Google announced that their little black media ball, Nexus Q, will be delayed in getting to consumers’ hands.  The reason?  They want to add more features to it.

“The industrial design and hardware were met with great enthusiasm. We also heard initial feedback from users that they want Nexus Q to do even more than it does today,” Google wrote in an e-mail to pre-order customers. “In response, we have decided to postpone the consumer launch of Nexus Q while we work on making it even better.”

As we’ve discussed here at SiliconANGLE, the Nexus Q is missing some features that would make it the ultimate media device.  First, it lacks support for almost all Android devices – unless you’re using a device with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, you can’t use it.  So hopefully, Google will be adding support for other Android versions.  It also lacks a user interface–it’s just a ball with a mute LED button, so maybe Google’s going to turn it into a multitouch spherical black device so you can at least control your music using the device.

And if they do add a user interface and add multitouch features, or even someway to see what you’re playing through the Nexus Q, they should change the finishing options as well.  A matte finish looks cool until it’s full of oily fingerprints.

And of course the price.  At $300, that’s a little steep for for a media streaming device that doesn’t ship with speakers.  If Google doesn’t want to add free speakers when it ships, at least give it a remote control.  Yeah, I know you use your device to control the ball but it would be great if it has its own remote control.  Or why not add a remote control that doubles as a media storage device that runs on Android Jelly Bean?  I think that would be way cheaper than buying a whole new device that runs JB.  And let’s face it, JB upgrades for most of your Android devices are not happening in the most timely fashion.

So what will happen to those who pre-ordered the Nexus Q?  Well, they’re getting their Nexus Q for FREE.  Yes, that’s right, those who pre-ordered the old Nexus Q won’t be charged for it, and it will eventually be delivered rught to your doorsteps.

“To thank you for your early interest, we’d like to extend the Nexus Q preview to our pre-order customers and send you a free device. If you had other items in your order, your credit card will be charged for those items only,” Google’s e-mail added.
“Your Nexus Q will be on its way soon and you will receive a notification and tracking number from Google Play when it ships.”