Asus Google Nexus 7 hits the shops, first pre-orders on the way

I’m out of the office today but here’s your Tech fix for today though.

The first Asus Google Nexus 7 tablets have been landing in customers hands, and hitting the high street in electronics retailers including Currys and PC World. Rather than a big Apple-style store launch, Google is hoping to quietly get the tablet into as many hands as possible. But don’t expect all stores to have any stock left.

Since the launch of the Asus Google Nexus 7, gadget fans have been waiting for a release date for Google’s iPad rival. One month on, and a date has still not been set. But that hasn’t stopped the tablet landing in some customers hands.

Confused? It’s all part of Google’s plan to trickle the tablet into the hands of customers.

Many of those who’ve pre-ordered the Nexus 7 have already been receiving the tablet. A message on the Google Play Store says the tablet will ship in “1-2 weeks”, but put in a pre-order and you may just receive it sooner.

And retail? From today, a number of stores are already receiving their first stock. Currys and PC World are just two of the first stores to get hold of the Google Nexus 7, with HMV another planning to stock Google’s new tablet.

The softly-softly approach is a contrast to Apple’s more publicity-hungry launches, where customers queue up to get their hands on Apple’s latest gadget.

The iPad dominates the tablet market, but Google hopes its own tablet will bite into that market share, and do what Android tablets from the likes of Samsung have failed to do, by providing some real competition to the iPad with a competitively-priced tablet of its own.

Pricing starts at just £159 for an 8GB model, rising to £199 for a 16GB version, significantly less than the £399 entry point for a 16GB new iPad.

Have you received your Asus Google Nexus 7 yet? Will you be buying one? Let us know. 



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This blog was posted by The Gadget Show.

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