New Nexus 7 Features 1080p Display, Higher Price

Google has unveiled the next version of its popular, budget-priced Nexus 7 tablet computer. The newest Nexus 7 features a 1080p high-definition display, a quad-core processor, and a slightly higher price point.

The original Nexus 7 was launched in mid-2012. Featuring a 7-inch display (hence the name), Google's Android mobile operating system (OS), and a $199 price tag, it was an instant success.

The only thing sticking around from the previous model is the 7-inch screen.

Faster Processor, Better Display, Bigger Price

Everything else has changed: the price has ballooned to $229 (that's for 16GB storage, with 32GB costing $269), the newer device is noticeably thinner, and it ditches the Nvidia-made Tegra 3 processor for a Qualcomm 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor from Asus.

The new chip is better at multitasking and is expected to prolong the Nexus 7's battery life. Also, the new Nexus 7 features 2GB RAM, while the original shipped with just 1GB. (Source: techhive.com)

The newest Nexus 7 also gets a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and, perhaps most importantly, a lush 1080p (1920 x 1200 resolution) display. The screen features a 323 pixel per inch (PPI) count, a big improvement over last year's model and its 216 PPI.

New Version of Android On Board

Insiders are also excited to hear that the Nexus 7 will be the first device to use Android 4.3, the newest version of Google's popular mobile OS.

It features restricted profiles for individual user accounts and support for Bluetooth LE, which makes Bluetooth connections less energy-hungry (thereby prolonging battery life).

Google's also hoping some users will see the Nexus 7 as a tiny media center. The device comes equipped with a port that can be used for streaming video to a high-definition television set.

Google also worked with German firm Fraunhofer to create built-in speakers that use virtual surround sound to emulate 5.1 surround sound systems.

The new Nexus 7 will go on sale July 30, 2013. (Source: cnet.com)