Hasta La Gadget!

It could be a trickle or a torrent, but reports are coming in that Google is shipping the first Nexus 7 pre-orders to those customers who pulled the trigger at the Google Play Store while the I/O keynote seats were still warm. Third-party retailers Adorama and Ebuyer also briefly started selling the Jelly Bean tablet, although they’re now known to have jumped the gun: both were told by Google to freeze sales until at least Sunday. The word of an imminent arrival is no doubt music to the ears of those who thought that even the three-week wait was interminable. Still, we’d like to know whether yours is truly on its way or if that $199, ASUS-made Android dream will have to wait a little longer.

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Filed under: Tablet PCs

Nexus 7 pre-orders ship to some customers — has yours? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android 4.1.1 just made itself available on the AOSP servers yesterday, and evidently it’s wasting no time in heading towards the world’s first Jelly Bean tablet. The ASUS-built Nexus 7 is now receiving the update — a 12.6MB download that boosts the version number to 4.1.1. Our in-house unit isn’t pulling down the new edition just yet (nor is our Galaxy Nexus), so it seems to be one of Google’s typical phased releases. At any rate, Android Central is reporting that the code “improves performance and responsiveness system wide,” while also adding Google Wallet to your app library. Seeing anything else? Let us know in comments below!

Filed under: Tablet PCs, Software

Nexus 7 tablet now receiving Android 4.1.1 update originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 19:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android Open Source Project technical lead Jean-Baptiste Queru has announced the source for the newest version of the OS, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (relive the releases for ICS, Gingerbread and Froyo), will be made available today. Currently, binaries are available for the Nexus 7 and Galaxy Nexus, with Nexus S and Motorola Xoom versions promised soon. As usual, this gets the countdown started for more manufacturers to work on builds for their devices and means third party coders like CyanogenMod can dive in as well. One other thing we should be used to by now is a warning that it still may take some time for things to go live as the code is replicated. Hit the source link for all of the information on the latest build or hit the AOSP site for more information what exactly this is and how to get it.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean source code now available originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When setting up a gadget for review, delicately unboxing and smelling the carcinogenic whiff of freshly molded plastics, we typically feel some amount of excitement and anticipation to see how it stacks up against the competition. It’s either that or a resigned sense of duty as we run yet another iterative evolution of this or that laptop through the same benchmarks to see just how this year’s model stacks up to the older model now being sold on discount. With the Nexus Q, though, we felt something different altogether: genuine curiosity.

Why? Well, it’s a high-end device with a $299 MSRP, a price that’s multiple times higher higher than media streamers like the Apple TV, anything from Roku and, indeed, Google’s own Google TV. And yet, the Q has considerably less functionality than any of them. Largely because of this, many who witnessed its unveiling at Google I/O were quick to write it off. Despite having our own doubts we pledged to give it a fair swing, a week of solid use at home and with friends. How did it do? Does this high-concept device with high-end componentry make up for some decidedly low-end capabilities? There’s only one way to find out.

Continue reading Nexus Q review: Google’s mysterious little social streamer

Nexus Q review: Google’s mysterious little social streamer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The guys at iFixit are at it again and just posted their Nexus 7 teardown guide. Overall, iFixit found that the device is rather serviceable and seemingly well designed. Unlike the iPad 2 and new iPad, the Nexus 7 employs clips to hold the whole assembly together. This results in an extra 1mm of thickness, but they allow owners to open the case with just a little prying.

Once inside, the battery can be replaced with ease; it doesn’t even require the removal of any screws. Asus used standard Philips #00 throughout the Nexus 7 which also lends to its serviceability. However, unlike the Kindle Fire, iFixit found that the LCD screen is affixed to the front display assembly. This means that the entire front panel will need to be replaced if something happens to either the bezel or screen.

From my perspective as just an occasional tinkerer, the Nexus 7 seems put together rather nicely. It’s even more impressive given the fact that Google gave just four months to deliver the tablet, although as Sean Hollister previously pointed out, the Nexus 7 is likely a retooled Asus ME370T.

In a way the Nexus 7, arguably the most important Android tablet to date, speaks to the ever-constant Android vs Google debate. The new iPad, and the iPad 2 before, are virtually impossible to service. I previously argued this move was to the benefit of innovation and progress, allowing Apple to churn out newer models quicker rather than dedicating a large support staff to service old ones. That said, it’s a bit telling that the $199 Nexus 7 can be completely serviced while the $499+ iPad cannot.