The Google Nexus 7 is going mobile. Asus is believed to be working on a 3G variant of the popular Android tablet, which is currently only offered in Wi-Fi form.
According to MoDaCo, news of the new 3G variant was revealed by a “very well placed insider.” The Google Nexus 7 3G model is expected to launch in “around six weeks” with the devices main hardware remaining largely unchanged.
The Tegra 3-powered Android tablet has been a huge success since announced with global sales finally proving that buyers are willing to forgo an Apple iPad for an Android-based tablet device. The Google Nexus 7 was so well received by reviewers and consumers that its 16GB version sold out online right after launching.
Google has not yet revealed sales numbers for the Google Nexus 7; the company must surpass at least 5 million unit sales to pass the Amazon Kindle Fire as the top selling Android tablet to date.
While Google may not yet have outsold the Amazon Kindle Fire, the company’s tablet is based off a more traditional, non-modified version of Google Android 2.3. By proving that Android models can sell, Google may find more manufacturers lining up to take on Apple with the help of the open-source OS.
In the meantime, sales of the Google Nexus 7 could fall off in the coming weeks as Amazon prepares to announce the Kindle Fire 2, which the company has promised will feature some major upgrades.
Given the choice, would you choose to purchase the Amazon Kindle Fire 2 or the Google Nexus 7?