{"id":740831,"date":"2013-03-07T09:09:42","date_gmt":"2013-03-07T14:09:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gigaom.com\/?p=617776"},"modified":"2013-03-07T09:09:42","modified_gmt":"2013-03-07T14:09:42","slug":"google-launches-and-sells-out-of-a-30-nexus-7-dock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.com\/index\/740831","title":{"rendered":"Google launches (and sells out of) a $30 Nexus 7 dock"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the better late than never category, Google introduced a simple dock for its Nexus 7 tablet<\/a> on Wednesday evening. The $29.99 accessory charges a Nexus 7<\/a>, while propping it up in portrait mode. A 3.5 millimeter headphone jack in the dock supports external speakers when playing music from the tablet, which also supports wireless music playback over Bluetooth. Sadly, in what’s becoming a recurring theme, the dock is sold out as of Thursday morning.<\/p>

\"Nexus7+dock\"<\/a><\/p>

I bought a Nexus 7 after reviewing one last July<\/a> but later sold it in favor of an iPad mini; not because Google’s tablet didn’t have a dock available, but because I use multiple mobile platforms to maintain perspective. If I still had my Nexus 7, however, I’d be quite miffed for two reasons. It really shouldn’t take a half-year or more to introduce simple\u00a0accessories\u00a0for a product. And once they finally arrive, why add insult to injury by not producing enough inventory?<\/p>

\"Nexus<\/a>The odd thing to me is that it’s not as if Google doesn’t know how many Nexus 7 tablets have been sold. Yes, the tablet can be purchased outside of the Google Play store at some brick-and-mortar retailers, but Google surely keeps track of Nexus 7 activations.<\/p>

While it can’t predict demand perfectly, Google — with all of its data and algorithms — should have a better handle on expected demand; especially if it wants to really compete in the hardware market with Nexus devices, Chromebooks and Chromeboxes.<\/p>
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