3G Google Nexus 7 inbound Asus is ramping up production of a 3G-enabled Google Nexus 7, it has been claimed. Citing a "well placed insider", website Modaco says the cellular-connectable tablet will launch in roughly six weeks' time. Google Nexus 7 Android tablet Beyond the incorporation of an HSPA radio, the Nexus 7 3G will be essentially identical …
Think everybody in the telco market has a patent in some technology or another, with SIM's it's about standards and in that there is FRAND, either way somebody will have some patent and they will get paid a token amount.
Sad when we look at things that the direction were going in, probably have a weekly Top 40 patent chart soon - be nice to see and watch which patents make the most for which artists erm I mean companies.
I initially thought that, but in reality I always have my phone with me and WiFi/Bluetooth tethering is so easy that it doesn't make sense to have two separate contracts/SIMs.
So in reality I would actually prefer to only have one data access device (the phone) with the other (the tablet) tethered to it.
Just my use-case obviously.
"Oh great, just as the world (and me) has gone out and bought the wifi one, Google releases the one many of us would have gone for in the first place."
Don't worry - Apple will slap an injunction on this when they reveal that they've patented the method of releasing a sequence of incrementatl products over a period of time to cause people to make multiple purchases!
I still have my wi-fi one under the 28 day no quibble guarantee.
Perhaps it should go back and I will be able to get what I really wanted in the first place.
Why didn't they release this on day one, I am sure I am not the only one who was waiting for it.
And no I don't have a smart phone I can tether it to.
Surely the vast majority of people would (like myself) use their phone as a WiFi hotspot for their WiFi-only tablet device on the very very rare occasion they're out and about and desperately need internet connectivity on it...? I for one would much rather do that than have yet another contract to pay for, especially as there's no difference in the speed of connection I do get / would get.
Good idea as people who saying what the point soon find out that running it off your phone 3g connection means charging your phone up more than once a day. My xoom got 3g and i find it very useful, my phone keeps charge all day and my xoom keeps charge for a week. It uses less battery on 3g than wifi.
So this is a great idea.
So let me see:
* The 3G version will cost a lot more than the non-3G.
* 3G data limits are chronically low - a typical monthly quota of 1GB can be used in under 2 hours, especially if you stream video. Once you exceed your limit, you'll either get cut off, throttled massively down or have to pay a fortune for exceeding the limits - none of which are desirable.
* If you really must use 3G, it's possible you can tether it to your mobile anyway.
So, really, 3G on a tablet makes no sense especially if you have a mobile phone already (two SIMs, two contracts or PAYGs, two data plans to potentially exceed), so I'll stick with my SIM-less N7 plus an HTC mobile should I need to tether to 3G in emergencies.
So let me answer
I don't care about the extra cost (unless it's over £100 then I might)
I would never use 3g to stream video
I tend to use 3g data for a couple of hours a working day (unless you are doing something stupid you won't exceed data allowances)
Using 3g on my phone ruins the battery. (not to mention making it hot enough to melt my face if I want to make a call) A tablet usually has a better battery, is used for a few hours a day - but I need my phone to be available at all times.
So 3g on a tablet (for me) makes sense. If you already own a device a sim only plan with generous enough data allowances doesn't cost that much. Two parallel contracts is no harder to run that one.
In short, to everyone who can't see the point of a 3g device. You aren't everyone.
When I was looking at buying my first Nexus 7, I was disappointed that it didn't have 3G. Once I did buy it, and found how well it worked tethered to my phone, I realised that for me, 3G is unnecessary. I won't embarrass myself by revealing how much data plans cost up here in Aotearoa, but since I work from home and thus am mostly on WiFi, tethering my Nexus 7 lets me use more of the 1GB that I already pay through my olfactory orifice for. My wife finds the same - since she can't use it at work, she mostly uses her Nexus 7 at home too, and can tether when needed
That said, I am pleased that Google is expanding the range to cater for those who DO need 3G. I don't feel cheated or that I missed out by getting WiFi only, because it suits my needs, just like my WiFi only Kindle does. For those with different circumstances, 3G will no doubt add considerably to the appeal of the Nexus 7. Well done Google!
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