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Google Officially Discontinues Nexus 7 Tablet
An anonymous reader writes: Google's 7-inch tablet has disappeared from the Google Store, where a note in red type simply states that the device is no longer available for purchase. "The Nexus 7 was first released back in 2013, so it's fair to say it had a good run. The Android-based tablet received great reviews, but what really made it a long-term success was the fact that it was affordable and continually received updates from Google. Manufactured by Asus, the Nexus 7 was even treated to Android Lollipop, the latest version of the operating system, although not with bug-free results. The discontinuation shouldn't come as a big surprise, however, as Google pulled a similar move back in March with the Nexus 5 smartphone, not to mention the Nexus 9 tablet's release last fall."
If Google can't even make Lollipop work on its own hardware, how much of an endorsement is that for other manufacturers to put their efforts into Android? Clearly it's not because Google is underfunded.
My God, it's Full of Source!
OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
As I remember it, the Nexus 7 was part of a strategic campaign by Google to ensure that "tablet" didn't mean "iPad" by introducing a high-quality Android device supported by Google itself to the masses. Now that that mission's largely been accomplished (e.g., if you're just looking for a tablet to browse the Internet and run a couple of simple apps, would you really shell out the extra money buy an iPod?) and there are many high-quality Android tablet alternatives in every form factor imaginable, the Nexus 7 isn't needed so much.
I own a first gen Nexus 7. IMO, it's the ideal size for a personal video-watching device--not large enough to be cumbersome but with a big enough screen to make TV show watching thoroughly enjoyable. It's also ideal for reading articles and great at viewing "full web" (non-mobile) pages. The price (under $200) was the main selling point to me, and I really did feel like it was amazing bang for the buck (especially compared to my wife's similarly-priced Kindle Fire).
Lollipop rendered my N7 basically unusable (would randomly shut itself off--mine, luckily, wasn't one of those whose device got caught in the infinite reboot cycle), but Thank God there's Cyanogenmod, where my N7 is a big sluggish but still perfectly functional. The sluggishness would probably have been enough to make me consider buying a replacement, and I'm sad that there isn't one (I will never buy another Samsung mobile device, and I hate the Kindle Fire series).
Ah, well. I'm used to being part of an unpopular and unprofitable niche market--I'm still waiting for someone (anyone) to release a new full QWERTY keyboard phone.
The Nexus 7 was first released back in 2013
Which is why the first ones are known as Nexus 7 (2012)
How did this make the front page? I think the OP neglected to realize that Google I/O is just around the corner. Devices are discontinued every year right before I/O (after months of steep discounts to clear stock) to make way for the new device(s) that are about to be announced.
My 2012 N7 is still going strong (if a bit sluggish under Cyanogenmod 11). And I've heard from a few iPad owners who've had their devices die within months. Consumer electronics is a crapshoot--sometimes your device is essentially immortal (got a 2005 Dell Inspiron that's still doing great), sometimes it dies well before its time. I'd love to see aggregated statistics for median longevity for various tablets from various manufacturers. Would guess that the N7 wouldn't top the list, but would also guess it wouldn't be on the bottom either.
Or should people just buy an entry-level Android phone and use it without a SIM?
Obviously. It has the additional feature of being able to make 911 calls. That ought to be handy for joggers, since they seem to be the ones who find all the bodies.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
to free up the name name for the inevitable 7" smart phone.
When I realized that my 2009 ipad2 was still being used daily (albeit with lack of updates not as secure and running slowly) I realized that you can't beat apple hardware longevity.
Your "2009" iPad 2 was released in March 2011, so it's not quite as old as you think. ;)
I didn't realize that they discontinued the Nexus 5. I would buy another in a heartbeat. I don't see any other phone on the market that I would rather have. Nexus? Check. Hi-res screen? Check. Not a phablet? Check. The Nexus 6 is just a bit too big for me. Hopefully they are just making room for the new versions. The Nexus 5 & Nexus 10 rank as two of my best tech purchases this decade.
the growth in cynicism and rebellion has not been without cause
The person who took the decision to terminate the Nexus 7 series is called Rick Deckard.
Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
I know that many will disagree with me, but I still think that the Nexus 7 (2013) was the best all around tablet ever made. I have owned 5 tablets (3 different 7", 2 different 10") and my Nexus 7 (2013) is the only one that I still use on a daily basis and I would recommend it to anyone to buy (if they still can). I just bought my mom one last month. It has been the perfect size for me, just small enough that I can easily throw it in a jacket pocket or palm it while walking down the hall to a meeting, and big enough that I can show a coworker some information on the screen during the meeting or a watch a movie on a plane. The price/performance ratio has been unmatched by any other tablet that I have ever encountered. Nice wide full HD high resolution screen and stereo speakers for movies, 2GB of RAM, plenty fast processor, and no unnecessary bloated custom software. My only complaint ever has been the lack of a MicroSD slot that 3 of my other tablets had. Due to the 4:3 resolution the Nexus 9 never interested me.
I really hope that Google will be announcing a suitable successor at I/O this year.
Nevermore.
Android tablets typically don't run smaller than 7 inches without being designed (and priced) for use with a cellular network. Or should people just buy an entry-level Android phone and use it without a SIM?
...Haven't we covered this already? Is there some downside to using a phone? You talk about it like it's a bad idea. As for the iPod Touch, it's been about 5 years since one was released that could be used without iTunes. If I didn't have a smartphone, I'd use my $20 MP3 player. Smaller+lighter than even a small touchscreen device, cheaper to replace, takes microSD for memory expansion (and thus has more space than my 1st gen iPod Touch, anyhow), and it's too small to break if dropped.
Unless you've bought into the Apple app ecosystem, there are better options than an iPod from any angle. Music player, mini-tablet/personal media device, etc.
It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.