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.