Currently being referred to as the Nexus 7 2 or Nexus 7.7 (due to speculation it will rock a 7.7 inch screen), the next-gen tablet from ASUS and Google has been expected as early as May. That could all change now that we're hearing (further) confirmation that the Nexus 7 2 or Nexus 7.7 is actually coming out a bit later than that (especially since, well, we're already nearly through May).

It turns out we might not be able to expect the next-gen Nexus 7 until July.

Though the Nexus 7 itself is a fine product, as many analysts, fanboys and users themselves would agree, it was released last July and being that Google knows it needs to keep up with exponentially faster launch cycles, it's clearly time for Nexus 7 2.

We may not have heard anything about the Nexus 7 2 or Nexus 7.7 (along with a few other products we were all expecting announcements about) at Google I/O earlier this month, but that doesn't mean the tablet isn't soon on its way.

"By now, the fact that a new version of the Nexus 7 is coming is almost confirmed," Android Authority says in an article published on Thursday, May 23.

"Most rumors suggest that the refreshed Nexus 7 would come in July," Android Authority continues, "and today we have another report supporting this timeline."

"Industry sources" from the often dubious Digitimes have reported that a Taiwanese supplier of integrated circuitry for touchscreen devices called Elan Microelectronics has "already begun shipping touchscreen controllers for the next generation of the Nexus 7," according to Android Authority (which itself notes the "notoriously hit-and-miss" nature of Digitimes "industry sources").

"Thanks to the order for Nexus 7 controllers, Elan is said to boast increased revenues in May and June," Android Authority says. "This tells us that the device itself is being manufactured in June, which goes nicely with the earlier reports about the release of the Nexus 7 in July."

Being that, again, the first Nexus 7 was released in July 2012, it would make quite a bit of sense for Google/ASUS to release the Nexus 7 2 or Nexus 7.7 (or whatever it might end up being called) in July 2013.

The next-gen Nexus 7 tablet will likely be priced the same as its predecessor (not a bad deal) and will hopefully rock Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, along with what is said to be a Snapdragon 600 processor and a 1920 x 1200 display.

Are you looking forward to the next-gen Nexus 7? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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