Home Gaming Oh look, another Android microconsole!

Oh look, another Android microconsole!

1 min read
13

GoogleNexusPlayer-1

What the world really needs right now is yet another Android-based microconsole. The Ouya may have originally ignited consumer interest in little set-top boxes have since taken the world by storm. Just about every single tech-savvy household is equipped with one of the little things, only that’s a lie and nobody actually seems to care about Android micro consoles at all. That, however, hasn’t stopped just about every hardware manufacturer from making one. And now, there’s another.

At its new Nexus-unveiling event, Google and Asus unveiled their brand new Android-powered console, packed with entertainment features, and the ability, of course, to play Android games on your TV, using an optional extra gamepad.

Dubbed the Google Nexus Player, the thing will be available in the US from next month, at an attractive $99 price.  It’ll include an integrated microphone, much like the latest Roku boxes, allowing for voice search for entertainment options.  If you want to play games, the gamepad will be sold separately for $39.99.

What makes this one somewhat unique is that it actually has full Google backing. According to the company that owns the internet, it’ll feature  “stunning 3D graphics,” free online multiplayer and achievements synced across every one of your  Android devices.

The optional gamepad, which Google says is a “precise gamepad for serious gaming” isn’t included, because it’ll support just about every 3rd part controller on the planet.

Here are the technical specs:

Chipset

  • 1.8GHz Quad Core, Intel® Atom™
  • Imagination PowerVR Series 6 Graphics 2D/3D Engine

Memory

  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB storage

Ports

  • 18W DC power
  • HDMI out (1920×1080@60Hz)
  • Micro-USB 2.0

Wireless

  • 802.11ac 2×2 (MIMO)
  • Bluetooth 4.1

Weight

  • 235g

Dimensions

  • 120mm x 120mm x 20mm

I’m not sold on the very idea of Android micro consoles, but I’ve always wanted to dabble with one as a an “all in one” set top box that could (and rightfully should) make small form- factor HTPC’s redundant. If I can throw all of my media at the thing, run all of my emulated stuff and install and run Netflix, Hulu and everything else, I may actually be keen.

Last Updated: October 16, 2014

13 Comments

  1. Brady miaau

    October 16, 2014 at 09:03

    More than one primary purpose is required for my household TV Room. Why have a media centre, DVD player, Xbox and this android thing? Be one with the universe, people.

    Reply

  2. Viking Of Divinity

    October 16, 2014 at 09:26

    With only 1GB of RAM? poor thing is going to struggle to stream HD Video….

    Reply

  3. Sir Rants A Lot Llew

    October 16, 2014 at 09:42

    *sigh* Droid Microconsoles are like the MOBA’s of the console world. Everyone is making one but it’s all terrible.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      October 16, 2014 at 09:51

      haha zing! Don’t let cabbage see that comment.

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew

        October 16, 2014 at 10:47

        huehuehue

        Reply

  4. RinceThis

    October 16, 2014 at 09:43

    It looks like a bunny aerial…

    Reply

  5. Sir Rants A Lot Llew

    October 16, 2014 at 09:46

    You know what though, if you could get Steam Streaming on one of these (and a network port) it would be a little more useful. THen you could stream your games to it and still have things such as netflix, media etc (Heck the media could then sit on a network resource) and it may be very useful.

    Reply

    • Corrie

      October 16, 2014 at 10:44

      Sadly steam hasn’t updated it’s Android App in years, but that idea would definitely break away from those expensive Steam Boxes.

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew

        October 16, 2014 at 10:47

        Would be awesome!

        Reply

  6. Admiral Chief 0

    October 16, 2014 at 09:47

    AG MY MOEDER MAMMIE KYK HOE CUTE IS HY

    Reply

  7. MakeItLegal

    October 16, 2014 at 09:49

    “According to the company that owns the internet”

    day made …

    Reply

  8. CypherGate

    October 16, 2014 at 13:22

    1gig ram? Thats a bit of a bummer considering that lots of smartphones run 2gig as standard now. They should have spec’d it with 2gig ram at least. hell smartphones are in the 3 gig range now. Some higher end games dont run too well on a gig of ram and lets not start on full HD streaming.

    Reply

  9. Weanerdog

    October 16, 2014 at 13:43

    To think that if piled up the money that they spent on the R and D of this and made a fire with it to warm their offices for a couple of minutes during winter it would have delivered a better return on investment than actually making that thing.

    Dear hardware companies I can slash your costs on Android set top boxes in half. All you need to do is send me half of the budgeted amount for development and not develop the device. Trust me, not only will it actually save you money it will also save your reputation.

    Reply

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