Nexus 7 LTE Release Getting Closer

Google announced that a Nexus 7 LTE model would be released in the “coming weeks” though it did not say exactly when the device would arrive. Thanks to a Bluetooth certification though, it looks like the LTE-powered version of the new Nexus 7 is getting closer to arrival.

In July, Google announced the new Nexus 7 tablet, its second-generation 7-inch slate that will take on the likes of the iPad mini, Kindle Fire HD and their likely successors. The device is currently available in Wi-Fi only form though it will be coming in LTE form later on. Google isn’t saying exactly when it will be arriving but it does look like the device will be arriving soon.

Read: 8 Things iPad mini Buyers Need to Consider.

The Asus K009, the LTE model of the new Nexus 7, passed through a Bluetooth certification yesterday, just one of the hurdles that the device needed to pass on its way to release. The finding was first discovered by Blog of Mobile.

Furthermore, Google’s website has lit up with mention of the 4G LTE model which is says will be “coming soon” to the Google Play Store. No dates are given but it’s clear that things are in motion and we should indeed see it in the near future.

The device is expected to run on the LTE networks of several carriers in the United States including Verizon which means that it will boast faster data speeds than the original Nexus 7. LTE data, at times, can be as fast as a home Wi-Fi network, perfect for those that need fast data speeds while on-the-go.

It’s unclear if the device will be sold strictly through the Google Play Store or if it will be available elsewhere. The previous Nexus 7, which used HSPA+, was not widely available so it’s possible that the Google Play Store will be the only place that sells the LTE model. We’ve reached out to Google in regards to this, but the company has not yet responded.

Google’s new Nexus 7 comes with a high-resolution 7-inch display, Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor, Android 4.3, thin design, and of course, a price tag that undercuts the iPad mini in all areas. While the Wi-Fi only model starts at $230, the LTE model checks in at $350 off-contract.