Google just announced its streaming content dongle, ChromeCast, earlier this week. But according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the tech giant showed off a different TV device to select people during the Consumer Electronics Show back in January. The sources claim Google is the latest company to consider entering the hotly contested television service market, and the alleged set-top box appears to use some type of motion controls.
The CES presentation was supposedly led by former Android executive Andy Rubin, with Google showing off an Android-powered box capable of showing television content in addition to taking advantage of Google+ hangouts. The set-top box featured an on-board camera and motion sensor.
Earlier this year, Google pulled the plug on the Nexus Q, a failed attempt to compete with the Apple TV and Roku media hubs. Pre-orders were refunded, and the strange looking, orb-shaped device disappeared altogether. There's no indication if this new set-top box is some type of redesigned, second attempt at a similar product. According to one source, the new device is capable of streaming YouTube, playing video content from Google Play, and running Android apps--including video games.
Of course, since this demonstration happened back in January, there's a possibility this set-top box was scrapped entirely in favor of ChromeCast. But the bigger question is whether or not Google is going to make a play at brokering deals with television networks and cable providers. Seemingly every tech company is reportedly working on such an arrangement (and not making much in the way of progress).
Matt Clark is a freelance writer covering the world of videogames, tech, and popular culture. Follow him on Twitter @ClarkMatt and MyIGN at Matt_Clark.
Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com
0 comments:
Post a Comment