Google introduced two innovative products during its 2011 I/O developer conference that had excited everyone alike – Android@Home and the Nexus Q. Two years later, neither of the products has released and there has been barely any mention of those either. Android@Home would have marked Google’s entry into home automation systems. It was meant to be a milestone for home automation, connecting all the appliances in a home through Android for centralized control. The project was would automate electrical appliances including heating systems, washers, dryers, alarm clocks, light bulbs, and entertainment systems.
On the other hand, Nexus Q had been almost closing in on release when Google decided to postpone the launch after giving a free Q to everyone who had pre-ordered one. The Nexus Q is essentially a social streaming media player and was Google’s first attempt at designing its own hardware. Prototypes had been distributed during the 2012 I/O conference, unfortunately to negative reviews. Though the Q was a great hardware product, its software seemed to intentionally hold it back and its functionalities were very limited.
Both Android@Home and Nexus Q are now in a place where forgotten Google products are put in a waiting list before they are either resurrected or knocked off with the rest of the unsuccessful products at the next spring cleaning. Though Android@Home seems to have been put on hold, the Accessory Development Kit still remains on Google’s homepage. Last month, it quietly reappeared in Android 4.2.2. There are mentions of mesh networks and Android@Home in the OS’ configuration files. Android’s next version (Key Lime Pie) is expected to be released at I/O in May and such a late inclusion of the home-automation framework in the operating system may be a precursor to another keynote appearance this year.
Similarly, most neglected Google products disappear sooner or later but the Nexus Q continues to be present in an unlinked page on Google Play. As the hardware also impressed critics, an upgraded Nexus Q as a fully featured media player possibly with app support for running Android apps on a TV is expected to make a return at I/O this year.
