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Last week it appeared Google had begun the rollout of the Nexus Q to the general public. Shortly after it appeared as though Google had sold out. Something tells me the initial response wasn’t so great, because the reality is that Google actually suspended the launch of the media playback device. Word of the delay comes from an email being sent to those with pre-orders, which cites consumer desires for the Q to do a bit more than simply act as a $300 jukebox. So that’s the bad news. The good news, for those that pre-ordered, is that Google is rewarding their patience with a free Nexus Q, just as was given to attendees at Google I/O.
It’s a standup move by Google, a company that wants to deliver on its promise of a July release without charging customers for a device that arguably isn’t worth its high price tag at this time, hence the promise of the same free “developer” device that was handed out at I/O. Google is saying these pre-orders will ship out soon, but for those that were planning on picking up the Q after seeing some feedback from the general public, the wait will continue. When Google will relaunch the new and improved Nexus Q is unknown. Here’s the full email:
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
Well that makes me wish that i preordered the random sphere that I would probably never use
Yea, Apple tried that price point with the Apple TV, now it’s $99 and does way more stuff than this (minus the amplifier). This thing was not a good idea. The Nexus 7 however, was a good one.
heres to hoping they make it into a GTV that you can use your android phone as the remote for.
G.tv while keeping the social/streaming functionality and throw in a game streaming service and it would be the best of its kind in the market
if they upgrade the functionality (like all of the things that XDA is doing with it) and turn it into a Google TV-like device, then it’d be more appealing.
but yes, $300 for a ‘jukebox’ is definitely not feasible for many of us.
2 things probably happened:
1. Nexus Q went live and Google realized only 5 people pre-ordered
2. Google saw the overwhelming feedback that it was little more than a doorstop, and is going back to the drawing board.
I’m hoping they’ll finally wise up and put Google TV into this thing (even then, it’s a bit overpriced)
A bit overpriced?!?!! A bit!?!?!?!?!
LMAO You’re such a terrible writer Chris.
Not made in China.
They were hoping that “Made in USA” would make it sell like hotcakes. But the reality is, no one wants a 25 Watt jukebox for $300. Maybe it if was 500 Watt
Everyone needs to chill. All the hardware is there for a friggin fantastic device. It just needs the software to match. I have high *hopes* for it. Hopefully they deliver.
For $300 you can have a Xbox or PS3, which is DLNA capable.
I don’t think Google ever expected this to be a high volume device, though
>.> it does less then a google tv set top yet it costs 3 times more >.> honestly a media streaming device at 100 bucks still seems a lot, if it had like a game streaming service or something like that then it would of been the hottest thing since slice bread.
If they make this googletv as well I’d pay 500 for it. (and updated the software)
I’m thinking the “new” Nexus Q is going to be a Google TV device. Would be shocked if it isn’t.
you can get a vizio google tv for like 100 bucks, why would you want a nexus for 300, bad call on google
Good to hear that they are rethinking the device. At $300 for what it currently does is just a joke for its current limitations without the dev support i wouldn’t pay more then $40 for it. But glad to see them wising up to what the people want and hope we get a Gtv like device that is more open and allows us access to things like XMBC and streaming via DLNA. Having a nexus gtv would be a great thing if its priced correctly and the nexus 7 is priced correctly to move.
I get that they are revising it. But how is it delayed if they are sending them out?!?!?!?!?!
By pulling it from the store and just shipping the pre-orders if there isnt a lot of them for free as they did for devs who went to google io
What it means is the first Nexus Q sucks so bad that they can only give them away as it will not even be supported. The next Nexus Q will be cheaper and incompatible with the first lemon so they hope the early adopters will buy the next one and simply shelve the first one.
bingo!
Looks like they figured out that it didn’t provide $300 worth of value, and they are planning to do something about it… eventually.
Gotta love their handling of the pre-orders though. That’s just classy.
last time I don’t preorder something just because I can’t afford it!
lol, not the greatest investment strategy in the world XD
Bravo Google. At least you took the time to listen to people’s feedback that a $300 music player won’t sell. Add Google TV and DLNA, ditch the built-in amp, and you have a seller for $150
DLNA or GTFO :)
Noob Queston… What does Dlna do? Or add?
Ability to stream and share video and other data over WIFI protocol.
This should clear up the confusion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DLNA
As one of the few whom actually preordered this thing…..I am happy!
@Gamercore:disqus They can put Google TV on it doesn’t mean its gonna be good…Google TV as sperate entity is not even “Great” the UI stinks, the approach is lack luster and its just software to use. Google is going to have to really have to make overhaul and really charge into the market with great software to use and hardware that everyone can buy.
idk why anyone would want to buy this
I’m still confused by this. Some people replied, “google didnt’ expect to sell a lot of these.” What kind of statement is that? Does that mean they expected to give them away from the start? What kind of bonehead comment is that? I am just dumbfounded by what Google thought they were going to do with this and yes it’s a standup move filling the preorders for free, but really amateur to have brought something all the way to marke to only then realize it’s a flop. Well, what should I expect from Google TV, Google Buzz, Google Music, Google Wave. Google needs to start doing some in house testing if they want to get into hardware sales and stop releasing crap in boxes because people will buy it because it says “Google” on the box. Seriously time to mature kids. Get rid of the silly gaming systems, cafeterias, movie theaters and crap in your headquarters. Start wearing suits and ties and start acting your age!
I actually said “whatever” to myself before almost placing the order…then I read about vizio’s $99 Google TV box and decided against ordering.
Never second guessing my buying decisions again. I’ve spent more money at a Casino in 10 minutes and came back with nothing. FREE Nexus Q would have been the best bet ever…
Oh well, GOOGLE FOR LYF anyway!
Errr!! >=.o
Free!!
Google Fan here but this was wasn’t Google’s best product. People
look at this and see a device with all the hardware and software needed
to be a “Google TV/Ouya” but the developers chose to make it lesser.
This should have been a Google TV box all along.
Well after visiting the Google Fiber Space and seeing that hardware in action. I have to kind of wonder why they even bothered with this device.
Damn it, why didn’t I order this useless device?! It could have been my new toy to mess with
HOLY CRAP
Nexus Q + Google Game Center app = an even more hacker-friendly alternative to the Ouya?
You heard it here first folks… ;)