Google’s Android event set for this morning was canceled due to the vicious weather currently hitting New York City in the form of Hurricane Sandy. Some wondered if Google would also delay the expected announcements such as the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10. Thankfully, Google knows that we can’t wait and decided to unveil the new devices via their blog.
First up, Google confirmed the rumors that LG would be making the Nexus 4 smartphone. All the specs are also confirmed including the 4.7-inch display. The device will come equipped with Android 4.2, which is still called Jelly Bean. It features Gesture Typing, which Google says “lets you glide your finger over the letters you want to type on the keyboard.” The new Jelly Bean also adds support for Miracast wireless displays so you can watch movies, YouTube videos and other media on an HDTV without the use of cables.
The Nexus 4 will be available in two flavors – 8GB and 16GB. The unlocked 8GB will set you back $299 while the unlocked 16GB will cost $349. T-Mobile will be offerring the 16GB Nexus 4 for $199 under contract. It will be available from the Google Play store on November 13.
All of the rumors concerning the Nexus 10 have also been confirmed. The device sports a massive 2560×1600 resolution. They claim it has a powerful battery that offers up to nine hours of HD video playback. It also features two front-facing stereo speakers.
Android 4.2 on the Nexus 10 will have the previously rumored sharing feature. It allows multiple accounts to be created on one tablet so every family member can custom tailor the device to their needs.
The Nexus 10 will also be available on November 13 from the Google Play store. The 16GB version wil cost $399 while the 32GB will cost $499.
As for the Nexus 7, Google confirmed the size increase. The 16GB Nexus 7 will cost $199 and the 32GB will cost $249. In even better news, Nexus 7 is also going mobile with HSPA+. The 32GB HSPA+ Nexus 7 will cost $299. Current owners of the Nexus 7 will be upgraded to Android 4.2 in the near future.
Google Play is also getting a new feature in the form of music matching. Every Android device will now scan your personal music collection and match it against the music catalog on Google Play. All matches will be made immediately available for streaming from Google Play. The feature will be available in Europe on November 13 and in the US soon after.
Here’s the first look at the new Nexus devices: