Google announced new Android devices and an update to their Android operating system on Monday. Google introduced a new Nexus smartphone, a 10-inch tablet named the Nexus 10, and also announced a new version of its Nexus 7 tablet that includes cellular connectivity. All three devices will run the latest version of Google’s Android operating system, Android 4.2, “Jelly Bean.”
The products were initially planned to be unveiled at a media event in New York, but Hurricane Sandy prompted the search company to cancel its media presentation. As such, the new products were simply unveiled via a press release on Monday.
Nexus 4
This new smartphone, developed with LG, has a quad-core processor, a 4.7-in display, (320 pixels per inch), and allows wireless inductive charging.
The new device runs Android 4.2, and offers Photo Sphere, allowing photos to be captured in 360 degrees. It also runs Miracast, a new feature similar to Apple’s AirPlay, which allows users to watch movies, YouTube videos, and games on an HDTV.
Google Now has been enhanced in Android 4.2, and adds flight information, restaurant reservations, and more.
The Nexus 4 will hit the market at $299 for an 8GB model, with a 16GB model running $349. It will be available in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain and Canada, unlocked without a contract on November 13th on the Google Play store. T-Mobile will be offering a 16GB version for $199 with a two-year contract.
Nexus 10
Google’s new 10-inch tablet will be a head-to head competitor to Apple’s full-sized 9.7-in iPad. The new device has a screen resolution of 2,650 by 1,600 pixels, (300 pixels per inch). Google is partnering with Samsung on the new device.
According to Google, the Nexus 10 will offer nine hours of video playback, and more than 500 hours of standby time. The device will feature forward-facing stereo speakers, and will support multiple users with Android 4.2. The users can be selected from the device’s lock screen.
The Nexus 10 will set you back $399 for the 16GB model, and $499 for the 32GB version. It will be available in the Google Play store beginning November 13th in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan.
Nexus 7
Doing away with the $199 8GB Nexus 7, which previously acted as their entry-level Nexus tablet, Google says for the same price customers will now get 16GB of storage, and $249 will now buy a 32GB model.
There will now also be a cellular capable Nexus 7 device, offering 32GB of storage and HSPA+ mobile connectivity for $299. The device will operate on more than 200 GS carriers worldwide, with AT&T as the U.S. carrier. The device will not be compatible with high-speed 4G LTE networks.
The cellular capable Nexus 7 will be available starting on November 13th in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain and Canada Google Play stores.
The Nexus 7 16GB and 32GB models are now available in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan on the Google Play store. It can also be found at Google retail partners Gamestop, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Staples and Walmart.
The latest batch of Google devices looks interesting. The device wars continue, with the real winners being us, the gadget-happy consumers.
