Google's Nexus 7

[c4llum]

It looks like Google have done a good job on their new Tablet. Of course it's still early days and impossible to make a good judgement but it's the first time that I've been impressed by a tablet since the iPad.

Some tech specs:
quad-core CPU (w00t)
1280x800 HD screen
9 hours of HD video battery life (believe that when I see it)
340 grams
Jellybean 4.1
200 dollars

Google's announcement presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVqKVNtQ7Yg
The Guardian's review: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/appsblog/2012/jun/27/google-nexus-7-tablet-hands-on

So far so good. It can do just about everything the iPad can do, but whether it will work just as smoothly is another question. Also, it is much smaller. I'm not sure I like that yet. I've always felt the iPad was just a little too big for my comfort and the nexus 7 might be too small (always the size.....).

So, what do you think?

 

[Cuddles]

It can do just about everything the iPad can do

Most tablets can do just about everything the iPad can do. As with most Apple products it's a perfectly decent bit of kit, but in no way anywhere near as unique or innovative as they claim.

That said, the Nexus 7 isn't actually competing with the iPad at all. There's already plenty of competition at the expensive end of things, so Google are aiming at the low end instead. While there are plenty of budget tablets around, most of them are pretty sucky so they're only really up against the Kindle Fire. It's a smart move. There are plenty of people who wouldn't mind having a tablet handy, but aren't willing to cough up £400+ for one. A decent tablet that isn't crippled in processing power and won't fall apart if looked at funny going for well under half the price of an iPad has potential to do pretty well.

As for the size, it's a tricky one. Steve Jobs apparently thought 10 inches was the absolute minimum anyone could possibly want but most people seem to think it's more like the maximum (note the lack of any tablets bigger than that), and already getting a bit big to actually hold for a long time rather than lying it on a table. I have an old Archos 7 inch media player which I find OK for watching films and such. Having a bigger screen might be nice, but it would make it a lot less convenient to carry around.

 

[c4llum]

Most tablets can do just about everything the iPad can do. As with most Apple products it's a perfectly decent bit of kit, but in no way anywhere near as unique or innovative as they claim.

Many people tend to hold this opinion but I think Apple's products do tend to have an edge over other products. Oh boy...here we go

That said, the Nexus 7 isn't actually competing with the iPad at all. There's already plenty of competition at the expensive end of things, so Google are aiming at the low end instead.

yes, perhaps they're not competing on price, but they are competing on product. I would certainly consider buying a Nexus over an iPad or vice versa.
I absolutely agree with the rest of what you said.

 

[Ethan Thane Athen]

Most tablets can do just about everything the iPad can do. As with most Apple products it's a perfectly decent bit of kit, but in no way anywhere near as unique or innovative as they claim.

That said, the Nexus 7 isn't actually competing with the iPad at all. There's already plenty of competition at the expensive end of things, so Google are aiming at the low end instead. While there are plenty of budget tablets around, most of them are pretty sucky so they're only really up against the Kindle Fire. It's a smart move. There are plenty of people who wouldn't mind having a tablet handy, but aren't willing to cough up £400+ for one. A decent tablet that isn't crippled in processing power and won't fall apart if looked at funny going for well under half the price of an iPad has potential to do pretty well.

As for the size, it's a tricky one. Steve Jobs apparently thought 10 inches was the absolute minimum anyone could possibly want but most people seem to think it's more like the maximum (note the lack of any tablets bigger than that), and already getting a bit big to actually hold for a long time rather than lying it on a table. I have an old Archos 7 inch media player which I find OK for watching films and such. Having a bigger screen might be nice, but it would make it a lot less convenient to carry around.

Read the reviews of the A1CS Fusion (approx £150) and be blown away. I was so impressed I bought one (would only consider a tablet for near 'throwaway' money as I don't really need one - already have 4 PCs in the house!) and so far the reviews are spot on. It really is difficult to understand why anyone would buy an ipad when you can do everything it does at a fraction of the price. Only advantage the ipad has (apart from snob / Apple fanboy appeal ) is if you're already committed to the church of Apple then it's easy to sync all your stuff together - but then if that's the case you're already a lost cause anyway.

 

[mikeyx]

Most tablets can do just about everything the iPad can do. As with most Apple products it's a perfectly decent bit of kit, but in no way anywhere near as unique or innovative as they claim.

That said, the Nexus 7 isn't actually competing with the iPad at all. There's already plenty of competition at the expensive end of things, so Google are aiming at the low end instead. While there are plenty of budget tablets around, most of them are pretty sucky so they're only really up against the Kindle Fire. It's a smart move. There are plenty of people who wouldn't mind having a tablet handy, but aren't willing to cough up £400+ for one. A decent tablet that isn't crippled in processing power and won't fall apart if looked at funny going for well under half the price of an iPad has potential to do pretty well.

As for the size, it's a tricky one. Steve Jobs apparently thought 10 inches was the absolute minimum anyone could possibly want but most people seem to think it's more like the maximum (note the lack of any tablets bigger than that), and already getting a bit big to actually hold for a long time rather than lying it on a table. I have an old Archos 7 inch media player which I find OK for watching films and such. Having a bigger screen might be nice, but it would make it a lot less convenient to carry around.

video cable adapters to the back of a large screen tv

 

[elgarak]

Read the reviews of the A1CS Fusion (approx £150) and be blown away. I was so impressed I bought one (would only consider a tablet for near 'throwaway' money as I don't really need one - already have 4 PCs in the house!) and so far the reviews are spot on. It really is difficult to understand why anyone would buy an ipad when you can do everything it does at a fraction of the price. Only advantage the ipad has (apart from snob / Apple fanboy appeal ) is if you're already committed to the church of Apple then it's easy to sync all your stuff together - but then if that's the case you're already a lost cause anyway.

And yet, IPads are flying off the shelves, while other tablets just generate some "meh". Obviously, you are missing something.

Hint: iPad buyers are not brainwashed Kool-Aid followers of the church of Jobs.

 

[paiute]

And yet, IPads are flying off the shelves, while other tablets just generate some "meh". Obviously, you are missing something.

Hint: iPad buyers are not brainwashed Kool-Aid followers of the church of Jobs.

I have noticed that high-tech headhunters do not spend much time on this board searching for candidates to fill CEO positions.

 

[Eddie Dane]

Many people tend to hold this opinion but I think Apple's products do tend to have an edge over other products. Oh boy...here we go

Oh, another fanboi.

Stop drinking the coo-aid of the cult of Jobs, man.
You've been brainwashed into thinking.....

.....*slaps own face*........sorry, I'll get my coat.

 

[TheL8Elvis]

Hmmm..
https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_7_8gb

no 3g/4g
no removable battery
no SD card slot
Only 8 or 16 GB sizes, with 8->16 costing $50 (US)
no hdmi out
no rear camera

So it's like an iPad, only cheaper and fewer features.

Give the kindle fire a few weeks, I bet it's down to $149.

I wish Amazon released their sales info, then we could have a good idea how well 7" tablets are actually selling.

 

[Lamuella]

it looks interesting, and it's cheap, but I won't be getting one. I find it most interesting as a proof of concept like the other Nexus products.

 

[Babbylonian]

Respect to Google for putting the device out there but as has been said it's not an iPad competitor. Where it could kill against the Fire is that it's an open Android device that, presumably, will receive as much support in terms of keeping the OS updated as any other Tegra 3 device (meaning it should get updates until they decide Tegra 3 is obsolete). Amazon will almost have to reduce the Fire's price since they make their services available on every Android tablet and phone with the appropriate specs.

 

[TheL8Elvis]

Respect to Google for putting the device out there but as has been said it's not an iPad competitor. Where it could kill against the Fire is that it's an open Android device that, presumably, will receive as much support in terms of keeping the OS updated as any other Tegra 3 device (meaning it should get updates until they decide Tegra 3 is obsolete). Amazon will almost have to reduce the Fire's price since they make their services available on every Android tablet and phone with the appropriate specs.

http://www.isuppli.com/Teardowns/News/Pages/Amazon-Kindle-Fire-Costs-$201-70-to-Manufacture.aspx

Amazon Kindle Fire Costs $201.70 to Manufacture ...

Amazon can lower the price and hope to make up in content sales....

I am not sure how this nexus 7 is benefiting google. Especially when they don't have a good retail channel. And don't even offer free shipping.

 

[Babbylonian]

http://www.isuppli.com/Teardowns/News/Pages/Amazon-Kindle-Fire-Costs-$201-70-to-Manufacture.aspx

Amazon Kindle Fire Costs $201.70 to Manufacture ...

Amazon can lower the price and hope to make up in content sales....

I am not sure how this nexus 7 is benefiting google. Especially when they don't have a good retail channel. And don't even offer free shipping.

Same as Amazon with the Fire. You're aware that Google sells books, music, apps, and movies via their [rebranded] Google Play store, right?

In fact, the proliferation of closed devices like the Fire and the Nook Tablet is that much more reason for Google to get their own device out there.

 

[Lamuella]

Without knowing much about their sales strategy, is this intended to be a big selling retail device, or a proof of concept? Other "nexus" devices, as far as I can see, existed more to show what the latest schmanciest version of Android could do than as a serious sales competitor.

 

[Babbylonian]

Without knowing much about their sales strategy, is this intended to be a big selling retail device, or a proof of concept? Other "nexus" devices, as far as I can see, existed more to show what the latest schmanciest version of Android could do than as a serious sales competitor.

Again, I think they're selling it for the same reason Barnes & Noble and Amazon sell their tablets at losses: They want people to use Google Play and buy software/media from them. Depending on how much loss they'd be taking on each device, they could make up the difference pretty quickly...assuming users don't just install the B&N/Amazon/etc. apps and buy from them.

 

[TheL8Elvis]

Again, I think they're selling it for the same reason Barnes & Noble and Amazon sell their tablets at losses: They want people to use Google Play and buy software/media from them. Depending on how much loss they'd be taking on each device, they could make up the difference pretty quickly...assuming users don't just install the B&N/Amazon/etc. apps and buy from them.

Does google release any numbers on their play store ?

I have to agree with Lamuella, it's a bit of a black box what google is doing.

This is a asus tablet - i doubt asus is selling it to google at a loss, so there is already a mark up there ?

I always thought of the nexus phone as a reference device, and had some thought maybe this is supposed to be the same thing ?

 

[c4llum]

A few people have said the nexus isn't competing with the iPad but really? not competing with it at all? I know it's much cheaper and it's a little smaller but hey, it's a tablet and it can do pretty much everything the iPad can do, but for less money. Isn't that kinda the definition of competition?

 

[Babbylonian]

Does google release any numbers on their play store ?

I have to agree with Lamuella, it's a bit of a black box what google is doing.

This is a asus tablet - i doubt asus is selling it to google at a loss, so there is already a mark up there ?

I always thought of the nexus phone as a reference device, and had some thought maybe this is supposed to be the same thing ?

AFAIK, the Nexus phone wasn't sold at a loss.

As for numbers on their store, why does that matter? They have a store, they want to sell things via that store, other retailers are selling tablets locked into their own stores, so they sell a tablet that accesses their own store by default. We aren't talking rocket science here.

 

[TheL8Elvis]

AFAIK, the Nexus phone wasn't sold at a loss.

No, it sold for the same price as equivalent smart phones. This tablet seems to be priced rather low, as opposed to the phone.

As for numbers on their store, why does that matter? They have a store, they want to sell things via that store, other retailers are selling tablets locked into their own stores, so they sell a tablet that accesses their own store by default. We aren't talking rocket science here.

I guess it only matters from the perspective of my curiosity. I think Google has a music/movie/app store ... but I think it has a teeny tiny percentage of the market. I doubt they are making up for tablet loss by trying to get people to use their 'play store' ecosystem. But I could be wrong, that's why I would be interested in seeing some numbers.

 

[Darat]

According to one site I read there is no profit on the Nexus 7 itself for Google at the current prices.