Google Launches Apple TV Rival Nexus Player

By Vivek

| Published: Thursday, October 16, 2014, 12:13 [IST]

Along with the Motorola-made Nexus 6 smartphone and HTC-made Nexus 9 tablet, Google has also announced the Apple TV rival called the Nexus Player which is built in collaboration with popular PC market Asus.

The Google Nexus Player, which is a media player based on Android TV, is more than a video streaming device but at the same time it is also a gaming device. Google will also be selling the game controller separately.

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Google Launches Apple TV Rival Nexus Player

As far as the hardware is concerned, the Apple TV rival is powered by a 1.8GHz quad-core Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB of storage and Imagination PowerVR Series 6 graphics. Intel tells us that 64-bit chip is capable of "console-like graphics" alongside 1080p video streaming.

It is also Google Cast Ready to cast anything from Chromebook, Android , iOS phone or tablet to your TV. The Player will connect to your TV via HDMI with WiFi for grabbing content.

The Nexus Player will also include a remote control. It combines a mic for voice instructions for voice search with a small touchpad control area and just four buttons. The remote takes AAA batteries.

There's also an optional gamepad to support Android TV's gaming possibilities.

The Nexus Player costs $99 and will be available for pre-order on October 17 and in store would go on sale starting November 3. The Gamepad for the Nexus Player costs $39.

The downside to the Android TV approach clearly is that you won't be able to access anywhere near as many apps as you can get via the normal Android platform for tablets and phones. But experience suggests this is actually no bad thing, for quality definitely trumps quantity when it comes to smart TV systems.

Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!