To date, Google is keeping everyone guessing when actually the Nexus 10 2 release date is or will it ever materialise in time for the 2013 holiday season.

The 10-inch pure Android tab package was expected to arrive with the Nexus 5, which Google outed on Nov 1 but the search altered its Nexus battle plan. There were suggestions launch date has been scheduled for 2014 as a new device is taking its place.

A leaked image from Android.com pointed to the likelihood that Google intends to skirmish with Apple in the small tablet arena instead of the full-sized segment. The Android maker is reportedly working on a Retina iPad Mini 2 rival known for now as Nexus 8.

But Android fans would not easily give up on the Nexus 10 2013 build, which many would want to check out first before deciding on their big tablet purchase. It could be that the slate is still lined up for a November rollout to battle it out with the 9.7-inch iPad Air.

Likely, the tablet is landing on store shelves in the month right before retailers shift into full gear and embrace the 2013 Black Friday sales fever.

True, there's no word from Google on this matter but in the meantime, a number of Nexus 10 2 specs and features have been firming up in the past weeks, virtually confirmed basing on leaks and comparison from the first build.

Nine of them are listed below:

Asus-made Nexus full-sized tablet

Google was so please with the way Asus assembled the Nexus 7 (versions 1 and 2) that the company has reportedly tapped the Taiwanese device maker to extend the same wonders to the Nexus 10. That would mean in the second coming, Samsung is no longer part of the Nexus family.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon CPU might

With Samsung out, Exynos processing chip also exits the Nexus project and in its stead will be the now-popular and very capable Snapdragon 800 chip, which is the powerhouse beneath a number of Android monster phones that were outed this year. To name a few: the Galaxy S4 and HTC One.

2GB of RAM

The first Nexus 10 already boasts of this RAM provision and most likely, Google and Asus will only carry over with the same memory capability, which will surely act as a performance booster for the slate despite sticking to last year's design.

Form-factor

By default, the Nexus 10 2 is a foe for the iPad Air and for the Android to merit a second look from iOS fans it has to be a stunner. Some pictures emerged showing the big Nexus slate in portrait orientation, as if mimicking the iPad but this is not confirmed. What is certain: Google will attempt to match the physical reengineer of the fifth iPad - thin, light but brimming with power.

Beyond Retina screen resolution

The iPad Air remains in the Retina club, bearing a high-resolution panel of 2048 x 1536. Not to be outdone, the Nexus 10 2 is said to deliver a 2560 x 1600, which easily beats the Apple tablet.

Camera prowess

The camera combo that came with the original Nexus 10 is 5MP on rear and 1.9MP on front, which Android watchers will surely be bumped up for the device to compete squarely with the iPad Air. The storage space, however, is stuck on last year's options - at 16GB and 32GB, though a 64GB variant cannot be entirely ruled out.

LTE

The superfast wireless broadband connectivity is infecting the Nexus devices across the board, staying true to Google's thrust of arming users with gadgets that can access the Internet anytime and anywhere. With breakneck speed, of course.

Android OS KitKat 4.4

The Nexus 5 is currently flexing this candy bar and before any other Android tablet gets to lick this new Google sweet, the Nexus 10 2 should be among the first devices to chew in.

Accessible pricing

Famed for its reasonable price tags, the Nexus family of devices immediately earned loyal following. Google delivers upscale gadgets specs via the Nexus brand without inflicting huge cash setbacks to buyers.

The approach remains in place for the 2013 Nexus line but with a slight hike. The Nexus 7 now sells for $230 from last year's $200 while the Nexus 5 jumps to $350 from the Nexus 4's asking price of $300. By the time the Nexus 10 2 goes live on Google Play Store, the price should be $450, shooting up bit from the initial build's $400.

However, the significant upgrades, inside and out, should justify the price mark up.