The second generation Google Nexus 7 is expected to roll out in July and a buzz is growing that an ASUS device with model number K009 has hits the pages of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). An image of the new tablet was also spotted on a Bluetooth Special Interest Group.
While there is no way to confirm if the FCC document or the image from the online forum is the production version of Google's new Nexus 7, they surely add to the excitement of the Google Nexus fans.
The FCC document revealed that the ASUS Pad K009 was tested between April 25 and May 17 and has passed the standard tests needed for the device. It also listed that the ASUS device will use a quad-core Qualcomm APQ-8064 1.5GHz processor, have a rear and front-facing camera, LTE capability and a Li-ion battery with 4,000 mAh capacity.
Meanwhile, the Bluetooth SIG posted a picture of the ASUS K009, but it did not claim it to be the Nexus 7. The image reveals that the bezel around the screen is considerably thinner than the current Google Nexus 7.
"This tablet features a 7" LED-backlit capacitive multitouch screen for easy carrying and fantastic multi-media experience everywhere. It is enpowered [sic] by Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Quad-core CPU with the highest performance. Wireless networking ensures simple connection to the Internet without wires," the end product detail on the Bluetooth stated.
If these reports will hold water, the rear camera and the LTE connectivity will be very interesting new features since the original Nexus 7 only had a front-facing camera and was initially only a Wi-Fi product.
Google has not announced any release date yet for its new Nexus 7. ASUS is also mum about any details. However, reports are surfacing that the two companies have partnered for production of the upcoming Android tablet.
International Business Times reported that the new Nexus 7 might be released this summer so it will not affect the October release of the Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie.
The second-generation Nexus 7 is expected to be marketed in two iterations - a Wi-Fi only version and one that will tap LTE connections. The expected sticker price is around $300.
Nothing is official yet about the next Nexus 7, but with the FCC certification, you can be pretty sure that Google or ASUS has something up its sleeves and will make an announcement soon.
