Google tablet is the Nexus of rumors; Google Play for $199?

<!–
–>The Google tablet rumor will not die. Supposedly, ASUS is working with Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) on a Nexus tablet, possibly branded Google Play. The 7-inch Android ICS slate will retail for just $199, we’re told. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers get ready for a fight with Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN).
 
By Richi Jennings: Your humble blogwatcher curated these bloggy bits for your entertainment. Not to mention: TBA…
 
 
Taylor Wimberly reports the rumor:

Google has partnered with ASUS [on] a 7-inch tablet that will become a pure Google Experience Device…ship[ping] with stock Android 4.x Ice Cream Sandwich. … [So say] two different industry sources…at Mobile World Congress. … I find them to be trustworthy.
…
Consumers want cheap tablets and the $199 Kindle Fire has proven this. … ASUS previously announced their $249 MeMo 370T tablet at CES…and our sources say that Google was so impressed…that they approached ASUS to see if they could…reach that magical $199 price point.
…
We are still unsure of the final product name, but Google Play is a possible candidate.   

    
Kevin Parrish adds:

Typically this market is split into two retail models: the certified Android devices…include Google’s services like Gmail, Android Market and so on, whereas [others don’t] and generally aren’t as popular. … But now we have Amazon’s Kindle Fire, the best-selling Android tablet.
…
Google has set its sights on the Kindle Fire and plans…to regain control over the Android tablet sector. … Google’s secret weapon…may be something similar to the Asus MeMo 370T.
…
As for the name, that’s still up in the air. … The “Nexus” branding seems more likely given that Google has used it [before].   

Jared Newman rocks the double-negative:

It’s not implausible that Google and Asus would work together on a low-cost, high-quality Android tablet.
…
Talk of a lower price is certainly interesting, but only if the quality of the tablet isn’t compromised. … Still, Asus’ next tiny tablet is worth keeping an eye on — Nexus or not.   

Fuad Abazovic is easy for you to say:

The processor of choice is Tegra 3 and this is why many think that Asus might be building the new tablet. … Amazon has managed to upset Google quite a lot, by selling more than four million tablets…and eating into the Android tablet market.   

Meanwhile, Michael Crider triangulates:

Keep in mind that this is all chasing after the wind. The only confirmed information…is Google Chairman Eric Schmidt’s…comment that the company is preparing a “tablet of the highest quality.”
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[R]umors suggest the tablet will…unveil at Google IO [in June].   

   
And Finally…
TBA
   
 
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Richi Jennings is an independent analyst/consultant, specializing in blogging, email, and security. He’s the creator and main author of Computerworld’s IT Blogwatch, for which he has won ASBPE and Neal awards. He also writes The Long View for IDG Enterprise. A cross-functional IT geek since 1985, you can read Richi’s full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.

Article source: http://blogs.computerworld.com/19832/google_tablet_is_the_nexus_of_rumors_google_play_for_199