Nexus Is The Latest Addition To a Bewildering List
Google’s Nexus Player starts shipping on November 3, and brings with it another addition to the bewildering choice for the streaming films and television.
This hockey-puck shaped set top box takes a step forward from Google’s Chromecast dongle system.
It puts Google TV in direct competition with Apple TV and the just launched Amazon Fire TV.
It comes with the latest version of Android, known as Lollipop, connects to your wifi, plugs into your television via HDMI and will fill your screen with Apps, catch up, streaming and lots of internet services.
Because it is Android driven, it delivers all the functionality of an Android tablet on to the living room wall, inclusive of web browsing and Apps, but using a remote instead of a touchscreen.
It also has an optional Games console, for those Apps needing more than a push button control.
However, the direction of the market and the best way to spend our money today are both hazy, especially for those seeking to change their gear for Christmas.
To choose between the plethora of different bundles offered by Sky, Virgin Media, BT TV, YouView, Apple, Amazon and Google is bad enough, but then there are Smart TVs to consider as well.
Surely, though, the Smart TV is a dead end concept before it has taken off?
It may avoid the need for a separate set top box, but if that other box gives your television compatibility with your phone and tablet and you can then upgrade it without throwing out the television itself, that has to be considered, doesn’t it?
Meanwhile, Apple TV and Google TV may have a shaky foothold as yet, but their time is probably coming.
