Google Reportedly Preparing to Release a 3G Nexus 7 Within 6 Weeks

Fresh from opening its popular Nexus 7 tablet up to a bunch of new international markets, Google is said to be just six weeks away from launching a 3G-compatible version of its tablet device, according to Paul O’Brien at MoDaCo.

O’Brien cites a “well placed insider” who informed him that Asus, Google’s manufacturing partner, is cranking up its efforts “in preparation for [3G device] launch in around 6 weeks”. While the speculation is entirely…speculative at this stage, the rumor stands to reason and would make a great deal of sense for Google.

The Nexus 7 tablet has sold well since its debut in June. Indeed, last month, analysts predicted that the company could sell up to 8 million units by the end of 2012, that’s more than double the number the search engine giant predicted.

One of the main pieces of feedback from reviewers and early adopters has been the Nexus 7?s lack of 3G connectivity. Indeed, adverts have drawn mixed responses for showing the device being used closed to homes but in outdoor settings.

Clearly adding 3G, and indeed any kind of cellular connectivity, would make the device all the more usable and appealing in the US and other markets worldwide. At this point it is suggested that this would be the sole change, with no other hardware tweaks; there’s no mention of LTE.

Google seems unlikely to go down the carrier distribution/partnership route, so — if O’Brien’s insider proves correct — any 3G device would likely be sold unlocked, giving both customers and Google total flexibility.

We reached out to Google for comment and were told that the company has “nothing to announce at this time.”

That lack of comment is hardly surprising given the nature of the claim, but we can assume that the company is preparing some kind of renewed push given the activity its rivals are expected to make in the coming months.

Indeed, the timing of this rumor is interesting since both Amazon and Lenovo have announced recently that they will be releasing improved devices shortly to take on the Nexus 7. Amazon’s Kindle Fire is expected to be announced later this week and there’s rumors that it will have 3G connectivity — making it a strong competitor to the Nexus 7’s current grip on the shrunken tablet market. Both are flanked byLenovo’s IdeaTab 7-inch device, which also has the ability for 3G data. Of course, there is also speculation that Apple is planning on announcing its own 7-inch mini-iPad soon.

Via: The Next Web

More: Business InsiderModacoUbergizmoAndroid News, Mashable!9to5GoogleSlashGearT3 NewsPocket-lintBGRThe Verge and PhoneArena

Prateek Panda

Prateek is the Founder of TheTechPanda. He's passionate about technology startups and entrepreneurship and enjoys speaking to new founders every day. Prateek has also been consistently regarded as one of the top marketing experts in the region.

Recent Posts

The AI-driven CFO: How Artificial Intelligence is redefining financial leadership in the tech era

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is no longer the only one responsible for budgets and…

14 hours ago

From Roblox to Python: How game development educates kids on AI principles

AI is no longer in the distant future, discussed only in university classrooms or interactive…

3 days ago

M&A: The art of the deal

The Tech Panda takes a look at recent mergers and acquisitions within various tech ecosystems…

4 days ago

As we seek to create robots that’re more ‘human’ who’s helping? AI

As robotics progresses towards creating humanoid robot helpers, our tendency is to create them in…

1 week ago

Japan’s Web3 Strategy: A Safe Haven for Chinese Investors Fleeing Capital Controls?

On June 7, 2025, Japan enacted a series of regulations aimed at enabling stronger consumer protections…

1 week ago

Agentic AI Is Reshaping Data Infrastructure—Are Data Warehouses Obsolete?

Introduction: The Signal Behind Snowflake’s CEO Change In the spring of 2024, Snowflake, a star…

1 week ago