Google unleashes The New Nexus Family: Nexus 4, Nexus 10, A New Nexus 7 & Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

In a surprise move, Google has unveiled its latest lineup of Nexus devices, which now includes the Nexus 4 smartphone, Nexus 7 mini-tablet, and full-sized, super-high-resolution Nexus 10 tablet. Android 4.2 Jelly Bean was also announced, along with Google's new Photo Sphere panorama feature.

After canceling its New York press event due to Hurricane Sandy’s high winds, flooding, rain, and possible zombie apocalypse, Google went ahead and announced its new lineup of Nexus devices via the Web, where weather has no power over us mortals. As expected, Google’s offerings now include a new 32GB Nexus 7 tablet with cellular connectivity; a new, super-high-resolution Nexus 10 tablet; and the all-new Nexus 4 smartphone. The latest version of Android Jelly Bean, 4.2, was also announced.

“Today, we’re excited to announce three great new Nexus devices … in small, medium and large,” wrote Google in a blog post. “And they all run Android 4.2, a new flavor of Jelly Bean — which includes the latest version of Google Now and other great new features.”

Nexus 10

Billed as “the highest resolution tablet on the planet,” the Nexus 10, made by Samsung, includes a 2560 x 1600 resolution Super AMOLED display with 299 dots per inch (dpi) — a leap higher than the 264 dpi of Apple’s iPad. The Nexus 10 also features Samsung’s new 1.7 GHz Exynos 5 chips, 2GB of RAM, NFC, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and a 9,000mAh battery that Google says will deliver five hours of video playback, or 500 hours of up-time on standby. Like the Nexus 7, it does not include an SD card slot for additional storage. Of course, the Nexus 10 comes pre-loaded with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The 16GB version will cost $400, while the 32GB model clocks in at $500. The Nexus 10 will be available November 13.

Nexus 4

We already got a glimpse at the Nexus 4, after someone — you guessed it — left one in a bar in San Francisco. But now we have the confirmed specifics: Quad-core processor, 4.7-inch display (320dpi), wireless charging capabilities, Google Now, and a new feature called Photo Sphere for creating 360-degree, Street View-like panorama shots. The Nexus 4 will go for $300 starting November 13.

Nexus 7

The Nexus 7 will now only be available in 16GB ($200) and 32GB ($250) models. (The 8GB version is no longer of this world.) Also, Google will now offer 32GB Nexus 7 model with HSPA+ connectivity for $300.

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Updates to Android Jelly Bean include Gesture Typing, “which lets you glide your finger over the letters you want to type on the keyboard,” according to Google. A streaming video-to-TV feature has also been added, as well as multi-user support for tablets.

Gallery of the Nexus Family: