A new report claims that a second generation Google Nexus 7 tablet is in the works, and could launch as soon as July.
News outlet Reuters claims to have heard it from two separate sources that Google is deep into production of a successor to its popular Nexus 7 tablet. It could launch in just a couple of months.
The report claims that Google is aiming to sell eight million of the second generation device during the second half of 2013 - almost double what the Nexus 7 sold during the same period last year.
Once again, Asus has been chosen as Google's manufacturing partner following its sterling work in getting a high-end 7-inch tablet to market for just $199 / £159.
The new tablet will apparently feature a higher resolution display and a thinner bezel for a more compact design. It will also ditch Nvidia in favour of a Qualcomm processor "for power reasons."
Google Nexus 7 2 Pricing
It's unknown what price Google will pitch the new Nexus 7 at, but the report seems to suggest that it's a toss up between replacing the existing tablet at $199 and being even more aggressive with a $149 price point - a so-called 'zero margin strategy' in which Google would aim for an increase in advertising revenue over direct hardware profits.
Google will evidently want to get a healthy head start on Apple with its inevitable iPad mini 2. Apple's first iPad mini launched in November and has been a runaway success, stealing Google's thunder somewhat.
Recent changes to the Windows 8 hardware specification requirements also suggest that Microsoft and its partners are set to join the 7-inch tablet market this year.
Are you interested in the next Nexus 7? Let us know in the comments section below.
