Google Nexus 7: First Impressions and Availability

Google has just freshly announced the Google Nexus 7 tablet at the Google I/O event and as Dilawer puts it, yes, we just about know everything about the tablet now because of previous leaks about the device. In fact, the whole specs sheet of the tablet was leaked hours before it was unveiled at Google I/O.

We here at Appsplit have also been talking about the new Google Tablet. On December 31 last year, we reported about Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt talking about the company’s plan to release a tablet for their Nexus range of devices. Back at the start of March, we talked about Asus as the manufacturer of the device. In April, we discussed a rumor that Google will release not just one variant of the Nexus tablet. Towards the end of May, our colleague Dilawer wrote that the Asus-made Nexus tablet will be priced at about $200 which was, as we have found out, right on the money.

Before we go on to the availability and first impressions part, let’s recap about the Google Nexus 7 specifications. To make it easier to read, I’m just going to list it down.

SCREEN

7” 1280×800 HD display (216 ppi), back-lit IPS display, cratch-resistant Corning FIT glass

CPU & GPU

Quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 12-core GPU

MEMORY

8 or 16 GB internal storage, 1 GB RAM

OS

Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)

CAMERA   

1.2MP front-facing camera

BATTERY

4325 mAh (Up to 8 hours of active use)

WIRELESS

WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth

FEATURES

Microphone, Micro USB, NFC (Android Beam),  Accelerometer, GPS, Magnetometer, Gyroscope

SIZE  & WEIGHT

198.5 x 120 x 10.45mm, 340 grams

That’s a mighty impressive device, if you ask me. Apart from the enticing sub-$200 price, it’s also a capable tablet which can run with the best out there. Add to that that it’s running on Vanilla Android 5.0 Jelly Bean and that may be reason enough to buy it.

Reports also note that the tablet is solidly built. It feels solid when held and the rubberized and premium-feeling back panel of the device makes it easier to hold. It also feels light which is a good thing for those fond of holding their tablets in one hand at a time for long durations.

Furthermore, Google just also rolled out improvements for its Google Maps and YouTube services with features that will directly benefit tablet users. We think this is for the Nexus 7. Google Maps now has new information overlays while YouTube’s design is now more tablet-friendly.

As for availability, the Google Nexus 7 will be available for $199 for the 8GB model with $25 in credit for the Google Play store (£159 if you’re across the pond) and $249 for the 16GB model (£199 for those in the U.K.). You can now preorder it from the Google Play store.

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