First generation Google Nexus 7 became a success. Its next installment, the Nexus 7.2 as many prefer calling, is starting to become just the same. With better hardware and display, the tech giant has set the stage for rival Apple. Can Apple's iPad mini 2 live up to the standard?

The first Nexus became a hit because it gave people an affordable option for a tablet - a tablet that has good specs but not as impressive. Amazon came up with a similar offering through the Kindle Fire. Amazon's tablet was more recognized for targeting the e-reader market.

Given the first Nexus delivered what it promised. The Google and Asus team up has been on radar for many people following that. The market has been on the lookout for the next installment of the product. Last week, the second generation of the Google Nexus 7 was revealed.

So far, majority of the market has been on the same page - Google Nexus 7.2 stands as one of the best tablets of its kind on the market currently. Despite running on the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update instead of the 5.0 Key Lime Pie, the interface promises excellent user experience. The operating system allows parents to control their kid's usage through restricted profiles. The Nexus 7.2 also features OpenGL ES 3.0 for improved graphics and Bluetooth Smart for low power consumption and long battery life.

The 7-inch screen offers 1200x1980 resolution. The new Nexus runs on a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor. It has 2GB of RAM with 16GB or 32GB choice of internal storage. Design wise, it appears like its predecessor though it is lighter and slimmer.

The iPad sells at a higher price than the Nexus. It begins with a hundred dollars more price tag. Because the Nexus 7 was affordable, it became the toughest rival for iPad mini. Previously, Google stood ahead in terms of display and overall interface experience. However, Apple has created a quality ecosystem that remains hard to compete with. It is in a completely different league.

The edge of Google Nexus is that it has addressed all customer concerns for the first one. Google has improved the interface, display and computing performance. Plus, the company is also responsible for the Android platform. This ensures the tablet provides full and excellent Android experience.

Apple will have to transform their line of iPad products to match this standard.

Even though it seems, the Android team has put out their best product so far through the Nexus, the best is yet is to come. VP of product management for Android, Hugo Barra, said that the market has not seen anything yet. The team is looking forward to developing other products and companies. For example, Mr Barra pointed out HTC One.

"If you look at the execution that HTC did on [the One smartphone], it's pristine. Why hasn't someone done that on the tablet? Or on like ten tablets?"

"Doing that at the $400 category can be done and it will. In my opinion, the Android ecosystem has been lagging behind a little bit but is catching up."