ASUS CUBE Google TV Media Streamer Review

Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
Product Name: ASUS CUBE with Google TV
Part Number: 90YM00B1-M1UAL0
Model Number: OPLAY_GOOGLE_TV/1A
UPC: 886227418084 EAN: 4716659418085
Price As Tested: $139.00 (Amazon | Newegg)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by ASUS.

Television and streaming multimedia content are staples to modern personal entertainment, allowing online providers such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, HBO GO, and YouTube to compete with premium cable and network programming. It's become clear that digital music, photos, and movies have practically replaced their physical counterparts. Likewise, the growing number of people who enjoy streaming and downloaded multimedia content could soon outnumber those tuning in to television broadcasts or renting movies on disc. The industry knows this to be true, which is why ASUSTeK Computer Inc. has introduced the ASUS CUBE Media Streamer with Google TV and given users 50GB of ASUS WebStorage space. In this article, Benchmark Reviews explores the ASUS CUBE and demonstrates how well this second-generation Google TV 'buddy box' fits into the modern home theater landscape.

Thanks to digital cameras and MP3 players, it didn't take long for the multimedia library that we once collected on physical media to start being saved as digital files. Most of us have been downloading multimedia onto our computer for as long as we've had Internet access, and any CD/DVD discs previously purchased were soon converted into digitally-stored backup copies. Once portable multimedia devices became commonplace, people began using them to play back their digital library. Unfortunately, the major drawback for watching anything on a smartphone or tablet device is that the screen is usually too small for high-resolution detail, or audio quality falls flat.

Google TV joins the wealth of Internet-available multimedia options with television programming from cable, satellite, and antenna services under one umbrella interface. Google TV is a combination 'Smart TV' platform that either comes integrated into branded HDTVs or embedded into a 'buddy box' such as ASUS CUBE with the same functionality. Many television-inspired applications also exist that stream sports broadcasts over the Internet, joining Google Android apps that deliver public radio scanners or cloud-based music playback functionality.

The ASUS CUBE Media Streamer with Google TV is designed especially for modern multimedia enthusiasts. Compatible with every modern multimedia format available, ASUS CUBE streams content to and from HDMI devices at 1080p high-definition. Built upon the Google Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) platform, CUBE natively supports HTML5, Chrome, Flash, and even the installation of Google Play applications. Complementing Android's interactive features, the ASUB CUBE Google TV buddy box also offers both motion control and Google Voice Search directly from the remote.

CUBE Features

Source: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

• Works with existing HDTV and existing cable or satellite system to provide access to the over-the-air TV, Internet content, streaming services and Android apps.
• Use Voice Search to quickly find what you want on live TV, the web, or on-demand services such as Google Play, Amazon Instant Video, and Netflix.
• Get 50GB of ASUS WebStorage accessible on your PC and mobile devices.
• Universal remote with 2-in-1 directional and touchpad, QWERTY keyboard and built-in microphone.

Specifications

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