14 DAY TRIAL // Today is a big day. The rumor mill has been prophesizing the advent of the much-anticipated Nexus 9 tablet is scheduled for the next few hours.
If you had doubts that this was the case, Forbes now confirms the information, writing that sources close to Google have confirmed the so-called HTC Volantis tablet will launch today as the first device to arrive with Android L.
The Nexus 9 launch won't happen during a huge event
What’s interesting is that according to insiders we shouldn't be expecting this to happen during a big event.
This was the initial plan Google had in mind, but since the search giant isn't done tweaking Android L yet, the Nexus 9 will launch via a blog post in a few hours.
That’s quite disappointing, because it means we won’t get to see any hands-on action, just a bunch of official renders and information.
Nexus 9 will immediately go up for pre-order and interested customers can register to make sure they are among the first to get their hands on the slate starting October 17. Subsequently, the tablet will make it into retail starting November 3.
Information is skittish about the date when Android L will make it onto other devices, although at some point the rumor mill said Android L would hit the streets on November 1. However, these dates are bound to quickly change direction.
As we have told you before, the 16GB version of the Nexus 9 will sell for $399 / €315, but the new report mentions the 32GB LTE model will sell for a hefty $499 / €394, a price that puts it on par with the Wi-Fi 16GB model of the first-gen iPad Air.
Nexus 9 to compete head-to-head with the iPad Air 2
Speaking of which, in an ill-fated move Google has chosen to schedule the release of the Nexus 9 just a day before Apple announced it was holding a major iPad event, which will probably see the advent of the iPad Air 2. Hopefully, the Nexus 9 will not be completely overshadowed by this new fruity product.
According to the source close to Google, the rumored specs of the Nexus 9 are mostly correct.
This means users will be faced with an 8.9-inch tablet with 2048 x 1440 pixel resolution, drawing power from a 64-bit dual-core NVIDIA Tegra K1 CPU.
The slate will have two cameras (an 8MP one on the back and a 3MP one in the front) and a brushed aluminum frame, as opposed to an all-metal one (a decision influenced by cost).
The tablet will take advantage of one of HTC’s characteristic features like boomsound and dual front-facing speakers, something which we can also see on One M8.
The Nexus 9 is expected to be offered alongside an “origami” magnetic case, which can be folded up in various shapes and positions.