Google Delays Nexus Q Launch In Order to Add New Features - Wired News

Google's Nexus Q won't go on sale in July as previously promised, but the delay is actually a win for would-be fans of the streaming media device.

The team behind Google's first independently engineered and manufactured hardware is delaying the public product launch to add new functionality to the device. But there is a silver lining for those who've already committed to a life with Nexus Q. While Google isn't providing any information on exactly when the hardware will launch, and has also stopped accepting pre-orders, those who've already pre-ordered a Nexus Q from the Google Play store will still be getting their devices in the next few weeks.

What's more, instead of paying $300 for a device that's still in a process of becoming, Google is going to ship Nexus Qs to pre-order customers for free. In essence, Google will be treating all its general-public pre-order customers just like the thousands of developers (and journalists) who received Nexus Q for free at the Google I/O conference. Nice move, Google!

After Nexus Q was revealed at I/O, the hardware itself received much praise, but the general consensus was that the streaming media sphere supports too few services. In its current iteration, it only plays streaming audio tracks from Google Music, and video from Google Play and YouTube. Like our own reviewer, most technology critics gave the Q lackluster marks.

Those who pre-ordered a Nexus Q on Google's Play storefront were notified of the delay via email on Tuesday. The message, with the subject line of "Status of Your Nexus Q Pre-Order," reads:

We have an important update about your Nexus Q pre-order.

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.

To thank you for your early interest, we'd like to extend the Nexus Q preview to our pre-order customers and send you a free device. If you had other items in your order, your credit card will be charged for those items only.

Your Nexus Q will be on its way soon and you will receive a notification and tracking number from Google Play when it ships.

The Nexus Q Team

So what features will Google be adding to the Nexus Q? Google declined to comment for now, but told us that the Android team is hard at work adding more functionality.

We, however, have some ideas on what Google should add. Why not load up Nexus Q with a graphical user interface, such as Android or Google TV (which is built on Android), and give the hardware the ability to run Android apps? Right now, the Q's audio functionality is entirely tied into three Google services, and that's way too limiting. Hackers have already shown us that the Nexus Q can handle Netflix just fine, but the $100 Apple TV already does Netflix and Hulu Plus. Allowing the Nexus Q to easily run any Android app could push the gadget beyond these lower-priced set-top boxes.

Adding full Android support would also allow us to play back music via Rdio and Spotify, as well as play games such as Angry Birds, Canabalt and Shadowgun.

Another welcome addition would be the ability to stream audio from Nexus Q to wireless speakers via Bluetooth or AirPlay. While the Nexus Q's wonderful, built-in 25-watt amp paired with a set of $400 speakers is a beautiful sound system for those who can afford it, the orb should be able to stream to a Jambox and other wireless speaker hardware as well.

What would you like to see the Nexus Q do? Sound off in the comments below. Maybe Google's listening.