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Nexus 7 Flaws: Things to Consider Before Buying Google’s Tablet

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The Google Nexus 7 is a great value and one of the hottest Android devices on the market, but the little tablet is far from perfect. Google and ASUS had to make some tradeoffs to keep costs down and it shows.

Some of the Nexus 7’s flaws may be deal breakers for some users, while others may consider them minor annoyances. Either way, you should at least take them into account before investing in a Nexus 7.

(Read: Seven Reasons to Love the Nexus 7)

The Nexus 7 is rough around the edges in ways that aren’t acceptable considering the competition. Apple has a refined tablet in the form of the third-generation iPad and will likely introduce a smaller iPad this fall. We can’t imagine Apple allowing a tablet with as many flaws to ship to end users in the year 2012. Apple has near total control of its design and manufacturing process. On the other hand, Google’s partnered with ASUS to manufacture the Nexus 7 and there may have been too many cooks in the kitchen.

Some of the Nexus 7’s issues are due to ASUS and Google pinching pennies on this particular tablet. The Google Play Store is still a mess and there isn’t much of an ecosystem around the Nexus 7 compared to the competition’s.

Incompatible Apps

Nexus 7 incompatible apps

There are far too many apps that don’t work on the Nexus 7.

The Google Play Store is in dire need of a tablet section. More specifically, it needs a Nexus 7 section…you know, like a list of apps and games that actually work with the Nexus 7. It’s incredibly frustrating to find apps that are labeled as optimized for Android tablets, yet are incompatible with the Nexus 7. That just doesn’t make much sense at all.

Some Android phone apps won’t install on the Nexus 7 for one reason or another. Developers and Google don’t give users much insight as to why not, but users probably won’t be able to tell until they try to install them. \

This can be a minor annoyance or a major headache depending on your needs. Take for example, Yammer, the business messaging and social network. Without Yammer, I simply can’t communicate effectively with other writers on this site. The service has effectively replaced internal email…except for when I’m on the Nexus 7. At this point I’d rather have an imperfect scaled version of the Yammer app on my Nexus 7 than wait for an update.

Some apps like the Nest Learning Thermostat will install, but won’t run, stating the app has not been optimized for this screen size.

Game Downloads Are Flaky

The Nexus 7 has a powerful quad-core Tegra processor that delivers great gaming visuals, but installing games from the Google Play store can be a bit ridiculous.

Many of the games we tried to play, such as Max Payne, ShadowGun THD and Grand Theft Auto III only download a small file from the Google Play Store. Once the game is installed and opened for the first time users are notified that additional files are required to run the app. A few of the games we installed required between 700MB and 1.79GB of additional game data before being able to actually play them. We understand that good graphics and gameplay require big downloads, but the process of downloading the files after the initial game is a pain and users should be able to tell exactly how much space is required to run games before buying them.

Some games like The Dark Knight Rises bundle all the data into the Google Play store, which is how it should be.

Nexus 7 Game issues

Downloading games on the Nexus 7 is not a fun experience.

Another issue is that the downloads don’t always complete in the background and often require multiple attempts to complete.

Display Quality Issues

My Nexus 7 and those that belong to other GottaBeMobile staff don’t suffer from display issues, but a number of Nexus 7 owners are reporting dead pixels. Others are reporting shoddy display quality control, with the glass separating from the tablet and being able to hear the adhesive ‘let go’ of the glass.

The touchscreen isn’t working properly on some Nexus 7 devices. Above is an example of one user’s buggy Nexus 7 touchscreen.

No Rear-Facing Camera

Nexus 7 back - no camera

The Android experience is in-complete without a camera.

Most people don’t use their tablets as cameras, but a serviceable camera is something we expect on any mobile device, even on cheap flip phones.  The Nexus 7 is much more portable than the iPad, and there are plenty of people that shoot pictures and videos with Apple’s bigger tablet.

Cameras aren’t all about taking pictures these days. A rear-facing camera is required to get the most out of many popular Android apps, such as Evernote, Google Goggles, Google Authenticator and Amazon. Visual search, barcode scanning and grabbing notes off a whiteboard or printed document all require a decent camera.

ASUS and Google apparently nixed a rear-facing camera to stay under the $200 mark, but it’s a bad call that will hamper the user experience.

No 3G or 4G Options

Even if it increased the cost of the Nexus 7 Google should have included a 3G or 4G LTE connected model.

The Nexus 7’s size is one of our favorite features and many of the GottaBeMobile staff carry the Nexus 7 with them on a regular basis, but the lack of a constant internet connection hampers the Android tablet experience.

Without 3G or 4G LTE built-in users need a mobiel hotspot.

We wish Google offered an unlocked 4G Nexus 7 in the Google Play store that would allow users to sign up for affordable contract-free data plans like the $30 T-Mobile plan that includes 5GB of data per month. For now users will want to pair the Nexus 7 with mobile hotspots to get the most from their tablets.

Not Enough Storage

The Nexus 7 is available in 8GB and 16GB flavors, but that’s not enough.The 8 GB Nexus 7 is barely big enough to hold an HD movie and two graphically intense games, and even the 16GB Nexus 7 feels cramped after loading it up with movies, games and music.

At the least, Google and ASUS could have included a MicroSD card slot so users could expand the storage. Yes, there’s a way to use a USB drive with a cable and a rooted Nexus 7, but that’s neither a realistic or viable solution for most users.

How about a 32GB model for $299 or so?

Useless Dock Connector 

Nexus 7 dock

The Nexus 7 dock is useless.

Like the Galaxy Nexus, the Nexus 7 tablet has a useless four-pin dock connector.

ASUS is reportedly working on an audio dock that will charge the Nexus 7 and allow users to listen to audio via a line-out function, but this type of accessory should be available at launch if it is in the works.

Because there is no useful dock connector, that means there is also no HDMI out so there’s no way to play games and videos on a bigger screen.

Accessories that Cost More than the Nexus

Nexus q price

The Nexus q is a pricey Nexus 7 accessory.

Nexus 7 owners that want to stream to their TV are stuck with an incomplete and expensive Nexus Q. An accessory that costs more than the tablet.

Unlike the Apple TV, there is no way to stream other services to the Nexus Q. Users are stuck with Google Play Movie and TV offerings, Google Play Music and YouTube.

The Nexus 7 would pair great with a $99 Apple TV like device that users could offered Google TV and the ability to mirror the Nexus 7 display.

No Home Screen Rotation

The Nexus 7 home screen can not rotate to landscape out of the box. This is especially annoying because many Android apps work in landscape mode which leads to a broken user experience when switching back to the home screen to look for a new app to launch.

Nexus 7 landscape orientation auto rotate

The Nexus 7 home screen in landscape thanks to Ultimate Rotation Control.

There are ways to tweak the home screen to rotate into landscape, but there’s no reason this shouldn’t be part of the standard Jelly Bean experience.

Sub Par Customer Service

Nexus 7 customer SupportGoogle isn’t known for its customer service, which generally isn’t a problem since most of its users aren’t actually buying anything. But selling hardware can be a tricky business. Early adopters are complaining about Google using ground shipping after paying for two-day air, poor return experiences and not being able to exchange defective units due to shortages.

Of course there’s nowhere to bring defective Nexus 7 units to get checked out in person. Customer service is all virtual and problem units purchased via Google Play need to be returned directly to Google. That’s a stark contrast compared to the iPad experience for those within driving distance of an Apple store.

Even calling for support is a test of patience. Reader Mara spent two and a half hours on hold before giving up with a support question and forums are littered with reports of long hold times and convoluted return procedures.

 

123 Comments

123 Comments

  1. Silly

    07/27/2012 at 9:36 am

    This article has no useful info at all. It is a ipad fan complaining about the better competition. Having no 3g/4g isnt a problem, that was what was intended! use the cloud for storage or root it if you are so inclined. Its a tablet, not a camera. Use your camera to take pictures. The connector may be useless now, but once accessories do come out for the device that won’t so useless then! The Nexus 7 blows the ipad out of the water. Unless Apple can pull something amazing off with the iphone 5, then they finally have some serious competition!!

    • Mark

      07/27/2012 at 10:42 am

      I have an iPad 3 and a Nexus 7, and I wouldn’t say that either blows the other out of the water. They’re really very different devices and best suited for different task. I’d much rather read an ebook or play a game on the Nexus 7, while browsing and RSS reading is better on the iPad. I do tend to use the Nexus 7 more often given the widgets and local file system access, but when I need the absolute best screen colors and text (say, for graphic novels), then it pull out the iPad.

      I agree in general that some of these “flaws” aren’t precisely that. As you allude to, leaving out 3G/4G and a (mostly useless) rear camera are legitimate cost-cutting methods to keep the Nexus 7 so affordable, and the cloud does help. And, it’s silly to list 16GB as a weakness of the Nexus 7 when the 16GB iPad has precisely the same issue–and those retina-quality apps are HUGE. I’ve ran into way more problems so far on my 16GB iPad 3 than on my 16GB Nexus 7, and the iPad has the unwelcome tendency to just delete things when it gets lower on space (like, with 2GB left).

      • D

        08/09/2012 at 12:37 pm

        If someone can figure out how to OTG the iPad I’m all over that.

        I have exactly the same setup as you mark. An iPad3 and a N7. I rooted my N7 and ordered a OTG cable so space not a problem there (holding off on buying a 64 gb flash drive though). But it is on my 16gb iPad 3 on trips/flights.

        I’d argue though that the app issue is more an problem than Android Fanboys tend to admit. But that should solve itself out over time as N7 market penetration goes up.

        One TRULY AWESOME feature of the N7 is offline GPS with cached maps. Can’t do that on my iPad.

        And switching to Tablet UI was the best thing I did for my N7. No rotation problems anymore.

        • lwr32

          10/30/2012 at 2:27 pm

          How about Navigon for iOS 6? It gives you the ability to load all its maps on your iPhone or iPad.

          • Dsea

            11/03/2012 at 7:57 pm

            Haha ha ha ha……. Good one. IOS6 Maps are hilarious.

          • Jet

            11/05/2012 at 2:51 am

            AHAHAHAH, ios maps ? you’re such an Ifag

      • Ken

        09/21/2012 at 8:33 pm

        My solution for now. Samsung Galaxy Nexus 4g LTE phone with MHL adaptor and hdmi cable. IPad 3 with apple TV that I was able to get at best buy for 30 bucks with silver rewards certificates. Also got the Galaxy phone at Best Buy for under 100 with upgrade, promo, and a few certificates. Lastly, this past week I picked up the Kindle Fire HD 7″ with 16gb at, you guessed it Best Buy for 48 dollars after using a gift card and a few certificates. If you know about the rewardszone program it allows 60 days for returns no questions asked, if you get an employee that insists on charging you the restocking fee should you not be satisfied with your purchase simply call their national customer service number and you will immediately be credited with the restocking fee into your rewards zone balance plus they typically add ten to 25 dollars for the inconvenience. So now if Best Buy does decide to come around and stock the N7, a quick trip to the store and you are good to go. However after using the Kindle Fire HD 7 for the past few days I have to say it is a speed demon for gaming, the screen is equal to or better than my iPad 3 screen, and finally someone got mobile dolby simulated surround sound right. While playing games and music that I have for years I am hearing sounds that were not brought out at high levels without any distortion at all. I do not know what I will end up doing, but since I can mirror all three to the big screen, and have a nexus with a decent screen size and excellent display that is well built and lasts well over 20 plus hours with the seido 3800 extended battery, plus the case that give the phone great no slip grip for gaming, I may keep my current trio for a while. Gotta love the fact that the iPhone 5 black models are in a few reported cases scratched right out of the box, brand spanking new. They make a phone 90 percent scratch resistant and wouldn’t you know it, the scratching is in the area of the antenna. Maybe next time, and they also increased the screen to four inches but apps still run 3.5″ centered letter boxed on each side, cheezy.

    • shutup

      08/02/2012 at 3:29 pm

      this article is useful as it states the limitations of the Nexus 7..

      this will ensure prospect users are aware of what they are buying…

      3g may not be a problem for but for many it will be, as is HDMI, and SD support

      • G

        08/04/2012 at 10:32 am

        No Home Screen Rotation <- this is a lie, it is a setting.

        • D

          08/09/2012 at 12:39 pm

          That is true. But there are a number of regular users who won’t go through the process to root, install the necessary tools required to edit the build.prop file to get tablet UI. Especially Android novices who aren’t that tech savy

          • The Tech Temple (@TheTechTemple)

            09/07/2012 at 7:16 am

            You don’t have to be rooted in order for the screen rotation to work. Just replacing the launcher with something like Nova launcher will do the trick.

            It is just like you said though, a number of users won’t go through steps in order to get the screen rotation to work.

          • josh

            10/21/2012 at 12:21 pm

            Actually in last update the ui home screen was switchable… mine auto updated to panorama view

          • lwr32

            10/30/2012 at 2:33 pm

            I have an N7 and an iPad 3. I didn’t need to do anything with the iPad to get up and running but the obvious…email account setups etc. N7, I’m still trying to figure out how to stop the White Google search screen from opening every time I turn it on. I want my home screen to come up each time instead. I don’t want to have to root to get this done either.

          • Kite

            11/01/2012 at 1:05 pm

            To lwr32: On your Nexus 7, touch and hold, but do not drag the unlock screen icon — it will show a circle, which has a “Google” icon on the top edge and an unlocked padlock icon on the bottom. If you do not want to google anything immediately, swipe *down* to the unlocked padlock icon. Swiping up at the Google icon sends you directly to the Google Search app for your convenience.

      • P

        09/13/2012 at 3:49 am

        Almost everyone that is buying a tablet these days has a smartphone. A majority of them are going to have 3g/4g tethering so data connection isn’t an issue here. Last I checked the iPad doest have an HDMI portion the device. Or SD support. This article is just bashing the Nexus 7 because android finally made something that take the 7″ tablet margin.

      • Bin

        01/14/2013 at 3:09 pm

        There is real talk.

    • AdamM

      08/03/2012 at 2:21 pm

      Agreed, Apple fan boy. The biggest complaint is that Yammer doesn’t work? How many people use Yammer? Anyone who is browsing the web and watching video clips will see the limitations of no Flash support, I don’t watch videos I want to see on a daily basis because my iPad doesn’t support Flash. And as for Apple TV, it is the biggest lame duck product on the market. I bought the original thinking streaming movies bewtween it and other iDevices would be great only to learn you can only stream movies from a Mac computer, not the iPhone or iPod Touch. Apple TV is you paying $99 to rent and buy movies from iTunes and thats abot it.

      As for customer service, I have found Apple to be lacking in this department as well and considering the premium you pay for iDevices that is one thing that should be above par.

      A more objective list would be:
      1) Apps store/app and game quality is not as good as on the iDevices (this goes for any android device)
      2) Lack of memory expansion options (true for iDevices as well, but not for many Android tablets)
      3) No rear facing camera

      No 3g/4g is expected at this price point, the screen rotaion does not make the device any less functional.

      Now the good:

      1) Price, price, price
      2) High quality 720p display covered with gorilla glass
      3) Quad core Tegra 3, which is as good as any processor on the market
      4) Slick, smooth and customizable interface
      5) Supports Flash
      6) Supports transfer and playback of almost all media with out the hassle and restrictions on iDevices
      7) Did I mention at $250 other than the larger screen size and low quality rear facing camera it makes the16GB iPad 2 new in the Apple store look silly at $400?

      • lolo

        08/03/2012 at 2:31 pm

        @AdamM…unfortunately the nexus 7 doesn’t have gorilla glass :(

        • The Tech Temple (@TheTechTemple)

          09/07/2012 at 7:20 am

          Gorilla glass still scratches though. Just throw on a nice screen protector (not the anti glare ones) :-)

        • josh

          10/21/2012 at 12:24 pm

          Actually it does… ass

      • MLam

        08/05/2012 at 10:30 pm

        Nexus 7 does NOT support flash or should it be other way around. Adobe drops support for android after 4.0. I bought a Nexus 7, and found out that i can’t watch yahoo video anymore or any video website using flash technology. This is suck. I thought Apple was suck. Now Google follows…

        • lolo

          08/05/2012 at 10:47 pm

          MLam….flash most certainly does work on the N7!! All you need is xscope browser and the flash apk, viola, you have flash. Google it. You’re missing out.

        • facepalm

          08/18/2012 at 10:53 am

          The Nexus 7 does support flash. All you need to do is install download and install the .apk manually. It is no longer supported, but it does indeed still work. The same applies for the Galaxy Nexus and Jellybean.

          • lolo

            08/18/2012 at 11:45 am

            More than just the apk is needed….a browser like xscope is what you’ll need along with the apk. I’ve been using xscope with the apk since my GNex updated to jelly bean….was using dolphin but they no longer have the option to use flash at all, even with the apk, since their latest update. So if you use the apk you’ll need a browser that supports it, not “support” as in updates and fixes, support as in use it.

        • The Tech Temple (@TheTechTemple)

          09/07/2012 at 7:21 am

          I agree, I miss having flash in the default browser since there are sites I visit that still use it. Flash does work using another browser like Firefox, but I miss out on all the bookmarks I have synced with chrome and the other features it provides.

          • P

            09/13/2012 at 3:53 am

            Just do what I did with my Galaxy Nexus. Download the flash .apk, root your device and it works in the browser.

    • Chris Siburt

      09/22/2012 at 12:08 pm

      I’m a huge fan of Android and not much of an Apple fan, and many of these items are why I have chosen to pass on this device. Having no 3G or 4G can be a huge factor when you have limited storage and are relying on the cloud. Even if they had chosen to ad an SD card slot, I’m not sure it would work for me in the field without network connectivity. I need to be able to use this device anywhere, not just at home on my wifi.

      No rear camera? I use Evernote a lot on my phone, and if I was to carry an Android tablet, I’d want to use it there as well. Not possible in this case, at least not easily.

      A Home screen that doesn’t rotate to Landscape is a problem on all the Android devices I’ve owned. Not a huge deal since I bought ADW, but if I bought the Nexus it would be for the “pure” Google experience. I would prefer not to change the home screen.

      It may be a great tablet to some. It may even be better than the iPad, I don’t know. But what I do know is that not being a fan of this device does not make one an Apple fanboy.

      Though, honestly your complete dismissal of all of these items leads me to believe you are just as bad as a lot of the Apple users out there. Open your mind a little. Just because it’s not an issue to you in the way that you will use your device, doesn’t mean that it’s a good fit for everyone.

      For the record, my next purchase, will likely be the Galaxy Note 2, since it will have everything I need. Even though it will be a fair amount smaller than the Nexus 7, the size will suit me and I will still have 3G/4G and large storage.

    • liveTexas (@liveTexas)

      09/28/2012 at 6:22 pm

      Agreed. Does the author know that users have the ‘CHOICE’ of Portrait or Landscape? Go to the Notification Bar and right there on top is the ‘Portrait Lock’ button. Geez, you’d think that he’d Attempt an objective article that would point to a Real flaw…but he couldn’t Find any, lol !!!

    • Chip

      10/03/2012 at 12:55 pm

      Amen, I was anoyed barely half way through the first paragraph. Why are apple people so anoying?

    • Nelson Marquina

      10/18/2012 at 1:18 pm

      I agree with you. I am perfectly happy with my Nexus 7. Just pay attention to the care that went into the manufacturing of this little wonder.

    • lisa

      10/22/2012 at 8:28 am

      Hi, I hope you can give me some advice as a first time user. I’m finding utube very helpful, but time consuming. I hope you can help yesterday was the first time I tried using nexus tablet while traveling. Why download apps like trapster and car locator if theres no service. Is there a service that gives my tablet WiFi Connection away from home

      • Joseph

        10/22/2012 at 9:52 am

        You can download the Foxfi app, which makes your phone act like a router. Turn on Foxfi on your phone, then your Nexus 7 should find the WiFi and connect. If not, you’ll just need to go to Settings ->WiFi -> On -> Connect (and connect to the Foxfi access point). Good luck. You can always go to Android Central online and create an easy and quick account and check the Forums.

      • Nelson Marquina

        10/25/2012 at 12:19 pm

        I’m sorry I can’t help you on this, since I use my Nexus 7 only for reading ebooks and listening to audioboos, as well as for my mail. And for these tasks my Nexus 7 is absolutely a joy to use.

    • Steve

      10/27/2012 at 6:00 pm

      I’m not a big Apple fan, except for MacBooks (never owned an iOS device) and I found some of those points very valid. In fact I was on the point of replacing my aging original Galaxy Tab with the Nexus 7 … until I found out there has not one with a 3G/4G option. I would have liked a rear camera. I use a GoPro HD for almost all my video needs but it is sometime very nice to be able to whip out the tablet for a spontaneous video moment when I don’t have the GoPro with me. Even so, the rear camera isn’t a deal-breaker but for me 4G is. I need it … I don’t want to carry a separate mobile hotspot … deal-breaker!

    • theedge13

      02/23/2013 at 4:33 pm

      I find it strange, and a bit amusing, that the arguments made by “Silly,” “AdamM,” and the other ‘droid fanatics (“fanboy” is a bit derisive and, in a literal sense, incorrect) commenting here are so blatantly hypocritical. You accuse this article’s author, Xavier Lanier, of being a biased Apple-phile who lists flaws which are, if not minor failings, nonexistent. These diatribes are followed by gushing accounts of the superiority of the Nexus 7 over anything Apple – hell, probably any company, like, EVER – has produced. Hmm, doesn’t that sound a bit odd? Perhaps even unjust, especially considering the fact that Lanier not only wrote a corresponding piece, “Seven Reasons To Love The Nexus 7” – which he notes and links to IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH, but also owns a Nexus 7?

      I agree that some of the “flaws” aren’t particularly bothersome; the screen rotation issue has been resolved, I believe (I can’t remember whether or not I had to make some adjustment, but if I did it was easy) and no one I know with a Nexus has complained about the display quality. However, I have been very frustrated with the app incompatibility issue, flummoxed by the number of Android apps in Google Play which won’t work on my Nexus – and which I usually don’t discover until I try to install that app. The lack of a rear-facing camera is also annoying: I don’t want to take photos, but I do want to scan barcodes, et al. I won’t continue to list my issues with my Nexus; most of them have already been noted. I am simply stating that just because someone, anyone, mentions that the Nexus isn’t perfect, it doesn’t mean that person is uninformed, vindictive, and/or works for – or wants to work for – Apple.

    • Sly Detective

      05/19/2013 at 11:36 pm

      It’s not silly. I hate apple because they are expensive and inflexible, and I had a great experiance with android when I had a Galaxy S2, so I bought a Nexus 7. A Google Tablet that isn’t compatible with even Google apps like play books? Please. It’s a joke. There are so many apps I can’t use, and everytime I see “this app isn’t compatible with your device” I get so frustrated. I’m thinking that android is best for phones due to it’s flexibility with memory cards and you can cheaply replace phone batteries, but apple is best for pads, which need good apps and a decent operating system.

      The Auther of this article is not a fan boy. You, however, clearly are if you think it “blows apple out of the water” when half the apps don’t even work. I’ve never owned an Apple device however, so I can’t fully compare.

      • Justin

        05/20/2013 at 12:43 am

        The Nexus blows the Apple offerings away, if only for the power and capability. A clear trade-off was made using tegra in this device, the added gpu instructions make it capable of mind boggling 3D content, at a price of the obscurity against the parity of normal ARM code. This seemed to be a quickly learned lesson when Krait was used in lieu of it in the Nexus 10. Android is a open source based OS and when exotic architecture ceases to optimize the current set of instructions but instead add extras it makes the decision of your build material quite clear when you aim for the largest target audience.

  2. Lotus

    07/27/2012 at 10:19 am

    How about an enhanced features version. Add a good 8-12 mp rear-facing camera, and a microSD slot for $299 (should be easily attainable at that price) and I’ll place an order now.

    • Lotus

      07/27/2012 at 10:22 am

      …and add 3G/4G capability for that T-mobile plan (or similar) mentioned, and for $299 you would sell the boat loads of them.

    • P

      09/13/2012 at 3:55 am

      Smart phones don’t even all have 12 mp cameras on them and why would you want one on a tablet anyway? People look like idiots walking around with their tablet taking photos.

    • Chip

      10/03/2012 at 12:58 pm

      People who hold up tablets to take pictures look like morons. :/

  3. Brad

    07/27/2012 at 10:44 am

    This is definitely one of the lamest articles written about the Nexus by an Apple fanatic. The Google play store is a mess? I actually like it better. Great apps and a lot of games have gameplay footage you can watch before buying it. I showed a friend of mine the trailer for the batman game on my Nexus since his iPad only showed him a handful of screen grabs. Its easy to navigate and more aesthetically pleasing than Apples store IMO. I have downloaded several apps and haven’t run into any compatibility issues. However, if you are concerned you can easily change the reviews section to show only the reviews from people using the nexus and also the most current version of the app. If there are any problems then it will be stated clearly. It is brand new hardware and I am sure there are apps that will need to be updated to work better on the hardware. That is kind of an unfair jab though considering the tablet just came out.
    I am not sure what he is trying to say with his ‘game downloads are flaky’ section. I bought GTA 3 just yesterday. I bought it.. it downloaded, and then I played it. I don’t remember thinking there was anything weird about the process. All my downloads have happened in the background and I haven’t had a problem once.

    Maybe some people would have a problem with there not being a second camera but it doesn’t bother me one bit. Not sure why I would fumble taking pictures with a tablet when I have a perfectly good camera on my iPhone. Also, same thing goes with apps that scan barcodes. My phone can do it just fine and its a little redundant to have a tablet doing them same thing.

    I have not experienced any display issues or any physical defects at all. My Nexus feels very solid and well made. A new device having a few bad apples isn’t anything new. How about my iPhone 4 that loses its connection if I hold it wrong or the WiFi problems the iPad 3 has been having?

    I am not sure why anyone would want 3g on a tablet if the have a phone that can double as a hot spot, which I would assume a good majority of tablet users do. If I can’t find WiFi, then I turn on my phones hotspot and viola! I have no desire to pay for another data plan.

    Storage could be an issue for some but the cloud has worked well for me so far. Definitely something to consider before you buy.

    There are other easy ways to stream to your TV besides the nexus q. Double twist being one of them.

    I’ll stop there, but my advice is to find some articles that aren’t so blantly biased. The nexus 7 is just as smooth as the iPad and even does a few things better. I have spent plenty of time with both.

    • D

      08/09/2012 at 12:47 pm

      Anyone who takes pictures on a tablet is a douche. Period. There is no way NOT to look like a douche when using a tablet back camera. Simply not possible. Even Johnny Depp looks like a tool using that.

      The defects seem to be mostly on the 16gb for some reason. 8gb don’t seem to be reporting that issue.

      Some providers charge extra for tethering. T-mobile for example.

      Nexus Q is like another N7!

      Root + OTG + $30 flash drive solves the storage problem when you have poor/no wifi.

  4. ivan sergeyevich

    07/27/2012 at 11:58 am

    I’ve already had to RMA mine for screen separation, I wanted to like it but i’m not so sure now.

    • Dev

      07/29/2012 at 9:28 am

      This is the main thing that is holding me back…I am not bothered about the back camera etc. etc. to me this is more of Kindle fire (not yet here in the UK) replacement/alternative. I don’t think comparing iPad and this is either useful or helpful. This is a bit like trying to compare a family saloon with high power sports car…I would use Nexus for doing things more on the move than I would with the iPad…for everyday use this is fine for the price as long as the build quality is good…

  5. lolo

    07/27/2012 at 12:16 pm

    I really don’t understand why anyone would want a back camera on a tab! It’s ridiculous, and you would look ridiculous taking pictures with a tab. My GNex at only 5mp takes great pictures, and if I need something better I’ll use my GNote, that takes awesome pictures.
    @ Brad….very well said, and I agree 100% with everything you said. In my opinion, at only 7 inches, my N7 blows the iPad away. Just my opinion.

  6. joshc

    07/27/2012 at 8:01 pm

    I’ve read some biased articles before, but this one takes the cake. Let’s start with the whole title of this article – Nexus 7 flaws. What a ridiculous title. What you’ve mentioned in your article are not flaws at all. Sure they are choices Google has made, but the reality is if you don’t like the lack of some features don’t buy a Nexus 7. However, what shows through is your lack of your impartiality and this reflects poorly on your credibility as an ‘expert’, and detracts significantly from your article. Here are a few examples:

    1. Incompatible Apps

    The reality is this is always going to happen. Newer hardware and OS will always present such issues. It has occurred on gaming consoles for years and indeed still occurs on the iPad. Take some of the Sonic games by SEGA. Some are only compatible with the NEW iPad, but does Apple have a special section for the NEW iPad – NO!

    I don’t know how often you use Google Play, but Google Play offers a search features which allows you to search for specific apps for the Nexus 7.

    2. Game Downloads are Flaky

    Again your comments are inaccurate. Good games require memory – that’s a fact. It’s no different whether you’re using an iPad, PC, console or the Nexus 7. The fact is it can take time, so if you’re expecting to download and play a game in seconds, then you need to choose an appropriate game, but rich and intense games require time. This is hardly a flaw! Try downloading some rich and intensive games on the iPad – you could make dinner in the time it takes.

    3. Display Quality Issues

    I have read this has occurred and it isn’t good enough, but I wonder how many devices have been affected. Unfortunately, any mass produced device is susceptible to such problems, whether it be cars, phones, tablets etc. It happens! The iPad isn’t immune from such issues either. It is something that happens and it wouldn’t matter what you bought.

    I could go on and on, but won’t. A flaw is a defect, a fault and the only flaw you’ve raised is the display quality. Even then it is unknown just how many devices have been affected.

    • Jason

      10/27/2012 at 10:50 pm

      1) Incompatible Apps

      This is an Android issue, not a Nexus 7 issue. The OS is fragmented and this will continue to be an issue until Google starts snapping the whip with OEM’s.

      2) Game downloads are flaky

      Agree with this. If you buy an app that doesn’t work you have 15 minutes to return the app and get a refund. With the two step process of some apps and the fact that some apps take time to download means you don’t have much time (or any time in some cases) to see if it works. The 15 minute timer starts with the first download. It should start after download. Selling me something that doesn’t work violates the law of merchantability.

      3) Display quality

      Haven’t heard this one.

      4-7) These things should be part of the research in finding the right device. No device will be right for everyone. Research and find the right device for you.If you need a camera or 3g look elsewhere but that doesn’t mean it is a flaw. It doesn’t have a can opener either if that is important to you.

      • Nelson Marquina

        10/31/2012 at 5:51 pm

        Thanks a lot for your insightful information.

  7. Dave

    07/28/2012 at 5:00 am

    You might want to remove the game downloads and incompatible apps section from the list. The only reason they aren’t compatible at the moment is because the tab runs jelly bean, not the tablet itself, just the apps aren’t suited to the new software yet, this is a problem the developers need to fix not google.

    The game downloads thing really isn’t a problem unless you are really fussy and just trying to find problems

    Not bothered about 3G/4G as that’ll just add costs on that very few people will actually want. Also you can’t really call the dock connector useless as there will likely be hardware coming out for it shortly.

    The rest are “more” valid points.

  8. dj

    07/28/2012 at 7:41 am

    This is a useless, biased article obviously written by a myopic whiner.

  9. John

    07/28/2012 at 8:43 am

    I feel pity for non tablet users who may come across this and think the Nexus 7 is junk.

    I have an ipad 1 and just got the Nexus 7 on Thursday. So far the Nexus 7s is EASILY superior to me simply because I find iOS to be crap as it is too basic and constricting.

    Some of these complaints are hilarious. If they released a 32 GB version at 300 then people would complain about how it costs too much, ignoring there’d still (probably) be the 8 & 16 GB versions for less. Same with the 3g/4g option. I expect in the not distant future there will be Nexus 7s with 4g though.

    I do feel the lack of an SD card slot is silly though it was no doubt done to push 16GB sales which they make what, 40 bucks pure profit on. Thing is, Apple does the same thing with the ipad so this isn’t simply a Nexus 7 negative.

    I don’t see the big deal about having to d/l extra data for games after the initial one. Comes off to me that this is based on the product being used (ie if some older phone or one of these new higher res tablets) so that amount would change accordingly after one downloads the initial file from the Play store. Maybe I’m wrong about that. I wish it worked this way with iOS apps as I am now downloading huge files and updates because of the retina support of the ipad 3 which I don’t need. In fact, I recently updated dozens of apps with mainly the change being retina support and these updates added 2-3 gig extra data all for again, something I have no use for and which I also believe cause the apps to chug a bit on my older ipad. That is a big issue I have with the Apple system- devs will tweak their apps to work the best on the latest and greatest Apple device which starts to force older devices to become obsolete. It shouldn’t work that way when a tablet of only 2 years ago that MILLIONS own has problems running some games because they are focusing on the increased ipad 3 (and lesser extent 2) power. If they are going to do this then give me an option in the game/app to decrease graphical settings so it’ll run better on my older device.

    Incompatible apps seem to be about the OS, not simply the tablet and guess what? Some Apple apps are incompatible with older devices or with the latest iOS updates. Furthermore, when the ipad came out many apps would crash on it until they were updated. Apparently that is OK though. I’d like to figure apps that are incompatible because of the OS will eventually be updated just like most are/were with iOS.

    The lack of rotation for the home screens is a valid complaint and I’d think they will eventually fix this with an update realizing it was silly to not have it in the first place. This though is far from some deal breaker as it is a minor annoyance.

    I agree that the Play store needs to be massively overhauled and have an actual tablet specific section. I would like to think that if the sales of this tablet stay strong that Google will do this.

    Quite simply, I find this article to be silly and I’d so far recommend the Nexus 7 over the ipad to anyone looking for a new tablet unless they HAVE to have the bigger screen. For me, I simply have no reason for the larger screen with my tablet use and prefer the smaller size. Even if someone needs a larger screen, I’d tell them to get the Transformer Infinity or wait for a Nexus 10″ tablet. I am simply done with iOS as it is like an OS designed for technophobes.

    • stunxjb32gb

      11/28/2012 at 12:35 pm

      Don’t forget he had a link to 7 reasons you should buy a nexus 7 near the top of the page, most of these issues have been addressed. If you shell out the dough, you can get a 32 Gb 3G N7 and update it to JB 4.2.1, but I’m mighty happy with my 8Gb N7, with JB 4.2.1, a quad core, dozen graphics core, 1Gb RAM, HD screen, at that price 4 months ago, a steal. It updates like a dream, see my comments on N7/iPad mini comparison for more, I’d love to read all 244 comments, but I doubt I’ll have time.

  10. Harvey

    07/28/2012 at 2:47 pm

    Apple and quality control you must be kidding. Didn’t you read
    about the new ipads screens that had to replaced 20 or 30 times
    before you get an acceptable one. See Macrumours site for more
    information. You just nit picked about a 200 tablet with little facts
    behind your story. Just tell the readers up front that only Apple
    only produce good products and anything else is crap.
    That way you will not sound so stupid.

  11. Jay

    07/28/2012 at 9:19 pm

    Google is s***

  12. Todd Carpenter

    07/29/2012 at 5:53 pm

    If 16 GB is not enough space AND the device should have 4G, then the least expensive option that Apple currently offers is a 32 GB iPad at $729.

    I’m not sure you can’t stream to AppleTV. DoubleTwist supports AirPlay streaming. I don’t have an AppleTV to check it, but I’m betting there’s a simple solution for that.

    I’d like to be able to use Yammer, but I imagine they are already working on that. In the meantime, I have my iPhone Yammer app for when I’m on the go. And speaking of my phone, I use it as a hotspot so I don’t have to pay Verizon twice. That’s what I did for my iPad and it works just as well for the Nexus.

    I sold my iPad1 to buy the Nexus. Half the people who inquired about it asked if the device had any dead pixels. So I assume Apple is not immune from this problem either.

  13. Nawoa Lanor

    07/29/2012 at 10:21 pm

    If you use a tablet’s camera, I can objectively say that you’re a bad person.

    While it’s true that more apps need to be marked compatible by their developers, you shouldn’t even be seeing them in your list in the first place if they’re not marked that way.

    Some of your points do have merit but please hire a proofreader, you’re embarrassing yourself and this site – not to mention harming your article’s credibility – when you make a mistake like “The Dark Night Rises”.

    Your complaint about the customer service quality is spot-on. The Nexus 7’s rollout, especially to pre-orders, has been embarrassing to say the least.

  14. charlie

    07/30/2012 at 6:45 am

    If you worried about getting a ‘bad’ screen go to local store and buy one, that way easy to return. as for the ‘useless’ pogo pins i guess this guy doesn’t realize that samsung makes a dock for the Galaxy nexus and it is far from useless. when Asus comes out with its dock it will fly off the shelves. if you have worries about spending 200 dollars then you have bigger problems and shouldn’t buy anything…

  15. Mark

    07/30/2012 at 7:43 am

    You Sir, fail at reporting. Numerous of your “points” are based entirely on hearsay. Do you have any facts or numbers regarding faulty screens or did you call support to evaluate the experience yourself? No. You should spout as fact random things you read.

    When apps have issues, it has NOTHING to do with the tablet. It has everything to do with the app developer. Besides the point that it hasn’t happened to anyone besides you, it just demonstrates a real lack of understanding of the underlying technology.

    Useless connector? Of course, so useless to provide connectors to allow for accessories to be sold, both by Asus or 3rd Party. What were they thinking?

    No 3G or 4G? No rear facing camera. This is NOT a phone, but a tablet, if you want a 3G/4G device with forward facing camera, I bet you have one in your pocket (in your case, I’m sure it’s white).

    The absolute only semi-legitimate complaint has to do with the non-rotating home screen, but again, need to point out that is a complaint about Android in general, not specific to the Nexus 7.

    Your article reeks of bias and lack of understanding, both of technology, the product and the consumer.

    • Luke

      11/03/2012 at 2:33 am

      (In your case, I’m sure it’s white). I nearly peed when I read that. …typed on my 32Gb home screen rotatable stock nexus 7. Anyone who uses this article to base any purchase on is a fool. Go do your research and ignore the opinions in this article.

  16. Noel

    07/31/2012 at 8:50 am

    Wow such a myopic and biased evaluation of a very very good $200 tablet which I guess gives the iPad a run for its very huge price tab. If Google introduced a 32GB model with a micro SD card slot and a rear cam of 5+Mpx and price it abt $350+….i will still buy it over the iPad.

  17. D

    08/09/2012 at 12:30 pm

    Rooting the Nexus and getting an OTG cable solves the limit on space.Now you can buy an 8 gb for $200, get a $1 OTG cable and buy a 64gb flash drive for under $250.

    The screen issue seems to mostly be on the 16gb models.

    Switching to tablet UI (rather than phone) fixes the home screen rotation problem.

  18. Tom

    08/14/2012 at 7:53 pm

    I’m always a firm believer in everyone being allowed to have their own opinion, but this article is almost complete garbage. The incompatible apps is more of a Jelly Bean issue and not having compatible versions yet, they’ll be there just give developers time, not a nexus 7 issue. Game downloads issue is again a Play Store issue. The nexus 7 does not decide that it will only download a few kb of the app and then download the rest of the app, developers package it that way so you can download the initial app then download the rest while you’re on wifi to save on data or have a quicker download, whatever the case may be…not a nexus 7 issue. Display quality is not in every nexus 7, when the ipad came out it had bugs with a few of them same as any item you will have a few that are defective or whatever the case may be, this may be the only legitimate issue on here. As for the camera, who really NEEDS to take a picture with their tablet,it doesn’t affect the quality of the tablet and was not a poor choice, I’d rather pay $30 less and not have a useless front facing camera, use your phone or a camera. 3g or 4g options, again then you start getting picky, he ipad is one of the only tablets to do this and look how many different models and crap you end up having to manufacture, it would be a cool option but is far from necessary and should not count against the nexus 7. The only thing I would have liked is more storage, either a 32gb option as stated in article or a microsd card slot, but they are still right on par withe kindle storage for $199 price point and it blows that out of the water. The dock connector not having an accessory to use it at launch is not a big deal most of the cooler accessories are released later anyways, and are you going to complain about a tablet having a dock that will more used in the future? WAH, I’m going to have things come out in the future that I can use…WAH!!!! The accessories costing more than the tablet, the nexus Q isn’t the nexus 7’s accessory it’s its own device that can be used with it but can be used with other items, and there are ways around being able to stream music, video and will be more viable options through apps in the near future. No home screen rotation is more of a preference, it would be nice to have the option by default, but that is the way the table is meant to be held and used by default, you can always flash a custom rom that lets you do it. Finally the customer service complaint….REALLY?? you’re going to list this as a bad thing against the tablet because of customer service? No customer service is great, except apple, which is ok. I am guessing that this is just the review of another apple fanboy. I like apple products, I have a macbook pro, had an iphone, ipod touch, etc. and I can trash Google or Asus when needed but this tablet is simply great, especially for the price point.

  19. lolo

    08/14/2012 at 8:13 pm

    You don’t even have to be rooted/install a custom rom to have the home screen rotate…..nova launcher and ultimate screen rotation app does it.

  20. ryanh

    08/14/2012 at 10:15 pm

    I agree with everyone above. This article is biased trash

    All of the points you raised concerning the ‘flaws’ of the 7 are irrelevant.You come across as just another Apple ‘genius’ bitching about an android tablet that he cant find any real problems with.

    Im going to buy a Nexus 7 this Saturday because I do not happen to have $700 for an iPad.

    For the price there is absolutely no reason to complain about this tablet.

    I dont know if youe ever noticed, but a stock android device has as many or more features as a jailbroken iPad or iPhone. And getting all these additional features doesnt even void our warranty, like it does for Apple users. (I say ‘we’ as in the Android community.)

    If you cant find a good reaon to complain about something, then please dont.

  21. Geoff

    08/15/2012 at 7:34 pm

    The touch screen problem (from the video) only happens occasionally for a few minutes.
    A back facing camera would be kind of stupid because you can use your phone or a digital camera to do that.
    I have the 8gb version and it has room for a few movies and stuff. I obviosly cant store my ENTIRE collection on it but i can store a few movies at a time which is sufficient.
    Most apps run fine on its 7″ screen so i dont see that as a big issue. There are also third party app stores designed for tablets
    I use astro launcher (a 3rd party home screen setup) which allows me to customize my homescreens in lots of cool ways and it allows for landscape homescreens.

    I think your only 2 completely meaningful points are that you cant get 4g and the nexus q is overpriced.

  22. ejeffery

    08/15/2012 at 8:17 pm

    Great article. I was looking at a Nexus 7 but seeing no rear facing camera and especially no SD card slot, I’ll get a Samsung Tablet 2. I learned a lot, well done.

  23. judunno

    08/16/2012 at 8:48 am

    The lack of streaming capabilities to other devices is a deal breaker for me. No MHL, No HDMI out. It was clearly a business choice to omit this because of the Nexus Q. Terrible decision there. I’d pay a few extra bucks for streaming but not $299.00. If they come up with a solution for this I’d by one right now.

    • J

      09/07/2012 at 10:13 pm

      All I do is stream with my nexus 7. Be player, xmc remote, synology apps, splash screen, and others. I use the nexus 7 as a htpc remote, web browser, and game device. Best $200 I spent in a long time. Now just waiting for the dock. Hurry up Asus!

  24. Anthony

    08/17/2012 at 10:01 am

    I just started a new blog, and I dedicated my 1st article to my experience returning the Nexus 7. It wasn’t bad at all. Read the article here:

    https://nerdswithfriends.blogspot.com/2012/08/google-nexus-7.html

  25. James

    08/20/2012 at 1:41 pm

    I bought the 8 GB Nexus 7 and had to return it because the screen had released from the adhesive on the upper left hand corner. Spoke with Google and they sent me a new one – the whole process was painless – until I opened up my new 8 GB Nexus 7 and guess what….the adhesive was pulling away along the left side toward the middle. It wasn’t as bad on the second one so I’m just going to stick with it. All-in-all its a great little tablet, although I haven’t figured out what it can do that my iPad can’t (I bought the Nexus to experiment with Android so I’m a new user). I still prefer the screen resolution, up-to-date software and LTE connectivity of my iPad so I tend to use it more. But the 7 inch form factor is appealing.

    • James

      08/20/2012 at 1:45 pm

      And as a response to the actual article – it is well-written and addresses plenty of legitimate issues. Stop being blinded by hatred! It is baffling to me why people get so enraged over one person’s opinions and experiences with a specific OS. Yes Jelly Bean is new and therefore compatibility sucks at this point (this is inherently an android problem), the point he makes with the game downloads is not that the files are large but that the large size isn’t advertised up front. What you see as the file size in the direct play store download is often times not the full size of the entire download to play the game. As for the other points, I think the issue is more that these are all things that a tablet (say the iPad) offers inherently. Chill out people! It’s not like the guy insulted your family of anything.

    • lolo

      08/20/2012 at 2:08 pm

      @James….are you sure it’s the adhesive and not the screws? There are these on xda that the screws holding in the screen in the back are too long, which pushes the screen out. The back cover pops off very easy, just check and see if you have any screws that are loose, if so tightening them seems to fix the issues.

  26. james

    08/20/2012 at 4:00 pm

    Positive, I tried tightening the screws but they were fine. Its pretty easy to tell that its the adhesive as after applying pressure it will seemingly be fixed for a little while but not permanently.

    I’ve read some explanations on why, they cite the devices being stored in high temperatures causing the glue to melt and become unstuck.

    • Lolo

      08/20/2012 at 4:11 pm

      Have you read the “fix” on how to get the glue to re-stick? People are claiming that after playing a graphic intensive game, and letting the N7 get really hot, then put the N7 in a vice, or pile books or something on top of it for 24 hours fixes the lift…. It’s on xda as well. They did a poll and an over overwhelming amount of people after 1 week have not had the screen lift again. Not that these are things we should have to do but some people are trying fixes before dealing with sending their N7’s back. Just trying to offer you dome ideas to help.

  27. Hemingway

    08/29/2012 at 1:50 am

    I too have the iphone4S, the new iPad 64 LTE model & the nexus 7 and agree they are different. I also agree that the review is biased. Pay $3 for the rotation app, I did and I’m super frugal!! Everything else is a moot point. These left out extras like 3G or rear cameras aren’t flaws, they are not needed. Frankly, I tether with my smartphone, and use my camera or smartphone for pictures. Only time I ever used the rear camera on iPad is for face time. Author must be taking a kickback from apple, or maybe just a fanboy…either way, biased & untrue.

  28. Joseph

    09/01/2012 at 9:28 pm

    The article and comments were informational, biased and crazy at the same time. As I was reading the original article I started to get a little depressed as I am receiving a Nexus 7 as a birthday gift. After reading the comments, I started to feel good again. So you can see how comments and opinions and facts, can help out those of us who are new to the tablet world.

    I was wondering about the Nova Launcher- anyone have details on it, as far as personal opinion and usage? I have seen it and watched the video in Google Play and wished I could have it on my Droid Charge but, now I can, on my Nexus 7. Any help will… Help! Good and bad.

  29. david

    09/03/2012 at 1:41 pm

    I’ve had my nexus 7 for about a week now, and so far so good. Have not had any problems so far. All the apps that I have download have worked fine, which I am sure there are some that aren’t compatible yet. I’ve rented some movies with the 25 dollar credit they give u for Google play store and use my HBO go and the picture quality is great. It is prob the fastest tablet I have used. No problems with the screen. I knew all the “faults” of the tablet if that’s what u want to call them before I bought it and I didn’t really think they were faults but really weren’t needed. For the price I don’t think u can really compare it to a iPad, it is a better value for ur money. Would have liked a scan disk but for what I use it for there is more than enough memory, anything u don’t need for ur everyday life u save on ur computer or a hard drive. I know a lot of people swear by apple products, but for the money you spend on them I really don’t think its worth it when there is a product like this that is compact and great for everyday use.

  30. A Mom of 3

    09/06/2012 at 7:59 am

    I am a mom of 3 middle schoolers and this tablet is perfect for them. They can read in class, research their projects. Create word and powerpoint presentations, keep track of their assignments, and their schedules with a few school age friendly apps. I love the Nexus 7. My kids love theirs and for all you tech geeks out there, buy what works for you and shut up. These are perfect at the price when you have a ton of kids. There is a tablet market for everyone. I wish I knew how to make these devises work like all of your posts suggest, but I don’t have the time or the knowlege in the tech department but these tablets are great for the common consumer which is whom the end user was selling to in the first place. Not a bunch of tech geeks that buy new products just to find their faults. I can’t wait until we learn more about it…

  31. nathanm

    09/08/2012 at 8:19 am

    Apple fanboys should be happy to ignore other devices rather than having to make up stuff to justify their choice of hardware all the time. “My nexus 7 works fine so i haven’t used their customer service but clearly google customer service is lame!” Seriously? Basically it’s a $250 tablet so you won’t get as many service dollars as if you paid $500, this is true but you could just say “it’s too cheap” it’s the same concept but just dosent hide the fact that you want to feel you didn’t put pay Apple over the odds for your ipad. No sd is no worse than ipad, no hdmi is irrelevent (your tv already plays content from a pendrive or nas, if it doesn’t then get a $50 dlna media player with usb not a $250 tablet without sd), no rear camera is equally irrelevant as your phone has a camera and is much easier to take pics with seeing as it’s both smaller and lighter. “omg an app nobody has ever heard of doesn’t work” – sick to Apple products dude, they are made specifically for people like you. Lol at calling yourself a geek btw and you may want to install instagram, it will “improve” your pics by many orders of magnitude ;)

  32. Ubhamir

    09/11/2012 at 4:54 am

    Wow – i thought that Apple fanboys were fanatical, but you FanDroid posters really beat them by a mile. You hate apple sooo much that any critisism of the N7 drives you crazy!

    i have an ipad and recently bought an N7. Both products are really annoying to use and both have crap app store layouts.

    The best i can say about the N7 is that it fits in my pocket – so does a brick. The immovable screen estate stealing softkeys, poor battery life and flaky scrolling are infuriating – still never mind I’m sure i can ‘root’ it and mess about reworking it into something worth using……except no I can’t, because I have a real life with real friends that doesn’t involve fantasising over apks and build.prop amendments.

    HW: ok.
    SW: big ole fail by Google.

    What do you think about that FanDroids?

    • Cameron Verotti

      09/23/2012 at 4:50 pm

      Sounds like the opinion of a apple fanboy…

      • stunxjb32gb

        11/28/2012 at 9:56 pm

        No No he hates us both, an equal opportunity maybe mad hatter, maybe he’d like surface, I love my N7 JB 4.2.1.

  33. Jayne Cobb

    09/13/2012 at 4:54 pm

    Well now, it may be true that people who use the back camera on their tablets look stupid. On the other hand, you lads who can’t fathom that anyone might use their tablet differently than you would actually ARE stupid.

    Just because you wouldn’t use a tablet camera for photography, doesn’t mean that a camera is useless on a tablet.

    For example, no back camera makes it a no-go for anyone who wants to use augmented reality apps — the kind of apps that could really benefit from the sharper screen and the better processor of the Nexus (vs. say, the Galaxy Tab 2).

  34. [email protected]

    09/16/2012 at 12:44 am

    I’m not an expert in computing/tablet computing and read this article prior to picking up a Nexus 7 (previously owning an iPad 1) as I didn’t think the flaws described by the author would be too big an issue for me. Upon getting the Nexus home I quickly realised how different the Android and Apple user experience actually are- and I must emphasise that I’m nobody’s ‘fanboy’- an accusation oft thrown at others on such discussions I’ve recently noted. I’m not criticising the Nexus, nor Android, I’m just saying that as a casual computer/tablet/smartphone only familiar with Apple, I couldn’t suss the thing out. An example of this difficulty in operating the Nexus was my attempts to upload work related PDFs onto adobe reader for later reference. I realise there is obviously a way of doing this- just that as somebody unfamiliar with Android, I couldn’t work it out. I suspect I’m representative of a large number of people, most of whom would never leave a comment after an article such as this as they don’t feel a particularly strong affiliation to or interest in any any operating system/user interface. I think that if Android wants to attract the more ‘novice’ masses who don’t know how to reconfigure and root (whatever the hell that means) they need to work on producing devices which are affordable, and as such innovative,like the nexus 7, but also intuitively usable out of the box. I believe that this is Apple’s main strength and what attracts most people (although maybe not computing experts or opensource purists) to its products. I’ve no great affection for Apple, but for as long as it feels like a chore getting my head around android, I’m stuck with buying very expensive premium end products which I’d really rather not. As a result, I’ve taken my Nexus back and exchanged it for a iPad 3 (paying far more than I intended or wanted to), not because of any hardware fault, but because I can’t understand how to work the thing and it all feels very alien.

    • Nelson Marquina

      11/28/2012 at 1:05 pm

      You are right on. I feel exactly the same way. Intuitive Nexus 7 would be nice.

  35. Jack

    09/16/2012 at 1:03 pm

    Xavier Lanier, your breath smells like Steve Job’s arse.

  36. Marc McCalmon

    09/17/2012 at 8:21 am

    No one should use this review to base a factual Nexus 7 purchase decision on.

  37. Android Rules droiddddddddddddd

    09/17/2012 at 11:01 pm

    NEXUS 7 is AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Who got better than DROID?.. NOBODY!!!…lol

  38. nanny

    09/19/2012 at 2:00 pm

    I AGREE !!!!!!! I. Feel sorry for the guy that traded the google nexus 7 for Samsung galaxy 2….I returned the galaxy an hour after downloading all my google games and apps……no comparison to the google nexus 7….it was sooooo obvious , immediately……LOVE. MY. GOOGLE NEXUS 7…..even more than my Xoom….and I already loved it…….just wanted a purse sized tablet too….no regrets. !!!!!!!!!

    Absolutely…….go with the google nexus 7. !!!!!!!!

    • n

      10/31/2012 at 6:36 pm

      Does anyone know how to put a pdf file on the Nexus 7. Thanks.

  39. Me

    09/20/2012 at 4:20 pm

    Very stupid article. The N7 costs $200, and you are comparig it to a $600 tablet. Is a Honda Civic a bad car because it doesn’t have a fridge like a Rolls Royce??

    Stupid.

  40. Brandon Garrett

    09/25/2012 at 10:13 am

    you probably should take this article down or revise it. no one agrees with you and the Apple bias is super obvious. if you are gonna publish something you should try to present a more fair opinion.

  41. Cream of SumYungGuy

    09/26/2012 at 6:45 pm

    Apple fan boy quaaaking in his boots. Go back to your lollipops X.

  42. Mike Cravenske Criley

    09/30/2012 at 3:46 pm

    This article deserves a place in iHell.

    Incompatible Apps – I’ve run into a few, but not many. There are alternate apps, so no big deal.
    Display Quality Issues – yes, but this was for the initial batch. All’s fine now.
    No Rear-Facing Camera – One way to make this tablet affordable.
    No 3G or 4G Options – Many people can do without this.
    Not Enough Storage – with a $1 USB OTG cable, one can hook up a 32GB flashdrive. Problem solved.
    Useless Dock Connector – ignore it.
    No Home Screen Rotation – Download the Ultimate Screen Rotation app. My homescreen goes every which way.

    Seems like you are creating a smokescreen.

    Now let’s talk about the iPad.

    1. A screen with so many pixels that it needs a huge battery that takes forever to charge.
    2. Very hot operating temperatures for some
    3. The screen uses so much power that the unit can not acquire a positive charge when connected to power
    4. No street view
    5. Big, bulky and heavy
    6. No open file system
    7. Wifi issues for some
    8. No additional storage
    9. Immature OS – no live wallpaper, App icon clutter, difficult page management
    10. iPad 1 and 2 incompatibility – no Siri on iPad 1 or 2 and other features lacking and not supported via latest iOS

  43. JBT

    10/03/2012 at 9:40 am

    How did you get your Nexus to display the screen in Landscape mode? Mine doesn’t do it! It annoys the hell out of me!

    • Chip

      10/03/2012 at 1:01 pm

      Load apex launcher on the Nexus. It is awesome and allows for landscape home screen. to put the vanilla launcher in landscape just open notifacation bar and unlock screen. it just doesent work on home screen only.

    • Roy Holder

      10/25/2012 at 6:38 am

      Latest Jellybean 4.1.2 addresses this problem, screen rotates everywhere, just make sure you unlock it first. RTFM! :)

      • Nelson Marquina

        10/31/2012 at 6:06 pm

        I downloaded something called Ultimate Rotation Control. Go to apps and type “Ultimate Rotation Control” They give you a trial, after this period you will need to buy it. I am still on the trial period.

  44. rose

    10/11/2012 at 6:13 am

    OK, speaking as an average Jane with no tech sense at all….the N7 works great. I only have the 8g but it does everything I need it to. The kids play games, stream movies, I can do my online banking, etc. The back camera would have been nice for ebaying, but I just flip it around. You don’t need professional photos to sell used clothes. The one thing I was disappointed about is not being able to watch videos that require the flash player. I think the sales people should tell you that before you buy. I will try some the advice listed to work around it.

  45. DLife

    10/11/2012 at 4:47 pm

    The 4 pin “connector” on the side of the Nexus 7 isnt really for dock connections per say. Its actually for use with wireless battery charging station technology. They did the same thing with the galaxy nexus. Either this writer is a hardcore ipad fanboy just pointing out nexus 7 flaws, or he didnt do his research on what the nexus 7 is meant to accomplish / its target demographic.

  46. Justin

    10/11/2012 at 11:39 pm

    This article is clearly biased, that has been well established. Being as I directly sell these as well as most of the heavy hitter tabs available I think it prudent to approach each portion of this.

    Screen Quality Issues: This is clearly one of the best selling tablets available, I have personally sold several full orders out of stock and have yet to have a single one returned, not even one under my watch.

    Home Screen Rotation: This proves the reviewer hasn’t done a thorough hands on with the device and places serious doubt that the user has any real experience at all with it, this is changed in setting and clearly very easy to get to.

    Compatibility Issues: This is a Tegra 3 device one of only a couple currently available and runs on the newest version of Android which has a very small current overall saturation. If anything about the Tegra platform has taught us is that developers are very ready to both accept Tegra and even prefer it when developing games, and the results of what is already available combined with some of the upcoming titles that “THD” badged apps are here to stay.

    Overpriced Accessories: This is both the combination of a dead horse debate as well as based on the a device that is clearly not geared towards actually being an accessory. What Android offered in lieu thousands of nearly useless docks and adapters from launch was standards. Sure you get bluetooth on iDevices but do you get DUN, or OBEX which have been clear staples of phones in general since before both platforms and the lack thereof both eliminates accessories but also local connections between likewise devices. Users who want to stream media to or from the device have a mind boggling number of apps that not only do the job superbly but often use standards that are staples for countless devices such as DLNA and UPnP.

    3G/4G: This has been a staple question for portable devices in general for almost a decade. The reality is that 3G/4G radios are clearly substantially price inflated, this plagues both camps as I hardly think a relatively simple IC commands a 100$+ premium, this coupled with the fanatically overpriced cost of mobile data make the prospect quite limiting. My answer is often to let the carrier pay for this. The ETF fees are substantially lower for hotspot devices and contract pricing both for service and hardware is substantially lower than including the radio in the device, this of coarse applies to both devices but I mention simply for sake of argument.

    Take all of this in stride or with stoic sincerity as you please but having access to the local filesystem as opposed to the lack thereof isn’t just handy it is downright par for coarse to do almost anything aside from posting to facebook. Word, Spreadsheet, Emulation, 3rd Party Apps, Web Link Downloads anyone?

  47. Louis Kurian

    10/18/2012 at 6:31 am

    Here is what I think of the limitations of Nexus 7:

    Incompatible apps – New apps should come utilizes multiple cores of the CPU.

    Game Downloads Are Flaky – Needs improvement.

    Display quality issues – Dead pels are manufacturing defects when millions are produced and not a part of Nexus 7. I guess we cannot get a better IPS panel with this much temporal resolution and a decent pel response time for the price. Screen separation issue is just a small issue with screwing and not a performance issue at all. I see at several places, saying touch screen becomes unresponsive in the middle of playing graphic intensive games, but please understand that its not the screen that is not responding, but the application/game stops responding for a while.

    No rear facing camera – This is a computer/personal tablet computer and not a camera/handset. We remember using web camera on laptop and for desktops placed facing us.

    No 3G/4G – It does not have a SIM slot since its not a smartphone. So may not have 3G/4G. For internet access, see that it can even tethered with basic handsets that supports Bluetooth tethering, WiFi tethering, detects most USB Ethernet adapters over OTG USB cable. We can hope Google will soon release updates to detect 2G/3G/4G datacards over USB. Who imagined Google will release software update for home screen landscape orientation? But that happened!

    Not enough storage – Is a truth to some extend when 8 and 16GB variants are considered. Now Asus releases a 32GB version. We can hope Google will release software update for external file system mounting over USB after some years! (at least they get enough profit from cloud)

    Useless Dock Connector – We have to wait for accessories that connects to the dock connector. I guess we can stream over WiFi to our DLNA certified LCD displays, TVs those videos and games if we have an app that does this on the tablet. There are many on playstore. So absence of HDMI out does not matter much.

    Accessories that Cost More than the Nexus – High price accessories are produced by third parties to exploit Nexus 7 owners. Even Asus will sell accessories at a higher price than required. Who can sell Nexus 7 accessories with a minor profit margin as how Nexus 7 sells out? Only Google! Anybody else?

    No Home Screen Rotation – Google identified the importance and included home screen rotation in the 4.1.2 update for Jelly Bean.

    Sub Par Customer Service – Let Google grip. Millions from world other than from US, UK and similar countries where Google started to sell Nexus 7 first are eager with the product released by Google. And millions of them bought it. let me say again, Asus handles warranty and repair for nexus 7 in a country irrespective of from where you bought it. If you have any doubt, write to Asus customer care.

  48. Kymster

    10/28/2012 at 9:16 am

    First of all most of you sound like a bunch of Apple Fanboys (just replace the Apple with Android) so your fan club is just like the Apple one only smaller and less worthy of your dedication. Second of all if they are happy making $15 a unit total profit to attract the ground feeders then they have succeeded. When they decide to be profitable and put some money into a device that people won’t have to replace in 6 months then I am sure pricing will be similar to all the others. There are always work arounds, but who wants to have to deal with that. We all just want to buy a product that works and works well. The price difference between the Nexus 7 and the iPad mini is justified for the extra features and quality being offered.

    • Nelson Marquina

      10/31/2012 at 5:54 pm

      You are right. Why don’t they make a fine quality product like the ipad mini and charge accordingly; but for something that you wouldn’t have to replace every six months. It’s frustrating.

  49. Player911

    10/30/2012 at 8:50 am

    Funny most of these things are really not issues at all. Incompatible Apps is because the Nexus 7 is running the latest version of Android and app developers who poorly write their code don’t allow for downloads on versions they haven’t specifically allowed. This has nothing to do with the Nexus 7 rather then any device running the latest software. Same with game downloads… the App developer decides how they want to push the additional content. Most have a small app download, which downloads the content on the first run directly from their servers vs tying up Google’s Servers with 1gb+ downloads. The Display is fine and the touchscreen issues were apart of the initial software batch which has already been addressed. It isn’t due to bad hardware. More storage and 3G has already been addressed. 32gb can be had for $249 and the 32gb 3G for $299. The dock connector is true, but this is true for lots of devices. Even still, it lets the tinkerers play and 3rd party manufactures can think of products for it. Just because there aren’t any at launch doesn’t mean there won’t be any at all. The expensive accessories is retarded. That’s like calling your home theater system an accessory to your tablet. The Nexus 7 accessories include OTG cables, cases, and stylus, etc…. which are NOT expensive. The stock launcher is DESIGNED not to rotate. This is not a flaw. If you want a rotating launcher (like I do) just download one of the plethora of available launchers from the Play Store (like Apex or Nova). And experiences with Customer Service are one of your own. They will vary by person and location. Plenty of people claim their experiences were accurate.

    The article is completely wrong and aren’t issues that are long-withstanding with the device at all.

  50. HankIII

    10/30/2012 at 1:29 pm

    Might be time to update this article Brocephus.

  51. Bizzyb

    10/31/2012 at 10:40 pm

    Haha android fanboys make me laugh. How they stick up for the little OS that can’t lol.

  52. tom

    11/08/2012 at 4:08 pm

    Hi people
    One week ago I bought nexus 7
    Tablet works great
    But the battery got to short life, so I got a question?
    Where i can buy brand new battery for nexus 7
    Thx people

    • Nelson Marquina

      11/09/2012 at 12:05 pm

      I didn’t even know you can replace the battery on the Nexus. I bought mine in July when it first came out, and mine is still running perfectlyl.

  53. jono667

    11/10/2012 at 9:17 pm

    Buddy I’m sorry but this article is completely retarded. Ok you ahouldnt be an editor. Ot one if these thing is any problem to me (except the microsd card). Some of your complaints are fucking stupid… like how is it googles fault if gameloft want to server out the data themselves? You bloody idiot.

  54. Bryton Wood (@Bwoodesign)

    11/13/2012 at 8:26 pm

    I love my iPad because it integrates so much with my macbook and iPhone. Whatever I pick up I can start off exactly where I stopped on the previous device and keep going whether its messaging reminders notes papers for school or calendar or even browsing the web or Photos I take. If google one day nails this in a clean way I’ll switch but until then Apple all the way. And I use the rear camera on my iPad all the time probably because i have a rear facing camera. Nothing like the smooth touch screen on an iPad too it just can’t be beat not to mention Retina. The lag you get on everything else just isn’t there.

  55. Andrew Burgess

    11/16/2012 at 9:29 am

    how shallow would a person have to be to think people look like idiots taking pictures with a tablet?

  56. Icann S. Mountain

    12/10/2012 at 3:33 pm

    Have you seen the Nexus 7 32 Bg with Simm card ? Please revise your review.

  57. Noah

    12/26/2012 at 8:37 pm

    The article should be updated, the nexus 7 now has fixes and the play store is simply an android problem in general, I have a new 32 gig version with android 4.2.1 (jelly bean) and it works perfectly.
    BTW, I wrote this on said nexus 7.

  58. matoca

    12/27/2012 at 12:41 am

    I couldn’t even comment on this device because I have not been able to get past the request for a wi-fi connection. What good is it if there isn’t one? I got it as a gift and it’s been two days now and I have only seen a google log in request and searching for wifi. When it can’t find it, it shuts off. And it’s not even heavy enough to be used as a doorstop. What a waste.

  59. Jake

    01/12/2013 at 7:31 pm

    First of all i dont really have to call you out on the fact that you are an Apple loving hater and thats IT because plenty of before before myself have told you this and i would agree, your a HATER bro.

    These “issues” crack me up because they just sound like a little boy complaining not actually ADDRESSING problems.

    No rear camera ummm really just use your phone or CAMERA weirdo. The only true problem is the lack of micro sd slot but THATS IT. The four pin connector isnt useless just wait until they release something that can be implemented with it and stop complaining lol…..i waited 5 months for 4.0 on my phone but it didnt make it useless, yeah it sucked but stop being a hating impatiemt person cause really Apple sucks like STOP with all the restrictions like its my phone not Apples so let me do what i want.

    You just sounds so funny to me that your complaining about such minor annoyances lol sooooo weird.

  60. ali

    01/25/2013 at 7:45 pm

    Im soory i buy asus and google third class product i open my box brand new and i have the same problem my touch screen is not working automatically clicking icons and doing stuff even open any site and keep typing i think should buy ipad rather than nexus and u know i talk to asus representative they are almost charging me the shiping on my request that its first day i open i cant even registered my product and you are asking for more money for shipping then they waive me shiping cost but what was my experience i not to buy nexus better to buy a good product spend $100 dollar more is better than you go and drop off box at fedex and then collect it or pay shipping cost gas charges altogether more than 100 dollar and wastage of your Golden time i hope you understand the situation when you waiting for something and shit comeout well i say good buy to google after replacing it i will sell it as soos as possible.

  61. Ivan Jolly

    03/17/2013 at 8:13 pm

    OKay. Enough. I own an iphone and an ipod tch. wanna buy a TAB. I am really bored with apple and jailbreak. Nexus 7 is the best Tab in my view. Do you think i must buy N7 considering other cheap tabs in market? What are the CONS OF Nexus 7 ?

    • Nelson Marquina

      03/19/2013 at 12:28 pm

      Ivan, I own a Nexus 7 which I use for reading ebooks, as well as for listening to ebooks, and is perfectly fine. You would be well advised to look at other tablets too like the Toshiba Excite 7.7-inch. Seems like the quality and features of the Toshiba are excellent. I wouldn’t go for anything cheap — you know the saying, you get what you pay for — less features and less construction quality.

  62. Frank Grayson

    03/22/2013 at 6:49 am

    Ugh, another Apple fanboy. So annoying. Just look at the devices he uses if you don’t think he is one.

    It’s funny how Apple fan(atic)s tell everyone who has a problem with an Apple product that you simply haven’t “learned” to use it correctly(i.e. the Apple “different-just-to-be-different way), yet they can’t seem to “learn” to read a manual for a non-Apple product.

  63. Samuel Barbosa

    04/25/2013 at 1:53 am

    This article is very biased!

    1) incompatible apps – the Nexus 7 is a new tablet so developers are fixing their apps so it will become compatible with the Nexus 7.
    2) game downloads are flaky – The nexus 7 does not decide that it will only download a few megabytes of the app and then download the rest of the app, developers package it that way so you can download the initial app then download the rest while you’re on wifi to save on data or have a quicker download, whatever the case may be…not a nexus 7 issue.
    3) display quality issues – this isn’t an issue with every Nexus 7 tablet; only for a very small percentage of owner have experienced this problem.
    4) no rear facing camera – having no rear camera doesn’t make the poor.
    5) no 3G/4G option – there is now a 3G version of the nexus 7 tablet, but no 4G – anyway you can just use the mobile hotspot function on your phone to share the internet with other devices.
    6) not enough storage – there is now 32 GB of storage and you can use Google Drive (a free app made by Google so Android users can upload their files to the Google servers so you can have more available space on your Nexus 7 tablet.
    You get 25 GB FREE – Thanks Google! :)
    7) useless dock connector – Asus are developing a dock connector for the Nexus 7 and third-parties have made many dock connectors for the device, just look it up on EBay!
    8) accessories that cost more than the tablet – the Nexus 7 accessories include OTG cables, cases, and stylus, etc…. which are NOT expensive. Anyway the official tablet case made by Asus only costs $18 – cheap if you ask me!
    9) no home screen rotation – you can rotate the home screen (just update to Android 4.2.2). Just do this: Settings > About tablet> System updates > Check now. Simple!

    The ‘problems’ the article presented are incorrect and the article is very out-of-date!

    I am sick and tired of biased Apple supporters who don’t acknowledge the excellent devices & services made by Google – oh well, I guess Apple has somehow managed to brainwash some of you [Apple fans] to believe Apple devices are the best in the world and everything else is terrible and boring, which isn’t true! I bet if you Apple fans actually use the Nexus 7 without reading these bias as hell reviews on Google products then you would LOVE the Nexus 7 tablet as much as I do!

    There are many devices just as excellent as Apple products!
    For instance take a look at the Chromebook Pixel – a laptop running the Chrome OS – it has a higher screen resolution than the already excellent resolution on the Macbook Pro and the body of the Chromebook Pixel is made out of aluminium [the same metal which is used to make the Macbook Pro]. The Chrome OS is basically the Chrome browser as the main application also you can store documents, pictures, videos and music on the device which runs Chrome OS. Here’s the best part of Chrome OS – it only takes 9 seconds (maximum) for the Chromebook Pixel to turn on and load onto the desktop which I think is excellent!

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