We were just waiting for the official confirmation and it is here. Google has today officially announced the launch of the Nexus 7, which has been built by ASUS and it is the first device to ship with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system.

The tablet features a 1.3 GHz NVDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 1280 x 800 pixel IPS display with scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass. It has a 1.2MP front-facing camera, 1GB of RAM, and up to 9 hours of battery life while watching HD videos.

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Measuring 7.8″ x 4.7″ x 0.41″, and weighing  12 ounces, the Nexus 7 is about the same size as a Kindle Fire or NOOK Tablet. It’s also about the same price, but it has a faster processor, a built-in camera, and Google Certification.

• 7-inch (1280 × 800) HD display (216 ppi)
• Back-lit IPS LCD Capacitive Multi-touch display
• Scratch-resistant Corning glass
• Tegra 3 quad-core 4-PLUS-1 processor, and 12-core GPU
• 1.2MP front-facing shooter – no rear (Sorry folks)
• Either to choose 8GB or 16 GB internal storage
• 1GB RAM
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Operating System
• Chrome as standard browser
• WEIGHT: 340 grams
• SIZE: 198.5 x 120 x 10.45mm
• USB: Micro USB
• CONNECTIVITY: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Microphone, NFC (Android Beam), Accelerometer, GPS, Magnetometer, Gyroscope
• 4325 mAh battery (Up to 8 hours of active use, 9 hours HD video playback and 300 hours standby)

Availability and Price

The Nexus 7 is up on orders over the Google Play Store and is available in the US, Canada and couple of other countries. More countries will be added later. Nexus 7 would ship in mid-July and is priced at (as expected) $199 for the 8GB version and $249 for the 16 GB version.

Optional accessories include a $20 Nexus 7 cover, and an additional charging adapter and cable for $25.