Nexus 7

The Nexus 7 ( /ˈnɛkˌsəs/ NEK-sus) is a tablet computer designed and developed by Google in conjunction with Asus. It is the first tablet in the Google Nexus series, a line of consumer devices implementing the Android operating system and built by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partner. The Nexus 7 features a 7-inch (180 mm) display, an Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core chip, 1 GB of RAM, and 8, 16 or 32 GB of internal storage. Initially incorporating built-in Wi-Fi and near field communication (NFC) connectivity, it is marketed as an entertainment device with integration with Google Play, serving as a platform for multimedia consumption of e-books, television programs, films, games, and music. The tablet was the first device to ship with Android version 4.1, nicknamed "Jelly Bean".

Design work on the Nexus 7 began in January 2012 after a meeting between executives of Google and Asus at International CES. The device's design was based on Asus' Eee Pad MeMO ME370T tablet that had been showcased at the conference. Following a rapid four-month development period in which the device was modified to reach a US$199 price point, mass production of the Nexus 7 started in May 2012. It was unveiled at Google I/O, Google's annual developer conference, on June 27, 2012, and became available for pre-order through Google Play on the same day. Shipping commenced in mid-July to Australia, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and releases in France, Germany, and Spain followed in August. Google expanded the Nexus 7 lineup in October 2012 with the introduction of 32 GB versions, available in Wi-Fi–only and HSPA+ cellular-ready varieties.

The Nexus 7 received positive reviews from technology critics, particularly for its competitive pricing, premium-quality build, and powerful hardware. Common criticisms included the absence of cellular connectivity from initial models and no expandable storage. The Nexus 7 has been commercially successful, selling approximately 4.5–4.6 million units in 2012. The device was a double-winner at the 2012 T3 magazine awards, receiving honors for "Gadget of the Year" and "Tablet of the Year", and was also named "Best Mobile Tablet" at the 2013 Global Mobile Awards. The Nexus 7 competes with similar devices such as Amazon's Kindle Fire, Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet and Nook HD, and Apple's iPad Mini.

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