Google has set its annual I/O Developers Conference to kick off May 18, further heightening the rumors that the event will reveal the release date and other juicy information on the next Pure Android tablet, known for now as Nexus 7 2016, and its operating system - Android N or rumored as version 7.0.
Here are the solid details known so far:
The builder
The early rumors that came out as early as last year point to Huawei as maker of the 2016 version of the 7-inch tablet that will run on stock Android. And basing on the work submitted by the Chinese device manufacturer with the Nexus 6P, the compact tablet is expected to unbox with casing made of metal and glass that will be a huge departure from the first two versions. The device is also seen to come in a more premium packaging with hardware specs worthy of challenging Apple's iPad and Samsung' Galaxy Tab.
However, Huawei putting together the next Nexus tablet is yet to be written in stone. HTC emerges as a solid candidate too as reports have come out that the Taiwan firm has inked a three-year deal with Google to exclusively supply the Nexus devices. The company issuing a slate on vanilla Android is not too remote of a possibility as the last Nexus tablet was the HTC-made Nexus 9.
The main engine
If Huawei will indeed have the honors of assembling the new Nexus 7, it is likely that the power inside will be a Kirin processing chip. But Android fans are expecting too of Snapdragon processor and it will be a toss between the 810 and the 820, the latter if Google decides to become generous.
And any of SD 810 or 820 powering up the Nexus 7 2016 is a picture that will shape up with HTC at the helm of manufacturing duties.
RAM provision
Tablets nowadays unpack with generous RAM provisions and one prime example is the rumored 9.7-inch iPad Pro that Apple is said to deploy with 4GB of RAM just like its bigger sibling. If Google is serious on tussling with leaders in the market, the new Nexus 7 will need to boast of the same RAM figures that its rivals have.
Storage configurations
The 2016 mobile device standards dictate that the Nexus tablet must have at least 32GB as minimum internal memory with users having the option of picking too from 64GB and 128GB flavors. If the latter on the wish list will be granted, then Google's insistence of doing away with extra memory on its flagship devices will be justified.
The epic feature upgrades
Granted the Nexus 7 2016 will become a reality real soon, it has to touchdown packed with the necessary killer features. Otherwise, it will only be another epic failure. Thankfully, the preview build of Android N hints that the tablet will have multitasking features, biometric support, optimal setting for longer operating hours and a user interface that not only adheres to Material Design but also makes for easier and faster device navigation.
It is all but confirmed that come the start of the 2016 I/O in May 18, Google will present the final cut of Android N or version 7.0 of the mobile OS as many Android fans believe it will be. And it is highly likely that the first device the OS will breathe into life is the Nexus 7 2016, the release date of which should happen shortly after the event.