Hurricane can't stop Google announcements

Erin Lodi | Published: Oct 29, 2012 at 18:24:14 UTC

Google officially announced three new devices today, in three sizes.

Though forced to cancel its press event in New York City today due to Hurricane Sandy, Google did move forward with its smarthphone and tablet announcements online.

As expected, Google is launching a Nexus 4 smartphone from LG, an updated Nexus 7 tablet and a Nexus 10 tablet from Samsung -- all running Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean).

From a photography standpoint, we're most excited about the updated camera on the Nexus 4, which will now offer an 8-mexapixel primary camera. The 4.7-inch screen should showcase images well on a 1280 x 768 pixel, 320 ppi display. The Photo Sphere feature also looks fun, promising "360-degree immersive experiences" that could make panoramas feel passe.

Photographers may also be intrigued by the Nexus 7's expanded cellular connectivity for mobile workflow, and we're eager to see how the Nexus 10's 2560 x 1600, 300 ppi display compares to the latest iPad's 2048 x 1536, 264 ppi Retina display -- especially since the device starts at $399 for the 16GB model ($100 cheaper than the comparable iPad of that capacity and connectivity type).

Availability and pricing are as follows:

Nexus 4: 8GB for $299; 16GB for $349; available unlocked and without a contract on 11/13 on the Google Play store in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain and Canada. The 16GB version will also be available through T-Mobile for $199, with a 2-year contract (check here for more details).
Nexus 7: 16GB for $199 and 32GB for $249; available in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan, and also through Google retail partners Gamestop, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples and Walmart.
Nexus 7 with 32GB and mobile data: $299 and unlocked, on sale 11/13 in the Google Play store in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain and Canada.
Nexus 10: 16GB for $399; 32GB for $499; available on 11/13 in the Google Play Store in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan.

You can also read the full press release on Google's website.

Comments

Total comments: 9

"From a photography standpoint, we're most excited about the updated camera on the Nexus 4"

You shouldn't be, After all that's just a smartphone camera. From a photographer's perspective, the Nexus 10 is far more interesting as it's the first tablet with a 300ppi screen. For someone wanting to show off their photographic portfolio there is no better solution right now.

Shame about the lack of proper USB (3.0) connectivity, though.

0 upvotes

Really interested in seeing the 10... however, not at all happy they did not include a microSD slot. I gather like Apple, everything soon will be cloud based and transferring via wireless.

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But it's got a micro USB port so a card reader can be used for uploading data etc. I know it's not the same as an actual card slot but at least you can bypass the wireless transfer if you wish and no doubt there will be a hard case which could possibly have a pocket or two for accessories.

0 upvotes

microUSB isn't the right choice. It ought to have a proper USB port, preferably one that conforms to the USB 3.0 specification. If it had one then I'd agree it didn't need an integrated card reader. Alas, it has neither. Still, it's the most exciting tablet out there at the moment.

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Just how are these "google" announcements, or products, if they are made by someone else? (LG, Samsung, ASUS)

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Apple devices are made by Foxconn using Samsung's components. Can they have Apple announcements?

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I think the Nexus 10's 16:10 screen will be an advantage over the iPad's 4:3 especially as we live in a widescreen world. I'm also glad that Apple now have a serious competitor in the tablet market which may drive prices down a little.

2 upvotes