Google has just unveiled its own games console: the Nexus-branded Google Nexus Player. The Google Nexus Player is powered by Android and is aimed at becoming a unified TV entertainment device that can play both games and movies.
System specifications start of with a quad-core Intel Atom processor clocked at 1.8Ghz complemented by 1GB of RAM and graphics duties are handled by an Imagination PowerVR Series 6 graphics engine. Onboard storage space is 8GB. A remote control will be included and the system will be capable of voice navigation.
The Google Nexus Player will be powered by a custom OS named Android TV and has a specialized interface for games and movie apps including Youtube and Netflix. The games library currently features mobile games and doesn’t yet include a custom library aimed at TV screens.
As indicated in the picture above, the system also operates with a gamepad. This gamepad is also designed by Google and is available as a separate purchase for $40. It features a familiar Xbox360-button layout with the d-pad and left thumbsticks in the traditional Playstation pad. The Google Nexus Player gamepad is also expected to be wireless.
If you noticed also, the gamepad is ASUS branded. There is no word if this related to the rumored ASUS handheld-gaming console: Gamebox reported a few months back or ASUS has pulled the plug on that project and has went with the Google Nexus Player platform instead.
The Google Nexus Player price is announced at $99 for the basic package which pits it straight against the Ouya.
Release date for the Google Nexus Player is slated at November 3 for the US. UK and other international markets have yet to be announced.