Google I/O: Nexus 7 tablet unveiled

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The long-awaited Google Nexus tablet is real, is here, and is serious competition to everything from the iPad down.

As expected Google has unveiled its new Nexus 7 tablet, the first such device it has pledged its name to. The announcement came at this year’s Google I/O, a conference held annually primarily for developers. the eyes of many consumers have also been focused on Google I/O this time around, with the Nexus 7 tablet being the big announcement to emerge on Day 1.


The Nexus 7, as manufactured by Asus, features a 7-inch HD IPS display made from Corning glass, a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 1GB of RAM, and either 8GB or 16GB of storage. It also boasts Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, a 1.2MP front-facing camera, and a 4325 mAh battery reportedly offering 8 hours of continued use. Oh, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. And all this for $199 in the U.S. (8GB version).

At this price the Nexus 7 is serious competition to whatever tablet you want to put it up against. LAPTOP Magazine managed a quick hands-on test of the Nexus 7 and the video footage is very impressive indeed. The new iPad from Apple is a great product, but at $499 it’s hardly within reach of mainstream consumers. The Nexus 7 is.

Some industry analysts are suggesting this strategy to compete with the iPad is all kinds of wrong, and that Google should actually be trying to compete with the Kindle Fire. Bundled content and all. But I disagree. Google doesn’t need to lessen its ambitions. The Nexus 7 certainly looks good enough to take a hefty chunk out of sales of the iPad, so why not try and go after the market leader?

The Nexus 7 is now available to pre-order in several countries, including the U.S., the U.K, Canada, and Australia. I suspect this device will fly off the virtual shelves. At $199 this is a tablet people will buy on a whim. I’m even tempted myself

Posted in: Android,Google,Opinion,Tablets,Technology