Google takes on Apple's iPad mini with 'world's highest resolution tablet screen' new super-slim Nexus 7

Google has unveiled a new tablet set to seriously challenge Apple’s iPad mini.

The new Nexus 7 is built by Asus and has a seven-inch, 1980x1200 display - the world's highest resolution screen - that offers almost double the pixels per inch than the iPad mini despite being around £100 cheaper.

It also has a 5MP rear-facing camera for the first time, and a faster 1.5Ghz processor compared to the first-generation Nexus 7 device.

The new Nexus 7 is the first gadget to be shipped on an updated version of Google's Jelly Bean operating system, Android 4.3, and will come in three models: 16GB Wi-Fi for £149 ($229), 32GB Wi-Fi for £175 ($269) and a 64GB LTE model that costs £227 ($349). 

All three devices will go on sale in the U.S from 30 July and across Europe in 'the coming weeks.'

First-generation nexus 7 and Second-generation nexus 7 

The new Nexus 7 is 2mm thinner than the original's 10.5mm design. 

The second-generation Nexus 7 has a quad-core 1.5Ghz processor, as seen in Google's Nexus 4 handset, alongside 2GB of RAM.

The 7-inch screen, which gives the tablet its name, has remained but the resolution has been increased to 1980x1200 with 1080p quality.

The new Nexus 7 additionally has dual stereo speakers with Fraunhofer virtual surround sound.

Elsewhere, Google has improved the battery life on the new Nexus 7.

‘Even with more than twice the pixels and double the performance, you get an extra hour - up to nine hours of video, and ten hours of web surfing,’ said Barra.

The Nexus 7 will also be the first device to ship with Google's updated Jelly Bean operating system, Android 4.3, which has a new ‘child’ mode that can stop children running up huge bills.

'Like the original, the new Nexus 7 is a generously equipped tablet for such a good price. With an entry-level asking price of just £150 it’s neatly positioned to take a bite out of Apple’s tablet domination.

'Fortunately, the value price tag hasn’t led to a compromise in features. The new model has a more powerful processor and an improved resolution which is considerably better quality than its mini-tablet rival - the iPad mini.

Other 7-inch tablets including the iPad mini cost around the £250 mark.

GOOGLE LAUNCHES CHROMECAST

Google also unveiled a new gadget that plugs into a TV and allows people to play back videos using their phone, tablet or computer as a remote control.

Called Chromecast, it can stream videos from YouTube, and plugs into a HDMI socket found on all TVs.

Once it's plugged in, you simply go to your YouTube app and press a button in the app to watch the video on a TV.

The firm said both Android and iOS devices will be able to control Chromecast. 

Chromecasts costs $35.

I want a tablet, in fact, I need a tablet.