Report: Asus, Google Working on Next-gen Nexus 7

News
By Kevin Parrish
published

Google and Asus are working on a next-generation Nexus 7 tablet.

The oh-so-spotty DigiTimes reports that Asus and Google are currently collaborating on a next-generation Nexus 7 tablet. This bit of news isn't surprising given that branded tablets (iPad, Kindle Fire) typically have a shelf life of a year before the next-generation model arrives, pushing consumers into sinking more money on a newer model.

Digitimes' typical unnamed sources from the upstream supply chain claim that Asus and Google plan to reveal the 2nd-generation Nexus 7 tablet in May during Google I/O 2013 (alongside a possible Nexus 4 successor and a 2nd-generation Samsung Nexus 10). The combined shipments of the two Nexus 7 tablets are expected to reach 10 million units in 2013, sources said.

So what's changed in the new Nexus 7? Based on "engineering samples", the updated tablet will sport a Full HD display, or rather 1920 x 1080, an upgrade from the current model's 1280 x 800 resolution. So far there's no indication that Google and Asus will add HDMI output, one of the biggest features the current model regretfully lacks.

Sources said the new model will also feature an industrial design with a thinner display border. Even more, the pricetag will stay the same, costing between $199 and $249, depending on the internal storage capacity. As it stands now, the current 16 GB model retails for $199 whereas the 32 GB version sells for $249.

Finally, sources said that the new Nexus 7 will use Android "Jelly Bean" right out of the box (v4.2.1 is the current version). But there's a good chance Google will use the much-rumored "Key Lime Pie" with this release as well as the rumored next-gen Nexus 10 and Nexus 4 successor. So far Google hasn't officially confirmed "Key Lime Pie" or the next-generation products, so stay tuned for more.

Hey, maybe this version won't have cosmetic issues seen with the 1st-generation model like the display coming apart from the bezel (which mine finally did), and dead pixels.

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Kevin Parrish
15 Comments Comment from the forums
  • kawininjazx
    I honestly don't see any need for an update until at least Q4.
    Reply
  • killerclick
    Haha 1080p tablet for $199. They're really spoiling us
    Reply
  • Vorador2
    Wait, Google is working on a new tablet??? Preposterous!!! Nobody could have guessed that!!!
    Reply
  • cknobman
    Is the SOC still going to be Tegra 3? If so I will pass.
    Reply
  • amdwilliam1985
    Upgrade to Tegra 4, start with 16GB and 32GB as standard. Maybe throw us a back camera too, pretty please...
    Reply
  • InvalidError
    cknobmanIs the SOC still going to be Tegra 3? If so I will pass.The Tegra3 was already somewhat old when the N7 came out so I would expect Tegra4 or equivalent/better.

    I'm not buying another tablet without micro-SDHC/SDXC slot though. I have one SD-less N7 already, I don't want another.
    Reply
  • CrArC
    InvalidErrorThe Tegra3 was already somewhat old when the N7 came out so I would expect Tegra4 or equivalent/better.I'm not buying another tablet without micro-SDHC/SDXC slot though. I have one SD-less N7 already, I don't want another. Lack of SDHC/SDXC was why I had to pass up the N7 in the first place. Regrettable as it's really nice to use, but I just need the storage. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 for me - which is actually quite fast on a custom ROM (almost twice as fast as stock, the stock ROM really holds it back). Still, made great gifts for my girlfriend and my Dad , neither of them need the expandability.

    Google deliberately don't put HDMI and SD card support in to allow other vendors to compete though, so I don't expect they will add it to any future models.
    Reply
  • killerclick
    InvalidErrorI'm not buying another tablet without micro-SDHC/SDXC slot though. I have one SD-less N7 already, I don't want another.
    CrArCLack of SDHC/SDXC was why I had to pass up the N7 in the first place.
    What do you guys use your tablets for? I got a 16GB Nexus 7 in July and it has over 10GB available even if I have a bunch of games on it. Is anyone seriously storing movies on their tablets? I could understand if you're homeless, but surely there are better ways to watch movies than on a 7" handheld?
    Reply
  • razor512
    I would also like an SD card slot. I tend to like to have enough storage to it multiple anime series on the tablet for viewing when traveling.
    PS the nexus 7 and nexus 10 both have the input for an sdhc card slot, they just chose not to install the card slot so that they can sell 2 storage tiers.

    SDHC support is built into many SOC's and generally only requires the slot to be installed. ( in some cases a few passive components such as resistors and capacitors may be needed, but you will not find a modern ARM based SOC without a sdhc pinout, and by modern, I mean from the past 10 years.

    Hdmi output requires an additional active controller.

    sdhc slots are extremely cheap, you even see them in those cheap $40 chinese tablets. And if you really want to cheapout, you can simply change the pcb layout to run the sdhc traces to the end of the board, then use part of the case as the body Of the slot. The cutout will Reduce the cost of the case since slightly less plastic is being used, the tiny beads of solder will be at the ends of those traces, and that requires no change on the wave solder machine, it does not increase the cost of the PCB since they come completely covered in copper, and the acid bath removes all but the wanted traces.

    Any cost added by the solder, will offset by the plastic saved on the case.

    Reply
  • scythe944
    razor512I would also like an SD card slot. I tend to like to have enough storage to it multiple anime series on the tablet for viewing when traveling.PS the nexus 7 and nexus 10 both have the input for an sdhc card slot, they just chose not to install the card slot so that they can sell 2 storage tiers.SDHC support is built into many SOC's and generally only requires the slot to be installed. ( in some cases a few passive components such as resistors and capacitors may be needed, but you will not find a modern ARM based SOC without a sdhc pinout, and by modern, I mean from the past 10 years.Hdmi output requires an additional active controller.sdhc slots are extremely cheap, you even see them in those cheap $40 chinese tablets. And if you really want to cheapout, you can simply change the pcb layout to run the sdhc traces to the end of the board, then use part of the case as the body Of the slot. The cutout will Reduce the cost of the case since slightly less plastic is being used, the tiny beads of solder will be at the ends of those traces, and that requires no change on the wave solder machine, it does not increase the cost of the PCB since they come completely covered in copper, and the acid bath removes all but the wanted traces.Any cost added by the solder, will offset by the plastic saved on the case.

    You're missing the point. Google doesn't add external storage slots to make you use their online "cloud" services instead. They are an advertising company that makes money off of your interests. If you had all the storage you ever wanted on your device, you'd be able to use their tablet completely off of their network almost and they'd never get any useful data off of you.

    They could easily add it, they just don't WANT to.
    Reply