Google Nexus 7 review: Google Nexus 7

Design

Physically speaking, the difference between Android tablets and Apple's iPad has, for the most part, been in the little things. Not unimportant things, mind you, but features that are small in size. A micro-HDMI port, for example, is something we expect to see on an Android tablet, micro-SD card slots too. Some Android tablets play host to USB ports, both full size and micro, and some have a slot that also read the SD card you use in your digital cameras.

Not so with the Nexus 7. Google's approach is far simpler than its OEM partners. Opting to follow Apple's lead, Google has designed a tablet with the bare minimum of openings, ports and slots. There's a single micro-USB port at the base of the tablet, which is used for both charging and data transfers, and there is a 3.5mm headphone socket on the top. Otherwise, the tablet is sealed in a comfortable, plastic chassis, with a dimpled texture to hold on to.

The Nexus 7 is light, and its textured cover is comfortable to hold.
(Credit: CBSi)

It's not the slimmest mobile gadget around; the Nexus 7 is about 10.5mm thick, but thankfully, it is one of the lightest tablets you can buy. At 340-grams, Google estimates that this tablet weighs the same as a standard paperback (think Pride and Prejudice, not War and Peace) and it is certainly one of the most comfortable to hold, even for long stretches of time.

The screen is probably the reason Google chose to work with Asus on this project, given the success Asus has had with its tablet displays thus far. The screen on the Nexus 7 is fantastic for the price you'll pay, offering an HD resolution IPS panel with responsive multi-touch controls. Colours and blacks could be bolder, but text onscreen is crisp and gradients appear smoothly. Off-axis viewing angles are good, though not as good as those on the larger Asus Transformer models.

It's also worth noting that the Nexus 7 doesn't have a rear-facing camera. There is a 1.2MP front-facing lens for video-calling, but there is no camera for everyday photography. Some may disagree, but we think this a wise decision. Cameras on tablets tend to be of a poor quality and are awkward to use because of the larger size of the devices themselves.

We do feel Google is missing a trick in not including an HDMI port on the Nexus 7, though. This tablet is primarily a multimedia consumption device, and the option to share the content on the tablet with a larger screen makes sense to us. That said, we doubt may Nexus 7 owners will miss this functionality, either way.

Android Jelly Bean

One of the best reasons to consider the Nexus 7 over any of the other Android tabs available at the moment, is that you are all-but guaranteed to have the latest version of Android as soon as Google releases it. The Nexus 7has the Jelly Bean version for now, and while we've published more detailed opinions on this update already, it is worth pointing out the top-line pros and cons, as it informs so much of how this review is constructed.

For starters, Jelly Bean is definitely better than all previous versions of Android. It feels slick and fast and there is almost no processing lag whatsoever. Animated transitions appear fluid and they respond to all touchscreen input, however subtle. There is the standard suite of Google apps pre-installed, plus a few new ones like Google's Flipboard-style news reader, called Currents. You also get a free movie (Transformers: Dark of the Moon) and AU$25 credit on the Play store, which is substantial when you consider that you can buy the 8GB version of this tablet for AU$249.

Google Now is also installed, a new application which attempts to deliver information to you, before you request it. For example, if you tell the tablet your route to work and home each day, it will, in theory, give you traffic warnings before you set out in either direction. You can also tell it where you live and which sporting teams you like, among other things, and it will keep you up to date with weather and scores. To launch Google Now you simply swipe upwards from the virtual Home button on the navigation bar.