Google Takes Aim at Apple with New Nexus 7, Google Play Games and Chromecast

[T5BRICK]

And Android is still klunky to use and fugly. I'm not leaving the Apple ecosystem for this thing.

I love my iPad mini too, but have you used Android recently? It isn't clunky and it's only fugly if you leave all of the Samsung/HTC/carrier branded crapware installed on it. I recently sold my iPhone 4S and purchased an HTC One and I am very happy with the phone, the OS and the customization and options available.

I'll see how chromecast goes but I already have 2 ATVs that work great. Kudos to Google for catching up a bit on Airplay but catching up is not particularly innovation.

Chromecast isn't really an airplay replacement, per se...

Plus it's $35. That's ~1/3 of what Apple charges for an Apple TV. It can stream music and play netflix; it's a great option for a lot of users out there.

 

[Renzatic]

Android need a lot more memory and power compared to iOS because Apps are running in a virtual machine with a garbage collector. Just compare Java applications and native applications on your desktop computer...

Like I said earlier on, not all apps have to use Dalvik, and most of the higher end ones don't. Any developer can run their program natively in C++ if they want to.

I don't know what advantage Dalvik has over native, or even how many apps on Android do actually run natively. But the option is there for people to use.

 

[4TheLoveOfTech]

I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed when they realize the limitations of the Chromecast. Sure, it's appealing at $35, but functionality matters too folks. An ATV is easily obtainable for another $50, and we use it every day as it has FAR greater capabilities than this thing. What do I care about a small amount of additional money if the thing only offers a fraction of the capabilities? Do I remember how much I paid for the device or how well it works for me every day?

Google is also missing out by making this HDMI only. People want a cheap way to stream music to their stereo systems too.

Your stereo isn't hooked up to your TV? What's the point in having a receiver if your not watching TV in 5.1?

 

[teknikal90]

Mmm not really. Last year I got the Nexus 7 at launch. Hated the damn thing. Had nothing useful on it and was not gonna root. What's the point of doing this since, IMO, the maker should make the experience as best they can since your paying them. So I'm not doing their job.

Bet your thinking, "What? It has quads cores and NFC's and is super coolz". That's useless when the system feels and acts like an iOS Beta. Rendering issues galore. Regardless, it is still usable. I'm used to crashes and what not owning an Android as my first phone and all. The services suck though. Contacts don't sync. I only had 30 on my google account, yes one account. Play Store is a joke considering people actually praise it as an alt. to the App Store. Yes it has unique apps, yes it has most apps that are on the App Store, no they are not in the same League. Don't blame Goog, don't blame the devs, I blame OEM's and their stupid notion of launching a phone every week. Finally, on standby with wifi your battery drops ~20 percent in one day..

Got the iPad Mini on launch... Best decision ever. Even on iOS 7 beta, it gets better battery life and less rendering issues. (On beta 3, 2 was horrid I'll admit).

So no Apple shouldn't be worried. Although the uninformed and clueless will prolly flock to this (majority of tech buyers, unfortunately), I advice to test it out in store and really put it to its paces.

I agree with you on the software front. I'm an iOS loyalist. I love the smoothness.
But I'm more thinking towards the hardware side - why is Apple consistently being left behind?

Every report suggests that the iPad mini wont get the retina treatment this year... meanwhile the $100 cheaper competitor is getting 4x the ram and 2 x the cores and 4x the pixels... next week.

Why cant Apple do that???

 

[Dr McKay]

I just bought one, I honestly don't know why. I have a Nexus 10...

 

[goldenaustin]

...
Google is also missing out by making this HDMI only. People want a cheap way to stream music to their stereo systems too.

For a cheap solution to stream wirelessly to a stereo system, I'd go with a Bluetooth adapter with RCA/3.5mm stereo plug. If your audio system has an HDMI receiver, then I would think you can plug in the Chromecast into an available HDMI port.

I don't think the Chromecast was intended to be a "do-it-all" device and especially not at $35. However, with the "open-ness" of it, I do believe there's a whole lot to come in the near future with capabilities that aren't in the initial list.

For those who think it's an irrelevant device...don't forget, competition is always good for the consumer and will only mean bigger and better things for the Apple TV!

 

[mudman2]

You lot are hilarious

 

[nepalisherpa]

I have to say I find it odd how many Google lovers who claim to be former Apple fans frequent this site for updates on which Google devices they should buy.

What's your point? I have a Macbook Pro and an iPhone 5. I sold my iPad 2 because it was showing its age with memory (RAM). I sold it to upgrade and I want to upgrade to Nexus 7. This has nothing to do with Apple/Goolge fan.

 

[mackingtosh]

Holy moly

Holy hell that bezel is atrocious. Why not slap a D-pad and a 1 and 2 button on there, make it a Game Gear?

 

[iSteve-O]

So it's $100 less with a "Retina" screen, while the iPad Mini is stuck with iPad 2's screen resolution.

I pre-ordered the Chromecast. With the free 3 months of Netflix, it was a no-brainer.

 

[Kariya]

So basically they launched their own copies of GameCentre, AopleTV, Airplay and a more expensive NX7

 

[zhenya]

Your stereo isn't hooked up to your TV? What's the point in having a receiver if your not watching TV in 5.1?

Sure it is, but it's round-about. My cable box is actually connected to my receiver, not the TV. Some TV's might support this by pass-through from the digital audio out. How many will pass that signal when the TV is off? Do I want to have my tv on to listen to music? Absolutely not.

We also have stereos in locations where there is no tv.

For a cheap solution to stream wirelessly to a stereo system, I'd go with a Bluetooth adapter with RCA/3.5mm stereo plug. If your audio system has an HDMI receiver, then I would think you can plug in the Chromecast into an available HDMI port.

I don't think the Chromecast was intended to be a "do-it-all" device and especially not at $35. However, with the "open-ness" of it, I do believe there's a whole lot to come in the near future with capabilities that aren't in the initial list.

For those who think it's an irrelevant device...don't forget, competition is always good for the consumer and will only mean bigger and better things for the Apple TV!

I agree that Bluetooth is an option for basic users. I personally find the sound quality lacking and appreciate that an AppleTV can also be used for music separate from the TV. The point is, HDMI only is kind of a kludge.

 

[Jett0516]

Now I know what I'm getting this coming holiday. Sorry apple but you're just too slow.

 

[GoodWatch]

Holy hell that bezel is atrocious. Why not slap a D-pad and a 1 and 2 button on there, make it a Game Gear?

You aren't forced to buy one, everything that isn't Apple is hideous, atrocious and fugly. That much is clear by now

 

[kenypowa]

Google can't touch Apple. Enough said.

Maybe that's because Google is so far ahead and Apple is lost somewhere using Apple Maps?

 

[JGRE]

Wow, that's a thick bezel.

This is one hideous tablet! The bezel gives me a 'deja vu' 10 years back.

 

[Renzatic]

I just bought one, I honestly don't know why. I have a Nexus 10...

Yeah, I dunno why you did that either. I mean what are you gonna do with the 7 you can't already do with the 10? Total waste of money, man. Shameful.

...now that I've talked you down a bit, wanna sell me your Nexus 10 for 50 bucks?

 

[Plutonius]

Now I know what I'm getting this coming holiday. Sorry apple but you're just too slow.

Again, why are people sorry ? Use the device that best meets your needs.

 

[Renzatic]

Again, why are people sorry ? Use the device that best meets your needs.

It's cuz whenever you drop Apple for someone else, you get this personal, heartfelt letter from Tim Cook and Jonathan Ives talking about how they tried their best to make you happy, and how much they're gonna miss you. It's got tear stains on it and everything.

Kinda makes you feel bad.

 

[mdelvecchio]

Nice, I look forward to Apple's next iPad Mini, with nicer software, lesser specs, and higher cost.

iPad has so many hardware features to add yet, that for no real innovations in this many generations, really makes it feel like Apple is coasting.

Apple doesn't do well as a coasting company.

if you knew anything about apple, you'd know they don't play the specs game. end user experience trumps specs every time.

 

[mjaco002]

DIDN'T ANYONE READ THE FINE PRINT THAT GOOGLE HAS POSTED:

Subscriptions may be required to use with certain content providers. Chromecast is compatible with WiFi-enabled Android 2.3+ smartphones and tablets; iOS 6.0+ iPhones, iPads, and iPods; Chrome for Mac® and Chrome for Windows®; and Chromebook Pixel. Power cord required (not shown).

 

[aohus]

DIDN'T ANYONE READ THE FINE PRINT THAT GOOGLE HAS POSTED:

Subscriptions may be required to use with certain content providers. Chromecast is compatible with WiFi-enabled Android 2.3+ smartphones and tablets; iOS 6.0+ iPhones, iPads, and iPods; Chrome for Mac® and Chrome for Windows®; and Chromebook Pixel. Power cord required (not shown).

uh. NO KIDDING ?! thats a given. did you think buying a $35 dongle would give you lifetime subscription to Netflix and Hulu? c'mon guy...

as for the power cord being required, its possible only older models of tv's would required an external power source. Newer TV's should be able to power via HDMI or USB.

 

[rtomyj]

I agree with you on the software front. I'm an iOS loyalist. I love the smoothness.
But I'm more thinking towards the hardware side - why is Apple consistently being left behind?

Every report suggests that the iPad mini wont get the retina treatment this year... meanwhile the $100 cheaper competitor is getting 4x the ram and 2 x the cores and 4x the pixels... next week.

Why cant Apple do that???

Ok makes sense. Though it could be that suppliers can't produce the mass amounts of hardware needed for it (glass/chip wise). Hoping Apple makes the retina come to the mini, though not gonna buy it since my mini now is still very capable. Heck even my N7 is legging it so there's some good. Haha

 

[JGRE]

The chromecast is actually a intriguing product. I'll be picking one up. heck its only $35.

Just another airplay, dude. What so intriguing about that?

 

[teknikal90]

DIDN'T ANYONE READ THE FINE PRINT THAT GOOGLE HAS POSTED:

Subscriptions may be required to use with certain content providers. Chromecast is compatible with WiFi-enabled Android 2.3+ smartphones and tablets; iOS 6.0+ iPhones, iPads, and iPods; Chrome for Mac® and Chrome for Windows®; and Chromebook Pixel. Power cord required (not shown).

...so???