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First things first. This is going to be a two-part first look at the Google Nexus Q media streamer for the simple reason that I am not yet able to stream media to the preview hardware handed out at Google I/O.

Why? Because while Google's Nexus Q web site says you can control the device with a Nexus Q app that will run on any Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) smartphone or tablet, it turns out that the app right now only runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), which also was previewed at Google's developer conference. Google's PDF user guide explains that support for earlier Android devices won't be available until the Nexus Q actually ships to consumers, which Google says will be "soon" --- two to three weeks.

It's interesting, by the way, that the Q itself is based on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). It's downright weird that Google has limited its market to Android device owners, and its functionality to playing music you own or have bought from Google Play; YouTube videos, and movies and TV shows you've bought or rented, also from inside . Even Apple didn't hobble Apple TV thusly.

I had planned to use a couple of older Android phones for my test run (I wanted to verify that several Android users can, if authorized, contribute to a playlist) so I don't at this writing have a Jelly Bean device. I'll update this post once I do, but in the meantime I can share a few impressions based on the setup I was able to complete.

Out-Appling Apple

Unboxing the Q, I couldn't help feeling like Google was trying to out-Apple Apple in its packaging and presentation. You get the same minimalist approach, only in black instead of white. Here's the box, once you remove the sleeve.

After you open the black seals (there's a second one on the back of the box), you see the flat bottom of a Magic 8 Ball-sized black sphere--and nothing else.

As with Apple's products, the rest of the box's contents are concealed until you lift a cardboard tab. But there isn't much more to find--just a charging cable and a quick start guide on a single cardboard square.

See the original post:
Google Nexus Q Media Streamer: First Impressions, Part 1