Among the Google I/O announcements was a surprising new Nexus device: the Nexus Q, a spherical home media player designed to work entirely through Android phones and tablets. The device had no visible controls; instead it relied entirely on connected Android devices to direct what it played. In a social setting, multiple phones could add to a shared community queue playing through the Q, which connected via HDMI to a TV or existing stereo. Optional proprietary speakers were available separately.
Made in the USA and priced at $299.99, the Nexus Q was available for pre-order on Google Play at launch. It supported Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. The orb design was striking and unlike anything else on the market, though the $299 price point and the requirement for an Android device as the sole control method made it a niche product from the outset.
