Latest Google Play Music update doesn’t support Nexus Q, and it probably never will again
In case you needed any other indication that the Nexus Q was dead, here’s some news for you — the latest update to Google Play Music, which brings us All Access, does not support the media streaming Orb. That much was confirmed by those who tried (and failed) to use the app with the device after the latest update. If you needed further confirmation, though, a Googler has flat-out confirmed it.
A liaison named Paul responded to questions regarding the suddenly broken support with the following:
Thanks for taking the time to report this issue. As you noticed, the latest version of Google Play Music isn’t compatible with the Nexus Q. The Nexus Q devices given to last year’s I/O attendees and provided free of charge to those who ordered are not compatible with the current version of Google Music.
This is a very interesting statement. It’s carefully crafted to stay away from any suggestion support may ever return. And whether or not it was intentional, that last sentence gives off the “you got it for free, so we really don’t care at this point” feeling. I’m not saying that’s how Google feels internally, but it feels like they really are laying this thing to rest.
The technical support team was supposedly working on some of the device’s biggest bugs in regards to audio playback, with the biggest being its tendency to automatically shut down after a short time. Paul led the community on in his messages, assuring everyone that the team was “aware” of the problems. Well, little did those Nexus Q owners know that the latest update would not only not address the issue, but completely break all Google Play Music support.
Paul’s message gives no indication that support will ever return, unfortunately. We’ll be trying to see if we can work up a more pointed statement from Google on the manner. You might note that those who pre-ordered the Nexus Q eventually got their money back. It’s true — Google never officially accepted money for what has become an absolutely travesty.
But there are plenty of people who bought this thing on eBay and have found their money to be wasted by now. Sure, Google doesn’t really have any obligation to continue supporting the Nexus Q as it wasn’t the one to sell those devices on eBay, but we’d like to believe the “don’t be evil” company won’t give up on it that easily.
Let us know if you are affected by this issue, and be sure to voice your concerns in the Google Product Forums here in hopes that someone in Mountain View will stop treating the Nexus Q like the little red engine that never could.
[Thanks John!]