After months of expectations and anticipations, Google has finally launched a 7-inch tablet Nexus 7. The grand unveiling was at its I/O conference on Wednesday.
In its attempt to make long-lasting impact in the tablet sphere, the world's biggest Internet search company has packed in all top end features such as 1280 x 800 IPS display, quad-core Tegra 3 processor, Android's newly launched 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, 1.2-megapixel camera, 1GB of RAM, Near Field Communication technology and a 4,325mAh battery. Built by Taiwan's Asus, the Nexus tablet feels remarkably light at 0.41-inches thickness and 0.75 pounds weight.
Nexus 7 can also connect to its Google's online offerings like YouTube and Google Play.
"Nexus 7 is an ideal device for reading books. The form factor and weight are just right," said Chris Yerga, Google director of engineering for Android.
Google will start shipping the slate next month. With almost identical size, features and similar price tag of $199, Nexus 7 tablet poses a direct threat to Amazon's Kindle Fire. Both the tablets have 7-inch screens, while Nexus 7 is slightly lighter than Fire's 0.9 pounds, both are priced at $199.
While Apple iPad's still dominating the tablet market with features like 'revolutionary' Retina display, cost-conscious consumers looking for a less sophisticated yet budget-friendly iPad alternative, may find Nexus 7 a good deal and thereby shun Apple pads.
Experts, however, do not sense any threat for Apple's iPad from Google's latest device.
"We believe the combination of Apple's expanding digital grid, innovative design, unmatched aesthetics, leading App availability (with 225,000 native iPad Apps), intuitive user interface and expanding technology innovations will continue to keep the Company on top of the tablet market for many years to come," Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White said to investors, AppleInsider reports.
Google Nexus 7 a Game Changer?
The tablet market is already dominated, in terms of numbers, with the Android tablets. While Android tablets have more market presence, sales figure for the same tablets have never been quite impressive in comparison with iPads and Kindle Fire.
Meanwhile, Apple has its own iOS, Amazon modifies the original Android OS for its users and Microsoft has its Windows OS. Apple will also discard Google's digital maps and will launch its own application with upcoming devices.
A recent IDC report showed Apple's iPad enjoys a 68 percent share of the tablet market while Android-powered tablets are far behind in terms of market dominance. Kindle Fire also witnessed a major drop in selling units from the final quarter of 2011.
According to Forrester Research analyst Frank Gillett, "Google's user base for music, books, and movies is not nearly as strong as Apple or Amazon, so it will take time to build a strong customer base" for the Nexus 7.
Therefore, Google has to walk some extra miles to catch up with competitors in the ever-increasing mobile device market.
Preordering Nexus 7 through Google Play Store has already started from Wednesday. The latest Google and Asus tablet will initially be released in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Shipping will begin in mid-July.
