subject: Google Nexus 7 [print this page] The Nexus is a series of mobile devices using the Android operating system produced by Google in cooperation with selected hardware manufacturers. The purpose of the Nexus series is to offer a "pure Android" experience, in which the devices come free of carrier or manufacturer modifications and with an unlockable bootloader. to allow for further development and end-user modification. Nexus devices are considered the "flagship" Android devices and are the first to receive updates to the operating system. The Galaxy Nexus, the latest smartphone in the series (as of 2012), is one of the few phones recommended by the Android Open Source Project for Android software development. The most recent device in the series is the Nexus 7, a tablet computer produced by Google in conjunction with Asus.
The Nexus One was manufactured by HTC and released in January 2010 as the first Nexus phone. It was released with Android 2.1 Eclair, and was updated in May 2010 to be the first phone with Android 2.2 Froyo. It was further updated to Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It has been announced that Google would cease support for the Nexus One, therefore not updating the device to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
The Nexus S, manufactured by Samsung, was released in December 2010 to coincide with the release of Android 2.3 Gingerbread. In December 2011, it was updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Most variations of the Nexus S are now being updated to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
The Galaxy Nexus, manufactured by Samsung, is the latest Nexus phone in the series and was released in November 2011 (GSM version, US released on Verizon 12-15-2011) to coincide with the release of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It was upgraded to the latest Android software 4.1 (Jelly Bean) in mid July 2012.
On June 27, 2012, at Google's I/O 2012 keynote, the company unveiled the Nexus 7, a 7-inch tablet developed with Asus. The tablet, which serves as the first device to run Android 4.1, is designed primarily to take advantage of the content available through Google Play""including e-books, music, and video. Its form-factor and price point also puts it in direct competition with devices such as the Kindle Fire (which runs a forked version of Android).
The Nexus Q is media-streaming entertainment device, in spherical form, that runs Android and integrates with Google Play. Introduced by Google on June 27, 2012 at the Google I/O 2012 Keynote, it will be available in the United States at an introductory price of $299.
After complaints from critics about a lack of features for the high price point, the Nexus Q was shelved indefinitely, as Google says it needs time to make the product "even better"
