~ MamakTalk ~: Nexus Player announced – leading the Android TV movement

We learnt all about Android TV at Google IO, but when are the smart TVs coming? We knew Google was working hard to bring these devices to the market, and the very first Android TV product just happens to be the newly-announced Nexus Player.

The Nexus Player comes to complete the trio of devices announced today, all coming from different manufacturer. The Nexus 6 is brought by Motorola, the Nexus 9 is made by HTC and the Nexus Player comes to us courtesy of ASUS.

Google TV was a bit of a failure, but the Search Giant is setting on changing that story with Android TV. This is much more of a streaming and gaming box, as opposed to Google TV, which was meant to work along with live TV.

It features a new interface, a new experience and a different vision. It competes against other smart TV platforms like Apple TV, the Amazon Fire TV and even Android gaming consoles like the OUYA.

It’s also an amazing upgrade over the Nexus Q, which died before arrival. And for those who like Chromecast functionality, the Nexus Player (and all future Android TVs) will come with full Google Cast support. You won’t have to choose between one or the other.

If you do choose the Nexus Player, it will have many features and very respectable specs.

Nexus Player Specs

Android 5.0 Lollipop

1.8 GHz quad-core Intel Atom processor

Imagination PowerVR Series 6 Graphics 2D/3D Engine

1 GB of RAM

8 GB of internal storage

Bluetooth 4.1, microUSB 2.0, Wifi 802.11ac 2×2 (MIMO)

Price and availability

Not bad, right? Like you, I want to sign up for this bad boy as soon as possible. Thankfully we won’t have to wait long and the device is relatively cheap. It is priced at just $99 and will be available for pre-order come Friday, October 17.

You will also be able to buy it in stores this November 3rd. And those who also want the gaming controller can get it for an extra $39. Who is signing up for one of these?