A new device made by Google recently made its way through the hands of the FCC with model number H2G2-42, product name of “H840 DEVICE,” and a description that says it “functions as a media player.” Yes, a media player. This new device is powered by an external source (AC adapter), so it’s likely not a smartphone or tablet, can connect via WiFi over 802.11 b/g/n, and has the ability to be hooked up to a display. So what is it? The FCC filing only gives us what I just listed, so it’s tough to tell. One thing we do know is that Google made a media streaming device last year with all of these characteristics, which you may be familiar with as the Nexus Q. 

Not only did we not get a new version of the Nexus Q yesterday at Google I/O, but to make matters worse, anyone who has one of the original versions from last year has found that they can no longer use the media center with the newest version of Google Music. Once the new version of music has been installed on your phone, there isn’t an option to switch over to the Q. That’s right, the number one reason to own a Q is now not even an option. 

One of the bigger surprises to come out of last year’s I/O keynote was the announcement of the Nexus Q. The spherical entertainment system was meant to bring Android and Google Play right into your living room, but for the price of $300 many weren’t sure if it was worth it for what it did. After only a month of sale, Google put the Q on hold indefinitely and now with I/O coming up again, rumors are contradicting each other over whether or not the Q might be given a second life. 

Google I/O 2013 is next week. Hard to believe, right? It seems like only a few weeks ago that we were freaking out as the Nexus 7, Nexus Q and Jelly bean (Android 4.1) were all being unveiled through Google Play as we were entering the day 1 keynote of 2012′s I/O. But here we are, almost a year removed from that event and six months out from Google’s cancelled winter event that was supposed to feature the Nexus 4, Nexus 10, new version of Jelly Bean (Android 4.2), and an updated HSPA+ version of the Nexus 7. So as we approach next week, we thought we should drop some of our own predictions, include a few rumors that are floating about, and even a few whispers that have entered our inbox over the last week or so.

Ready? Here is our list of Google I/O predictions. 

After what seemed like an apparent last call for the Nexus Q from Google, the CyanogenMod team pulled a Pet Sematary and have brought new life to the orb. But is it true that sometimes, dead is better? The nightly build for the device, codenamed steelhead, brings the Nexus Q to Android 4.2.1 and adds actual use for the device such as access to apps and things of that nature. Why Google didn’t do this in the first place is still beyond us. 

This morning, Google updated the Nexus Q page in Google Play to read “no longer available for sale.” This may not seem like news at first glance, but up until today, the page read “This device is not for sale at this time,” giving us some hope that it would eventually return. We aren’t sure if this new status change means it’s never coming back or not, but it certainly doesn’t sound positive. In fact, the Galaxy Nexus and 8GB Nexus 7 both say “no longer available for sale” and definitely not ever coming back. 

This afternoon, Google posted Android 4.1.2 factory image files for the “yakju” Galaxy Nexus and the “soju” Nexus S. They previously released the same files for the “takju” Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 7, so that about wraps up their world unlocked GSM lineup. All that’s left are a couple of Nexus S models and the device expected to receive the update months after everyone else, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus (“toro”).

On a side note, the first factory image for the Nexus Q (“tungsten”) has also been posted. It’s an Android 4.0.4 build IAN67K.

Via:  Google

With Google announcing that retail release of the Nexus Q has been put on hold, we would actually like to thank them for this decision. We’ve had our Q’s since May of this year and personally, I’ve used mine about 5 times in total. Each of these times were just to show it off to friends, which was then followed by the question, “What does it do?” Well, it doesn’t really do much at all actually. Google, being the type of business they are, have seemingly realized this and are now going to give the Nexus Q some added features which will then make it more of an easy sale than just being a black orb that lights up and streams your Play content for $300.