Google"s announcement earlier this week that it would sell its own Asus-made tablet, the Google Nexus 7, wasn"t much of a surprise. However, the first brick-and-mortar retailer to announce that they would sell the Android 4.1 device is a bit more surprising: GameStop. The gaming retailer announced this week it is now taking pre-orders for the $199 tablet ahead of its release later in July.
There"s even better news for consumers. Anyone who wants to get the Nexus 7 from GameStop can trade in their used console games, along with console hardware and accessories, and get a 30 percent trade credit bonus to get the Nexus 7. They can also trade in their iOS and iPod devices and select Android tablets for the same credit bonus. GameStop started accepting trade-ins on iPods, iPhones and iPads in the fall of 2011.
So far, GameStop is the only retailer, outside of Google"s own Google Play online store, to offer the Nexus 7 on sale; other retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy and Target have not announced plans to offer the Nexus 7. It also remains to be seen if Amazon.com will sell the tablet. The Nexus 7 seems to be a direct challenge to Amazon"s own Android 2.3-based Kindle Fire tablet, along with Barnes and Noble"s Nook tablet.
Source: GameStop | Image via Google