Google delivers Nexus 7 tablet to challenge Kindle and iPad

Google has unveiled its much-anticipated Nexus 7 tablet device.

Speaking at the company's annual Google I/O developer conference in San Francisco, director of product management Hugo Barra debuted the 7in touch-screen device which was built by Asus.

Confirming earlier reports, the Nexus 7 sports a Tegra3 quad-core processor and a 12-core GPU chip which will power a 1280x800 HD display. The device, which will sport a nine-hour battery life, weighs in at 340g.

Google plans to ship the device by mid-July, with pre-orders now available. Pricing for the tablet will start at $199.

When it is released, the Nexus 7 will run on the new Android Jelly Bean platform. The updated Android release will offer an improved interface and faster response times. Additionally, the tablet will feature integration with the Google Play software service and the company's line of Android applications.

"Nexus 7 is made for Google play, when you power it on your content is front and centre," said Android engineer Chris Yerga.

"Nexus 7 is the perfect device to use all the Android applications you already love."

Among the applications which will debut on the device will be a tablet-native version of the company's Google+ social networking platform. Google is also planning to release an iOS native version of the social networking platform.

While Google talked up the cloud and native application ecosystem, industry analysts remain skeptical about the company's chances to unseat either the Apple iPad or the Kindle Fire in the tablet space.

"Google's user base for music, books, and movies is not nearly as strong as Apple or Amazon, so it will take time to build a strong customer base," said Forrester analyst Frank Gillett.

"But Google's real tablet problem is the lack of compelling tablet optimised apps and Google has yet to address how to motivate developers to fill the gap."