Not the first and not the second time Google tries to grab our television screens – first appeared platform Google TV (on the basis of which, in particular, was released a functional media center Logitech Revue), then, after its failure, was an attempt to go to the other side – the result was as simple player Google Nexus Q. With him “puncture” was even more impressive, but Google did not stop these failures.
close the question with simple compact player release HDMI-stick Chromecast, Google took up rethinking their platform Smart TV – after four years of support for Google TV was finally officially closed, and its place was taken in the summer of 2014 announced Android TV. At this point the device at its base presented three manufacturers – ASUS, Razer and Sony; will soon have to “catch up» Sharp and TP Vision. We managed to get acquainted with this platform as an example of the media center Nexus Player production ASUS.
Design
Google Nexus Player is a small disk (diameter, by the way, it is accurate to the millimeter coincides with CD) 2 cm and generally looks like a perfect stand for coffee.
The upper edge of the matte, with a small inconspicuous logo on the nexus middle sidewall glossy, matte and bottom, with a slight effect “rubberized” because of what the player is not so much glides over the glossy surface of the table. Below you can find the manufacturer’s logo – ASUS, the activity indicator (which was reflected in the white light from the surface of the table) and located in the center of the button to connect Bluetooth-controller.
In a special recess hid a few connectors – here we see the power, micro-USB and HDMI. Player looks very unusual, both for household equipment, expects it to be close to the TV, but it is so small that surely will find its place among other devices.
Remote Control
Complete player with the supplied remote control. It is small in size, comfortable in the hand, according to the layout of the remote resembles Apple TV – ring-way joystick with the confirmation button inside the button “back”, “home” and Play / Pause under it, and call button voice search – top. Remote powered by two AAA batteries. It is noteworthy that the remote control works through Bluetooth, and not via an infrared port – so it should not be directed to the side of the player; Moreover, you may want to hide the device, for example, television, that it is not “an eyesore” (the more physically connect to it anyway nothing can be). Remote casing – the usual matte plastic, no soft-touch, so it looks and feels pretty budget. But with buttons situation is much better – clicking practiced well and tactile sensations on the height, the location is remembered instantly, so that you begin to use the remote cont rol blind within a few seconds after meeting with him.
In addition to the conventional remote control to control the Google Nexus Player, you can use the app Android TV Remote Control, which turns any Android-smartphone or tablet in “Moodle”. However, in terms of functionality, it is the same as a conventional remote, exactly repeating its button layout.
Gamepad
If the player is to be used for gaming, it can be separately buy the game Controller – in size and shape it resembles a gamepad Microsoft, is only a little more “angular” (and with the location of the stick, similar to that of the controller Sony). Nevertheless, it is in good hands and will be comfortable enough for an adult player.
«Layout” from the standard gamepad – two symmetrically arranged analog stick, digital D-pad under the left thumb, function keys ABXY – under the right, and two set of triggers under the index finger – the upper digital, analog lower. Located in the center of the power button on either side of it, we see the system buttons Android – «home” and “back”. Gamepad powered by two batteries AA, located in a removable “battery pack” on the reverse side of the controller – realized this is very similar to what we have seen in the Xbox 360 controller.
The buttons have a gamepad is not very responsive, D- Pad also has come under criticism – in general, the tactile sensations he concedes console gamepad, but for games on the Nexus Player suits, of course, much better than the remote control.
Platform
Nexus Player is based on quad-core Intel Atom, clocked at 1.8 GHz (graphics subsystem – Imagination PowerVR Series 6). RAM is 1 GB internal – 8 GB (without extensions).
Android TV
At the heart of the OS is Android TV Android 5.0 (Lollipop) – of course,
Chief (he, in fact, the only) screen contains four main blocks: the challenge of voice search, the tape is recommended and recently viewed videos list installed applications and games. Plus at the bottom hidden inconspicuous icon system parameters and network connection (note that in the settings of the network connection has a choice between Wi-Fi and Ethernet, while the actual Ethernet-port devices have no – the only way to get a wired connection is purchased separately adapter microUSB-Ethernet).
The interface, as can be seen, very simple, perfectly readable from a distance and is easily operated joystick and a couple of buttons. The main applications – Youtube, Google Play Movies / Music / Games, Play Store etc. – Made in a single design, which also makes them easier to use.
Of particular interest, of course, is the voice search. It can be called as from the main screen by selecting the appropriate option, and in general at any time using the player by simply pressing a button on the remote control – then screen appears with a red icon microphone, showing that the player you are “listens”. Search query for the most part very well understood in Russian (even though the interface Google Nexus Player in Russian available) – recognition errors were infrequent. The search is performed in the applications Google (Movies / Music / Youtube), as well as those of third-party applications that support the “search system”. Thus, if you are looking for a famous actor or musician, the player will provide you with beautifully designed page with a photo, brief biography, links to albums / movies (as in the Play Store, and other installed applications) and a list of similar celebrities, if looking for a movie or the series – will be a brief abstract, rating on IMDb, trailer on Youtube, cast and again results found for your applications. However, the interface Google Nexus Player – it does not and ChromeOS, and voice search – not a full-fledged search engine at Google, so do not expect the results in reference to Wikipedia, and so on. Voice Search here – it’s a very convenient way to quickly access to any content, no more (and no less) in order.
Third-party applications optimized for Android TV (ie who are able to show their icon in the main list, adds itself to the voice search system supporting management using a gamepad, etc.) are already active there, already available not only interested in mostly western users “pillars” of video streaming like Netflix and Hulu Plus, but and closer to domestic users FSVideoBox, HDOut etc.
play local content Google Nexus Player can only via a local network, the application is installed separately from the Google Play Store, supports it (for example, any file manager with support for multimedia playback or, on the contrary, a video player that can access the shared folders on the local network). Unfortunately, due to lack of full-fledged player’s USB ports to it can not connect an external hard drive – available microUSB for “service functions” and OTG-connection devices, but without root-access storage devices connected via a player will not be recognized. Speaking of root-access – for Google Nexus Player it is available, but a normal user from him any special benefits can be expected; by and large, the only thing for which he may be required – this is just the expansion of the internal memory (which is, frankly, a little) with the help of USB-flash drives, for the “heavy” games.
One of the important advantages of Google Nexus Player is to support streaming Google Cast – in this respect it is, in fact, duplicates the possibility of a separate player Chromecast, released earlier. With the help of Google Cast a user can transmit audio and video player on any Android-smartphone or tablet using an application that supports streaming on Chromecast. This technology works as easy as everything else in Nexus Player, and no additional configuration is required: when you select the application on your phone to broadcast Chromecast window pops up search for compatible devices, which after a couple of seconds, the Nexus Player – it is enough to select and press Play, and the video will be broadcast on the big screen already.
Games compatible with Android TV (and supporting management with a gamepad), already available in decent numbers. From well-known names can be mentioned Goat Simulator, The Wolf Amongst Us, Soul Calibur, Modern Combat 4, Asphalt 8, The Walking Dead, Final Fantasy III, and others. On the big screen, the game looks nice, and if there is also a good gamepad controlled – in this regard, Google Nexus Player, of course, to replace a full-fledged console can not, however infrequent sessions in casual games is quite suitable.
Results
After a few days exploring the Google Nexus Player can be stated that Google, seems to have finally managed to create a decent console Smart TV. Here it was possible to combine a comfortable, simple and sophisticated interface (something that was not enough, the first device based on Google TV) with sufficient functionality (issue the following “pen test” in the face of Nexus Q and Chromecast).
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