Google Sets 2nd-Gen Nexus 7 Release Date this May: I/O Developers Conference to Welcome New iPad Mini Killer – Analyst
Apart from Jelly Bean 4.3 or Key Lime Pie, Google's major push later this month is the second coming of the Nexus 7, a new report said, with attendees of the annual I/O event poised to see the stock Android tablet first.
According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo, the Google flagship small tablet, made by Asus, is slated to debut this month, giving it enough lead time over the rumoured iPad Mini 2 with Retina, which is believed set for a release date between August and September.
The tablet carries all the qualities of being an iPad Mini killer, Mr Kuo told Apple Insider. In the price department alone, the more powerful and enhanced Nexus 7 is believed to undercut both the original iPad Mini and its latest edition, the iPad Mini 2.
Google Play Store will most certainly retail the Nexus 7 at a starting price of $US199 as opposed to the Mini's asking price of $US329. Although a confirmed bestseller, the iPad Mini has been assailed for being underpowered compared to its more affordable Android rivals.
And with the improved specs that the refreshed Google tablet will bring to the tablet, Apple is in for a tough fight ahead, the KGI analyst said.
He projected that the 2013 Nexus 7 version packs more muscle with a Snapdragon S4 Pro processing chip, likely tapping on a RAM source that is at least 1GB or even more.
The 7-inch display screen is an LTPS panel that beams out a 1920 x 1200 resolution, serving both as a viewing window for media playback, gaming and browsing plus a view finder for the decent 5MP rear cam.
Powering the slab is 4000mAh battery, which can juiced up through a conventional wired-charger or a separate wireless charging kit. The Nexus 7 is fully compatible with the Qi standard so theoretically, buyers with existing accessories within the same mould will benefit from the feature.
The Google tablet will hit the market initially on Wi-Fi radio signal and it remains unclear if Asus will build 3G or LTE versions in succeeding shipments, which reportedly is the case in the rumoured LG Nexus 5.
For added appeal, the new Nexus 7 is far different from its predecessor, Apple Insider said, its look now in the standard set by the iPad Mini, which is less bezel on the right and left margins with thin and light profile.
The iPad Mini sells in black and white. On Google's part, no word yet if colour options will be part of the Nexus 7 global release.
However, the two gadgets share a similar feature - no storage expansion so iPad Mini and Nexus 7 users are stuck with the built in memory, which for many are quite limiting.