UPDATE: UK price and release date announced for new Google Nexus 7 2
The second generation of Google's tablet features the sharpest screen on any slate, quad-core power and virtual surround
UPDATE: The Nexus 7 is due out in the UK on September 13th at £200 for the 16GB version and £230 for the 32GB model. There’s no word on a UK version of the 4G LTE model as yet.
Google today announced the second generation of its Nexus 7 tablet.
The new Google Nexus 7 rocks a 7in, 1920 x 1200 full HD screen with a sharp 323ppi, which replaces the 1280 x 800, 216ppi display on the original device. That’s the highest ppi of any tablet on the market, according to Google. The screen can also show a 30 percent wider range of colours.
It’s powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chip (80 percent faster than the original’s CPU) with 2GB of RAM, a 1.2MP front camera and 5MP rear camera. There are dual stereo speakers on board, plus virtual surround sound tech that works either through them or a pair of headphones.
The first Android 4.3 device
It’s the first device to run Android 4.3, which offers restricted profiles for added parental control. Apps can be controlled by parents to a high degree – for example you can lock out in-app purchases. Android 4.3 also supports Bluetooth Low Energy for connection to devices like heart-rate monitors, and OpenGL ES 3.0 for better 3D graphics (there’s support for a greater range of effects, including self-shadowing and J.J. Abrams-style horizontal lens flare).
Bigger battery, skinnier body
The battery has been boosted too, and now offers up to 10 hours of web browsing and nine hours of video playback.
It’s 2mm thinner than the original, as well as narrower and lighter. It features the same soft-touch back as its predecessor and a black-on-black colour finish.
Pricing for the new Google Nexus 7 has yet to be revealed by Google, however a Best Buy catalogue leak suggested a 16GB version will cost US$230 (£150) and a 32GB edition will cost $US270 (£175).
Sam Kieldsen
Contributor 
