Just got my Nexus 7 from JB HiFi Auckland. NZD439.



Haven't unbox it yet. It's 5:27pm here and I got a dinner and movies with friends to go before I come back later for the proper unboxing.

Just reached hotel and unboxed the Nexus 7. Perfect screen, no blemishes whatsoever. Came out with 50% battery charge left. Stock sticker shows it arrived Auckland on the 19th.

The box is a b**** to open and unbox. Very nice feel of the back panel. Like golf ball. Charging it back with my Galaxy Nexus charger/microUSB cable.

Already took a video but not uploading it here in Auckland since data charges here(even Wifi) is expensive plus limited with data cap.

Also, not gonna set it up here. Need proper internet connection, US VPN to get that free USD25 Play Store credit.

My own unboxing of my Google Nexus 7 while I was in Auckland. Wasn't a pure unboxing as I've pre-loosen and pre-cut the stickers at the side so that I dont like an idiot unboxing it live with the impossible to take out box of the thing.

Testing Google Now and Sound Search on Nexus 7. Pardon the shaky cam, I'm doing this with my iPhone on my hand, and navigating the Nexus 7 on the other.

I'm happy to oblige you with more videos, shot that way then. Coz (1) it's my video, feel free to not watch it and (2) shooting landscape in hand without stabilised arm support means even shakier video.



Hands-on with Plex Media client, Dead Trigger, Dark Meadow and overall system UI responsiveness.

Enjoy!

---

Added on July 28, 2012, 1:25 amAlso, 17% left on the Nexus 7. Look at how long it has been running though. Plenty impressive figures, on par or better than my iPad.



This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jul 28 2012, 01:26 AM

Some apps do not work for the Nexus 7. Recognized as a tablet, made apparent when I wanna install Swiftkey, it recommends the tablet version instead of Version 3 I've purchased.

Google+ had problems during first launch as well, took a long time to sign in. Reset twice then it goes in, thankfully as the tablet version of the app.

Had to defrost using Titanium so that the region-specific apps like Google Play Movies, Magazines, Wallet and the Sound Search widget appears.

Other than those minor gripes, I've very very impressed with the little tablet. Besides the smaller capacity size (which for media consumption, alleviated using Plex, in my case), this turns out to be pretty much a viable replacement for my iPad, provided I don't game much.

Scoured entire Low Yat Plaza for Nexus 7 accessories, to no avail. Screen protector-wise, even the Galaxy Tab 2 7 inch SPs are not a good fit for the Nexus 7. The next option, sleeves are nonexistant. Even sleeves that are not particularly made for the Nexus, a general purpose sleeve that fits a 7 inch tablet are not available. Looks like it has to stay naked for the time being.

The first thing I did was root. Any Android device without the American Play Store is incomplete. From XDA, Nexus Root Toolkit. Easy enough even for a newbie to follow using that Toolkit.

Got insider news that a brand new Nexus-based/themed store will open on ground floor in LYP soon, catering to only Google Nexus- and Google Experience products and their accessories. Also will be receiving the Nexus Q, hopefully tomorrow, to play test. The unit is meant for this Nexus-based/themed store to be opened in LYP, but am glad I get to bring it back home to play with it for a few days before returning it back to the owner of that store for the store opening.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Aug 3 2012, 03:54 PM

The owner already has the Samsung stores in LYP, so even if the Nexus venture doesn't work, he can always relegate it to a general Android device store only. Either way, that'll bring some mindshare and exposure to the ignorant clumps of stores up on level 2 and above in LYP, when it comes to Google Experience and Nexus devices. Everyone there only seems to focus on Samsung and nothing else.

Either way, it'll make it easier to get Nexus products into the country. The aim is to make is as ubiquitous as other concept stores like Apple Resellers or Samsung's.

The Nexus 7 screen is washed out. I'm used to staring at my Galaxy Nexus and S3, so it's a given. Still, I love it for its form factor and that blistering speed. You can have the sexiest looking hardware but if it chugs along like a paraplegic old fart also no point.

Let me correct myself then. I prefer the saturated screen of S3 & Galaxy Nexus compared to washed out
(Relatively to the previous devices mentioned) screens of the other two. Doesn't make me love the Nexus 7 any less.

Stock. Since the device is meant to be used stock in portrait, stock keyboard works fine. I have Swiftkey for tablet but end up using the stock keyboard more often than not, I've removed Swiftkey completely.

Switfkey for Tablet has the split keyboard if I am not mistaken, so that you can use it with the virtual keyboard split in the middle, that way your thumb can reach all the letters on the keyboard without overstretching it.

Otherwise look for tablet keyboards that feature split virtual keyboard.

Conditions permitting, will be picking up Nexus Q playtesting unit at MacStudio LYP at 9pm. Can't wait! Have the green light from MacStudio big boss to try it out for a week!

MacStudio is owned by the owner who runs MTCS Group. MTCS Group of companies covers the whole spectrum of devices and brands, from Macs, Samsung Concept Stores, Sony Centers, and the upcoming Nexus-branded/themed store in LYP. To facilitate the opening of the new Nexus-themed store in LYP end of this month, stocks of these Nexus devices will be arriving in steady stream, including the Nexus Q.

It's arriving at MacStudio LYP at 9pm, conditions permitting. It's already in the country, just that the courier to LYP is indeterminate.

It's here! And doesn't cost a dime since Google gave it out for free!



Going home to test it out since MacStudio don't want "competing products" in their premises.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Aug 4 2012, 08:36 PM

Wait for the store to open end of this month. I don't want to shortchange you or my friend.