Many are speculating that Google and ASUS will be unveiling and announcing a new Nexus 7 tablet at this years Google I/O event in May. Last year they debuted the exciting $199 Nexus 7 with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and this year we’re hearing a next-gen Nexus 7 is coming with an upgraded 1080p HD display, and along with it will be a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor.
Back in January reports and rumors started floating around that Google and ASUS look to continue their partnership on a 7-inch portable and budget-friendly tablet, and this seems to back that up. The initial report suggested a thinner bezel, more industrial design, the HD display and more as mentioned above. And now we’re hearing a few more reports that are getting us excited.
Some reports and analysis were dug up from the folks at UnwiredView stating Google will jump ship from NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 (or possibly the Tegra 4) and opt for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 Pro for multiple reasons. One being excellent battery life as Qualcomm’s continued to improve, and then the other main factor being 3G/4G LTE radios under the hood. Having the entire Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC powering the device would be a good move to help keep costs down.
“Supply chain conversations indicate two reasons for Google’s selection of the Snapdragon APQ8064 over Tegra 4: competitive pricing, and a decision to single-source the application processor and 3G/4G modem to simplify logistics and create a fully pin-compatible platform interface.” – Analyst Michael McConnell
Hopefully this Nexus 7 supports 4G LTE. As a reminder Google I/O is set to take place this year on May 15-17th and Google should have plenty of exciting things to show off. Those include Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, the rumored Motorola X-Phone being developed in partner with Google, as well as this Nexus 7 tablet. Either way this year should offer another amazing and exciting Google I/O event.
[via UnwiredView]
I wish I could ho to Google I/O so bad.
Wow, since qualcomm was the one who partially leaked the key lime time frame, this adds much credence to the story. Maybe the X phone will also be running S4 Pro.
yes, my thoughts exactly.
Qualcomm is better than nvidia prove and tried
If the speaker is front facing, I will buy 8 of these.
Having to cup my hand around the speaker on the current Nexus7 gets incredibly tiring.
Or any tablet for that matter. I have a feeling that will be a feature on Samsung’s Galaxy S IV. A front speaker just like their recent tablets.
That is why I bought the Kobo: front facing speakers, full Google Play, fast processor, better screen colours. I do not miss the quad core at all. I compared them side by side before purchasing…. now with Kobo upping to JB… it is great!
“the other main factor being 3G/4G LTE radios under the hood”
Snapdragon APQ8064 does not contain an integrated modem :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapdragon_(system_on_chip)
https://developer.qualcomm.com/discover/chipsets-and-modems/snapdragon
Qualcomm SoCs with modems start with MSM
I love the current nexus 7 and would like to see some additional features for the new model. First, I’d like to see micro HDMI in and out; second, I’d like to see download as well as streaming with such apps as BBC iPlayer or TV catchup. This would finally nail the mini iPad.