Google may be releasing 2nd generation Nexus 7 in July

According to Reuters’ sources Google will be launching its new Nexus 7 tablet in July. Though Google has yet to release any official information on the upcoming device, insiders are painting an uncharacteristically detailed picture of backstage events.

Most notably the ASUS-manufactured tablet will be allegedly sporting a Qualcomm processor instead of an Nvidia Tegra. Sources say the choice came down to energy efficiency, unfortunately providing little else on whether lack of 4G LTE or a late arrival could have handicapped Nvidia.

The upcoming tablet will allegedly have a higher than 1280 x 800 resolution display which is atypical of a tablet this size. Google and ASUS are also said to be slimming down the size of the bezel. Prices are still being pondered as Google is apparently weighing two options: Either sell the new Nexus 7 for $199 and discount the older model, or go for a $149 price-tag and discontinue the older model.

Fubon Securities analyst Arthur Liao said to Reuters, "This is the 'zero margin strategy'. Ninety-seven percent of Google's revenue comes from advertisement, so it needs to sell more mobile devices in order to reach more consumers."

Google is supposedly hoping to move up to 8 million Nexus 7 devices in the second half of the year. Analysts claim Google sold an estimated 4.6 million Nexus 7 tablets in 2H 2012. Meanwhile ASUS has said it is targeting a total of 12 million tablet sales this year.

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