Google Announces $199 Nexus 7 Tablet, $299 Nexus Q Media Streamer

[rjohnstone]

Ok... I see one thing Google missed.
No external memory card support.
So it's either 8GB or 16GB.... sorry, but that's a failure in my book.

 

[ufwa]

Hmm no word on retail sellers.

Don't know about others but I don't buy electronics without having a chance to see/touch/hold it in person.

 

[Menneisyys2]

Quad core plus decent screen for only 200?! I'm in for one!

Me too. It's cheap enough not to take a big loss if I don't use it much.

 

[Blipp]

The tablet seems really competative in the 7" tablet market.

The Q Media Streamer seems completely DOA. I guess there must be a lot more to it than what's described because otherwise it would be 3x more expensive than competing products.

Right. I'm really missing what this device does that puts it in the $300 price range. I get frustrated that my Apple TV doesn't give me access to Hulu or Amazon Prime, this thing is only google streaming. Sharing playlists with friends is a joke of a feature as a major selling point. Those kinds of things are cool fluff that you add to already fleshed out products, you can't base your living room set top box around streaming audio playlists to people. No Netflix? C'mon. Why would anyong ever buy this over a PS3 that gives you more streaming options, local storage, a browser, blu ray, and of course games. The only thing it's missing is the playlist streaming. I just don't get it.

If someone sees something in this device that is totally flying over my head then by all means let me know. I can't imagine a room full of smart people approved this as a product at that price and limited functionality.

 

[D.T.]

The Nexus 7 looks like a solid entry into the low[er] cost, small tablet market, and clearly shares that marketspace with the Kindle.

I was reasonably underwhelmed by the Kindle I had (sold it in ~2 weeks), but I get where a device like this fits into the market.

The Q looks like another questionable entry into the media hub/sharing device space. Everyone it trying to create (even though I kind of hate using the term), an ecosystem of hardware/software that penetrates mobile, “lifestyle”, media distribution and subscription. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out with Apple, Google and MS.

 

[samcraig]

Ok... I see one thing Google missed.
No external memory card support.
So it's either 8GB or 16GB.... sorry, but that's a failure in my book.

because the 16 gig iPad is a failure?

I admit to not reading the entire spec list/etc - but I would assume, that just like the iPad - Google is banking on the cloud as being primary storage.

 

[fig]

Apple TV has Bluetooth 4.0 in its chipset, just it isn't activated. I'm sorry, but a 25 watt amp and and NFC doesn't warrant a $200 premium.

I'd tend to agree, you could get an AppleTV and a decent separate amp for $299. It's an interesting little package though.

For everyone dissing the Nexus 7 as not being up to iPad specs, for half the price it isn't supposed to be. It's a nice little piece of tech for $199 or 249 though, I'll probably get one just to have it around the house for browsing, Netflix, etc., and to dabble on an Android platform.

 

[adztaylor]

Incredible price. Have an iPad but tempted to get one of these to try out.

 

[djharris]

I'm guessing that as far as the tablets, and the unlocked phone they were already selling for $399, Google is taking the strategy Amazon did with the Kindle Fire, selling devices at or near cost so they can make money off selling stuff on the Play Store. Seems good for consumers.

Not sure about the ball quite yet....

 

[BFizzzle]

First the nexus 7 doesn't even come close to the iPad and there isn't really anything special about it. It's pretty much just a kindle fire with cameras and a barebone os, and we all know how that went.

ya ... just like a kindle fire... except a quad core cpu and 12 core gpu

 

[macrumors12345]

Last year Google wanted to compete with the iPad. This year they want to compete with Kindle Fire. Maybe next year it will be Surface.

 

[lilo777]

At first glance, those two hardware features don't seem to have much impact over the way that an iPhone or iPad interact with the Apple TV. Different technologies with the same outcome - control the box with a phone/tablet.

I guess there are two main differences:
* Nexus Q is much better solution for listening to music. You connect it to speakers and that's it. It can still be connected to a TV but for music only one does not need to turn the TV on. It will also enhance sound for TV programs too (with decent speakers) although those with Home Theater setups would not need it.
* As I understand, Nexus Q can serve as a server of sorts. The promo video shows how different people may submit music requests to Nexus Q queue making it a more social experience. With 1GB of RAM Google probably can use this thing for all kinds of features.

 

[Born Again]

I'm a little dissappionted in the childish comments made at google.

Competition is good. IMO iOS could use a rehaul

 

[d3bruts1d]

The Nexus 7 isn't bad, but the internal is way overpowered for that tiny screen. I expect the Kindle Fire2 to be nearly identical. Not bad, if you like that cheap, light, fragile plastic feeling in your tablets.

The Q screams "fail" and once again, Google doesn't appear to know what they are doing with their products. What is their goal for the home entertainment? Google TV or Google Q? IMO, the Q is a niche, party device. I don't see it selling very well and it certainly is not an Apple TV competitor.

 

[boomboom2]

The Nexus Q is so expensive because it's manufactured in the USA. Google thinks people have morals and will actually pay more because it's made by well compensated people instead of people in horrible conditions lol!

www.engadget.com/2012/google-q-is-designed-and-manufactured-in-the-u-s-a/

 

[Worf]

Only thing I really hate about Nexus 7 is that it's not optimized for a tablet and it's running software as if it was a phone. I don't think this will kill Kindle Fire completely, Amazon still has time to introduce their own answer to this.

 

[bushido]

first problem ... "US only" it seems

plus only at their online store? google needs to extend its hardware availability to something like a "google play" area at best buy etc like apple does to appeal to more people. having all google hardware (tablet, smartphones) along with 3rd party tools in one spot simply looks cooler and attracts more people

 

[rjohnstone]

because the 16 gig iPad is a failure?

I admit to not reading the entire spec list/etc - but I would assume, that just like the iPad - Google is banking on the cloud as being primary storage.

Cloud is fine if you have connectivity, but this is a WiFi only device.
8GB is pathetic.
16GB is usable, but I know that I personally would fill it up rather quickly.
Since they don't offer larger capacities, having an external memory card slot would have been a nice feature to have.
But I have to remember... Nexus devices have never been cutting edge.

 

[fupresti]

I imagine some of the cost relates to the fact it was designed and is manufactured in the USA. To all those who claim they would pay more for a product manufactured in the USA, ball is now in your court.

 

[Eidorian]

because the 16 gig iPad is a failure?

I admit to not reading the entire spec list/etc - but I would assume, that just like the iPad - Google is banking on the cloud as being primary storage.

I believe I saw the mention of expandable storage via SD/microSD. If you are concerned about speed it is all over USB 2.0 anyways. Even the internal stuff.

 

[GLS]

Because Google is a premium brand.

No kidding?

Really?

Premium?

 

[rmwebs]

Google has effectively set the bar for other Android manufacturers... some ways great (i.e. hardware specs) but other ways it is really going to kill some of them (mostly price and consumer expectations).

This has now cemented in people's minds that an Android tablet shouldn't cost more than 200 bucks. It is going to be a race to the bottom from here on out.

Google has been planning this ever since the Motorola buyout was announced.

Why just make money licensing 'GAPPS' when you can make the entire hardware.

Microsoft finally understood this with the announcement of the Slate. This is what the 'Post PC Era' is all about - controlling your ecosystem. Whoever controls their ecosystem the best, gets the consumer.

 

[diamond.g]

No one has any comment on the offline dictation?

 

[ghettochris]

Nexus Q-fail on price, fail on shape.

Nexus 7-fail on super fat top and bottom bezel. Also, if you have a 4.5" android phone, is there any point to this?

 

[Eidorian]

No one has any comment on the offline dictation?

A lot of fun things require local storage to be used. Offline text to speech gets major points for me. Now add offline Wikipedia.

Here's to Star Trek.