus 7 is an affordable $20 tablet that has impressive hardware specs, such as a 1280 x 800 screen and a quad-core CP. It provides the ability to interact with the Google Play Storefront for media purchasing. With the magazine store feature, one can access their favorite magazines. It is made up of both black and white themes and has a five-megapixel camera.

The Google Now Feature

Google Now is accessed by swiping up on the touchscreen of any Jelly Bean device. Google Now uses location data, your search history, and other personal data to create a user-specific, relevant list of information that appears in card format. For example, if you ask a query about the Oakland A’s, a card showing their latest score would appear, along with a link for further information.

Features of Nexus Q

Nexus Q is a media streamer and an audio and video streaming device. It is a ball-shaped device that promises to change the way people connect with their media. It plugs into your speakers and an HDTV and plays media that is stored in the cloud via Google Music or any movies, TV shows, or YouTube content rented from the Google Play Store. The device is controlled via Android smartphones and includes a visualization feature that matches music volume with LED lights around the rim.

Nexus Q’s LED Lights and Sound Quality

Nexus Q has 32 RGB LED lights and a light pipe that makes the device’s LED lights look continuous around the device’s perimeter. It provides a highly visual experience with lights around the rim that change color to match music volume or content. It also includes a Class D amp that provides a 25-watt solid-state output.

Review of Nexus Q

The Nexus Q receives criticism for its price tag, which is equivalent to $300 for media streaming. It only accesses media stored in Google Music or Google Play Store, so Spotify or Pandora users are excluded from this device’s experience. However, as a Google-branded product, it’s easy to use and provides an innovative design that is indicative of what possibly the future of home entertainment could look like.

Conclusion

The Nexus 7 tablet and Nexus Q media streamer are exciting new products that offer features at a reasonable price point. Google Now’s ability to personalize results on any device powered by Jelly Bean provides an excellent personalized experience. There are many practical applications for the Nexus Q, including turning your TV and sound system into a smart hub. The product reflects Google’s desire to move away from the PC setup and into integrating connected tech into people’s homes.