Google unveils the Nexus Q ‘social streaming media player’

Google has unveiled a new media streamer before taking the stage at its I/O conference.

Dubbed the Nexus Q, the orblike device is being called by Google the “first social streaming media player.” A page on the Google Play store Web site says that it “streams your favorite entertainment from Google Play and YouTube to the biggest speakers and screen in the house.

The device will work with HD movies, television shows, and YouTube videos, as well as music. Users will be able to access the entertainment on their smartphone or tablet, and set it to play on the Nexus Q from those devices. It’s worth noting, however, that the Nexus Q requires devices running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) or higher with access to Google Play to work. The device will also need to connect to a Wi-Fi router, and be connected to separate speakers or an HDTV.

The Nexus Q will be available only in the U.S. and will start shipping in two to three weeks. The device will set customers back $299.

Here’s a video detailing on how the device works:

Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57461848-93/google-unveils-the-nexus-q-social-streaming-media-player/?tag=mncol;txt

Xbox SmartGlass, Microsoft at E3

The Microsoft software, unveiled at the E3 videogame conference in Los Angeles on Monday, promises to bring together several key Microsoft products: its Xbox videogame console, tablets running the new Windows 8 operating system and Windows phone devices.

SmartGlass, Microsoft says, will allow a tablet or smartphone to stream media to a big screen controlled by the Xbox console. It also can augment videogames with additional information such as team formations in a sports game.

Microsoft says SmartGlass will be free and work with Windows phones, Windows 8 and other portable devices.

"We all go into our living room and have a touch surface like a phone or a tablet, but it has no idea what’s occurring on the TV," said Don Mattrick, head of Microsoft’s gaming business. The SmartGlass apps he said, by contrast will allow the Xbox to "communicate with whatever glass surface you have."

He said Microsoft spent about a year developing SmartGlass, and that it will work with devices customers already own, including Apple Inc.’s. iPad and iPhone as well as devices that use Google Inc.’s Android operating system, aside from Microsoft’s own devices.

"All they do is download the app and it knits their content together," he added.

The Redmond, Wash., company’s efforts to expand its Xbox 360 game console come as Nintendo prepares to release its next generation Wii U game console later this year. The console, which has so far had mixed reactions from investors and industry analysts alike, includes a tabletlike controller called the Wii U GamePad. Nintendo says the device will use its touch screen and onboard sensors to interact with games.

There are existing products on the market that try to accomplish similar chores. Apple, for example, has a technology called AirPlay, which can stream video, music and images from an iPhone or iPad to an Apple TV.

 

Original source is from : http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303830204577446753653041174.html