Google Enters Tab Market With Nexus 7

The Android-maker Google finally unveils its own tablet, Nexus 7. The base model has 8 GB of memory and costs US$199 (INR 11,000). (See and IndiaWatch: Google, Skype Under Govt. Radar.)

The launch came days after Microsoft Corp. unveiled its Windows tablet, Surface. (See Microsoft Makes Its Tablet Debut.)

Nexus 7 sports a 7-inch IPS display with a 1280x800 resolution. What's interesting is the software maker has added a 12-core Nvidia Corp. GeForce GPU to turn the device into an ultimate gaming machine. Surprisingly, Google chose the Taiwanese computer-maker AsusTek Computer Inc. for its production over Motorola Mobility Inc. (See Motorola Launches New Handsets in RAZR Series.)

Today onwards, tablet lovers in USA, UK and Canada can order Nexus 7 on Google Play. It is not clear though when Indian techies can get their hands on it. The company has not released the India launch date yet.

A 1.3-GHz quad-core processor and a 1 GB of RAM make Nexus 7 pretty powerful. You can run heavy applications on it with ease. But the absence of 3G connectivity is disappointing with the tab offering only WiFi, Bluetooth and NFC capabilities.

Weighing just 340 gram, the tablet can capture HD videos at 720 pixels and is expected to give tough competition to Apple's iPad with its value-for-money features.

Rimit Singh, Correspondent, Light Reading India