Software improvements are not the only thing that Google had up their sleeves for I/O 2012! Even though it was already leaked across the internet hours (probably even a few days) before the event proper, nothing beats being introduced officially to a new device. Say hello to the Nexus 7 tablet manufactured by ASUS, the first device that will come with Jellybean as stock. Built for Google Play, the Nexus 7 sports a 7Inch IPS screen, 1280 x 800 HD display, quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 12-core GPU as well as 1GB RAM. The slate also has a 1.2MP front facing camera, accelerometer, gyroscope as well as NFC support. There is no 3G version as yet and Google is saying that the Nexus 7 will give you up to 300 hours of standby time and 8 hours of “active use” on the 4325mAh device.
While you may think the hardware is looking rather run of the mill and nothing out of the ordinary, get this: It will only cost US$199. That’s right, for US$199 you’ll snag yourself an 8GB model with US$25 for the play store and best thing is, you can actually pre order one today! Google also has a 16GB model for US$249. That is RM650 for a 7inch tablet running the latest and greatest OS from Google, shipping in mid-July. This is incredible pricing and may just make this one of the better selling tablets this year. As it is, Google says devices on the play store are not available for us just yet. Boo.
(Image Source: The Verge)
Hit the jump for info on the other device that Google released today
It’s not all just tablets and phones from Google! Today they also announced the Nexus Q, an audio & video streaming appliance for users at home. Reminiscent of the “Gantz Spere” from manga (please tell me someone knows what I’m talking about), the Nexus Q is a cloud-oriented device, designed to pull media from the Play Store and Youtube kind of like, you know, an Apple TV. The Nexus Q has a 25W amplifier, Bluetooth, Ethernet and NFC connectivity as well as optical audio and micro HDMI outputs are included.
Multiple Q’s can be controlled from one device, making it a multi-room solution and multiple users can actually queue up content from their play account to the Nexus Q, essentially making it a party tool as well. The Nexus Q looks incredibly beautiful and probably better looking than the Apple TV (which Lowyat.NET HQ just got) but here’s the downside: The Nexus Q will cost a whopping USD299. It will ship in July and is US only at the moment.
While i think it looks stunning I don’t think the exclusion of things like Hulu, Spotify and Netflix is going to do it any favors. For US$299, I was hoping for a little more. What do you think? Nexus Q? Nexus 7? Both?
