21 Dec, 2012 12:26 PM

Hey wait, Google is coming up with a $99 7inch Tablet

Rumors are abuzz about the low cost 7inch tablet that the Google is planning to launch. Google is working with Asus reportedly on a low-priced Nexus 7 tablet. The tablet is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2013 or worst by second. The touchscreen based on the glass-film-film (GFF) technology is being sourced from the Chineese Shenzhen-based maker O-Film Tech. It is this GFF technology that will mainly help in cutting production costs for the low-priced Nexus 7. It will also help in making the tablet thinner. A new touchscreen could also help to correct the display issues reported by owners of Google's first-generation slab, which many say delivers washed-out colors with poor image contrast.

Google plan follows the success of the Nexus 7 tablet and the recently launched Nexus 10 tablet as well as the Nexus 4 mobile phone. The 8GB Nexus 4 was sold out within its first 15 minutes of availability on the Google Play Store. Stock for the 16GB Nexus 4 was quickly snatched up, followed by stock for the Nexus 10 tablets. The popularity was likely due in large part to its low price tag. Initially the Nexus 7 went for $199 for an 8GB version, but although it reportedly has slim margins, Google managed to up the memory on the low-end model to 16GB an slightly increase the price tp $249. The Nexus 7 has been widely praised as the best tablet next to the iPad

O-Film reportedly started shipping products for the Nexus 7 in December 2012. Because of the reduction in the production costs, the tablet is expected to carry a price tag of $99.

"However, market observers suspect that Google and Asustek may not be able to release such a low priced tablet in 2013 due to limits as to how far the companies can drive down costs in their supply chain. They expect that the low-priced tablets are most likely to be priced in the range $129-149.

The report claims that Google's cheaper Nexus 7 will first target emerging markets, with initial shipments in the range of 500,000-600,000 units. The new model is reportedly scheduled to ship some time in the first or second quarter of 2013. There are chances that the tablet will be unveiled at CES during January 2013. Hope we in India will get it soon.