Asus will soon release a set-top box and dongle combo running Google TV, Engadget reports.
The device, known as the Asus Qube, has shown up in an FCC (that's the US Federal Communications Commission) approval document. That chap up there by the ruler is part of the dongle.
There are no dimensions or specs, but the Qube is expected to be a small set-top box that links to a wireless dongle that plugs into your TV. It's thought the device will pair with an RF-based keyboard and touchpad.
Engadget also speculates it'll use the same Marvell Armada processor found in other Google TV set-top boxes, so performance should be on a par with those. It's deduced this by looking at the listings on Google Play for the O!Mobile Control Center and Remote apps linked to the Qube.
And if you're thinking what I'm thinking, that the name is rather similar to the Nexus Q, there could be a very good reason for that. A source has told The Verge that the Qube will actually be a Nexus device from Google, replacing the Nexus Q, and that it'll launch in January. That would explain why the Nexus Q has vanished from Google Play.
Google TV hasn't really taken off so far. It hit the UK back in June in the guise of the Sony NSZ-GS7 Internet Media Player, but is still beset with usability issues. Earlier this month, the service started being able to use music, movies and TV shows through Google Play. We'll have to wait and see if devices like the Qube can bring Google TV slap bang into the public consciousness.
Is Google TV any good? Or are you better off with YouView or a decent smart TV? Will the Internet on TVs ever really take off? Let me know what you reckon in the comments, or on our Facebook page.
Image credit: FCC
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anonymous 1 December, 2012 21:37
Needs to be under £100 and actually be able to run independently, not by streaming from phone or tablet, thigh that must obviously be a feature.
Do that and I'll buy one, simple as that. I get my online movies off Google Play so I'm waiting for an affordable Google TV set top box.
anonymous 14 December, 2012 00:22
Google TV is a lot better than people say. I have cancelled my stupidly expensive though fairly basic sky subscription and just use GTV, ran independently, you do not stream anything from a phone etc. I have signed up for netflix which is reliable though fairly limited. The beauty of it is is that almost everything is available to watch somewhere online - and with GTV you can find it and watch it. Far superior to Apple TV and a lot more future proof if you ask me.
Boston 5 January, 2013 04:25
FYI, None of the links is working (reading from the USA):
"[...] the listings on Google Play for the O!Mobile Control Center and Remote apps [...]"
- O!Mobile Control Center:
"We're sorry, the requested URL was not found on this server."
- Remote:
"We're sorry, the requested URL was not found on this server."