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

[diamond.g]

It is possible.

Currently processing power and local storage are the hurdles for speech to text. It appears that the Galaxy Nexus can handle it. I just wonder what the CPU usage is and how much space those libraries take up.

nVidia also just introduced a new flagship variant of Tegra 3 capable of using whopping DDR3-1600 over the old DDR3-667. I expect the Nexus 7 to be using the entry Tegra 3 (T30L). On the mobile front you are still looking at single channel DDR3 and USB 2.0 for the majority of peripheral interfacing.

There was clamoring for Thunderbolt on the iPad or iPhone but what does it matter when the internal flash storage is still connected over USB 2.0? The next major improvement is going to be RAM speed and internal bus speed increases.

Average usage of the CPU in the iPhone 4S must be pretty low under most circumstances. I don't see why we can't do it on the device now.
Shoot we have been able to dictate to our computers since 1997 (maybe even longer) with no requirement for internet connection. I would like to believe our iPhone 4S is as powerful as a 1997 PC.

 

[Eidorian]

I have nothing personally against Google (heck, we're developing Android apps this summer) but the announcements today at Google I/O were very weak. This tablet will go nowhere mainly because Google has no retail presence like Amazon or Apple has, and Android 4.1 is a very incremental update. The best part about Android 4.1 is the "buttery" smooth feel of the OS, which is something the iPhones have had since day one. It felt very ho-hum.

Average Joe just can not enjoy words like "V-sync", "120 FPS", and "Triple-buffering".

 

[ristlin]

Apple were still selling the iPod Touch 2G 1 month before they killed off its support. All companies do it. Get over yourself, its how software development works.

It is literally like saying "Mountain Lion wont work on my 2011 MacBook Air because I need a minimum of 4GB RAM".

Apple even went as far as limiting features on older devices, which when jailbroken re-enable said features which work perfectly well, despite Apple claiming it was a hardware limitation.

Choosing not to add a new feature on an older device and stopping support are two different things.

I was still getting updates on my original iPhone up until I got the 4S. That's considered "support." That I couldn't use Siri is completely different. Is it fair? I'd say so, the guys paying for the new device should get some things that I can't get.

 

[evalex]

Just like Lexus, or Mercedes, right?

Actually, yes. Both of those companies manufacture most of their US market cars in US facilities. My mom has a Mercedes that was put together in Alabama. It's a lot cheaper than shipping a complete car across the ocean.

It's actually quite funny when people argue about buying "foreign" cars that "take jobs away from Americans." Foreign car companies employ more Americans and do more of their manufacturing and assembly in the United States than any of the Big 3 US automakers do. This goes for just about all of the Japanese car companies and some of the big German ones.

On the other hand- GM, Ford, and Chrysler have historically done the bulk of their manufacture of cars destined for sale in the USA in Canada and Latin America.

 

[ristlin]

And it is bad?

When its packed with advertisements? Maybe.

 

[PDFierro]

You keep saying that but you don't say why they are so much better.

What they introduced today and have built up over the past year with their software and the Google Play store, etc.

Do I really need to go in-depth on why I prefer their software and Nexus line to iOS and the iPad? I could, but I thought we all were on here because we researched that already.

It's all about preference. Some platforms suit people better.

 

[Eidorian]

Average usage of the CPU in the iPhone 4S must be pretty low under most circumstances. I don't see why we can't do it on the device now.
Shoot we have been able to dictate to our computers since 1997 (maybe even longer) with no requirement for internet connection. I would like to believe our iPhone 4S is as powerful as a 1997 PC.

True, even Dragon's latest requirements are in the Core 2 Duo era. (Having a dual core DOES benefit.)

That leaves the size of the dictation libraries and more so on a portable device.

 

[DakotaGuy]

I smell an Apple lawsuit coming in 4...3...2...

 

[aristotle]

I hope the Nexus Q gains the installed base of Apple TV. It seems it has a lot of potential and I might just pick one up.

It has potential? It costs 3X of the Apple TV.

 

[hayesk]

Good for you. Care to share a logical reason for your somewhat childish view other than "they know I went shopping last thursday because they recorded my location"?

OK, they read my email to target unwanted advertising at me. I'd rather pay for a service that doesn't do that.

I'm not sure what makes his view childish.

 

[Bawsh]

I have nothing personally against Google (heck, we're developing Android apps this summer) but the announcements today at Google I/O were very weak. This tablet will go nowhere mainly because Google has no retail presence like Amazon or Apple has, and Android 4.1 is a very incremental update. The best part about Android 4.1 is the "buttery" smooth feel of the OS, which is something the iPhones have had since day one. It felt very ho-hum.

Android 4.1 is an "incremental" update because that's what updates by ".1" usually are. Apple's iOS6, however, is what I would call a small update and think should be iOS5.2. The reason the iPhone has been "butter smooth" since day one is because they don't need much power to run and aren't as "resource-heavy" as Android, especially in multitasking.

 

[brightstarbeing]

Quicktime?

Is it just me, or does the Nexus Q logo look suspiciously familiar?...

 

[rmwebs]

OK, they read my email to target unwanted advertising at me. I'd rather pay for a service that doesn't do that.

I'm not sure what makes his view childish.

No they did not read your email. You say that as if some guy is sitting there watching you. The ads are based on keywords AUTOMATICALLY picked up. The ads are also non-identifiable.

Seriously, why is this an issue? It's no different to you seeing an iAd advert relevant to the app you have open on your iPad/iPhone.

 

[hayesk]

That's what a lot of people said when the iPad was first introduced.

And the correct response was "the 10 inch screen makes it a good size for productivity based applications and not pocket-sized proxy versions of larger screen apps."

The small 7" screen precludes it from becoming a good productivity device (although feel free to prove me wrong), but, dare I say it, it does make it a good content consumption device. But I'm perfectly willing to be proven wrong.

 

[samcraig]

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/

Sorry - you're laughing at the idea that Google is employing U.S. workers to make their products? Wow.

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.

Ok - the iPod Touch comes in 16gig and doesn't have 3g. Is that a fail? And Apple has never offered external storage options.

So again - I don't see how you can call Google a fail with this product without saying Apple also failed. Not that I expect you to. I don't think either company or product is a fail. Especially the one that hasn't even been released yet.

 

[ethana]

Android 4.1 is an "incremental" update because that's what updates by ".1" usually are. Apple's iOS6, however, is what I would call a small update and think should be iOS5.2. The reason the iPhone has been "butter smooth" since day one is because they don't need much power to run and aren't as "resource-heavy" as Android, especially in multitasking.

I understand this. I'm a developer.

 

[wolfpackfan]

I have to say I'm very impressed with the Google tablet. I am looking for a replacement for my iPad 1 and have been wanting a 7" form factor. So I guess I'll just wait and see if Apple comes out with a smaller iPad. If not, I'm going to get the Google Tablet.

 

[barkomatic]

From the perspective of a non-techie consumer, there is little to differentiate this tablet from the Kindle Fire or Nook. Yes, the specs are generally better and I'm sure the tablet runs much smoother, but its really just a vessel to deliver content to a consumer who doesn't care about hardware or even the operating system. They just want something to read a book, watch a movie, or play a game on in an uncomplicated way. Gaming would probably be better on this device but lets not forget an update to the Kindle Fire is on its way soon as well.

That being said, I would have loved to have purchased this device as my stop gap measure while waiting for the iPad 3.

 

[rmwebs]

Is it just me, or does the Nexus Q logo look suspiciously familiar?...

Its just you. They look nothing alike other than they share a common first letter ...Q

 

[wovel]

Sorry - you're laughing at the idea that Google is employing U.S. workers to make their products? Wow.

We know the base and case are made in the US. We know it is assembled in the US. Where are the chips made? Where is the board built? I think the answers to those questions will show how far they have fallen from the "Do No Evil" slogan.

 

[buffalo]

I am an Android fan because of Verizon's LTE and because it is a more open OS. For example, I can use the FoxFi app to create a wifi network using my unlimited data, without having to sign up and pay the extra fee verizon charges. That's something (I'm under the impression) iPhone cannot do.

Androids big failure is lack of updates. I'm still waiting for my Droid Bionic to be upgraded to 4.0. There's no word on when that update will come. I'm tempted to purchase a Galaxy S3. However, how long (if ever) will it take for the S3 to receive the Jelly Bean update...

 

[Oletros]

When its packed with advertisements? Maybe.

What advertisements?

 

[inkswamp]

It actually looks surprisingly good for a Google product, but am I missing something or is this really WiFi-only? If so, that counts as a fatal flaw, IMO. What on earth is Google thinking hobbling a mobile device by not including mobile connectivity? Strange omission.

 

[melendezest]

Yeah, why use a name that conjures up images of female privates? Apple is so much smarter than that.

Image​

LOL. Nice! I remember seeing a Mad TV or Saturday Night Live skit (I can't remember which) making fun of "iPad" in a similar way (although it wasn't the tablet).

I also found the name amusing, especially when combined with the Mac: Macs iPad (Maxipad for those that don't get it)

However, I agree with Apple in the iPad's name; its similarity and identity with the iPod name is obvious and catchy. A near-perfect product, perfectly marketed.

 

[rmwebs]

When its packed with advertisements? Maybe.

Shows how clued up you are. Android has zero adverts on it, and doesn't even make its money from adverts. Google profit from Android by licensing the 'GAPPS' package, which is basically the Google apps (Gmail, GCal, Maps (includes an API license), Google Play, etc).

Next time think before making yourself look highly uneducated.