Google Might Unveil Nexus 7 Tablet at Google I/O 2012

Google and Asustek, the purported partners in developing the rumored Google-branded Nexus 7 tablet, are expected to reveal the device in the upcoming Google I/O event. Google I/O, which stands for Input/Output, gathers developers to talk about computing innovations, particularly those concerning Google and its subsidiaries. This will be held on June 27 to 29 in the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

Since news of the Nexus tablet trickled down tech blogs, it has generated much hype, particularly because the tablet is reportedly combining decent specifications with an affordable price tag of only US$199. Allegedly contemplated to compete with the popular Amazon Kindle Fire, the Nexus tablet is thought to carry a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor, Nvidia Tegra 3 System on a Chip, and a full gigabyte of RAM. Its display is also generally held to be a 7-inch IPS display with a native resolution of 1280 x 800. To cut costs, Google is supposedly offering only WiFi connectivity on the device, as well as reduced the usual dual cameras to a single front shooter for video conferencing. Furthermore, a Nexus 7-optimized Google Chrome browser might be present on the tablet.

Google has not confirmed any of these speculations, nor has it categorically denied them. The company, it seems, prefers to keep silent on the matter, even in the face of suspected leaks. For instance, recent photos that are allegedly taken by the Nexus 7 had appeared online, but were immediately taken down. Last month, benchmark tests of the Nexus 7 have surfaced, as well.

Meanwhile, it is rumored that Google has started shipping the devices to retailers this month, but the official release itself is in July. Google is likewise predicted to sell as many as 3 million units of the Nexus tablet by the second half of the year.