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Talk about a busy month. Microsoft last week launched its Windows 8 operating system and Surface RT tablet to the general public, Apple released an iPad mini just a few days ago, and now Google is getting in on the media frenzy by announcing new and improved Nexus devices. Probably the biggest news of the day from Google is the introduction of the Nexus 10, a 10-inch Android tablet that might finally be able to supplant the iPad in popularity.
In this economy, price rules the day, and the new Nexus 10 debuts at $399 for 16GB and $499 for 32GB. That's $100 cheaper than the 3rd/4th generation iPad at both storage tiers. Google didn't gimp the display to get at that price point, either. In fact, the Nexus 10 boasts the highest resolution of any tablet at 2560x1600 (300ppi), which works out to over 4 million pixels. That's more dense than the iPad's Retina Display, which features a 2048x1536 resolution (264ppi).
Other features include a dual-core A15 processor, Mali T604 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 5MP rear-facing camera, 1.9MP front-facing camera, micro USB port, and micro HDMI port. All this comes topped with the newest flavor of Jelly Bean, Android 4.2, which supports multiple users that you can switch between on the lock screen.
Also new to the Nexus line is the Nexus 4 smartphone built by LG. The Nexus 4 sports a 4.7-inch 1280x768 display (320ppi) with a quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 2GB of RAM, 8GB or 16GB of internal storage, micro USB port, SlimPort HDMI, wireless charging, 8MP front-facing camera, 1.3MP rear-facing camera, and Android 4.2. It will be available in November for $299 for the 8GB model and $349 for the 16GB SKU.
Finally, Google confirmed a new 32GB Nexus 7 model that replaces the 16GB version at the $249 price point and is available immediately. The 8GB SKU disappears entirely, while the 16GB Nexus 7 gets knocked down to the $199 spot. Google also announced a 32GB Mobile version for $299, which comes with HSPA+ baked in. It will be available on November 13.
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Comments are closed on this article
bling581
October 30, 2012 at 9:52am
So what about all the people that bought the 16GB on release? Too bad so sad? It's not like I can't live without another 16GB of storage but it sure would be nice. It's only been a few months since it's been out so they should provide some compensation for all those that forked over money already.
rickschwar
October 30, 2012 at 9:44am
Who Makes the Best 10” Tablet Now? How the Nexus 10 compares with the seven best tablets on the planet. //bit.ly/Rs7R4o
jbwhite99
October 30, 2012 at 9:29am
I'm trying to figure out what this wireless plan will mean (I have my Rezound on Verizon) - will it be pay as you go, or do you need a contract? I'd love to do something like what Amazon did - $50 per year for 200MB/month - do wifi in most cases, but that would be an awesome deal for mapping, etc.
Barring that, I guess you can just convert your phone into a hotspot, and get the non-3G version of the Nexus.
Cy-Kill
October 30, 2012 at 7:15am
When is Google going to learn, we want a microSD expansion slot, because 16GB is not enough space on the Nexus branded smartphones!
boidsonly
October 29, 2012 at 8:51pm
Please tell me that it is a pure Google Experience Device-no added Samsung trash/interface. If I have to wait on Samsung to provide SW updates I'll buy another tablet brand....
How about deleting the post from the Spambag directly below??
Strhopper
October 29, 2012 at 2:22pm
Looks like I was right on price. Says available for purchase on November 16th, at least that's enough time to save for it
azuza001
October 29, 2012 at 12:25pm
I own the 16 Gig Nexus 7 and love it. That 10 inch one though, damn thats a sexy screen res/ppi.
But that Nexus 4 that REALLY has me looking at it going damn. I've got a Galaxy Nexus right now, glad that I'm due for an upgrade soon. Thats just beautiful for a phone. Quad Core, 2 Gigs RAM, 4.7 inch screen, Android 4.2, HDMI out and wireless charging? I just hope it's coming on Verizon, I'm not sure what else you could want in a phone.
livebriand
October 29, 2012 at 8:56pm
I think it'll only be available in an HSPA+ variant. (personally, I don't really care because that's fast enough, and I don't want the extra battery drain of LTE)
Engelsstaub
October 29, 2012 at 11:40am
I had no idea the display was an even higher res than the current iPad. That's pretty great. Does the Nexus 10 take a micro-SD card to expand storage? That would put it over the top.
EDIT: NM...guess it doesn't take micro-SD. Still pretty impressive IMO. I really like iOS but this is a tempting alternative.
tony2tonez
October 29, 2012 at 3:38pm
The Nexus 10 sounds like the tablet i have been waiting to buy. But no expendable SD slot. That just plain sucks, they really couldnt put that in? Not saying its needed but i would like the option of being able to remove data without having it stored on the device, in the event of failure.
The phone is by LG and if its anything like other LG phones. look at the XDA Forums of the LG Optimus. (not good)
davelray
October 29, 2012 at 3:41pm
The difference with the phone is it will be running Android 4.2 reference. None of the extra stuff (crap) that other phone makers, LG included, dump on top of Android to customize it their way. So you will have little need to run other firmware on it. Plus, you wont' have to worry about getting updated to newer versions like you have to, ie Thunderbolt users who are STILL waiting to get their promised ICS upgrades, or the poor Motorola users that are not going to get an update at all.
davelray
October 29, 2012 at 1:31pm
It is a beautiful display. Looks like this just isn't Apple's time. First Amazon's sales skyrocket after the iPad mini announcement, then Google releases a tablet with better specs and better screen for less. Not to mention releasing a mobile data Nexus 7 for $299 compared to the iPad mini with mobile data at $559. And if I had to go with a 10" tablet, definitely would go with the Nexus 10 over the WinRT offerings I've seen so far.
Engelsstaub
October 29, 2012 at 3:12pm
I hear a lot of people saying the iPad Mini is overpriced. I don't (but I do think it is a huge disappointment.) If Apple sold it for less they'd have to practically give away the iPod Touch (which commands pretty much all of the marketshare for that type of device.) They're just being aggressively and cleverly undersold. Even though I like Apple I think this stiff and formidable competition is good for them. I know they're not going away. I just hope that it lights a fire under their asses and keeps things more interesting and their prices more competitive.
Mediziner
October 30, 2012 at 6:45pm
Wait a second... the iPad mini isn't overpriced??? The specs on the Nexus 7 completely BLOW AWAY the specs of the iPad, except for the absence of a rear camera (but who uses the camera on a tablet anyway?) AND, the andriod media players are priced less than the iPod touch.
davelray
October 29, 2012 at 3:37pm
I keep thinking about it whenever someone mentions if I am getting one or not. I'm not, I have a Nexus 7 which works very well for what I need it to do, and I have an HP Touchpad with an android mod on it that I tinker with but admittedly my son uses it more for playing Angry Birds on it than I do for anything legitimate, but it's a great gadget/toy that I only paid 50 bucks for. But when it comes to the iPad mini, I just don't see the price point they chose. Maybe Apple has a plan, they usually do. But I feel, compared to other cheaper offerings, the least they could do was beef up the specs a bit more. Better screen and/or faster processor. Or keep it the way it is but had their 32 gig start out at $329. We will just have to wait and see what Apple does. Of course, it could always just be out there so they can say they have a model in the 7" range market to have one and they really don't care if they dominate that market or not. They dominate the 10" market and I don't see any decline in that arena anytime soon, even with the new Nexus 10 on the scene. Apple is just too embedded now possibly for it to make a difference. The MS Surface RT might have been an upset, but MS missed the price point they should have come in at if they really wanted to compete with Apple. Just my opinion. Mostly, with the exception of having easy portable access to all the service manuals I have, a tablet is just a bit of a toy.
wolfing
October 29, 2012 at 11:44am
good enough price, but no microSD (and charging $100 from 16 to 32?)... I might go for the chinese alternatives like the Ainol Novo 10 Captain
Mediziner
October 29, 2012 at 1:40pm
Its storage is 8gb, it has a 2mp rear camera, 1gb of ram.... And what if it fails or breaks? No warranty. REALLY?
wolfing
October 29, 2012 at 5:01pm
add a 32GB micro SD for like $25, I don't care about the camera. Does it really have no warranty at all? I mean it costs $220 so I could almost buy 2 for the price of one Nexus 10, but I haven't checked (not like I ever use warranty anyway)
livebriand
October 29, 2012 at 8:54pm
It doesn't have a microSD slot. That's the whole problem.
Also, the back camera is 8mp. Who cares about the front one anyway? (aside from video chatting)
davelray
October 30, 2012 at 2:51pm
I've known a few that have managed to get a hold of these chinese tablets. The quality is always subpar at best. The screen and casing are usually flimsy, they get really really hot while using them, the wifi barely works ten feet away from the router/access point, and the battery life sucked out loud. And if it's got no warranty on it be especially careful.
wolfing
October 31, 2012 at 5:54am
I'll let you know in a few weeks, ordered one (it's about $235 after shipping and it includes an HDMI cable for the tablet). It does have a 1 year warranty
