Decision to release budget-priced tablet makes sense to provide competition for iPad Mini.
Google is reportedly working with Taiwan-based Quanta Computer to create a $99 Nexus tablet, with a launch due by the end of the year.
According to DigiTimes' sources, the device will feature a single-core processor, but won't have input from Asus, who collaborated with Google for its Nexus 7 tablet.
Google's Nexus 7 is currently one of the cheapest tablets available on the competitive market. An 8GB model retails for $199, with a 16GB option boasting a price tag of $249.
Those models will also be joined by the all but confirmed 32GB edition. Following a consumer mistakenly receiving a 32GB version, and Carphone Warehouse confirming its existence, UK retailer Argos showcased the new variant in its Christmas Gift Guide, with a price tag of $323 (£199).
A 32GB Nexus 7 also appeared on Staples Advantage, a retail site for business users, which showcased a price tag of $248.37.
Google considerably improving its Nexus line shouldn't come as too much of a surprise due to the fact that Apple is holding an iPad Mini media event on Tuesday, with the soon-to-be-announced tablet reportedly set to retail between $250 and $300.
Google made a tablet and changed an industry.
That's innovation, not endless lawsuits.
I downvoted you for being a obvious troll.
Single core? Since Asus won't be part of the new $99 N7, how is the build quality? What about the screen?
I hope google doesn't try to ruin the good name of N7.
But on the other hand, if it runs decently at $99. I will definitely get it as Christmas gift for my parents and other close relatives.
Google made a tablet and changed an industry.
That's innovation, not endless lawsuits.
I downvoted you for being a obvious troll.
Ok, but why didn't they do that in 2009 or at least sometime before April 2010? Hmmmm?
Actually Microsoft had a tablet way back in 2001, it just didn't catch on. Apple didn't invent it lol!
TBH MS, has been tring to get tablets into mainstream for years. But between the government oversight that was imposed for the IE/W98 thingy, and the mischaracterization as touchscreen focusing on business instead of for consumers, and in large part due to tech just not being ready in the early 2000's, it never took off...
ddpruitt, How did Google change an industry? Are you referring to Amazon and the Kindle Fire?
Prior to Google's entry into the field good tablets where expensive ($400+) and cheap tablets ran ancient software on slow hardware. With Google's we have some very good tablets at really good price points ($200-$250), just look at all the competition in this segment now Kindle, Nook, Nexus 7, etc.. When the Ipad came out it was a status symbol like a Porsche or BMW, very few had them. the Google tablets are almost commodities now, lot's of people have them and love them, like Civic's.
I understand that they allowed for lower priced Tablets, but ultimately, while it did lower the prices, it lowered the margins, and ultimately, Android Tablets are neither particularly popular or anywhere near as ubiquitous in the consumer market as iPads... If anything, google created confusion in the marketplace, and with the exception of Amazon, maybe, there is no truly successful (at least compared with Apple) as a forerunner of the Android Platform.
I think this is where Windows 8 (non RT) has a chance... Maybe... As people call them Microsoft Computers, no matter who makes the tablet, where Android computers are known by their manufacturer, and have few unifying aspects from a marketing standpoint.
That's the complete opposite.
The iPad created the consumer market for touch tablets. You can try revisionist history all you want. Apple has been the one driving the innovation and creating the market, Android is just providing a different product after that market has been created.
- Who created the finger touchscreen smartphone market? Apple (iPhone)
- Who created the finger touchscreen handheld gaming/multimedia device? Apple (iPod)
- Who created the finger touchscreen table market? Apple (iPad)
Not saying their products are the best, but the actual market we see now, the ones competitors are trying to produce products for, Apple created the consumer level market for it.
Sure, have devices existed before that may have done the same, that does not mean its creates a billion dollar market for it. First to market does not mean creating the market. Simple economics.
Going from a Palm stylus or Blackberry to an iPhone was a leap.
Going from an iPhone to a Galaxy is not a leap.
Going from the tablets that existed before like Acronis device to an iPad was a leap.
Going from iPad to a Nexus is not a leap.
And more important -market it
You are forgetting the "Nexus" Brandname and with it the rights to get the latest Android updates first! Not many cheaper android tablets in the $100 can do that since Google holds the reins in this matter and can tailor the forthcoming updates and optimize it for the nexus devices. I personally would choose this tablet over any cheaper unbranded android tablet even if it were $30 cheaper or even slightly weaker in performance, just for the assured quality,regular updates,assured XDA community support and peace of mind.
The iPad created the consumer market for touch tablets. You can try revisionist history all you want. Apple has been the one driving the innovation and creating the market, Android is just providing a different product after that market has been created.
- Who created the finger touchscreen smartphone market? Apple (iPhone)
- Who created the finger touchscreen handheld gaming/multimedia device? Apple (iPod)
- Who created the finger touchscreen table market? Apple (iPad)
Not saying their products are the best, but the actual market we see now, the ones competitors are trying to produce products for, Apple created the consumer level market for it.
Sure, have devices existed before that may have done the same, that does not mean its creates a billion dollar market for it. First to market does not mean creating the market. Simple economics.
Going from a Palm stylus or Blackberry to an iPhone was a leap.
Going from an iPhone to a Galaxy is not a leap.
Going from the tablets that existed before like Acronis device to an iPad was a leap.
Going from iPad to a Nexus is not a leap.
I understand that they allowed for lower priced Tablets, but ultimately, while it did lower the prices, it lowered the margins, and ultimately, Android Tablets are neither particularly popular or anywhere near as ubiquitous in the consumer market as iPads... If anything, google created confusion in the marketplace, and with the exception of Amazon, maybe, there is no truly successful (at least compared with Apple) as a forerunner of the Android Platform.
I think this is where Windows 8 (non RT) has a chance... Maybe... As people call them Microsoft Computers, no matter who makes the tablet, where Android computers are known by their manufacturer, and have few unifying aspects from a marketing standpoint.
Here's what I'm talking about
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_770
Touchscreen,
BlueTooth,
WiFi,
etc
For some reason when Apple does well in an specific market they created it, nothing could be further from the truth. Unfortunately we don't have Ipad vs Android tablet sales, all we see is Ipad vs one company not vs all of the other Android tablets it has to compete with. You call it confusion I call it healthy competition.
Sure we're going to have quite a bit of junk until the market sorts itself out, it always happens in every industry. Apple created a niche market, few considered on because of the cost. Google opened the market to everyone, from the rumors (which I won't believe till I see) even Apple is considering releasing a low cost Ipad.
Microsoft is only entering the market now that the boundaries have been cleaned up a bit. They tried and failed (XP Tablet Edition anyone?).
edit: Didn't correctly quote something
Yes, yes, the millions of tablets now being sold are due to Nokia and the 770 back in 2005.
Give me a break.
There was no billion dollar tablet market until the iPad. Do you honestly dispute this?
You can find all sorts of tablet like devices that made no inroads, didn't make a profit or much, and had ZERO traction with consumers.
I think that low resolution screen is confirmed (have to be bacause the GPU part is allso weak). So you get what you pay for. 99$ is very cheap, but so are the parts. But if you just want to read web pages and are not so keen on a little washed out coulours and poor viewing angles, this can be good pad. It has to be compared to reletively closely priced pads and there are not so many of them. If this is better than near competion, this is just ok. You just can not expect it to be as good as those 199$ devices.
Granted I want HDMI connection and microSD card slot but if a Nexus tablet came out at a $100 price point I say screw it and pick one up at that price point.