Android Tablet Update

The folks over at Gizmodo Australia were sent a training document reportedly being sent around to third-party retailers ahead of the Nexus 7 launch. Of course, we recognize that this may indeed be fake, but a leak this close to the unveil leads us to believe it very well may prove true.

The leaked document confirms basically all previous specs we told you about, with a 1.3 GHz Tegra 3 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB of storage, and a super-cheap $199 price tag. A version with 16GB of storage will be available for $249. The Nexus 7 will also launch with the next version of Android, Jelly Bean (4.1). Completing out the spec sheet are a 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera, NFC, and a 7″ IPS display with a 178 degree viewing angle and 1,280 by 800 resolution. And yes, it’ll be made by ASUS.

So what does the Nexus 7 tablet look like, you may ask? Well, anyone hoping for that two or three-toned render from a few weeks back will be sorely disappointed. Google’s Nexus slate will differentiate itself from the sea of black slates only by way of an engraved Nexus logo on the backside of the device.

Now that you’ve seen the possible final render of the Nexus 7, including the final spec sheet for the device, do you still plan on picking up the Nexus 7 when it makes its retail debut next month?

Speaking to an Italian newspaper, Google Chairman and former CEO Eric Schmidt revealed that Google is hard at work on “a tablet of the highest quality,” and that it may be bringing this device to market as early as June 2012. Mr. Schmidt made it clear that the gloves are off in the tablet fight against the iPad, and Google’s tablet offering would be targeted to take the tablet reigns from Apple’s market-dominating tablet.

It’s unclear whether Google will be manufacturing the device in-house, or whether they’ll partner with an OEM to manufacture the device similar to what they do with the Nexus line of smartphones. We’re leaning toward the latter, with Motorola being the most likely partner due to the pending Google-Motorola merger. We hope this isn’t the case, though, as Motorola hasn’t exactly been making the most sleek and sophisticated Android tablets out there (looking at you, Xyboard). Personally, I’d like to see Google partner with either ASUS or Samsung, whose Transformer Prime and Galaxy Tab devices have been personal favorites of mine.

We must point out that the Italian translation is a rough one, so take the translation for what it’s worth. Still, Google is ready to push tablets running Ice Cream Sandwich, and they think ICS can finally dethrone the iPad atop the tablet charts.

Regardless, we’re happy to see Google fully embrace tablets, as the idea of a Nexus tablet has been exciting us here at Android and Me since the initial idea was introduced over a year ago. We’ll bring you more information on a Nexus tablet as we learn more. Meanwhile, be sure to leave a comment below telling us what you’d want to see in a Nexus tablet.