This month end, we are likely to see some interesting revelations from the stables of
Apple, Microsoft and Google. While we all know what Microsoft is gearing up for the big
Windows 8 and
Surface tablet launches, Google recently sent out invites for its
upcoming event in New York on October 29.
Carrying the tagline, 'The Playground is Open', details of the event have now surfaced, courtesy
The Next Web, which reports that the search giant is expected to announce a refreshed line of its Nexus 7 tablet, a new
10-inch Nexus tablet and the much rumoured next
Nexus smartphone from LG.
Citing a "source with knowledge of Google's plans", the 10-inch tablet codenamed 'Manta' manufactured by Samsung will feature a 2560×1600 pixel (16:10) resolution, translating into 300 ppi, outshining the new iPad's pixel density (264 ppi). Details regarding pricing and other hardware specs are currently unknown. As far as the OS is concerned, it is likely to run on Android 4.2 (currently codenamed Key lime Pie).
Further tablet news includes confirmation that a 32GB version of the Nexus 7 will be unveiled. Apart from this, we're also likely to witness another version of the 32GB model that includes a 3G, HSPA+ antenna for on-the-go connectivity. Until now, we have seen the Wi-Fi-only line of Google's Nexus 7 tablet.
Earlier Asus, the manufacturer of the Nexus 7 had mentioned that the tablet will hit Indian shores in
November. Last month, other reports had
already hinted at a 3G enabled Nexus 7 in the making, though there were no details of pricing or availability at the time.
Talking of the OS, the site confirmed that Android 4.2 will bring Tablet Sharing and a new widget for the Play Store with 'Content in the center'. Tablet Sharing will allow several users to use the same tablet, while keeping the personal account of each user intact on the shared device. Furthermore, the latest OS will also bring an updated version of panoramic view to support both horizontal and vertical movement by default, similar to what Apple added in iOS 6.
Android 4.2 will also debut on the Google's next Nexus smartphone, dubbed as the LG Nexus 4. The smartphone's existence have been rumoured for quite sometime now and it is likely to make an appearance at the said event. Earlier
detailed specs revealed show that the LG Nexus 4 will pack in a a 4.7-inch 1280 x 768 display, a quad-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon processor with 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, an 8MP rear-facing and 1.3MP front-facing cameras and a 2100mAh battery.