Despite the fact that Hurricane Sandy spoiled Google’s plans for a huge press event in New York City, the company unveiled its new tablet devices and a Nexus phone.
Google announced that it will launch Samsung’s Nexus 10 tablet device, LG’s smartphone Nexus 4 and Asus’ Nexus 7 tablets which will have two times bigger storage capacity and a 3G option. In addition, Google will include some fresh features to its Android OS. Also, the company will fill up its video, magazine and music services with new content.
Now, let’s take a closer look at Google’s upcoming software and hardware products.
Nexus 4 by LG
Nexus 4 comes with a 4.7” screen with a 1280×768 resolution. The smartphone will run on a Qualcomm quad-core processor called Snapdragon S4 Pro. It terms of memory, the device will offer 8GB to 16GB of internal storage and 2GB RAM. Nexus 4 will have two cameras – a 1.3Mpx front camera and an 8Mpx rear one. In addition, the smartphone device comes with a micro-USB port, micro-HDMI output and NFC (Near field communication). Google is also adding a few extra features like the highly advertised built-in wireless charging, as well as a function called “Photo Sphere” which can take panorama pictures.
As far as tech specifications go, Nexus 4 can compete with every other advanced smartphone on the market. However, it has one major disadvantage – it supports only HSPA+ and not the faster 4G LTE. The reason for that is because Google doesn’t want to bind buyers with wireless contracts. That, however, is not possible with operators like Sprint and Verizon. That is why Google preferred to go with the less expensive and more universal HSPA+ service.
All that makes the final product considerably cheap. Nexus 4’s 8GB model will cost only $299 and the 16GB model – $349. However, the devices data transfer speed is lower than the one offered by most of the smartphones on the market. In the US, the unlocked models of the phone will be able to work only on T-Mobile and AT&T. In addition, T-Mobile will offer the device with a contract for two years at the price of $200. Nexus 4 will be released on November 13.
Asus Nexus 7 Comes with More Storage
This product doesn’t offer anything innovative. The only thing different about it is that this time it comes with two times bigger storage capacity. The 16GB device will cost customers $199 and the 32GB version will sell at $249. Those who want a 3G feature will need to pay another $299. Thanks to its bigger storage capacity, Nexus 7 will now easily compete with other low-cost tablet devices.
As it was already mentioned, the new Nexus 7 is not much different than the previous version. It still has a 7” screen with a 1280×800 resolution. Like the old device, Nexus 7 runs on quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor. The tablet has 1.2Mpx front camera, a microUSB port and a 1GB RAM capacity. In addition, Nexus 7 is only 0.4” thin and it weighs 0.7 pounds. According to Google, the battery of the device can last up to 9.5 hours.
Nexus 10 by Samsung
Nexus 10 is first tablet device with which Google will try to challenge Apple Inc.’s iPad. Among the product’s main advantages is its 10.1” Retina display with a striking 2560×1600 resolution. Also, the tablet has a dual-core A15 processor and 2GB of RAM. Nexus 10 has two cameras – 1.9Mpx front-faced and 5Mpx rear camera. The device has some standard features like HDMI, Micro USB and NFC. In addition, the tablet will offer different user sign-ins. Every user will have access to separate home screen, e-mail, apps and photos. Nexus 10’s prices start at $399 for a 16GB version and reach $499 for a 32GB device. This product of Google will also hit the market on November 13.
Android 4.2
Google claims that Android 4.2 is an improved version of Android 4.1, also known as Jelly Bean. It is not much different than the previous version. However, it offers some functions which users can appreciate. Apart from older features like additional sign-ins and Photo Sphere, the new Android comes with a gesture typing functions for Miracast which are similar to Swype. Thanks to that users will now be to play music and video files from the tablet on TVs.
Android 4.2 also adds more functions to Google Now. For example, Google Now will sent information about flights, restaurants, hotels, events and package shipments to those who have Gmail accounts. In addition, it will alert them whenever it there is a nice photo place or a attraction in the area near them.
Additional Content
Google is not that popular with its music and film services and features. However, that may change since the company signed a few contracts with content makers. 20th century Fox, for example, will import TV shows and films to Google Play. Also, Google joined forces with Warner Music Group to increase the number of music labels on its Google Play Music service.
Another new feature offered by Google will synchronize song files that users keep online with their catalogue on Google Play. In that way, people will be able to access them from anywhere they like. In comparison to Apple’s iTunes, this service of Google will be completely free. The new feature will be released first in Europe (November 13) and later in the US.
Also, Google signed deals with magazine giant Time Inc. That means that the company’s mag app will now include People and TIME periodicals.
Much of Google’s Nexus devices and their features were already rumoured, so there weren’t many big surprises. Android does not offer much new updates. However, practice shows that the less it changes, better it becomes.
