Next-gen Nexus tablets

[Dr Mordrid]

http://tomshardware.com/news/Google-Nexus-7-Qualcomm-Snapdragon,20987.html

Next Nexus 7 Model to Use Qualcomm Snapdragon Chipset?

The upcoming variant of Google's Nexus 7 tablet will apparently ditch Nvidia's Tegra 4 processor in favor of a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset.

The second-generation Nexus 7, manufactured by Asus, is said to sport a full HD (1920 x 1080) display, as opposed to the 1280 x 800 pixels featured by the current, first-generation variant. Moreover, Pacific Crest analyst Michael McConnell believes Google won’t rely on Nvidia for its chipset, but instead turn to Qualcomm.

Google's second-generation Nexus 7 should have a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro chip, while the first model utilized an Nvidia Tegra 3 system-on-chip. Qualcomm's Chief Marketing Officer recently criticized Nvidia's Tegra processors with the Tegra 4 believed to have been adopted by only Toshiba.

"Supply chain conversations indicate two reasons for Google’s selection of the Snapdragon APQ8064 over Tegra 4: competitive pricing, and a decision to single-source the application processor and 3G/4G modem to simplify logistics and create a fully pin-compatible platform interface," McConnell said.

Google's I/O conference (May 15 to May 17) should see the announcement of the new Nexus 7 model. While an unveiling at the event is unlikely, Google is also purportedly developing a Nexus 10 successor; it's said to be powered by a quad-core Exynos processor and an eight-core GPU.

[dZeus]

I'm extremely curious about the upcoming Nexus 7; especially since ubuntu for android seems to be developed with Nexus hardware in mind. I'd love to try a next-gen Nexus 7 with Ubuntu, bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

[Dr Mordrid]

My eldest son is using his Nexus 10 & 7 on his frequent business trips. He loves the things.

I think the higher res screen would be real nice, but if they pair that with a microSD slot & HDMI output it would be off the hook.

[dZeus]

My eldest son is using his Nexus 10 & 7 on his frequent business trips. He loves the things.

I think the higher res screen would be real nice, but if they pair that with a microSD slot & HDMI output it would be off the hook.

if it's HDMI instead of MHL as found on many cellphones, then yes.

However, it's technically possible to mirror the output of the tablet to the TV using DLNA (and a slight lag). I've seen some guides around to do this with ubuntu, so I'll definitely give it a go when (if) I get the tablet. This require use of the hardware H.264 encoder on the tablet, which might not be easy though (if possible at all without a custom program).

[Dr Mordrid]

IIRC the Snapdragon S4 Plus, S4 Pro and S4 Prime all have 720/1080 decoding hardware on the chip. S4 Play does not.

[Greebe]

I think the higher res screen would be real nice, but if they pair that with a microSD slot & HDMI output it would be off the hook.

if it's HDMI instead of MHL as found on many cellphones, then yes.

However, it's technically possible to mirror the output of the tablet to the TV using DLNA (and a slight lag). I've seen some guides around to do this with ubuntu, so I'll definitely give it a go when (if) I get the tablet. This require use of the hardware H.264 encoder on the tablet, which might not be easy though (if possible at all without a custom program).

Do this with both my Samsung Tablet and phones (GSII)