The Next Web reports that during Google's press event on October 29, the company will unveil a number of new devices, stealing some of the spotlight away from Apple (iPad Mini, new iPad 3) and Microsoft (Surface, Windows 8). Looking back, it was probably a good idea for lightweights Amazon and Barnes & Noble to avoid this Big Three boxing match. They each revealed their new tablets in September.
Nevertheless, unnamed sources have released new details regarding the upcoming event based on an internal video taken at one of Google's weekly all-hands "TGIF" meetings. This last meeting outlined what the company planned to showcase next Monday.
Some of the information isn't all that new: Google will introduce Android 4.2 "Jelly Bean" and a 32 GB version of the Nexus 7 (which is already sitting on store shelves). The report also seemingly confirms rumors that a second 32 GB Nexus 7 tablet will be released featuring HSPA+ (3G) connectivity.
Also slated to be revealed next Monday is the much-rumored Samsung Nexus 10, Google's next Google Experience tablet in a 10-inch tablet form factor. Internally the tablet goes by the name of "Codename Manta," and will sport the new Android build and a screen capable of a 2560×1600 pixel (16:10) resolution (around 300 ppi). Sources claim Google is keeping the Jelly Bean name for this build instead of moving on to "Key Lime Pie".
Sources also confirmed talk of a Nexus smartphone manufactured by LG, and said it will make its appearance at the event as rumored. Dubbed the LG Nexus 4, it will come packed with a quad-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon SoC, a 4.7-inch 1280 x 768 display, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, an 8MP camera on the back, a 1.3MP camera on the front, and a 2100mAh battery. Indeed, this Jelly Bean phone sounds quite tasty.
As for Android 4.2 "Jelly Bean" itself, it's poised to compete directly with Apple's iOS 6. The panoramic camera settings will now support both horizontal and vertical movement by default. The updated OS will also introduce two new features including "Content in the center," which allows the user to access Play Store content from a widget, and "Tablet Sharing," which allows multiple accounts, great for families and businesses.
This will be quite a busy week for the Big Three. Apple is scheduled to reveal its two tablets on Tuesday, followed by Microsoft's Windows 8 launch on Friday, and Google's Android 4.2 launch and Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 event on the following Monday. Throw in the recently announced devices from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and consumers will have plenty of choices for their wish list this holiday season.
