Nexus Player: Android TV Powered Set Top Box
Google along with the Nexus devices in a surprise move unveiled by the Nexus Player. Basically, this is a set top TV box to power the new Android TV. This would give the Android experience on a bigger screen. The Android TV system is a part of the Android 5.0 Lollipop update.
According to Google they are working closely with app developers to create apps optimised for TV. Apps that cannot be used on the Android TV will be filtered by the Nexus Player. Apps like the Netflix and YouTube for video streaming services will feature large on the list of apps that will be allowed to stream on the TV. Google describes the Nexus Player as a "first of its kind" Android gaming device, as well as a fully-featured streaming box.
The set top box has an unusual remote control that does not have any buttons on them. It has a mic and a touchpad control and just four buttons. The mic is to give voice instructions. There is also an optional gamepad to support Android TV gaming.
Google is selling the gaming controller separately with the Nexus Player. The controller itself is very big and made of black plastic and will be used to play games on the Android TV.
The Nexus Player is manufactured by Asus with an Intel CPU. The box is powered by Silvermont quad core processor that clocks at 1.8 GHz. It sports a PowerVR series 6 GPU, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. It has a micro USB port so the storage will be expandable.
The Nexus Player can be pre ordered from October 17 and it will be available in stores from November 3. The device is priced at $99 and the controller will cost an extra $39.
According to Forbes, Google has been trying to capture the TV market for a very long time now. With the Nexus Player and the Android TV, it will capture its own space is yet to be seen.