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Google unveils new Nexus TV, phone and tablet devices | Google unveils new Nexus TV, phone and tablet devices |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Google has announced three new Android-powered, Nexus-branded devices, comprising a set-top box for TVs, a tablet and a smartphone. | Google has announced three new Android-powered, Nexus-branded devices, comprising a set-top box for TVs, a tablet and a smartphone. |
The machines are all designed to showcase the forthcoming update to its operating system, codenamed Android Lollipop. | The machines are all designed to showcase the forthcoming update to its operating system, codenamed Android Lollipop. |
The Nexus Player marks the introduction of Android TV, Google's latest bid to get a foothold in the living room. | The Nexus Player marks the introduction of Android TV, Google's latest bid to get a foothold in the living room. |
Experts noted that the firm had tried and failed with set-top boxes before. | Experts noted that the firm had tried and failed with set-top boxes before. |
However, Hiroshi Lockheimer, vice-president of Android engineering, suggested the company had learned from its past mistakes. | However, Hiroshi Lockheimer, vice-president of Android engineering, suggested the company had learned from its past mistakes. |
"On Google TV you could get a lot of apps, but a lot of the versions were just big tablet versions on a 50in screen that just didn't feel right," he explained. | "On Google TV you could get a lot of apps, but a lot of the versions were just big tablet versions on a 50in screen that just didn't feel right," he explained. |
"[Now] we're much more opinionated about what an app should look like on a TV set, so we've been working very closely with app developers in the TV and content space over the past months on optimising their applications. | "[Now] we're much more opinionated about what an app should look like on a TV set, so we've been working very closely with app developers in the TV and content space over the past months on optimising their applications. |
"You'll see a much more focused set of applications that are higher quality." | "You'll see a much more focused set of applications that are higher quality." |
Apps have to comply with a new set of guidelines - such as supporting a remote control - before they will be added to Android TV's version of the Google Play store, he said. | Apps have to comply with a new set of guidelines - such as supporting a remote control - before they will be added to Android TV's version of the Google Play store, he said. |
The Nexus Player is a set-top box built by Asus and featuring an Intel chip. It will cost $99 (£62) when it launches in the US and Canada in early November. | The Nexus Player is a set-top box built by Asus and featuring an Intel chip. It will cost $99 (£62) when it launches in the US and Canada in early November. |
It is bundled with a remote control with a built-in microphone, and owners can buy an add-on controller if they want to play video games. | It is bundled with a remote control with a built-in microphone, and owners can buy an add-on controller if they want to play video games. |
In addition, Google has announced that Sony, Sharp and Philips will be building Android TV into forthcoming TV sets, and that more manufacturers will be unveiled at a later date. | In addition, Google has announced that Sony, Sharp and Philips will be building Android TV into forthcoming TV sets, and that more manufacturers will be unveiled at a later date. |
However, neither of the two biggest television makers - Samsung and LG - have agreed to support the platform at this point, although Mr Lockheimer said that Samsung was at least "studying" it. | However, neither of the two biggest television makers - Samsung and LG - have agreed to support the platform at this point, although Mr Lockheimer said that Samsung was at least "studying" it. |
Although the previous Google TV platform was scrapped, the search giant has had limited success with its Chromecast TV dongle, which supports a more limited set of apps than Android TV. | Although the previous Google TV platform was scrapped, the search giant has had limited success with its Chromecast TV dongle, which supports a more limited set of apps than Android TV. |
Even so, one market watcher has doubts about the new platform's chances. | Even so, one market watcher has doubts about the new platform's chances. |
"Google is going to keep trying with this, but that doesn't mean it's going to succeed," said Ian Maude from the consultancy Enders Analysis. | "Google is going to keep trying with this, but that doesn't mean it's going to succeed," said Ian Maude from the consultancy Enders Analysis. |
"This doesn't look very different from Amazon's Fire TV or other devices out there - there's nothing that jumps out at you. | "This doesn't look very different from Amazon's Fire TV or other devices out there - there's nothing that jumps out at you. |
"And Google has an additional hurdle, which is that some broadcasters and TV manufacturers are particularly nervous about getting into bed with it because they fear being disintermediated - in other words undermined - because Google would now be controlling the interface." | "And Google has an additional hurdle, which is that some broadcasters and TV manufacturers are particularly nervous about getting into bed with it because they fear being disintermediated - in other words undermined - because Google would now be controlling the interface." |
Metal cases | Metal cases |
The other new devices are: | The other new devices are: |
Mr Lockheimer drew attention to the fact both smart devices featured metal exterior parts, which he said gave them a more "premium" feel than the all-plastic shells used by earlier Nexus hardware. | Mr Lockheimer drew attention to the fact both smart devices featured metal exterior parts, which he said gave them a more "premium" feel than the all-plastic shells used by earlier Nexus hardware. |
The Nexus 6 will be made available in 26 countries, including the UK, in November and has been priced $649 (£407) for the contract-free 32 gigabyte edition. | |
The Nexus 9 will go on sale at the end of this week in 30 countries and costs $399 (£250) for the 16GB version. | |
One analyst was surprised by the prices. | One analyst was surprised by the prices. |
"They're definitely not cheap, which is interesting because that seems to be a bit of a change in strategy," commented Carolina Milanesi from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. | "They're definitely not cheap, which is interesting because that seems to be a bit of a change in strategy," commented Carolina Milanesi from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. |
"Google has obviously gone for more expensive materials, which might signal it is going after the enterprise space. | "Google has obviously gone for more expensive materials, which might signal it is going after the enterprise space. |
"Businesses are less sensitive to price and look closely at the durability of devices, plus we know that the next version of Android has incorporated enterprise-friendly features. | "Businesses are less sensitive to price and look closely at the durability of devices, plus we know that the next version of Android has incorporated enterprise-friendly features. |
"The other thing is that a 6in phone is a form factor that IT departments might view as a good two-in-one option, to avoid having to give staff both a tablet and a phone." | "The other thing is that a 6in phone is a form factor that IT departments might view as a good two-in-one option, to avoid having to give staff both a tablet and a phone." |