alaTest Blog » Google Nexus 7

7-Inch Tablets are Here to Stay

SK — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:00:10 +0000

Even though 10-inch tablets like the Apple iPad were an absolute rage in the markets, a need was felt for a more comfortably sized tablet. The recent flurry of 7-inch tablets is a result of this phenomenon. Over the past few months, close to half a dozen tablets have hit the market, the most recent of them being the iPad Mini. The biggest USP of a 7-inch tablet is the size, it is smaller than a regular tablet and larger than a smartphone. It has almost all the features of a regular tablet even as it is relatively cheaper.

If you are planning to buy a 7-inch tablet, there are quite a few options to choose from. Here is a list of the best 7-inch tablets available in the market as of now:

1. Google Nexus 7 - Right at the onset, the Google Nexus 7 boasts of some very solid technical features- it is powered by a quad core processor and comes with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, both of which gaurantee a stellar performance. The tablet has a sharp display and the touch screen is pleasantly smooth to use. Being a Google device, it gives you access to all Google apps including Google Maps, Gmail, Chrome and many more. As with all other 7-inch tablets, you can hold it in one hand or you could even squeeze it in a pocket.

2. Amazon Kindle Fire HD - The Amazon Kindle Fire HD ships with a dual core processor and 512 MB RAM. These might seem lacklustre compared to other 7-inch tablets but the Kindle Fire HD was one of the earliest 7-inch tablets to be released in the market. Even though it lacks a camera, 3G and a few other features, it does deliver on the performance front.

3. Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 - In terms of technical specifications, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 boasts of Android 4.0 and Samsung’s TouchWiz UI. It also offers features like a dual camera and expandable memory. Recently, Samsung also released a 7.7 inch tablet, Galaxy Tab 7.7 which has some notably improved features like AMOLED display and super slim body.

4. Blackberry Playbook- While Blackberry OS has been under severe criticism for slow performance, one has to give credit where it is due. The Blackberry Playbook comes with a 1GHz dual core processor and Blacberry Playbook OS 2.0. It makes for a decent tablet with a very few problem areas like lack of apps or a slower OS. Besides these options, you can also check out the Barnes and Noble HD and Amazon Kindle Fire.

Best Cases For Tablets and Smartphones

SK — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 06:42:51 +0000

Immediately after buying a new smartphone or a tablet, the first thing you must look for is a strong and efficient case. If you have emptied your pockets on a brand new smartphone or a tablet, it makes sense to spend a little extra money on their protection. A case is the easiest of ways to protect your smartphone or tablet from both superficial scratches and internal damage. Luckily for you, the cases come in a variety of innovative designs and colors, so much so that they will only add to the beauty of your phone.

Today, we are going to take a look at some of the best cases for the most popular smartphones and tablets.

1. iPhone 5- If you stood outside the Apple store for hours to buy an iPhone 5, you might as well get a decent case for it. After all, you don’t want to see some nasty scratches on your brand new iPhone 5. Since iPhone 5 is the most popular smartphone out there, the variety of cases available is unbelievable. Otterbox produces several cases for iPhone including the Defender Series and the iPhone 5 Commuter Case. The latter comes with double layers of protection and an adhesive screen guard. The case is sleek yet durable at the same time. It is available in a number of exciting shades like Avon Pink, Aqua Blue and Violet Pop. If you are looking for something more eccentric, you can check out the Icon Bronx which features a cool graphic design. Case Mate remains the most timeless choice with suave black leather cases.

2. Samsung Galaxy S III- If there is any smartphone which can give some serious competition to iPhone 5, it just has to be Samsung Galaxy S III. While looking for cases for Samsung Galaxy S III, you will be pleasantly surprised by the sheer variety of cases ranging from the very basic to extremely elegant. The Incipio Silicrylic cases belong to the former category as they are lined with silicon on the inside with a hard shell exterior. On the other hand, the Candy Shell series by Speck is known for its quirky design and colors.

3. iPad 3- People have gotten quite used to carrying tablets wherever they go. After all, portability is the USP of tablets. When you start carrying them around, you will need a case to safeguard your tablet against any form of damage. When it comes to Apple iPad 3, there is always the Apple Smart Cover. It is efficient, resilient and elegant. However, if you are looking for more options, the Acme Infinite Angle Case is quite similar to Apple Smart Cover as it allows you to align the iPad at many angles. Alternatively, you can check out the Belkin Cinema Folio which follows the flip model and is made of high quality leather.

4. Google Nexus 7- To begin with Google has released an official Nexus 7 case which comes with a grey matte finish and a flap of plastic which covers the screen. Having said that, it can’t hurt to look for more options. Cases produced by i-Blason are built of leather with built in stand feature in both portrait and landscape modes. Focalcase specializes in providing keyboard cases using which you can almost transform your tablet into a full blown laptop.

First Look at Google Nexus 7

SK — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:15:07 +0000

This has most definitely been Google’s week. The internet giant, in association with Asus, unveiled its first ever tablet, the Google Nexus 7. This is only the first time that Google has forayed into the tablet niche and boy, has it delivered! The tablet’s been out only a few days and it has already created a huge stir in the markets. The Google Nexus 7 comes with the all new Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, a 7 inch screen and a price tag of just $199.

It goes without saying that the Nexus 7 will be pitted against the likes of the Amazon Kindle Fire and the iPad, the latter being the most dominant player in the tablet niche. While it might not be able to compete against either of the two in some departments, what makes it work is the value for money factor. By launching the Nexus 7, Google has made it clear that you can get your hands on a great tablet even for a lower price.

Design and Resolution

The Google Nexus 7 is quite like a simple black tablet with a very clean look. The crucial factor is that it doesn’t look flimsy or brittle. Rather, it has a strong and resilient external built and the credit for that clearly goes to Asus. The back side of the tablet is partially made of rubber making it easier to grip the tablet comfortably in just one hand. The bezel around the screen is pretty thin along the length of the tablet, but along the breath, it is considerably thicker. The thick band seems like an unnecessary waste of space and it makes you wonder if the tablet could have been even smaller and lighter. That is the only problem that we had with the external design.

Quite obviously, it doesn’t compare with an iPad in terms of design or aesthetic appeal, but then you can’t ask for everything in $199. Once you switch the tablet on, you would be surprised to see a refreshingly sharp resolution. The Nexus 7 boasts of a 1280 by 800 LCD screen, which is better than the one offered by Amazon Kindle Fire i.e. 1280 by 600. We are not denying that you can easily find better quality screens in tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, but that comes at a steep price.

Performance

The Nexus 7 is powered by a quad core Nvidia Tegra 3 chipset which is one of the most powerful processers as of now. The processor functions at 1.3 Ghz and its performance is distinctly better than the Kindle Amazon Fire. While we are not taking away anything from the excellence of this processor, the real show stopper is the new OS- the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it’s the OS which seals the deal for the Nexus 7.

The software certainly has an edge and you will feel it the moment you start using the tablet. The level of responsiveness to touch and swipe, the speed of switching between apps, the experience of using a virtual keyboard- everything is clearly smoother. In fact, Google has gone ahead and termed their endeavor Project Butter i.e. they have tried to make the whole experience of using an Android powered tablet glitch free. And luckily for all of you, they have done exceeding well. In fact, if one were to compare the level of receptivity of the Nexus 7 to the Samsung Galaxy SIII with the Ice Cream Sandwich OS, the former will emerge as a close winner.

Other Features

The nexus 7 comes loaded with an array of Google apps including Google+, Google Maps, GTalk and of course, Chrome as the default browser. Google branded their tablet as a media consumption device and the media gateways are just indicators of things to come. These gateways lead you straight to the app i.e. when you select an album, you go straight to Music.

The video play is excellent for watching movies, although you might need some time to adjust to the size of the tablet. The magazine reading experience is also great, but Kindle outdoes the Nexus 7 in this department. Again, Google Play will need a little adjusting to, especially after most of us have been spoilt by the Apple iPod.

All in all, the Google Nexus 7 offers amazing value for money. For just $199, its performance and design are evenly matched against the most acclaimed tablets like the iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Let’s conclude by saying that no other tablet offers as much as the Google Nexus 7 in that particular price range.