Nexus 7, the iPad killer from Google

[Antony]

Not just Microsoft wants to kick Apple's iPad out of the tablet market, Google is also ready to kill iPad with the exciting announcement: Nexus 7.

As rumoured, Google’s going to announce a 7-inch, Nexus-branded tablet called the Nexus 7. According to the 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 8GB model will set you back $US199 and the 16GB will cost $US249, both are much cheaper than iPad's cheapest price tag.

The tablet is said to go on sale next month, no words on if it will be available in Australia

Nexus 7: This Is Google’s New Nexus Tablet (Gizmodo Australia)

The operating system choice for Apple haters is simple. Microsoft's latest (and rather expensive) Windows or Linux for geeks (or those demands open-source). Between Microsoft and Google, Google is much better loved by those who insist on open-source.

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[DJGM]

I don't see it as hating on Apple ... on the contrary, it's healthy competition. While Apple have the biggest
selling tablet computer, this latest competition from Microsoft and Google should hopefully spur Apple
into improving the iPad further. Healthy competiton isn't really about hating your rivals.

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[James]

I have to agree with Greg. Competition is a good thing. It's one of the reasons I have been such a stalwart fan of Mozilla these years. MS needed the competition and as a result we've gotten much better browsers. Apple is now the big boy in the tablet department and the smart phone sector as well and it needs healthy competition. It's not a question of folks hating Apple but rather a case of good competition bringing about better features AND better prices.

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[Mandrake]

It's not an iPad Killer. It is some interesting competition though, which is always good. It's clearly intended as an entry level tablet - with a price to match. It's apparently going to run Android 4.1 Jellybean though, which should be good. Speaking of that, I'm looking forward to putting Android 4.1 on my Galaxy Nexus.

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[Antony]

Like I always said, Apple is not generally well-loved in this community. Both Microsoft and Google (and Mozilla) are much better-loved here. Our good friend Don is a good example. Further, one can expect plenty of healthy comparisons especially on any feature iPad is missing, once Surface and Nexux 7 are available.

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[James]

Antony, I don't think your perceptions are true. For instance, while my stepson works for MS, I have no real love for the company. Yes, I own four computers (PC's) and my wife and I each own a Windows Phone and an Xbox 360 BUT we also own the latest ipod as well as two ipads. When my current computer dies (and it's getting there), I honestly don't know whether I'll go for another PC with Windows 8 or for an Apple. The point is... I have no "love" or "attachment" for a machine. It's just a machine, that's all it is. And MS, Google, Apple... they're just companies, not evil or intrinsically good entities; just companies. Sometimes they're predatory and sometimes not. They ALL have good and bad points, suing one another over patent disputes, etc. They're in this game to make money for themselves and their shareholders and they'll pretty much do anything towards that end. Apple is just a business. I've no feeling for it in any way, shape or form, just as I have no feeling for Firefox over any other browser. It works best for me but that doesn't mean I love it. I USE it. Big difference. And my gut feeling is: most folks here feel the same way.

addendum: I thought about this for a while and I admit... there are fanboys who have this misplaced love feeling for companies and their products. Thus, you see them buy tee-shirts emblazoned with Apple or Firefox logos. They'll buy coffee mugs with an Opera logo and so on and so forth. Not me. In fact, I threw away the little Apple sticker logos that came with our ipads. Why? Because they're useless to me and I don't need to advertise that I have an Apple product. I USE my ipad when I'm out and about but I don't care what other people think about that. To repeat: I'm no fanboy and I suspect most of the members here fall into that category BUT I admit that there are fanboys out there and we may have a few among us here. I find them exceedingly strange individuals who attach an emotion to an inanimate object. Very odd behavior.

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[Mandrake]

The Nexus 7.

I think I'll buy one of these. It fits the bill reasonably well for what I need in an entry level tablet computer. It also runs the brand new Android 4.1 Jellybean OS. Unlike some so-called Apple extremists who must have the highest end tablets with many advanced features.

On the downside, I really wish they had included an SD card slot, as well as a full-size USB port and maybe even an HDMI port. Then I remind myself that this tablet only costs $249 AUD, so I'm alright with that.

On the subject of Android 4.1 Jellybean, Google announced in their keynote that Jellybean would be available OTA to Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus devices starting in mid-July.

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[James]

Mandrake: check out this article on Jellybean:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/har ... /240002855

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[Mandrake]

Good link. I watched the Google I/O Keynote since they live streamed it, and got to see the new features. Looks like a nice upgrade from ICS.

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[Antony]

Mandrake,

Thank you for the link which has all the detail. Please do share with us once you get your Nexus 7! I am excited for you.

Then I remind myself that this tablet only costs $249 AUD, so I'm alright with that.

Except, shouldn't get aim for the 16GB model which is merely A$50 extra?

Unlike some so-called Apple extremists who must have the highest end tablets with many advanced features.

If you were referring to Apple iPads with “many advanced features,” I am pretty sure many people here would not agree. I have a feeling that Don and at least a certain pro-Microsoft guy wouldn't associate iPads with “many advanced features.”

Oh, just in case you forgot how poor Antony really is, this 2011 thread revealed exactly how poor Antony is. He chose one from cheapest laptop range ( saving money), the smallest version ( saving space) and the lightest model ( saving energy on carrying it). Antony is still happy with his yesteryear's outdated-technology laptop.

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[Antony]

According to estimation by iSuppli, Nexus 7 - iPad killer from Google costs about $152 or $160 with manufacturing cost included. For the higher end model, the cost is estimated to be $160 (or $167 with manufacturing cost).

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[Antony]

Exciting news for Nexus 7, the iPad killer from Google. Nexus 7 is selling extremely well. Congratulations!

As for Australia, the availability is looking at end of July.

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[DJGM]

Why do you keep calling this an "iPad killer" when it clearly isn't? It's an entry level tablet aimed squarely at
those that would like a low-cost tablet device that's physically smaller than the iPad, and most likely had
absolutely no intention of ever buying an iPad, even if the Nexus 7 didn't exist in the first place.

It's cheap and selling quite well, but it won't kill the iPad. It might put a relatively small percentage dent in
the overall tablet market share of the iPad, but it won't kill Apple's oh-so-wonderful fondleslab altogether.

Do you honestly think that since the Nexus 7 was launched, all potential future iPad owners would all of a
sudden decide that Apple's market leading tablet is a piece of overpriced crap. Only seriously delusional
people who have an unhealthy obsession toward a certain fruit labelled Cupertino based company would
still think that Google had introduced Nexus 7 specifically to destroy all future iPad sales.

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[DJGM]

Betanews.com - Nexus 7 sells out.

At first glance at that headline, I'm sure Antony would still say Nexus 7 is an iPad killer. It would seem that
is still very much not the case, especially judging by these particular snippets from early in the article . . .

Google's tablet is off to a rousing debut. I doubt sales numbers will reach iPad standards, but Nexus 7
is nevertheless hotly pursued and reports from early adopters evoke pure delight.

I preordered one for my wife on June 29, hours after returning from Google I/O.
Soon as she saw my Nexus 7, Kindle Fire was history.

If any current tablet is at immediate risk of being "killed", it's the Amazon Kindle Fire, rather than the iPad.
The only iPads at risk of being usurped by the Nexus 7 would be the earlier models already bought and
owned by folks that are looking at getting something more up to date, but a bit more compact.

I'd say the majority of existing owners of older iPads looking to buy a newer tablet, are certain somewhat
irrational Apple fans that hate Android, hate Google, and hate so-called "open source extremists" . . .

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[Antony]

According to Cnet report (on some rumoured source), Google is planning a Nexus 7 that could be just $99.
If this the rumour is true, Google Nexus 7 is without a doubt competes against Apple's iPad mini easily. (In plain words: the iPad mini killer!)

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