Hot stuff: Google Nexus 7 reviews

SPECIFICATION

1 FINISH

The grippy, textured finish offers a comfy, secure hold. Perhaps "premium" isn't quite the word here, but it's not unpleasant

2 CAMERA

The 1.2-meg front-facing camera caters for Skype video chats and multi-user Google+ Hangouts

3 SCREEN

The resolution is 1280x800 HD that, at seven inches across, equates to 216ppi. It's also scratch resistant

4 CHARGE DOCK

When the compatible charger arrives you'll be able to charge more-or-less contactlessly via these artistic holes

    The Nexus 7 is the first Android device to run on Jelly Bean, the latest version of Google's mobile OS. As its "Android 4.1" alias suggests, it's evolving rather than, er, revolting, but it does make for a more sophisticated user experience; let us take you through some of its sauciest new features.

    Everything is displayed in a slick card interface not unlike the application cards used on Palm's late and lamented WebOS. It's a brilliant example of how intelligent and intuitive devices like this can be, even if it does raise questions about privacy. Obviously, you can turn Now off if you're concerned about carrying a spy around in your pocket.

    The improved voice control is essentially a rival for Siri. It doesn't tell dad you've found mum's present, but it does make searching for facts and pictures easier(so long as you don't mind babbling to an inanimate object like a loon).

    As well as a bang up-to-date, optimised, unskinned OS, the Nexus 7 has plenty of power under the hood with enough muster to tackle multitasking and deliver smooth streaming video. Unlike its seven-inch competitors, it packs a Tegra 3 quadcore processor. In fact, it's actually "quin-core" as there's an additional one that handles low-intensity tasks, rather than unleashing the power-hungry quadcore on obscure system operations and sending texts.

    Combined with Android 4.1's, ahem, evocatively-named "Project Butter", it makes for some seriously slick navigation. Touch response is particularly improved, and there's a smarter virtual keyboard that adapts to your typing style.

    The Nexus 7's design choices are impeccable. A tablet is no place for rear cameras, and it wisely sticks to a 1.2-meg front-facer that offers enough clarity and quality for video calling over Skype, Google+ et al.

    If you are planning to use the GPS, the new Google Maps now lets you cache content offline, so you can pre-plan your route and have it all there in the memory — essential, given the lack of 3G.

    Android Beam.allows you to instantly send pictures, music and videos via NFC to compatible devices. It's of slightly limited use compared to something like AirPlay, and there's also no HDMI output to get your tablet's media out into the wider world.

    Asus claims around nine hours of battery life, about the same as the new iPad. With the fifth, battery-saving core doing its job, it'll comfortably get you through the day. Android tab to really rival the iPad. Why? The economy, stupid: the 8GB model costs just £159.

    Compare with Kindle Fire, I think the Nexus 7 is a better, more attractive and powerful tablet. It's also easier to get content onto it from sources other than its manufacturer. And, what do you think of the amazing stuff?