Google halts Nexus Q sales, gives it away for free

 

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By Reuters and Nicole Kobie

Posted on 1 Aug 2012 at 09:55

Google has stopped taking orders for the Nexus Q, the media streaming device announced alongside the Nexus 7.

The company announced the indefinite delay of the orb-shaped media player device in an email to customers who had pre-ordered the gadget, saying it wanted to add more features.

It will still send out Nexus Qs from its existing stock to those who pre-ordered, but won't charge customers for the device. It wasn't available in the UK, but limited to US pre-orders at launch.

"When we announced Nexus Q at Google I/O, we gave away devices to attendees for an early preview," the Google email said. "The industrial design and hardware were met with great enthusiasm. We also heard initial feedback from users that they want Nexus Q to do even more than it does today. In response, we have decided to postpone the consumer launch of Nexus Q while we work on making it even better."

The spherical device is Google's first self-designed and marketed consumer electronics device, as the Nexus 7 tablet was manufactured by Asus. Unveiled alongside the better-reviewed Nexus 7 tablet at Google's I/O event in June, the Nexus Q received much less fanfare than the Google-designed tablet.

Many reviews of the device focused on its lack of usability and features. It was slated to go on sale this month.

As part of Google's foray into consumer hardware, the Nexus Q was touted as being made in the USA. and reflected the nascent trend of "reshoring" manufacturing operations.

Apart from the Nexus 7, Google is also promoting its "Google Glass" augmented-reality eyeglasses.