Google launches Nexus 7 tablet.

Nexus 7.

Google took the wraps off the first device to run Android 4.1, Jelly Bean: a 7-inch tablet made by Asus, called the Nexus 7.

The pint—sized tablet has a 1280 x 800 display, NVIDIA quad-core Tegra 4 processor, and Google claims the tablet will keep kicking for 10 hours of reading or 8 hours of HD video playback on a single charge.

We had a brief opportunity after the keynote to spend a little bit of time with one of the tablets, albeit tied down to a demo station.

The tablet is light. Weighing in at just 340 grams you’re probably not going to notice any extra weight when you throw it in your book bag or purse. The back-lit IPS display is easy to see from a variety of angles, and while some connectivity issues prevented us from doing things on the web what we were able to do on the tablet without an internet connection -– or with a spotty one at times — zipped along.

An 8GB version of the tablet is going to run you $199, putting it right on par price-wise with Barnes & Noble’s Nook Tablet and Amazon’s Kindle Fire. It also comes with a $25 credit to the Google Play store to help you get started filling it with apps, and essentially bringing that ultimate device price tag down a bit.

Besides some pretty impressive stuff under the hood, one thing that’s going to stand out with the Nexus 7 is that it is running a pure version of Android. Both the Nook and Fire are running Android, but these are stripped-down custom version of the OS. That means you have limited access to apps in the Google Play store, for example.

The Nexus 7 gives you access to all the apps you’re going to want, and fully integrates with Google services like Gmail and Google +. If you’re rocking an Android phone, then information will sync between your tablet and phone, and all that will also sync with what you do on your computer.

If you need more internal storage than 8GB, Google is also offering a 16GB version of the tablet for $249. Both are available now for pre-order from the Google Play store, and are expected to ship in the next 2-3 weeks.

Check out the gallery below for an up close look at the nexus 7 in action, and be sure to check back for a full review of the device once we’ve been able to spend a little more time with it.

The tablet has a textured back with 'Nexus' carved in.

Books are front and center on the Nexus 7. the tablet would be ideal to use as a e-reader.

A power button and volume rocker are on the side of the tablet.

The Nexus 7 is super light and thin, making it easy to throw in a bookbag or purse for your commute or on a trip.

The Nexus 7 can play high-definition videos, play music, and display books and movies.

The Nexus 7 is the first device to use Chrome as its dedicated browser.

The Google Play store has a number of television shows and movies available for you to download and watch on the tablet. Pre-ordered Nexus 7 tablets come with a $25 credit for the Play Store.

Text is crisp and easy to read and can be zoomed in by pinching the screen.

Mashable