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Google unveils HTC-made Nexus 9 tablet plus Android Lollipop

by Mark Tyson on 16 October 2014, 11:15

Tags: HTC (TPE:2498), Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), PC

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qackdj

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Just a day before Apple is due to unveil its updated iPad family, Google showed off its new flagship Nexus 9 tablet. The HTC built slate will be one of the first to run the Internet search giant's Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system, alongside the Nexus 6 smartphone which was jointly announced yesterday.

The tablet comes with brushed metal sides, a soft grip back and an 8.9-inch IPS LCD display, which is smaller than the Apple iPad but larger than the iPad Mini. Google said that the device is built for multi-tasking and designed to be "big enough to work and watch on, but small enough to carry around in one hand."

It is powered by Nvidia's 64-bit 2.3GHz Tegra K1 chip paired with 2GB of RAM and comes sporting an 8MP rear camera and 1.6MP front shooter. The Nexus 9 is also equipped with two of HTC's front-facing BoomSound speakers, storage options of 16GB or 32GB, a 6,700mAh battery, and weighs just 420g, 50g lighter than an iPad Air. Similar to the Nexus 6, the Nexus 9 will also come with the Turbo Charger fast-charging functionality and enables voice commands for hands-free access.

Pre-orders for the Nexus 9 will begin on 17 October, whilst shipment is set for 3rd November. It will come in colour options including black, white and beige and will be priced at $299 for the 16GB model and $399 for the 32GB version. A magnetic keyboard folio is also available to purchase alongside the tablet (see above), which folds into two different angles and looks somewhat similar to Microsoft's Surface cover offerings.

Android Lollipop

This new and highly anticipated mobile operating system has been promised to be a redefining update by Google. Android Lollipop is designed to be flexible and easily adapt for use on different devices, whether it may be a watch, TV, smartphone, or even a car.

It is said to be the first version of Android to come with encryption switched on by default, and also the first to integrate Samsung's Knox security suite, both positive functions for the growing number of security and privacy-conscious consumers.

Users can now pick up songs, photos, apps and recent searches from where they've left off across all of their Android devices. Android Lollipop will also bring Google's new 'Material Design' language, revamped notifications and a battery saver feature.



HEXUS Forums :: 14 Comments

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No Micro-SD, no sale.

Why do these tablet designers think we can get everything from the cloud. If I go on holiday I want to take movies with me, 64GB (or even 128GB now) micro-sd card is perfect
cjs150
No Micro-SD, no sale.

Why do these tablet designers think we can get everything from the cloud. If I go on holiday I want to take movies with me, 64GB (or even 128GB now) micro-sd card is perfect
I know exactly where you're coming from on this, (although for me it's the combination of good space for lots of photos and perhaps the odd album (or six)).

While an microSD slot is the ideal, there is another way. I got one of those Ultra Dual flash drives from Sandisk, and those have a normal USB plug on one end and a phone-friendly microUSB on the other. I just checked and Amazon will sell you a 64GB one of these for less than £30. And if that's too expensive then MobyMemory supposedly have it for just over £20. Yes, I know you could also use an OTG cable and a normal USB drive, but the Sandisk one is a neater solution imho.

Good thing is that it's actually cheap enough to be a justifiable purchase as a normal memory stick, so if you get one and find your phone doesn't like it then it's not necessarily a waste of money. So far the only system we've had problems with was a CM7-running HP Touchpad. I'd try it with the G3 I've got next to me at the moment (although I'm sure I had already and it worked) but unfortunately one of the kids borrowed it, so lord knows where it is now. :(
Crossy, can you run films/games/apps straight from the drive?

Also I'm sure I read somewhere that the device must be enabled to be able to operate the drive.
Personally I don't want a nexus 9 for 2 simple reasons…. I don't want a slate with a 4:3 ratio (got a HP touchpad with android on it and never use it), if I really wanted that I could have had an iPad years ago with (main argument) more tablet apps, it's not like I'd be paying much more based on the US price. Not to mention it's a completely different ratio to 90% of the android slates out there so I can see ‘layout’ issues with games/apps too.

I will say one thing though, if the nexus line is getting more expensive and the windows 8 slates are getting cheaper it could mean a rise in windows 8 app adoption which is a good thing :)

As to android L… well my moto g will definitely get it and supposedly so will my nexus 7 2012 so it's good in that respect. Having said that it will likely help me decide if I just ditch android and go all in windows though, I'm already using google less and less apart from for search.

I do like the little player though but could really do with a lan port over just ac wireless.

Seeing as apple has the apple tv and sony has the little playstation box, when is ms going to bring out a little player (an xbox without the ‘gaming’)…. the win 8 tiles would work great on a tv in my opinion and if it's using x86/x64 and is ‘open’ enough for us to add extra codecs it could be a nice little seller :)
LSG501
… and the windows 8 slates are getting cheaper it could mean a rise in windows 8 app adoption which is a good thing :)

I don't expect Microsoft giving away Windows or Intel giving away Atom CPUs to keep happening long term, so at some point the price will start creeping back up again.

I shall be very interested to see benchmarks on the Nvidia CPU. The claims are impressive, but then we have heard that before.