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Why The Nexus 7 Launch is a Great Sign for Nexus 5 Buyers

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After two difficult Nexus launches, Google seems to have finally gotten it right with the launch of the new Nexus 7 tablet, and prospective Nexus 5 buyers should be better off for it.

In June of last year, Google announced the original Nexus 7, a device that up until recently, it sold on its Google Play Store for $199. The device went up for pre-order that day and several weeks later, in July, Google released the Nexus 7 tablet unto the world. However, the launch, the first of its kind, was marred by all sorts of issues.

Read: 10 Things the Nexus 7 Tells Us About the Nexus 5.

The new Nexus 7 unboxing shows off the new design and what comes with the Nexus 7 (2013) model.

The new Nexus 7 launch hasn’t been marred by issues.

Those who pre-ordered a Nexus 7 or tried to order on its release date surely know about the issues that plagued the original Nexus 7 launch. For those that need a refresher course, Google saw stock shortages emerge thanks to heavy demand for the then new 7-inch slate. Many of those who pre-ordered were stuck with late arrivals. We also saw people who paid for two-day air get ground shipping.

While Google didn’t shoulder all of the load, the retailers that it did have on staff for the original Nexus 7 launch quickly saw supply issues emerge as well, causing prospective buyers more than a few headaches. Needless to say, it wasn’t a smooth launch and it even caused Google to release a statement to Nexus 7 buyers with updates on shipping times and more.

Android enthusiasts and consumers were hopeful that Google would learn from its mistakes and that this would never happen again. Unfortunately though, sometimes things can only get worse before they get better.

In October, Google announced a trio of new products including the Nexus 7 HSPA+, Nexus 10 and the Nexus 4. Google didn’t take pre-orders for the devices and instead, attached November release dates.

Eight months ago, on November 13th, the devices arrive on the Google Play Store and all hell broke loose. We saw all three devices sell out across the board right from the get go and on top of that, we saw the Google Play Store virtually melt down under the pressure from consumers. There was confusion and chaos abound and Google once again had to issue a public statement, this one in regards to the Nexus 4, which saw the bulk of the orders.

Two weeks later, the Nexus 4 went back on sale and it sold out again, instantaneously. Though this time, instead of stopping sales, Google let them continue until estimated shipping times were pushed into 2013, past the holidays. In the months between late November and February, the Nexus 4 was virtually impossible to find, even through T-Mobile. We also saw stock of the Nexus 7 fluctuate.

Google and LG also began pointing the finger at each other though it became clear that the supply issues were caused, at least in part, by mismanagement in terms of demand. Google simply had no idea this many people would be interested in a cheap unlocked smartphone with high-specifications. Since February, the Nexus 4 has been widely available after Google and LG ramped up production to meet demand.

So within a year, Google managed to foul up not one, but two Nexus launches, something that obviously frustrated but also likely alienated many of its potential customers. And all of that left many to wonder, what would 2013 bring?

Earlier this month, Google announced a new Nexus 7 tablet after months and months of rumor and speculation. The device made its debut last week and instead of getting a pre-order, the device was announced with a July 30th launch date. Today is July 30th and lo and behold, we aren’t seeing the chaos, the frustration, the absurdity that plagued Google Nexus launches in 2012.

The Nexus 4 launch was plagued by issues as well.

The Nexus 4 launch was plagued by issues as well.

It seems as if Google has learned its lesson.

The proof first came at the Nexus 7 launch event when Google detailed a host of retailers that would be carrying the Nexus 7 at launch. Instead of only a few, or in the case of the unlocked Nexus 4 just the Google Play Store, the Nexus 7 will be available through a host of different retailers including Best Buy, Staples and Amazon.

We’ve seen a few places show signs of stocking issues but nothing that has shut down the whole Nexus 7 launch party. Nothing that has caused Google release a statement. Even the Google Play Store is showing healthy stock with devices set to ship out in one to two business days, something unheard of for a Google Nexus launch.

Why The Nexus 7 Launch is a Great Sign for Nexus 5 Buyers

While this might seem like a small blip, it’s a big step in the right direction for Google. It’s proven that it has learned from its previous launch mistakes as it clearly ordered enough devices and made sure that those devices had a home. Even better, this is a great sign for buyers of the Nexus 5.

The Nexus 5 is rumored to be out sometime later this year, possibly in November alongside the Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie update. If the Nexus 5 has high-end specifications, Android 5.0, Verizon LTE, and a cheap price tag, demand for this smartphone is going to be through the absolute roof.

With the success of the Nexus 7 launch, the chances of a smooth Nexus 5 launch are much greater. And because of that, the odds that most, if not all buyers will be able to a new Nexus smartphone before the end of the 2013 are good as well. LG, who is suspected of making the Nexus 5, and Google have been through this before with the Nexus 4. Just like Asus and Google had been through it with the original Nexus 7.

So while a flawless Nexus 5 launch is not guaranteed, it’s clear that lessons have been learned and Nexus buyers should be better off for it.

5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. chazzmatt

    07/30/2013 at 5:44 pm

    Another winner, Adam. Keep it up.

    I bought two Galaxy Nexus phones almost a year ago exactly. Sat out the LG Nexus 4, but will definitely be getting the LG Nexus 5 this November. Two of them.

    Then probably going to AT&T’s new GoPhone BYOD plan — which allows you to bring your own unlocked LTE phones and use AT&T unthrottled LTE network. $60 per month for 2GB LTE/unlimited talk/unlimited texts. You can even find discounts online to bring that down into the mid-$50s.

    An unlocked Nexus 5 with multiple LTE bands/pentaband HSPA+ as backup would work quite well on that service. :)

    • Robert

      07/31/2013 at 11:58 am

      Been using the new BYOD plan from ATT and works great on my Nexus 4.

  2. Noel

    07/31/2013 at 9:45 am

    As a reliable Nexus device owner/buyer(except the Nexus S)…i am anxiously waiting for the Nexus 5. But first i am waiting for the new Nexus 7 Wifi/LTE model. My N4 still performs gr8..still waiting for the 4.3 update…got it on my old N7 but taking a little longer to get to my N4. I have not read anywhere that some ppl have got the update on their N4 yet. Hope there are no problems with the update on N4s.

    • Alvin

      07/31/2013 at 10:06 pm

      My Galaxy Nexus got the update yesterday. That’s why I’ll always get a Nexus. My old HTC took 16 months to get Froyo and nothing since then.

  3. steven

    08/01/2013 at 10:52 am

    I have already received the n4 update. Nothing major just a little more refined

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