Google unveils Nexus Q, the world's first social streaming media player

Google I/O 2012: Google didn't just talk software, or Google Glass, the company also revealed a new media streaming device dubbed Nexus Q. Google describes this product as the first social streaming media player, and is uniquely shaped like an orb and is able to stream music.

Nexus Q is controlled by your Android-powered device be it smartphone or tablet, but content is yanked directly from the cloud. Google thinks music is best enjoyed with friends, so in order to differentiate themselves from similar products on the market, Google infused Nexus Q with social capabilities. Google describes it as a cloud-connected jukebox, where everyone brings their own music to the party.

The social side of Nexus Q allows friends to create a single playlist that everyone has access to. Anyone in that group can move songs up or down on the queue, or even play a new track instantly before the previous tune has finished. Hardware-wise, we're looking at Nexus Q sporting a dual-core OMAP4460 processor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and 16GB of onboard storage.

Connections include an optical audio port, Ethernet jack, micro-HDMI and micro-USB. An internal 25-watt amplifier is included that powers a set of speakers without the need of a stereo receiver if you require it. Google expects Nexus Q to arrive in the coming weeks, at a price of $299.