Google delays the Nexus Q and lowers its price to free

INTERNET BEHEMOTH Google has delayed the release of its Nexus Q media streaming device and is offering it for free to those who pre-ordered.

Yes, you read that right. In an email sent to customers, Google announced an indefinite delay of the spherical media player, saying it wanted to add more features.

The company said, "When we announced Nexus Q at Google I/O, we gave away devices to attendees for an early preview.

"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."

While this sounds like bad news for those who eagerly pre-ordered the device, Google will send out free developer Nexus Q devices to those who keenly put their names down on the list.

Announced at the Google I/O Conference last month, the Nexus Q is the company's take on Apple TV. Priced at $299 in the US, the device lets users stream music and videos straight from the cloud to an HD TV. It also features 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and Bluetooth, NFC and WiFi connectivity.

Google hasn't said what it plans to add to the Nexus Q, but it must be a pretty major change for the firm to stop taking orders for the device. µ