Google Nexus Q: The bowling ball home media streamer

Google’s Nexus Q is a home media streamer with a very strange look. It lets you create social playlists to enjoy with friends, and watch YouTube on the big screen.

Basically, it’s Google’s version of Apple TV, with added social skills.

You can create social playlists with your friends using the Q and your Android device. Anyone with the Google Music app can add songs, and shift the order around, which could be fun or annoying, depending on how you look at it.

It packs HDMI connections and the same Tegra 3 chip as the Nexus 7 tablet, and a built-in 25W amp means it can power a pair of speakers. You can also sync a few of them around your house, to fill the place with tunes, just like with Sonos.

The $ 299 (£192) device has only been announced for the US at the moment, though we could see it reach these shores later. We’ve had to wait long enough for Google TV, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see a UK release some time down the line.

The Q is certainly a strange beast, more expensive than Apple TV but cheaper than Sonos. The lack of screen positions it as a straight streamer, but the added social side looks pretty cool. As long as you trust your friends’ taste in music, that is. We’ll keep you posted with any news on a UK release as we get it.