During the Google I / O 2012 conference we met the new incarnation of Android (4.1 Jelly Bean) and Google's flagship tablet Nexus 7, manufactured by ASUS.
Let's start with the software, the system called "jelly beans" ... Android version 4.1 visually is not much different from the previous Ice Cream Sandwich, but it gives us a much smoother animation interface, moving at a rate of 60 frames / s. There was improved the way of using graphics chips and added a triple buffering, which is designed to provide faster and smoother operation. There was changed the notification bar, which now, in addition to information about events of particular applications, will give the opportunity to immediately interact with them. For example, to write off the e-mail, you will not need to click the notification and go to the box, leaving the application that is just being used.
Another improvement has affected the launcher. Now the default desktop will give a much wider possibilities to adapt it to our requirements. Widgets will change the position and size depending on the current layout of the desktop. An improved search engine, beyond the obvious possibility of voice control, will also be able to operate off-line. Although at the moment it is not easy to imagine, but if Google says so ... We will see! Google Now promises to be an interesting feature, pushing us to search results related to our location. For example, if we find ourselves at a railway station, Google Now will give us train times, while in a restaurant or retail store - information about discounts. For now, voice control, allowing also for entering text this way, works only in English, but Google promises to add another 18 soon to release. Among the novelties it is worth mentioning modernized's maps and Google Earth with a 3D view and the ability to buy videos and press releases on Google Play. The users of Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S and Motorola Xoom tablet, and also all those who decide to buy a new product - Nexus 7 will be the first to receive new Android 4.1.
What is this? We're talking about a 7-inch tablet, branded by Google and manufactured by ASUS. The tablet holds the screen resolution of 1280x800 pixels at a density of 216 ppi. Its heart is quad-core Tegra 3 with a 1.3 GHz clock and backed by 1 GB of main memory. Google Nexus 7 can be considered as well-equipped. In addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules it also received NFC and GPS, and 1.2-megapixel front camera, accelerometer, gyroscope and a microUSB connector. The downside may be the lack of rear view camera and no possibility to enlarge a built-in memory. Instead of a SD card slot, we get an improved cloud, in which we may collect data from our applications. Google is promising 8 hours of battery life thanks to a battery with 4325 mAh capacity. The flagship tablet will be available with memory 8 or 16 GB, and hits body with dimensions of 198.5 x120x10,45 mm will be available in black or white plastic. The whole weighs 340 g, and the price ... surprises a bit. $ 200 for 8 GB version and 250 for a model with more memory is not a bargain proposition, but it is difficult to regard it as biased, looking at the features of the tablet. Is it enough, however, to establish an equal battle with iPad?
Google Nexus Qphoto: Google
Together with the tablet (or other devices with the new Android) for only $ 300 you can buy a wireless media streamer Nexus Q. The device in the form of a ball decorated with glowing LED bar that will allow the home network to share all the multimedia, such as those originating from the Internet cloud. Nexus Q has OMAP 4460 processor, a gigabyte of memory and a built-in flash media with a capacity of 16 GB. It also has an Ethernet jack, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC, as well as speaker outputs and a built-in 25-watt amplifier. The manufacturer points out that the gadget will be produced in the USA.
