132 replies to this topic

[jayhoz]

This thing could give the Amazon Fire a run for its money.

As rumoured, Google is allegedly going to announce a 7-inch, Nexus-branded tablet called the Nexus 7. According to this supposed leak, it's built by Asus, with a 1.3Ghz quad-core Tegra 3 processor, GeForce 12-core GPU and 1GB of RAM with two different storage variants: 8GB and 16GB.
The Nexus tablet will also feature NFC and run Google Wallet (probably only in the US) and Android Beam.
The screen is an IPS display with a 178-degree viewing angle, running a resolution of 1280 by 800. The device will also sport a 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera. The battery will also give you 9 hours worth of operation.
The 8GB model will set you back $199 USD and the 16GB will cost $249 USD. No word in the document on local prices.

Edited by jayhoz, 25 June 2012 - 11:09 AM.

[derekson]

Who wants to whip out a 7" tablet to pay for something with Google Wallet?

Overall that looks like a pretty nice piece of hardware for that price.

[jayhoz]

Very few people. Google Wallet is an important platform for Google and I'm guessing they don't want to leave it out of a "Nexus" machine despite the low usage.

[Foulkey Reese]

Being introduced right now. Looks like it's going to slaughter the Amazon Fire.

http://www.androidce...eynote-liveblog

Waiting on the price.

Edit: Starting at $199 with a $25 Google Play Store credit.

I have an Asus Transformer and I'm thinking about ordering one. Love the size.

Edited by Foulkey Reese, 27 June 2012 - 12:32 PM.

[jayhoz]

http://www.google.com/nexus/#/7

[jayhoz]

Being introduced right now. Looks like it's going to slaughter the Amazon Fire.

http://www.androidce...eynote-liveblog

Waiting on the price.

Edit: Starting at $199 with a $25 Google Play Store credit.

I have an Asus Transformer and I'm thinking about ordering one. Love the size.

Rumors of a Kindle Fire 2 announcement by the end of July abound.

[behindthepen]

and a 7" ipad in 4Q12.

[zenter]

Who wants to whip out a 7" tablet to pay for something with Google Wallet?

If I were a small business, I'd be happy to receive payments via Google Wallet on my Nexus 7 (serving as payment system). I suspect such capability exists, but I don't own a Nexus device.

[Blacken]

This is the first Android tablet I've considered as more than a dev platform. I don't think it'll supplant my iPad, but it's not meant to.

I think I'll be picking one up.

[GlenMorangie]

I want to go all in on Google devices (will be ditching the iPhone this fall, have a Kindle Fire) but I have one problem - the Google Play content offering for purchasing movies/TV shows absolutely sucks right now. For example, basic stuff like Ironman, Thor, or The Princess Bride aren't available on Google Play. Plus, they don't have an equivalent to Amazon Prime for free streaming.

Hopefully Play will improve its catalog, but they're going to have to take massive strides to pull me away from Amazon's content. That said, I'll still buy this device if it's super fluid and has a better overall tablet experience than the Fire. I can see using it for work.

Of course, the aforementioned Fire2 rumors have been kicking around for a while and are likely true, so will need to see what Amazon comes up with before pulling the trigger. Gotta love the way the competition is ramping up in the tablet space.

[jayhoz]

Why couldn't you stream Amazon videos through the browser on the Nexus? There should be an option for full screen.

[Jimy Hendrix]

This is the first Android tablet I've considered as more than a dev platform. I don't think it'll supplant my iPad, but it's not meant to.

I think I'll be picking one up.

Same here, at $200, it suddenly looks like a pretty good "I need some sort of stock Android device to browser test on" machine, plus is looks like a pretty slick tablet for that price point.

Probably not gonna get one right away, but that really is a killer price point and a smart decision by Google to really just try and be the best in that weight class.

[GlenMorangie]

Why couldn't you stream Amazon videos through the browser on the Nexus? There should be an option for full screen.

Definitely could do that, but wouldn't be able to download Amazon stuff directly onto the Nexus for viewing. That's been great when traveling/flying, etc.

[derekson]

Is Google selling these at a loss to try and grab marketshare? I recall reading that the Fire was basically being sold at cost by Amazon, and that's using hardware that isn't even close to this on specs, even accounting for 6 months passing.

[jayhoz]

Being sold at cost.

“When it gets sold through the Play store, there’s no margin,” Rubin said. “It just basically gets (sold) through.”

Tried and true business model used to sell razor blades and inkjet cartridges. Give away the device and charge for the consumables. In this case, content.

[dirtynine]

Except companies like Apple have proven that the most money is to be made on hardware margins, and if anything a content store is necessary to entice/lock in in the customer. The amount of money Apple makes from tablet hardware sales alone dwarfs the money they make from the iTunes and App stores. Those content stores were developed to compliment and enhance the hardware, not to be the main economic driver for Apple's bottom line. I wonder if Google (and Amazon, for that matter) are on the right end of this equation. I'm not sure the Gillette model holds in this space. It may allow you to survive, but to thrive? It's looking like that takes rock-solid execution (leading to per-device profit) in the hardware space.

Edited by dirtynine, 28 June 2012 - 01:45 PM.

[behindthepen]

no, this is similar to Amazon's Fire, or like a paid search toolbar. Google will make nothing on the hardware, but they will likely make it back on the search revenue over time.

[jayhoz]

Except companies like Apple have proven that the most money is to be made on hardware margins, and if anything a content store is necessary to entice/lock in in the customer. The amount of money Apple makes from tablet hardware sales alone dwarfs the money they make from the iTunes and App stores. Those content stores were developed to compliment and enhance the hardware, not to be the main economic driver for Apple's bottom line. I wonder if Google (and Amazon, for that matter) are on the right end of this equation. I'm not sure the Gillette model holds in this space. It may allow you to survive, but to thrive? It's looking like that takes rock-solid execution (leading to per-device profit) in the hardware space.

Apple is its own beast. Apple loyalists are in love with the hardware design and are willing to forego functionality (in some cases) and pay a premium to maintain that. Apple doesn't need to make all its money on content because they have such an intimate relationship with customers on the hardware side. That is a good thing. They are much more likely to maintain their strategic competitive advantage if they keep people hooked on the things that they have exclusive rights to...the device.

There is one thing we know for sure. Copying the Apple model, if you are a company not named Apple, is destined for failure. There is a long list of high priced 10" tablets that ended up in the trash heap for this reason (Motorola Xoom, HP Touchpad, etc).

[GlenMorangie]

Just got it, unboxed it, and fired it up. Typing this from it. Watching Sox on it. All I can say is OH MY GOD. Google/Asus nailed it. "Google Now" is awesome. The only negative so far is that Transformers 3 is the free movie
Will post more later.

Edited by GlenMorangie, 17 July 2012 - 07:37 PM.

[Blacken]

Apple is its own beast. Apple loyalists are in love with the hardware design and are willing to forego functionality (in some cases) and pay a premium to maintain that. Apple doesn't need to make all its money on content because they have such an intimate relationship with customers on the hardware side. That is a good thing. They are much more likely to maintain their strategic competitive advantage if they keep people hooked on the things that they have exclusive rights to...the device.

There is one thing we know for sure. Copying the Apple model, if you are a company not named Apple, is destined for failure. There is a long list of high priced 10" tablets that ended up in the trash heap for this reason (Motorola Xoom, HP Touchpad, etc).

Right on all points except the functionality one: all iOS devies currently on the market are jailbreakable if you really care about that functionality that you can't get stock. I love my iOS devices and they're all jailbroken and can do anything I'd care about. (I guess I could care about a SD card, but I haven't used the 16GB on my iPhone or iPad.)

Been using my Nexus 7 all day, and I dig it. The form factor is better than I gave them credit for and it's a comfortable device to use. The keyboard is finicky as fuck (I hate Swype so I'm basically screwed) and automatic brightness adjustment is flickery but I turned that off pretty much as soon as I got it. The lack of landscape orientation kind of sucks, though, especially for trying to use the navigation stuff. I'm sure there's a hack to enable it but I have no idea what it'll break.

[Scoops Bolling]

Got mine today as well. So far so good with everything, although I agree that the lack of landscape is a little inconvenient at times. Aside from that...it's a pretty great little device.

[GlenMorangie]

Just in case some may not know, there's a toggle for landscape orientation. Pull down the notification shade and tap the padlock icon near the top middle. Allows landscape everywhere but the home screen.

Edited by GlenMorangie, 17 July 2012 - 10:21 PM.

[johnmd20]

Just in case some may not know, there's a toggle for landscape orientation. Pull down the notification shade and tap the padlock icon near the top middle. Allows landscape everywhere but the home screen.

Yes, the default is no landscape, which is odd. That was a poor decision but it was pretty easy to fix. It was also a poor decision to not let the home screen go into landscape. Outside of that, it's absolutely awesome, I love it. It couldn't be cooler and that screen is legit.

I was thinking last night, as I was playing around with the Nexus, how unbelievable this technology arms race is right now. I'm stunned at the speed with which these machines are getting brighter, lighter, faster, and cheaper. The Nexus is going to hurt the Fire more than the iPad.

But if you're looking for a 7" computer, this is a keeper.

[GlenMorangie]

Oops

Edited by GlenMorangie, 18 July 2012 - 07:48 PM.

[Blacken]

Yes, the default is no landscape, which is odd. That was a poor decision but it was pretty easy to fix. It was also a poor decision to not let the home screen go into landscape.

Locked-by-default is a better decision in the long run: the Nexus 7 ends up with phone layouts more often than it does tablet layouts and phone layouts are largely retarded in landscape mode. About the only app on the device or that I've found in the store that's better in landscape is Chrome.

Encouraging portrait mode as the default also fits what appears to be the general vision for the 7" tablets: one-handed "bigger phone" uses.

[johnmd20]

Locked-by-default is a better decision in the long run: the Nexus 7 ends up with phone layouts more often than it does tablet layouts and phone layouts are largely retarded in landscape mode. About the only app on the device or that I've found in the store that's better in landscape is Chrome.

Encouraging portrait mode as the default also fits what appears to be the general vision for the 7" tablets: one-handed "bigger phone" uses.

Yeah, but Chrome is probably the thing you'll use the most with the Nexus. Surfing Web pages in portrait on a 7 inch tablet is not nearly as good as doing it in landscape. Anyway, not a big deal, I think the Nexus 7 is absolutely an incredible device. I love it. A lot.

[god loves the sox]

Just got mine this morning. Pumped.

[jayhoz]

Anyone experiencing the screen de-lamination issue that is being reported?

[Foulkey Reese]

Just got my 16gig version today, and I'm pretty thrilled. As much as I loved my 10inch Transformer, it was just so bulky when it came to traveling with it and reading in bed. This is the perfect size for a tablet, and it's pretty damn fast.

Anyone experiencing the screen de-lamination issue that is being reported?

Are you? Mine seems to be built like a tank.

Edited by Foulkey Reese, 12 September 2012 - 01:58 PM.

[Seven Costanza]

I got a 16g last Friday and love it.

The screen 'clicks' about halfway up on the extreme edges of the screen- like it's not attached solidly. It's not really an issue, and I'm only noticing it because I'm very weird like that. Doubtful someone non- neurotic would even notice.

I got mine at Wal- Mart. Perhaps the ones shipped directly from Google were/are more sturdy.

[Foulkey Reese]

What Twitter app are you using? The one I use on my phone doesn't quite work on this screen.

[Blacken]

I got mine at Wal- Mart. Perhaps the ones shipped directly from Google were/are more sturdy.

No, they're all the same build. There's a small gap in the rim and it's the one knock on this thing. It hasn't bothered me enough to open it and epoxy it, but it is annoying.

Foulkey: the regular Twitter app works pretty well.

[Seven Costanza]

Tweetcaster Pro. Looks pretty slick, although the layout is different than my phone.

Now I just need to find a nice cover and possibly a bluetooth keyboard/dock so I can take this thing out of the house.

Edited by Seven Costanza, 12 September 2012 - 03:12 PM.

[jayhoz]

Just got my 16gig version today, and I'm pretty thrilled. As much as I loved my 10inch Transformer, it was just so bulky when it came to traveling with it and reading in bed. This is the perfect size for a tablet, and it's pretty damn fast.



Are you? Mine seems to be built like a tank.

I don't have one, but I did see the return rates out of the gate and they were less than stellar. I'm sure they've fixed the issue by now.

[dwhogan]

Just got on this week and seems to be very well put together. I have to say that this is by far the coolest piece of technology I've ever purchased. Jelly bean looks amazing though I am considering putting eclipse on this to see how it will look with a mod.

[Foulkey Reese]

I think we should have gotten a discount for the work that it took to immediately delete Transformers 3 off of this thing.

[absintheofmalaise]

I think we should have gotten a discount for the work that it took to immediately delete Transformers 3 off of this thing.

Please tell me how you did this.

[Foulkey Reese]

Please tell me how you did this.

Download Astro File Manager and then use that to explore your files. I believe it was in the folder called movies. It was like 2 gigs which is massive if you only have the 8 gig version.

[absintheofmalaise]

Download Astro File Manager and then use that to explore your files. I believe it was in the folder called movies. It was like 2 gigs which is massive if you only have the 8 gig version.

I got the 16 gig one. Thanks.

[canderson]

So I start a new job in a few weeks and am in charge if their social media. Yet their IT shop blocks all social media sites.

Thus I need a 3G/4G LTE tablet .... and rumors say this will be in the Nexus in a few weeks.

Any alternatives that would work better? Budget will be tight. I have a personal iPad but it's just wifi.

[Rudi Fingers]

So I start a new job in a few weeks and am in charge if their social media. Yet their IT shop blocks all social media sites.

Thus I need a 3G/4G LTE tablet .... and rumors say this will be in the Nexus in a few weeks.

Any alternatives that would work better? Budget will be tight. I have a personal iPad but it's just wifi.

Have you considered having your employer get you a LTE mobile hotspot? After all, you can argue it's necessary for your job... and you can use it with a laptop *or* the iPad you already own.

Otherwise, you can buy your own mobile hotspot (either prepaid or as part of a plan)

Edited by Rudi Fingers, 19 September 2012 - 02:45 PM.

[NortheasternPJ]

If you just got hired, how do you know if they block all social media? Even if they do, they are running a proxy and have the ability to white list people based on their username or group. I see this all the time where Social Media sites are blocked except for marketing and HR. Are you sure you're not just jumping to conclusions?

[jayhoz]

So I start a new job in a few weeks and am in charge if their social media. Yet their IT shop blocks all social media sites.

Thus I need a 3G/4G LTE tablet .... and rumors say this will be in the Nexus in a few weeks.

Any alternatives that would work better? Budget will be tight. I have a personal iPad but it's just wifi.

Can't they open up the blocked sites to a specific device (yours)?

Edit - What NPJ said.

Edited by jayhoz, 19 September 2012 - 03:21 PM.

[canderson]

If you just got hired, how do you know if they block all social media? Even if they do, they are running a proxy and have the ability to white list people based on their username or group. I see this all the time where Social Media sites are blocked except for marketing and HR. Are you sure you're not just jumping to conclusions?

I've worked previously with a VP who is there and made this hire. IT flat-out told him they can't selectively open up FB to one user*. Rudi, a LTE mobile hotspot is a good idea. Best of both words indeed.

* Yes I'm aware ths is nonsense as any decent filter has options. Their IT guy is old school and pretty terrible from what I gather at software/web stuff like this. They are great with hardware, but obviously not Internet technologies.

[SumnerH]

I've worked previously with a VP who is there and made this hire. IT flat-out told him they can't selectively open up FB to one user*. Rudi, a LTE mobile hotspot is a good idea. Best of both words indeed.

* Yes I'm aware ths is nonsense as any decent filter has options. Their IT guy is old school and pretty terrible from what I gather at software/web stuff like this. They are great with hardware, but obviously not Internet technologies.

Probably not a battle to fight as a new hire, but anything you can do to fix this problem is worth it.

IT's primary job is supposed to be to enable the rest of the company to do theirs.

[canderson]

Probably not a battle to fight as a new hire, but anything you can do to fix this problem is worth it.

IT's primary job is supposed to be to enable the rest of the company to do theirs.

Yeah, I'll be pushing. It's a company of 300 or so and quasi-governmental and involved with banking. I think it's a factor of fear, regulation and lack of knowledge at play.

Dumb question: how do hotspots work exactly? Like, does it work w/ my wifi-only iPad via the wifi connection?

Edited by canderson, 19 September 2012 - 04:49 PM.

[SumnerH]

Yeah, I'll be pushing. It's a company of 300 or so and quasi-governmental and involved with banking. I think it's a factor of fear, regulation and lack of knowledge at play.

Dumb question: how do hotspots work exactly? Like, does it work w/ my wifi-only iPad via the wifi connection?

Yeah. It's just like your wireless router at home except instead of pluggin into a cable modem or FIOS or whatever, it "plugs in" to LTE over the air. From your side, it's just a regular wireless router.

[canderson]

Thought that was correct. Thanks! I use Clearwire at home, basically the same concept.

[sibpin]

The $25 Google Play credit will only be offered to users who activate their Nexus 7 before the end of September.

[Foulkey Reese]

Did anybody here root theirs?

I have a custom ROM on mine and have noticed a real increase in battery life.