Google may want the Nexus Q forgotten like many of its other failed projects, but others like CyanogenMod and hackers have looked at upgrading the odd cube to the latest version of Google’s mobile software, Android 4.4, adding a bit of life into the old TV project.
The Nexus Q, for anyone that does not know, was Google’s first attempt to take on the TV. It had a large array of weird ports and a design fit for the future, but lacked any real content to put it up against the Apple TV and Roku TV and it was also incredible expensive compared to the competition.
Instead of trying to upgrade and work on the Nexus Q, Google made sure the project just drifted away from anyone’s sight, making sure they never made official announcements about if and when the next Nexus Q would return and if they would implement any new patches or updates.
Now the Chromecast is available, Google has basically snapped the Nexus Q project’s neck and left it out to die, but the new Android 4.4 ROM gives a little bit of extra life to those that still have the futuristic cube sitting in their house catching dust.
The Nexus Q may still lack the core content, but for those that took the plunge and spent $300, it may be worth checking out the update. Android 4.4 brings a whole host of features, not to mention and up-to-date content library Nexus Q users can sink their teeth into.
While the Nexus Q project may be dead and gone, the Chromecast is alive and well, with Google saying they will be adding more channels onto the TV USB stick in the near future, branching out into even more online content to fight against Apple and Roku’s dominance.