If the latest rumors are true, Google is getting ready to attack the 7-inch tablet (or “tweener,” as Steve Jobs referred to them) market in a big way with a Nexus device it jointly developed with Asus. Word on the Web is that the two companies will unveil the aggressively priced 7-inch Nexus tablet at Google I/O, which will take place at San Francisco’s Moscone Center next week (June 27 through 29). How aggressive?
Citing sources from upstream component makers, DigiTimes says it will initially cost $199, the same as Amazon’s Kindle Fire. Most of the specs are still a mystery, but it’s likely the 7-inch Nexus will trump the Kindle Fire’s hardware. At minimum, it will bring a front-facing camera to the 7-inch tablet party, which is something the Kindle Fire doesn’t have, though don’t expect 3G, 4G, or anything other than Wi-Fi connectivity at this price, DigiTimes says.
The Nexus tablet is said to come pre-loaded with Google’s Chrome browser. Asus, meanwhile, is getting ready to launch its own brand 7-inch tablet later this summer in the $159 to $179 range.
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