Nexus 7 tablet: Android no longer an also-ran
There’s no single facet of Google’s new Nexus 7 that stands out as a game-changer on its own. However, the combination of a number of minor upsides is a powerful one, making the tablet into an intriguing contender in a competitive arena.
Android tablets seem to always launch in a haze of dizzy expectation among enthusiasts, but their popularity rarely extends far beyond that community. Show me an “iPad killer,” and I’ll show you a cobblestone on the Apple juggernaut’s road to dominance.
FIRST LOOK: Google’s Nexus 7 tablet
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Recently, however, that’s begun to change. Rather than trying to make a better iPad — remember, Apple’s already very good at that — devices like the Kindle Fire and, now, the Nexus 7 have begun to explore a slightly different subsector. Maybe they’re smaller and less jaw-dropping than the iPad, but you can’t argue with the $200 price tag. (The price goes up to $250 for a doubling of the device’s internal storage to 16GB.)
In terms of bang for the buck, the Nexus 7 delivers in spades.
The display
The 1280×800, 7-inch screen is attractive and functional in normal use. Watching movies on the device carries all the usual pitfalls of viewing on a small screen, but I didn’t feel like I was missing any details, even in the maniacally CGI-heavy “Transformers” movie that came pre-installed. It also picks up fingerprints more or less instantly, but it’s hardly alone in that.
The feel
The Nexus 7 sits comfortably in one hand, though you’re not going to be doing any single-hand thumb-typing unless your hands are the size of Kevin Garnett’s. It’s not absolutely feather-light — but it definitely won’t weigh your shoulder bag down too badly.
The interface
Android 4.1, also known as Jelly Bean, is the star here. Google has put a lot of effort into making Android more responsive and speedy, and the hard work pays off handsomely. A host of little interface tweaks and admirably complete integration for the Play store all contribute to the experience, and the Nexus 7 is a pleasure to use.
The media
Google’s touting the Nexus 7 as a complete media device — and not without reason. While it’s not going to replace the HDTV in your living room for watching movies, it’s a perfectly acceptable on-the-go option for video viewing. I really could have used a built-in podcasting option, though, as the Listen app (available through the Play store) is unspectacular and feels a little unloved.
The missing stuff
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