Reviews

GOOGLE NEXUS 7 (BY ASUS) (REVIEW) : GOOGLES "ATTEMPT" AT THE IPAD MINI? 

Their's nothing better than Stock-Android, with no Touch wiz or Sense overlays, accept iOS 7 (obviously). Running Stock-Android also means that you can update your software as soon as an update is available from Google ( instead of waiting months for a minor update like 4.2.2)! However the Nexus device Range is often less premium than its competitors and therefore when buying a Nexus device, you have to compromise luxury (in the form of higher specifications.) Another thing I dislike is that Nexus products either launch a year late or never launch at all in South Africa. So lets get into the Nexus 7's plastic exterior to find out what this tablet is truly about and whether it should worry Apple...

(Photo Credit :Unknown)

ANDROID 4.2

Photo Credit - Wired

Android is at the heart of all Nexus Devices. They are made for Android OS. The Nexus 7 runs Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean.) There is not a lot to say about Stock Android - Its simple and has features that a major OS Should have, its territory would make for a smooth transition from iOS and even Windows Phone. The fact that its just Simple tends to worry me , With Competitors like Samsung (Which has Air View, Smart Stay and many other features) make it a more practical choice to choose their devices because of their amazing unique software. I love Android because it gives you more personalization and customization (Something that iOS lacks.) It has amazing content and is fast and smooth (thanks to Project Butter) 

Photo Credit - Android Police

MULTIPLE USERS

A New feature that comes to Android 4.2 is that you can have multiple-users on one tablet. You can create a whole new profile for a colleague, kid or friends. This allows them to have personalized wallpapers widgets, accounts and most importantly it keeps you information separate from theirs. Your work emails and contacts don't get in the hands of your children. Your children's apps don't get in the way of your Conference presentations. 

NOTIFICATIONS

Notifications on Android 4.2 is redesigned and re-imagined, for the better. You now have your notifications displayed more simplify and a really convenient feature is that it allows you to Respond and actually 'take action' to the notification. For example, if a turn on your phone and see you have a missed call in the notifications bar, you will be able to either call back or reply with a message. 

GOOGLE NOW

Photo Credit - Rediff

This is often referred to as 'Google's copy of Siri,' but I think it should rather be called, 'Apple's defeat by Google,' because Google Now is just so much better! Since Google bases its search on its search engine its faster than iOS which uses Google! Google Now give you the solution to your problem as it surfaces - its convenient and fun at the same time. Google Now gives you Cards that show information that is relevant to your current location (e.g. Train Departures, the weather , popular pictures, sport results and even whats showing at your local cinema.) You can ask it questions just like Siri however it isn't as good when it comes to personal questions. Compared to Siri, Google Now has a more human voice and just feels more personable. Google Now does things faster and does them 'Now' and thats why i'd use it over all of the other voice assistants.

PHOTO SPHERE

The Photo Sphere allows you to take simultaneous pictures and Google Stitches them together to make 360 degree picture. Its easy to share your pictures to Google+ and even Google Maps for the world to see!

HARDWARE

photo Credit- ZDnet 

The Hardware is very minimalistic as the Device was based on the software rather than paying attention to the details (like a Good camera). Speaking of Cameras, the Nexus 7 has a 1.2MP front-facing camera which would be okay if it had a back-facing camera which it doesn't and at moments like this I ask myself - With a higher processor and better cameras isn't the iPad Mini a better buy for R1000 more? Lets take a tour of the Nexus 7's plastic exterior. It has an Black grippable back with a detailed design. On the side you'll find a volume rocker and an ON/OFF switch. On the front you'll find a fairly thick bezel around the 7" screen with a resolution of 216 ppi. The battery is good for about 8 Hours of content playback and thats all I can say about the hardware on the Nexus 7. 

Photo Credit - Immobility

CONCLUSION

The Nexus 7 is a good entry-level tablet with entry-level specifications it doesn't have any premium feel to it as their are many other 7' Tablets that have better specifications and better software (like Touchwiz) and it simply isn't practical to buy this tablet for Android alone at R1000 less than the iPad Mini! Google needs to stop aiming their Nexus devices at competitors like the Amazon Kindle because they will loose , Google needs to make devices that are different to everything else...