Google Second-Gen Nexus 7 Debut TippedGoogle Second-Gen Nexus 7 Debut Tipped

Google Nexus 7, Take Two: What To Expect

Google invited media to attend an event scheduled to take place next week on July 24. The invitations pitched a chat with Sundar Pichai, who runs Google's Android and Chrome business units. The implication is that Pichai has something to say worth hearing. Though Google confirmed nothing, there are several items that Pichai might reveal, including the second-generation Nexus 7 tablet and details about Android 4.3.

The second-generation Nexus 7 will be a slightly revised version of the original tablet, which was released in July 2012. This new tablet has been transiting the rumor mill for some time now, and has long been expected to see its retail release this month. Many thought Google would reveal the new Nexus 7 at its I/O developer event in May, but the tablet never materialized.

The latest leaks tell us plenty about the stock Android tablet. AndroidCentral.com got a hold of a new Nexus 7 recently and gave it a solid examination. First, the hardware is mostly unchanged. The overall look and appearance of the tablet are much the same as the original, including the 1280 by 800 pixel, seven-inch screen. The second-gen Nexus 7 has two cameras instead of just one, adding a 5-megapixel main camera to the 1.2-megapixel user-facing camera. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, but the clock speed isn't yet known. The device will come in both 16-GB and 32-GB variants.

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Pricing is believed to run $229 for the 16-GB model and $279 for the 32-GB model. As with past versions of the Nexus 7, there will likely be Wi-Fi models and models that support 3G/4G cellular networks. Availability is up in the air, but hopefully it will see a quick launch.

In addition to the next-generation Nexus 7, it is possible that Google will provide information about Android 4.3. The minor update to Google, which has not been discussed by the company, has been popping up across the Internet in server logs generated by the Nexus 4 and Galaxy Nexus smartphones.

What's new in Android 4.3? Not much. (Google will reveal a more extensive overhaul of Android later this year.) Reports show that Android 4.3 adds support for Bluetooth Low Energy, OpenGL ES 3.0 and revises the phone dialer application. The minor system bump makes alterations to the behavior of notifications, as well. Last, the update improves the touch screen sensitivity of the Nexus 4.

Google has confirmed none of these details. But we should find out next week.