Google will launch a sequel to last year’s immensely popular Nexus 7 tablet in July, according to a new report from Reuters.
The search engine giant behind the Android revolution will launch a brand new 7-inch tablet mid-way through the year, with confirmation coming from sources holding information on the new product.
Google will again partner with Asus to build the tablet, with the key upgrades being the display and processing power. The Nexus 7 is no slouch in either department, but we’re told that the new model will feature an upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and a sharper screen with a higher resolution.
The Nexus 7 uses Nvidia’s quad-core Tegra 3 chip to provide plenty of power for gaming and multitasking, but it looks as though Google will jump ship to Qualcomm and use one of its new chips – probably the Snapdragon 600 or 800.
Whilst specifics for the new tablet’s screen haven’t been divulged, the general opinion seems to be that Google will jump from 720p HD quality on the Nexus 7 to Full HD 1080p on the new model. On a 7-inch tablet that sort of quality is very rare right now, so Google could be the first to start the push for higher quality, smaller tablets.
With a launch expected for July we’re expecting that Google will launch this new tablet – the Nexus 7 MkII, if you will – at its annual Developers Conference in May. This means that the tablet will be one of the first devices to run on a new version of Android that Google will also reveal at the show, which we believe to be called Key Lime Pie.
The new model is likely to continue Google’s assault on the tablet market by offering a powerful device with the latest Android software at an affordable price. However, the additions of a Full HD display and new processor could well bump up the price. We’ll find out for certain in May.