5 New Google Nexus 7 Power Features Tablet Shoppers Can Expect Plus 1 Likely Letdown
Google has officially released the Asus-made Nexus 7 last week, bumping out the first build by bringing in more powerful components that make for an Android muscle car minus the exorbitant sticker price.
Live online ordering is already underway via Google Play Store while Amazon and Best Buy are ramping up efforts to deliver the 7-inch vanilla Android device to U.S. buyers. Google pledged that the tablet will land in key markets - Australia, Japan and the UK - in the coming weeks.
Almost immediately, the first lucky owners of the Nexus 7 version 2.0 took to the Internet and shared what they believe as the top benefits that the gadget is laced though there is also one possible disappointment - all of which are provided in the quick list below.
The new Nexus 7 display screen is a downright iPad Mini killer
CNET confirmed that Google's iPad Mini rival trounces the mediocre screen resolution of the 7.9-inch iOS tablet. Nexus 7, on its second coming, slides out of the box with a resolution of 1920 by 1200, definitely up to Retina level, plus pixel density of 323ppi.
Essentially, Google pulled the rug under Apple's feet with the tablet, the same report indicated, adding that there's no telling when the iPad-maker is able to come up with an equally-capable Nexus challenger, considering that production of the iPad Mini 2 is reportedly fraught with production and component issues.
High repairability score from iFixit
As with any other new gadgets, teardown specialist iFixit immediately grabbed a Nexus 7 and subjected the unit to open surgery - both for the fun of seeing what's inside and find out for the public if the product can be self-repaired.
While the operation damaged the outer casing of the tablet, iFixit concluded that it's quite easy to expose the inner bowels of the Nexus 7. All it took was a plastic tool to get inside of the shell so the site awarded the Asus opus a score of 7, with 10 as the highest score possible - that is the easiest to pry open.
Jelly Bean 4.3 on Nexus 7 enhances multiple user login
Remember the Windows feature that allows the creation of multiple accounts in a single PC unit? This was replicated in Jelly Bean 4.2.2 for tablet user and further refined in the Jelly Bean 4.3 rendition.
While experts regard the latest Android as a minor jump, this addition will surely make many Nexus 7 users very happy. They can share the slate with a partner or with their kids while enjoying some form of privacy at the same time.
Recharging the device is a breeze
According to Google, "built-in wireless charging (with the new Nexus 7) means you can charge, grab, and go." This was confirmed by iFixit, pointing to its discovery of an inductive charging coil just beneath the device's tablet enclosure.
The same coil is governed by a controller supplied by Texas Instrument, iFixit said.
Power and premium features at bargain price
Asking price for the Nexus 7 is very reasonable if not absolutely cheap. The Wi-Fi versions lead to cash setbacks of $230 and $270 respectively, which when compared to the price of the most basic iPad Mini, at $330, are many dollars cheaper.
True the LTE version is priced higher at $350 but the additional $20 from the Mini's starting price will enable buyers to access breakneck wireless broadband speed.
Reports of Nexus logo warping
Phone Arena reported that there maybe a problem with the build quality of the second Nexus 7, claiming that "after ... using it for 10 minutes, look at what happened to the Nexus name on the back of the tablet." The logo showed some warping, the tech site said.
Google has yet to comment on the matter, which experts said could be factory defect and is likely an isolated case.