Google unveils larger tablet in revamped range

Google said on its blog that its Nexus 10, a rival to the market-leading iPad, would be "the highest resolution tablet on the planet" and would offer settings for multiple user accounts.

The Nexus 10 is firm's entry into the 10-inch (26 centimeter) screen tablet market pioneered by Apple, which last week unveiled a smaller seven-inch iPad Mini to be sold alongside its 10-inch original iPad.

Google also said it would be selling its Nexus 7, which has a seven-inch screen, with mobile access for GSM networks worldwide. The company also unveiled its Nexus 4, a smartphone with a 4.7-inch screen manufactured with South Korea's LG.

"A Nexus device is much more than simply a phone or tablet. It's your connection to the best of Google -- all of your stuff and entertainment, everywhere you go with no hassle," Google's Andy Rubin wrote in a blog post.

"Now you have three new Nexus devices, a new improved version of (Android operating system) Jelly Bean and more entertainment than ever before -- all available in Google Play. The playground is open."

Google said the music offerings on Google Play, the firm's online store, would be launched in Europe on November 13, with a new feature to allow music in a customer's online collection to be automatically uploaded to the cloud.

It will be offered in Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

"We'll scan your music collection and any song we match against the Google Play catalogue will be automatically added to your online library without needing to upload it, saving you time," Google said.

"This will be available in Europe from November 13 and is coming to the US soon after. This will all be for free -- free storage of your music, free matching, free syncing across your devices and free listening."

Google had scheduled a news conference in New York for the announcement but cancelled the event because of Hurricane Sandy.

The entry-level Nexus 10 will be sold at $399, about $100 less than the least expensive iPad. It will be available in the US, Britain, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan from mid-November.

Nexus 7, was launched earlier this year but the version with mobile data will be sold from November 13 in those countries excluding Japan. The Nexus 4 will be available in the US through T-Mobile but an unlocked model will be available in Britain, Australia, France, Germany, Spain and Canada.

Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge