The new Nexus tablet is here and it looks brilliant. Is it enough to compete on the market as it stands? Well lets dig in and try to find out.
I have owned and used both the previous Nexus 7 tablets amongst others, so I have been keen to see what the next generation of Google’s tablet would look like. We all heard the rumours and I can say that the rumours were true to form and we do indeed have an 8.7” screen on a tablet that weighs in at less than 1lb or 454 grams. Needless to say this is a significant departure from the previous style of tablet that Google have made. So the screen is going to a 4:3 aspect ratio, is that such a bad thing? Well, I don’t think so as this is what the bestselling tablet uses at the moment and it seems to work there so why can it not work here?
The core of this new tab is that it is running the new Tegra K1 super chip at 2.3 GHz, Kepler DX1 GPU and 2gb of RAM. It is the first 64 bit architecture tablet on the market. This puts it square in the crosshairs of the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact and also the Galaxy Tab S Range. Like all previous Nexus devices there is still no expandability in the form of a Micro SD card slot which is a bugbear of mine but hey ho. Storage sizes will be 16gb and 32gb
One addition that has got me a bit hot under the cooler is the fact that it is going to have the option of a Keyboard accessory, this will make it a conceivable option for people on the go like myself.
You can order worldwide from 17th October although UK pricing is still to be confirmed. We will bring you any more news as we get it.
In the meantime here is a vid to get you a little more excited.
http://youtu.be/yYHY3MFiq1o
HTC AND GOOGLE INTRODUCE THE FIRST ANDROID™ LOLLIPOP NEXUS TABLET
The Nexus 9 fuses HTC’s design excellence with Google’s latest Android™ Lollipop software to deliver a premium tablet experience
London, October 15, 2014, – HTC, a global leader in technology innovation and design, today announces the launch of the very first Android™ Lollipop tablet, the Nexus 9. The result of a close collaboration between HTC and Google, the Nexus 9 fuses HTC’s cutting-edge technology and innovation heritage in premium design with Google’s excellence in intuitive software, for a premium tablet experience.
Delivering the best in precision design and performance
Encased in a brushed aluminum frame that seamlessly connects the screen to a soft-grip back[1], the Nexus 9 is both sleek and polished, showcasing HTC’s expertise in precision metal work. The tablet also has an 8.9″ display with 4:3″ viewing ratio that is large enough to master any task, yet small enough to hold comfortably in one hand. Weighing just 436g[2], it is also lightweight and easily portable.
At its heart, this easy to use, powerful tablet boasts an Nvidia® Tegra® K1 64-bit dual-core processor that makes switching between tasks both simple and fast, while its Keppler GPU delivers desktop grade performance and graphics in tablet form.
Front (1.6MP) and rear (8MP) cameras allow key moments to be captured as they happen, with the Nexus 9 tablet’s 2K screen (2048×1536) resolution delivering sharp detail and vibrant colours when viewing photos, browsing the web or watching videos. Dual front facing speakers feature a dedicated smart amp and HTC BoomSound™ profile for speaker mode, to enable stereo sound from the front of the device – perfect for music and gaming fans.
First tablet worldwide to run on Android™ Lollipop[3]
Designed to make the most of the very latest Android™ Lollipop operating system, the Nexus 9 comes packed with features that make multi-tasking a breeze, while allowing for a high level of personalisation and security through a range of secure login functions. Its extended battery life means you can spend more time playing and less time charging.
“The Nexus 9 is a great example of what can be achieved when two companies, united in their passion for innovative technology, come together to create a product with the user experience at the very center of the design process,” said Peter Chou, CEO, HTC. “HTC’s unrivalled design language combines with the very latest software advancements to deliver a premium tablet, inside and out. We are thrilled to be able to bring this product to market.”
Availability
The Nexus 9 comes in 16GB, 32GB and 32GB LTE models and will be available for worldwide pre-sales from the Google Play™ store beginning Oct. 17, shipping and available in retail outlets beginning Nov. 3. For further information on features, functionality and accessories, visit www.htc.com/uk/.
Updated availability
The Nexus 9 comes in 16GB, 32GB and 32GB LTE models. Availability and shipping beginning* 3rd November at various UK retail outlets and operators including Currys, PC World, John Lewis, Argos, Amazon.co.uk, Three and O2. The Nexus 9 will also be available for worldwide pre-sales from the Google Play™ store beginning Oct. 17. For further information on features, functionality and accessories, visit htc.com/uk.
[1] The soft-grip back will come in black, brown and white.
[2] Figure relates to the LTE version of the Nexus 9.
