Google Nexus 7 availability: 16GB versions return to Google Play

The 16GB version of Google’s official Android tablet Nexus 7 returns to Google Play in the U.S. The device is now available for pre-order with shipment to get going in a couple of days. The 16GB Nexus 7 comes for a price of $249 and its lower end 8GB version goes for $199. The Asus-built Nexus tablet was sold out due to huge demand in market shortly after its introduction. The comeback of the popular 16GB version will again augment the frenzy toward the gadget that runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

The 7-inch Android tablet has grabbed attention of the tech world after its official release at Google I/O. The Nvidia Tegra 3-powered tablet is the first small tablet to get a quad core chipset. Huge demand in has resulted in the instant stock-out of the device in brick-and-mortar and online stores. Within days after its launch, leading retailers like Best Buy, Sam’s Club, Staples and Google Play sold out their stocks of the various versions of Nexus 7.

Since its availability, the 16GB Nexus 7 has been particularly scarce due to customers’ increased interest toward the premium model. As per analysts, customers mostly chose the 16GB version as the device doesn’t sport a microSD slot for memory expansion. Google designed the tablet with a goal to provide cloud-based memory. But, people preferred the 16GB version to the 8GB since its offers more physical storage capacity. Anyway, both variants of the tablet have come back into Google Play.

Nexus 7 in Canada
Besides the U.S., the 16GB Nexus 7 is also up for preorder in Canada. After ‘sold out’ tag for many days, Google Play Canada has now listed the device for booking. Shipping of the device will start in 3 to 4 days in the country as well, Google says. The 16GB Nexus 7’s scarcity was also felt in Canada after the U.S. Indeed, Canadian Google fans might also be happy to see the return of the tablet on Google Play. But, the Canadian store doesn’t have enough stock of the 8GB Nexus 7, though.

Nexus 7 Vs Nook Tablet
After the recent 20% cut in prices, Nook Tablet raises increased threat to Google’s Nexus 7 tablet. Google priced its Nexus 7 at $199 and $249 in order to make it competitive to the Nook Tablet and Amazon Kindle Fire. But, in a strategic step, Barnes & Noble slashed prices of its Nook Tablet up to 20 percent. Now you can buy the 16GB Nook Tablet for just $199 and the 8GB Nook Tablet for $179. “Book retailer Barnes & Noble is slashing prices on its digital e-book reader, the Nook, by as much as 20% in the face of fierce competition from rival e-books, WPTV.com writes.

Challenge from Kindle Fire
The current version of Kindle Fire is no more a vital threat for Nexus 7. But the rumored second edition Kindle Fire may take a shot at the dominance of Nexus 7. As per rumors, Amazon is apparently working to launch a hardware upgrade for Fire for late this year. The new Kindle Fire may be a complete and full-fledged tablet. Of course, the machine will have a quad core processor, advanced firmware, better apps support and more.

As well, an advanced version of Nook Tablet is also expected by tech pundits. Rumors are there that Barnes & Noble has also started working with an upgrade for its Nook Tablet eReader friendly tablet. Some analysts have understood the recent price cuts of Nook Tablet linking with the company’s potential plan for a second version. As a whole, the competition in small tablet market is going to get more intensified in coming months. If the new upgrades of Nook Tablet and Kindle Fire come with the Jelly Bean, Nexus 7 might have to defend its position.

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Posted by admin on August 19, 2012. Filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry