Back at its I/O developer conference in June, Google announced its newest effort to target living rooms around the world. After the spectacular failure of its Google TV platform (and the Nexus Q...), the company unveiled Android TV, marking the beginning of a new assault on the big screens in our homes.
Razer was among the first to announce plans to launch an Android TV device, but today, Google became the first, with the surprise announcement of a set-top box called the Nexus Player.
Revealed alongside the new Nexus 6 smartphone and Nexus 9 tablet, the box runs the latest version of Android, 5.0 Lollipop, and has been developed in partnership with ASUS. While the streaming player will of course deliver movies, TV shows and music to your TV, Google also describes it as "a first-of-its-kind Android gaming device".
"With Nexus Player, you can play Android games on your HDTV with a gamepad," says Google, "then keep playing on your phone while you"re on the road." That gamepad will set you back $39, and carries ASUS branding across the front.
The device also supports Google Cast, allowing users to stream content from their Chromebooks, Android phones and iPhones.
Nexus Player will be available for pre-order on October 17, with wider in-store availability beginning on November 3. The device will cost just $99, which includes a remote controller that incorporates a microphone for voice interactions with the box itself.
Images via Google