At the Google I/O conference in San Francisco, Google unveiled its sleek, new Nexus 7 tablet. Made in collaboration with Taiwanese hardware giant, Asus, it is powered by the latest version of Android – Jelly Bean. This 7-inch tablet is a step forward in a growing tablet market as it caters to the consumers who desire compact, yet inexpensive tablets.
As for the tech specs, it boasts of a 1280×800 HD touch display protected by the scratch-resistant Corning’s Gorilla Glass, a powerful Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor, Wi-fi, Bluetooth and weighs a mere 12 ounces (340g). It also has a 1.2 mega pixel camera in the front and a micro USB port. Google claims that the tablet’s battery can last as long as 9 hours while playing high-definition video and a couple of more hours when surfing.
A nifty, new feature of the Android tablet is the availability of Google Maps offline. You can download any map and navigate without an Internet connection with the help of the built-in GPS. On rotating the tablet, you get a stunning view of the indoor locations with 360 degree photos. The NFC chip in the tablet enables you to use Google’s innovative features like Android Beam.
Thanks to its 12-core graphics processor, the Nexus 7 can prove to be a potent gaming device. In a demo, Google demonstrated that by playing an extreme graphic game called Horn and no glitches were reported. And with Google’s Play store offering a wide variety of content, users can take full advantage of that. The best thing about the Nexus 7 is that it integrates brilliantly with all other Google services.
Andy Rubin, Android’s head stated that Google was not planning to profit on sales of its tablets and that it’s absorbing the costs of the device. Their real aim is to build a strong consumer base around a storehouse of content through the addition of several books, magazines and TV shows to the already available music and movies on its Play store. But, if Google wants to realize that dream and make money, it needs app developers working specifically on tablet based designs.
Although Google has about 600,000 apps for its Android smartphone users, it presently lacks apps optimized for a relatively larger screen. With Apple offering about 225,000 apps for the iPad alone, Google now has a long road to travel for building a customer base. But the Android tablet’s main rival is the Amazon Kindle Fire which for now is way ahead in terms of offering content.
Nexus 7 is available in 8 GB ($199) and 16 GB ($249) models. The price is inclusive of $25 in credit that can be spent on content on the Play store. Google has already started accepting orders on the Play store and will start shipping in mid-July. With a market ripe for the introduction of innovative tablets, Google can expect high sales due to its affordable design.
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Lakshmi Balu
July 26, 2012 at 6:33 am
Google Nexus 7 seems impressive. I like the fact about the Google maps usage without the internet and the inbuilt GPS feature of the device. I think its cool to use this feature especially when there is not remote possibility of catching up with the net. The 7 inch is appropriate to live with and handling will sure be easier than a 9.7 inch tab. I liked this tab more than iPad 3 I guess!
Landry
July 26, 2012 at 10:14 am
This is one piece of device that I will surely make a try. I am getting tired of my Apple devices; a change of device can really mean something.
best
July 30, 2012 at 10:52 am
No offense, I hate Apple. But i’am a gree with your opinian. Big thanks for share this article.
Michael Davis
July 26, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Even though I have (and love) my Asus Transformer, I would really love one of these. Mainly because it seems like such a bargain. Fortunately we’re planning on buying a suite of them for Work to use for surveys – given that we can get two for the price of a single iPad it’s a bit of a no-brainer.
Karolina
July 26, 2012 at 7:45 pm
It sounds pretty cool, although I am a loyal fan of my iPad, I could picture myself that I would switch to Google, if it is really worth to do so. At least I really would like to give it a try and have a look at it.
Toni
July 28, 2012 at 5:17 am
I’m from Indonesia and unable to access Google Play Store. I hope there are official reatiler in my country soon, at least there are trusted seller.
Nawaz
July 29, 2012 at 2:58 pm
This is versatile gadget introduced by Google. Is off line service are available round the world or only in US?
Amanda
July 30, 2012 at 10:47 am
If something is connected with Google somehow, then we should expect ssome high-quality and multi0functional features that no other tablet has.
Carmen Richards
August 6, 2012 at 12:45 pm
They may want to stay with the less crowded 7″ market at the moment and wait on the 10″ until they see how things shake out in the future with Win 8?
Jeff
August 9, 2012 at 5:07 pm
10″ android tablet doesn’t seem to click with people. Most of the time people would go for iPad instead. Perhaps this could be the reason why they are focusing in 7″ tablets and could also be the reason why Apple is considering in making a 7-inch tablet of their own.
David James
August 16, 2012 at 2:20 am
I have been on the fence about tablets for awhile, but always kept a close eye on the Fire since it came out last year. As an early adopter of Google’s Nexus devices (I still use my Nexus One phone, although as a travel phone now), I was impressed in the “bare bones” Android operating system and its flexibility to do what I want it to do, not what the hardware provider wants me to see.
Daniel Anderson
August 23, 2012 at 4:09 am
and now android developers have another screen size issue to worry about. Can totally imagine loading an app with pixelated images. Just like how some apps are on the ipad. Too much effort, too little returns for developers. One reason for the poor revenue from android users could be these users are already very price sensitive in the first place, so the reluntance to spend on apps.
MELANIE
August 25, 2012 at 4:52 pm
If for nothing the price seems good. ipad is not available in 7\” and it is a good dimension. If there are phone facilities also then it can compete with Samsung though their delivery of all touch screens are really exceptional. Electronics products also depend on customer loyalty and I still am not opting for anything other than Samsung till the device delivers exceptions.
Jones
September 2, 2012 at 1:30 pm
As we expected, it’s made by Asus and packs a front-facing camera, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.
And about the size – I have Galaxy 10.1 and when I would bring it to work and it is too big to put in my pocket,which makes it inconvenient. With the “7” I can put it in my pocket and not worry
about where I laid it, if it is save.And by viewing its configuration, its seems a high performance tablet.
Gary Brock
September 4, 2012 at 9:15 pm
This is going to make it difficult for me to make a decision about which way to go. I love my ipad, but the Nexus looks very good also.
Rich
August 12, 2013 at 5:47 am
These new tablets is great i have looked into it and google might have chance in the tablet game.