Google’s new Nexus Q home-entertainment device—a black orb, looking somewhat like a Magic 8-ball— was internally designed and will be manufactured in the U.S., a departure from recent industry norms in consumer electronics. It is designed to stream music and videos from Google’s YouTube video service and its Play service and is seen as a competitor to devices such as Apple TV and the Sonos Inc.’s home-audio system.
Google Glass is the company’s second such hardware effort, the product of a unit called the Google X lab. The eyeglasses-like device displays information from the Internet and a user’s surroundings in a tiny lens over the right eye. Developers will be able to pre-order the device—expected to arrive next year—for $1,500. Google said consumer pricing will be significantly lower, but it characterized the device as a “premium” product.