Google and Asustek Computer rumored to be planning US$99 Nexus 7 for the end of 2012

[SAWYER]

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20120926PD232.html
Google is reportedly making two new versions of the Nexus 7 that are expected to be thinner, and will use TN panels made by Taiwan-based panel maker HannStar Display, according to industry sources.




One of the models will be priced at US$199 while the other will be priced US$99, and both models are expected to hit markets by the end of 2012, added the sources.




The sources speculated that Google is preparing for increased competition from Apple when the reported 7.85-inch iPad is released in the fourth quarter of 2012, and wants its device to maintain growing sales.




Meanwhile, HannStar has also reportedly entered the supply chain for Apple's iPad series but has yet to comment on whether it will be working with Google or Apple.




Asustek has denied the reports.





I love the price wars and competition

 

[buckshot24]

I don't know, I have a hard time believing that the iPad mini is going to be a huge success. Given the aspect ratio of the likely screen it won't be as portable as the nexus and apple sort of painted itself in the corner with the new touch price. It basically has to sell for around 350 at a minimum. Also iPad twos are 399. If the mini doesn't have retina its going to be in a tough spot.

A 99 dollar 7 would be interesting if it wasn't junk.

 

[Red Storm]

Google is planning to take over the el cheapo Chinese tablet market!

 

[Ravynmagi]

I don't even remotely believe Google is going to release 2 more 7 inch Nexus tablets just months after releasing the Nexus 7. And they don't even have the issues with the Nexus 7 ironed out yet.

I rate this 100% grade A bull from Digitimes.

Google really should release a larger Nexus tablet before worrying about a $100 tablet.

 

[Mopetar]

I rate this 100% grade A bull from Digitimes.

I'm pretty sure that they just make stuff up, so I would take this with a large block of salt. Also, $99 seems so low that either the hardware will be utter garbage or it will be so heavily subsidized that Google will really need to get a lot of users really using it in order to get their money back.

 

[Eug]

This rumour sounds completely bogus.

I don't know, I have a hard time believing that the iPad mini is going to be a huge success.

The iPad mini is going to be an enormous success.

 

[dagamer34]

$100 tablet means they must be cutting corners above and beyond what they are already doing. Pass.

 

[Super56K]

Coming to a Kohl's checkout lane near you? (Look out Coby) I'm not really buying this rumor...

 

[buckshot24]

This rumour sounds completely bogus.


The iPad mini is going to be an enormous success.

How much do you think it will cost? Will it have retina or 1024x768?

If it costs 299 or even below and has retina it will be huge. I don't know how they can charge that little as the new touch is the same price. Maybe they ignore the absurdity of charging the same price for an ipod touch as they do for the mini.

If it costs 349 or more and at 1024 x 768 the ipad 2 starts looking better and better.

I have all 3 iPads and I wouldn't think of buying the ipad mini if it costs more than 299 (for the basic model) and does not have the high resolution display.

 

[Ravynmagi]

How much do you think it will cost? Will it have retina or 1024x768?

If it costs 299 or even below and has retina it will be huge. I don't know how they can charge that little as the new touch is the same price. Maybe they ignore the absurdity of charging the same price for an ipod touch as they do for the mini.

If it costs 349 or more and at 1024 x 768 the ipad 2 starts looking better and better.

I have all 3 iPads and I wouldn't think of buying the ipad mini if it costs more than 299 (for the basic model) and does not have the high resolution display.

My guess is the price will be in the $350 to $400 range with a retina display. I don't believe Apple will make a budget tablet, this iPad mini will probably have very nice specs and be priced accordingly.

And I think it'll still do very well. Apple buyers are accustomed to paying more and they probably will accept the premium price for a smaller and lighter version of the extremely successful iPad.

 

[Eug]

Definitely won't be $400 for a base model iPad mini.

I suspect 1024x768 screen, at $299 or less.

 

[Red Storm]

Definitely won't be $400 for a base model iPad mini.

I suspect 1024x768 screen, at $299 or less.

I feel like that would kill iPod Touch sales.

 

[Eug]

I feel like that would kill iPod Touch sales.

They still sell the $199 iPod touch.

 

[Chiropteran]

I don't even remotely believe Google is going to release 2 more 7 inch Nexus tablets just months after releasing the Nexus 7. And they don't even have the issues with the Nexus 7 ironed out yet.

Issues? Why didn't anyone tell me? My Nexus 7 has been flawless, is it supposed to be having problems?

 

[Red Storm]

They still sell the $199 iPod touch.

But the new Touch they showed off is $299/$399... exactly where the iPad mini would have been.

 

[bearxor]

There's always been an iTouch @ $299 though. I suspect that if a 8" iPad makes it to that price point, it will come with 8GB of storage. At that point, the same $299 price point would buy you a 32GB iTouch that's smaller, so there's still plenty of room there to differentiate.

But I'm not buying a $100 Nexus 7 rumor either...

 

[Ravynmagi]

Issues? Why didn't anyone tell me? My Nexus 7 has been flawless, is it supposed to be having problems?

If yours is flawless, I wouldn't worry about it. Enjoy it.

I was referring to the screen calibration being poor, which I'm hoping a firmware update can fix. And ASUS has a manufacturing or design issue, many tablets still suffer from loose glass on the left side.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I don't know, I have a hard time believing that the iPad mini is going to be a huge success. Given the aspect ratio of the likely screen it won't be as portable as the nexus and apple sort of painted itself in the corner with the new touch price. It basically has to sell for around 350 at a minimum. Also iPad twos are 399. If the mini doesn't have retina its going to be in a tough spot.

A 99 dollar 7 would be interesting if it wasn't junk.

I'm actually very interested in an iPad mini as the size and resolution(if retina) will be the sweet spot for me. As I fine the N7 screen to be a tiny bit too small and the iPad to be not as portable to travel around with.

 

[Ravynmagi]

But the new Touch they showed off is $299/$399... exactly where the iPad mini would have been.

It's plausible that a smaller capacity iPad mini could overlap in price with a higher capacity iPod Touch. And that is what some are thinking. I still think it'll be more expensive. But maybe Apple will surprise me.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

i get the feeling google is going to destroy their tablet business with this cheap stuff. why should companies like samsung and motorola come out with tablets if theyre just going to be undercut by better, dirt cheap stuff from google? ive noticed the market for nexus 7 tablets is rapidly drying up as well, the last few times ive been in walmart theyve had tons of them. google would be better off innovating on providing wireless features rather than on extreme price; they should do what amazon is doing with their $500 tab, except for $300

 

[OBLAMA2009]

But the new Touch they showed off is $299/$399... exactly where the iPad mini would have been.

you mean the "ipad mini" (with iphone 5 sized screen) has already been released, and we just dont realize it?

 

[Red Storm]

google would be better off innovating on providing wireless features rather than on extreme price; they should do what amazon is doing with their $500 tab, except for $300

Doing what Amazon does but somehow for $200 less is exactly what you said they shouldn't do.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

Doing what Amazon does but somehow for $200 less is exactly what you said they shouldn't do.

i guess i sort of had in mind nexus 7 at that price with some monthly free wireless, not a $300 10 inch tablet. they need to make something happen with the wireless prices, that would really distinguish them from ipad

 

[Eug]

i get the feeling google is going to destroy their tablet business with this cheap stuff. why should companies like samsung and motorola come out with tablets if theyre just going to be undercut by better, dirt cheap stuff from google?

The rumour is bogus.

ive noticed the market for nexus 7 tablets is rapidly drying up as well

Huh? By that argument, the iPad market has already dried up, because there's iPad stock everywhere.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

The rumour is bogus.


Huh? By that argument, the iPad market has already dried up, because there's iPad stock everywhere.

go into target or walmart, they are moving plenty of ipads, and are frequently sold out of ceratin models such as the 32gb att. i have yet to see someone buying a nexus 7