Google Nexus Q: Made in the USA!

As we previously reported, Google announced the Nexus Q hardware device today at their Google I/O developer event. The Android 4.0-powered streaming media device that looks like it came from the Portal games is now available for pre-order on the Google Play website for the price of $299. It's expected to start shipping sometime in mid-July.

The device connects to your home Wi-Fi network and, using Google Play on your Android-based smartphone or tablet, it can stream music, movies and TV shows on the service to your device. You can also connect it to speakers to stream music (via optional speakers) or you can connect it to your TV via an HDMI cable and watch Google Play movies and TV shows on the big screen.

However, the sleek design and the features may not be as important as this fact. Wired.com, in their extensive behind-the-scenes report on the Nexus Q, reports that the product was entirely designed and manufactured here in the USA (specific factories and their locations were not revealed).

Google's Joe Britt states in the article:

When you’re building stuff in China, there can be a multi-week latency between when a product is produced until when you’re actually able to evaluate it. Unless you’ve got somebody on the ground, constantly monitoring every aspect, it’s really hard to guarantee quality. You’re trusting someone 6,000 miles away.

While it's unlikely that the Nexus Q will have the kinds of sales that are seen in Apple's iPad or iPhone devices, Google certainly wants to show that a high tech consumer electronics device doesn't have to depend on being made overseas.